Of Ice and Dragons
Chapter 8
Tinvaak…
In the language of the Dov, the word itself had multiple meanings. It was to talk, to argue, to debate, to hold conversation, and other forms of voiceful expressions. The Dovahkiin and the Dovah spoke for a long time, shifting between the two languages when necessary, for He was slowly learning the language as they talked. During His time in the Legion, soldiers like Himself was accustomed to travel and forced to self-learn foreign languages in order to understand the locals that they met. Such a skill has aided Him before and is aiding Him now. They talked about diplomacy, philosophy, war, and many articles of interest.
And He learned, listened, and told of His Quest.
The old Dov had pondered His questions and listened to His tale, and as dawn broke upon the day after they had first met, He began to feel exhausted and had the need to rest.
Then, Paarthurnax finally, but partially, answered the Dovahkiin's question, saying,
"There may be a way to halt Alduin. But it will not be easy. Gol ahrk yol voknau hin zen. (Stones and fire upon your path). A thu'um made by man against Dovah."
He thought on this and whispered His reply, "Do you know this thu'um?"
Paarthurnax simply stated, "No. Krosis. It is … Vomindoraan … Incomprehensible to a dov themselves."
He watched as the old Hermit of a dragon looked away from Him to the sunset for a short period as if weighing his next words, and when it turns back to Him, the weight of knowledge is heavy in the Dovah's next words, "Tell me, Dovahkiin... why do you think I stay upon this mountain?"
He is surprised by such a question. If He were to be honest, His focus on dragons was to kill them rather than learn about their habits. But, based on what He sees in front of him, He can only think of one good guess.
"Dragons... like... mountains?" His answer was merely a guessed question.
The old Dov chuckles at this answer and responded, "Vahzah... nuz nivzah (True... but false), for on top of this strunmah is the place where Alduin was first defeated by the first of the Sahkren (Tongue)."
The Old Dov's head nodded to the rupture that the Dovakiin saw earlier and continued, as if telling an old tale to a child,"Using the Kel… The Elder Scroll, They cast Alduin outside of Time, voth oblaan ({with} foul ending). And I have Guarded this dulvaan (peak) since then. You were studying its very spot when I came."
The Dragonborn's eyes immediately snaps to the ripple forming from within in the fabric of reality as Paarthurnax explained, "It is the Tiid-Ahraan… the Time-Wound. If one were to bring the Kel here, one may cast themselves to the beginning of it, and learn the Thu'um from those who created it."
When He looked back to the Old Dov, it looked like it was giving a playful smirk, like it was giving Him a hint. Fortunately, He figured out why Paarthurnax had told him this as He then knew what he needed to do. Giving his sincere gratitude for their talk and passing the knowledge of the Dovah's Tongue and sets off the journey down the mountain.
OOOOO
He descends the mountain from High Hrothgar, the old Dov's information running through His mind as to not just the language, but in learning that there is a thu'um to defeat Alduin. He had spoken with Master Arngeir upon His return from the Throat of the World about such a weapon. The old Greybeards admonition was clear as He had told about what He had learned.
Then one of the Greybeards gave Him a warning, "You are beginning to delve into things best left alone, Dovahkiin. But it seems you are decided on this course of action. The Mages of Winterhold may be of use to you in your aid for such a thu'um. But be warned, they are not to be trusted."
He would head this warning, for many things he had overheard from others supported this fact as well. He mounts up on the Key (horse), and begins his Kurlah (journey) to the city of Winterhold.
OOOOO
The Blade moved smoothly through the underbrush, Her elder companion beside Her. They both made little noise as the approached a solitary campfire at the base of Illidan's Folly.
This was the meeting spot She had proposed to the Dovahkiin when She had left Him, the urgent contact letter in Her hands. He had been adamant to get to the Greybeards, something She strongly disagreed with, but had been unable to change His mind on the matter. From this, She learned that He had a Head of a Bull and the Ass of a Donkey when He set his mind straight at something. It had been plain to Her that while She aided Him in knowing how and why the Dov have been returning, He still didn't trust her. And so She had left to find the one She currently was sneaking through the brush with.
Her companion, Esbern, was a lore master of the Blades. And his summons had taken Her full attention. Of course, he had been in deep trouble too, and with the Thalmor breathing down both their necks, they needed some breathing room.
And the only person She knew that can possibly stop such a military force was a man who can slay dragons.
They moved farther forward, and She could make out an armored figure tending to the campfire, His slouched forward form and slowly moving right arm proved that He was moving around the firewood.
"Do you think its Him?" Esbern whispered. A shrug was her reply, which was barely seen in the darkness that surrounded them. Using hand signals, She instructed Esbern to follow Her silently as they approached the camp. It was when She lost sight of the camp as She moved around a large tree with Esbern trailing behind Her, did She lost sight of the figure.
Alarmed, She halted, Her hand in the freeze signal. She felt more than heard Esbern halt. She carefully scanned the camp now in full view, the lone horse tethered to a small stump. A thump, and She quickly spun, pulling Her Akaviri Katana from her strap, to intercept the hilt rushing towards Her.
A kick to Her ribs, and a strong swing against Her blade sent it out of Her hands, suddenly disarmed, and was sent spinning across the camp to embed itself in a tree. Twin swords were suddenly at Her neck, ready to decapitate Her. She froze and quickly looked into the eyes of Her attacker.
The Dragonborn recognized Delphine in the firelight, and removed His blades from Her neck. The subtle whisper reached out for her, "Trying to sneak up on me was a very stupid move." After sheathing His blades, He held out a hand to help Delphine up.
Once Delphine was on Her feet, He said, "I'm sorry, but I didn't recognize you in the darkness."
The rumble which followed His words was almost as reassuring as His face, though it seemed smaller than before the incident at Kynesgrove. Delphine accepted the apology by saying, "We weren't sure it was you either." Then she looked to Esbern with concern and asked, "Is he...?"
"He's fine. Little tap on the head." He spoke as He easily picked the old Blade up over his shoulder and carried Esbern to His camp. When placed down next to the fire, Delphine saw just how much of a 'tap' He forced and She sighed, "Esbern's going to have one oblivion sized headache when he comes to."
OOOOO
It didn't take long for Esbern to wake back up, and for the Dovahkiin to immediately apologize for knocking him out. During this time, Delphine had a hard time trying to remove her katana from the tree that it was embedded in. A chuckle came from the older man and then Esbern said, "It's something that happens from time to time. I assure you, I'm quite use to it."
This rung some truth. After all, Esbern was knocked out for only a short while. As Esbern held a damp cloth to his head, The Loremaster looked to the Blade, Delphine, and asked, "This is the one you told me 'bout?"
A nod from Her and She says, "Yes. Dovahkiin, this is Esbern. Grand Loremaster of the Blades. Esbern, this is the Dovahkiin."
Giving a smile, Esbern says with a chuckle, "Well I'm pleased to meet you young man, though I think your greeting could use some improvement."
A half grin was directed across the fire to the old man. The Blade then got to business, saying, "So, what did you learn from the Greybeards? And how did you disarm me like that?"
He said with a shrug, "I was a solider once." As if that explained everything.
This caught Delphine attention, wanting to know more about His past, and asked with caution, "For which army?
Like a clam, He sealed his mouth, telling her that he will not give Her any more of His past. Then He turned back to Esbern and continued, "And as for the Greybeards, they taught me many things…"
It took a good few hours of question and answer to get the full story out, save the name and identity of Paarthurnax, and what He would use the Elder Scroll for. To learn a thu'um which was a weapon against dragons. Esbern summed it up quickly, "An Elder Scroll... The Greybeards were correct. The mages will be th' only ones to know where one might be, unless you want to travel throughout all of Tamriel."
"That's not an option Esbern." Delphine said, still tugging out the sword. Then, the Dovahkiin was right next to her, and He gave a gesture to let Him try. Huffing, She sat down and watched as He easily pulled her katana out of the tree. For a small moment, She saw Him analyzing the blade, then handing the blade back to Her by the hilt. Before she could sheathe it, He showed Her how badly the blade has been cared for and needs to see a blacksmith for sharpening before it breaks. Delphine was surprised, finding out that he has experience with weapons and thought if He was previously a blacksmith.
"I know Delphine, time is too short for that." replied Esbern.
The Dragonborn spoke, a trembling of the ground following His words, "It's best we turn in, we need to cover a lot of ground tomorrow."
OOOOO
Winterhold was a city on hard times, the guild itself suffered from this fact as well. Most of the city had been destroyed in a cataclysm before He had been born, leaving only a few ruined houses and the guilds castle to remain standing. They did their best to remain inconspicuous as they rode in, but it seemed strangers were a rarity these days. And they garnered a bit of attention like stray moths to a dying fire.
The walk up to the bridge across the chasm of Winterhold was uneventful, save for a few locals pausing in their daily routine to watch them pass. Delphine spoke up as the neared the bridge, "Remember, we don't want any attention. The Thalmor and others are bound to have eyes here."
The look directed Her way spoke volumes. A huff and then Esbern said, "Well, I don't want a repeat of what happened two days ago. This old mans ears still ring."
OOOOO
Two days previously.
The day was bright and warm as they set out over one final pass before they reached the plains of Winterhold. The three traveled without horses this time, for the trail they followed was too steep, making it unsafe for horse travel. Regardless, Delphine was happy that they had made good progress so far, but She was also worried. Not for Her or Esbern, but the one they only knew as Dragonborn, or Dovahkiin. This man was angry, and He put up a good enough façade of civility and generally distant demeanor to hide it. But it was His eyes that gave it away. In them, She saw pain and pure anger the likes She had never seen, and even Esbern seemed ill at ease when around Him. He didn't talk much, for His replies were short, and He only spoke when absolutely necessary.
If anything, He was quieter than before. An that in itself was some sort of warning to both Delphine and Esbern.
She had decided to test him the other day, seeing how He was restless in camp. So She had drawn Him into some sword practice...
...and quickly learned that Her disarmament had not been a fluke whatsoever. She considered herself to be a very good swordswoman, but compared to the Dovahkiin, His swordsmanship was beyond anything the likes She had ever seen before. And She believed She would never see His match again. He was so good at it, just those few short moments of sparing had taught Her things She had never known before when it went to how She used Her blade.
Seeing how small talk was completely out of the question from Her earlier point, She still didn't know anything about His past, other than that He had simply appeared in Helgen during the first attack under the Thalmor's capture when about to be executed. And under the simple fact that He wasn't answering any of Her questions. Anything close to it and He closed up and stopped talking like some snail.
A very big, strong, intimating, silent, dragon bone shelled snail.
If there was one thing Delphine didn't like, it was things being left a mystery. But She did know one thing, and that was how He had a special place in His heart for the Thalmor.
One nobody prayed to see.
They were once surrounded without warning, for Mer appearing in front and behind them. A high ranking Thalmor approached and began to order them about in a high nasal voice, "Drop your weapons and prepare to be interrogated."
Delphine moved instantly to the side of the Dovahkiin, and whispered that She would handle this, a cautionary hand on His arm to fix on that point. For She didn't want them to know who they were dealing with just yet. Standing forward in a untratning way, she said eloquently, "I beg your pardon, but we are just travelers on this road. What authority do you have to order us about?"
She had deliberately adopted the tone of a high servant, a plan She had discussed with her companions just in case they were in a situation like this one.
….It didn't work.
The Commander said with Arrogant Authority, "I have all the authority woman, now drop your weapons."
Behind the Thalmor, another leaned over to the Commander, having looked at Esbern, and whispered something in which the Commander leaned a little to hear better and had a look of interest.
Delphine could tell this was going to go downhill very quickly.
Afterwards, The Commander looked to Esbern and continued from his earlier statement, "Especially since you are traveling with a wanted felon."
The Commander than looked to the Dovahkiin and said again, "Perhaps you didn't hear me. Drop. Your. Weap-"
She heard the intake of breath as She looked full in the face of the man standing beside her. The man who She heard draw in a deep breath. She and Esbern both immediately clamped their hands over there ears, knowing what was coming.
And Unrelenting Force ripped through the air around them, shaking the earth like it was an earthquake.
OOOOO
The ambush had been completely obliterated. The first shout knocking down and dazing most of them in one shot. She shook her head at the memory. She knew the old tales what was said to Her when She was just a mere child, but to see them reenacted before Her was something else entirely. And as to His swordsmanship, He had rushed the rest and took them on all at once. The ring of steel had been almost continuous, sparks and blood flew through the air like a bloody war-like spectacle. The worst part to Delphine though, was when She had seen His face, and what She saw there troubled Her greatly.
The Commander himself stood little chance, for he was decapitated before he could order a retreat.
Another shake from Esbern brought Her back to the present, as they walked up to a guard upon the bridge, a High elf woman, who looked up from the book she was studying at their approach. Surprised, but slightly annoyed by being interrupted from her studies, she asked, "Can I help you?"
"Greetings. We would like to enter the guild," Delphine asked, "for we need help to find something invaluable to our cause."
The elven female looked pained at this and said, "I would like to help, but I'm afraid that I cannot just let anybody in without a proper demonstration of magic, for too many fools and fakes have entered and meddled with things they don't understand. There have been… incidents..."
The slight pause and the dragged out word of 'incidents' while looking sideways told Delphine that something bad must of happened to create a 'proof-of-entrance'. However, Delphine was a little taken aback at this and started to argue with the lady.
He walks to the edge, figuring Delphine would either convince her or they would find another way. He studied the keep across the chasm, and it looked to be one hell of a spot. The pinnacle the keep rested on was the only piece of unbroken land for miles. Well over two thousand feet tall. He did not look forward to ascending that, which was rapidly becoming evident, since the high elf wouldn't budge from her duty. Looking down, He saw the murky water far below that reflected a moving and uneven reflection of a man hardened from war, as well as wearing the armor of the first dragon He slayed.
Too quickly had He finally lost His patience, which was already short to begin with, and walked over to Delphine. Placing a strong grip on Her shoulder, She immediately stopped talking at feeling the Dovakiin's true brute strength and He said with much impatience, "We don't have all the time in the world Delphine. We can go someplace else. Solitude might have a library we can use."
The edge to His voice, not to mention the loud rumble due to His slowly burning anger, silenced both Delphine and the elf woman.
The open mouthed look on the mages face was comical to say the least. Then the blonde mage stammered, "You… You…"
Seeing what He just did, He decided that the Khajiit was out of the bag anyways. He then introduced himself, "I am the Dovahkiin."
The rumble of power confirmed His words, and making small stones dance on the ground and the bridge itself slightly shake. If it wasn't any more destroyed, it would of collapsed in on itself and sent everyone on it into the muddy water. The mage's open shock amused Him, to say the least.
She seemed to quickly gather her wits, as Delphine asked Him if it was wise to reveal Himself in such a manner, and only a shrug was His reply.
Delphine was beginning to get slightly pissed off, mainly because His responses as shrugs constantly and continuously annoyed her.
After a few moments, the mage spoke again, "I think if you demonstrated, what do you call it? A yell? Shout? That would be enough to satisfy the rules."
He could see Her mind was running like a rabbit, probably wanting to study Him now, and turned away from her with a nod.
He gave a slight huff of annoyance. He always respected the wiseness and the power that mages possessed, for it could do things that anyone can dream about. But a typical mage always is learning, studying, understanding. And it always rubbed him off like a bad itch.
Immediately, Delphine decided to warn Her while Esbern and Delphine followed her own words, "You should cover your ears. It's loud."
Confusion crossed the mages face and began to ask, "What do you mean it's-"
"Fus-Ro-Dah!"
The thunderclap of sound drowning out her last words, and bending the air in front of Him. The Bridge felt like it was about to collapse, but it still didn't fall. He didn't know why, but he was starting to actually like this bridge. It was a lot like Him, nearly looking broken on the inside, but still standing up to support all who pass it. Looking to the Mage, the elf woman's hair was put out of place like a cats hairball, and her hands on her ears told Him that they were ringing.
He had to smile at a specific point from earlier; if the mage told him to shout, and since shouts are loud, why didn't she cover her ears?
Mages. Skilled in academic's and magic, but never to understood common sense.
OOOOO
The sound dazed mage lead them into the courtyard of the keep were it was very obvious that many had heard His demonstration. And it seemed many were preparing to defend the keep from that unknown threat. A quick and hurried discussion was started when the mage, which had been watching the bridge, rushed up to another who held some higher rank. The smallish Breton woman, though if her robes were anything to go by, showed that she was of very high rank, both inside and out of the guild. After a hurried conversation, the Breton turned a gave the all clear to the rest, and then turned her attention to the group of travelers.
"My greetings," the high-ranking mage began, "I am Mirabelle Ervine, Head of Tutelage and Second to The Archmage. And you are?"
Just seeing Him glare, Delphine nudges Him forward with a smirk, and thus His sour glare only making it turn into a full blown smile. He began, "I am the Dovahkiin. My companions and I seek information about a location that holds an item of great importance to us."
"And what would this item be?" Ervine asked
"The Kel." He responded
The look of puzzlement followed after his response and she asked, "Excuse me?"
Quickly, He realizes that He spoke in Dovah and before He could correct Himself, Delphine cuts Him and says, "I'm sorry for the confusion; He speaks dragon sometimes. We are looking for an Elder Scroll."
The trio couldn't tell which was funnier based on the shocked look coming from the mage; the fact that a man can speak the language of the old Dov or the fact that they are looking for an ancient scroll of such arcane power and have some knowledge as to why they need it.
OOOOO
The ball room was a hive of activity. A band playing in the side made cheerful and 'able-to-dance-to' songs. Large beautiful hearty foods and sweet delicate confections laid on the tables that bent under their loads. The guests were currently watching and participating in a dance themselves, one of complicated step and turn. As the dance finishes, there is a clearing of throat and all turn to the herald, as the herald announces "Queen Elsa of Arendelle!"
All bow with respect as Elsa enters to stand in front of the throne. Then the herald said, "Princess Anna of Arendelle!"
The young woman scampers forward to stand at the base of the stairs, giving an embarrassing small wave to the crowd. The herald moves forward and against her protests places Anna near the Queen, though Anna quickly puts one more pace between them. With a final fanfare, and a wave from the Queen, the party resumes. She sees her Beloved Sister, in her awkward pose, touching the white mark in her hair, and decides that it would be good to speak to her.
"Hi." Elsa says out of the blue, startling Anna as she realizes that it was directed at her.
Caught completely off guard by Elsa wanting to have a conversation, Anna says back awkwardly, "H-Hi me? Oh... umm... Hi!"
Elsa notes how her Beloved Sister had definitely dressed up for this occasion, in a green summer dress, which in her opinion exposed a lot of skin, but she wore it very well, and honestly complements her about it to get a conversation going, "You look beautiful."
Anna stammered reply brought a widening smile to Her face, "Thank you! You look beautifuller, I mean not fuller, you don't look fuller, but mo-more beautiful."
She had to admit, the honest smile and reply felt good to have and Elsa gave back another reply, "Thank you."
Looking towards the party, Elsa comments as both their gazes sweep the ball, "So... this is what a party looks like."
Anna adds a side remark, "It's warmer than I thought."
Elsa than asks as her eyes slightly dart towards the tables with food, "And what is that amazing smell?"
The near identical turning and sniffing of the air would have removed any doubt to any onlookers that these two were sisters, as the next words are spoken in union in a alluring chant, "Chocolate!"
Both couldn't help but share a giggle as they enjoyed their time together.
Anna was enjoying their time together as they talked to and wanted to say more, but right before she could, the herald steps forth and said, "Your majesty," catching their attention, they see the herald say, "The Duke of Weasel Town."
The short elder duke immediately corrects him by shouting, "Weselton! Duke of Weselton. Your majesty."
The Duke continued, "As your closest partner in trade, it seems only fitting that I offer you your first dance as queen."
They could only watch as the elder Duke jumped into what could only be called a flourish of the body as a demonstration of his dancing 'skills', but he obviously did not anticipate how his hairpiece almost fell off as he dipped into a deep bow at the finish of the demonstration. The two sisters immediately had to stifle their giggles at the humorous display, both out of courtesy and the fact that they are in public. The Queen apologized, "Thank you, only I don't dance."
The Duke seemed a little taken aback at this and said, "Oh."
But Elsa gave a teasing smile and said afterwards, "But my sister does."
Anna gave a heart-felt chuckle and moved her hand in a manor that said that she wasn't the best at it, but quickly looked to Elsa, realizing just what position she put Anna in by giving a 'wait a second face' and saying, "What?"
The Duke smugly hooked his arm into hers and said, "Ooo, lucky you."
Anna managed to say, "Oh, I don't think-" before being hauled away by the short Duke. Elsa gave a small wave and with a small "Sorry" that almost made it sound like She didn't regret doing that to Anna, then She watched as the comical elderly man proceeded to dance with Her sister. If that couldn't be called dancing, then it would be animal walking.
She watched and felt a warm center of contentment as Her sister finally walked back to her, almost staggering and readjusting her dress. She could not resist the urge to tease Anna and said, "Well, he was spritely."
Elsa smiled at Anna exasperated reply while aching her feet, "Especially for a man in heels!"
Elsa gave another giggle and asked, "Are you okay?"
Then Anna gave heartfelt smile and said, "I've... never been better. This is so nice! I wish it could be like this all the time."
Unconsciously, Elsa replied, "Me too."
Then She felt herself pause, and remember how Her words bring a painful reminder to Her secret, and Her smile falls as she looks at the reminder of Her Curse in Her sisters hair. Looking slightly away, Elsa said, "But it can't."
Anna's confused reply at this only twists the pain deeper, "Well, why not? We-"
"It just can't!" Elsa exclaimed, turning her back to her and holding Her arms up due to being touched. As the pain of shattering Her sisters dreams of being together came back once more, it became a grim counterpoint to the festival around them. She can hear the pain in Her sisters voice as Anna excuses herself, and Elsa turns slightly to watch her go. She soon loses sight of her in the crowd, and cannot help but feel imprisoned by Her secret, both outside and inside of Her Room.
OOOOO
Anna's heart ached at her sisters sudden statement, on her denial of the closeness that they shared made her want to cry, for tears filled her eyes. She slipped through the crowd, not watching where she was going. Thus, this resulted in a sudden unintentional bump that pushed her off balance, her feet scrabbling to find the floor, only for it to instead catch on the hem of her dress. She lets out a small yelp as she falls backwards towards the floor, but her hand is caught in another halting her progress to the floor.
Anna looks and recognizes her rescuer, who said gratefully, "Glad I caught you."
"Hans!" Anna exclaimed to her surprise.
Hans easily pulls her up to a standing position as the band in the corner started to play. Since they are already close, he pulls her into the stately dance surrounding them.
OOOOO
Dark eyes watched as the Prince and Princess danced, which was an unexpected turn of events from the plan. As they looked to the Queen, they knew that this was not part of their plan, but for a plan to be mapped out and its goals to be reached, it needed to change to accommodate different conditions during its course to reach the goal. Something would need to be done, for there was time to improvise.
There always has been time, and time has always been in their control. Their discussion of change had been fruitful, for a new web was created and new plans were laid out.
When the new conditions were analyzed and predicted, each and every piece of this chess board had a role to play...
...and the Queen of Arendelle was not among them.
OOOOO
The Prince and Princess danced and chatted throughout the evening and well into the night. They shared similar thoughts and dreams. The past of both revolved around their siblings and the mutual issues each had that related to them. The only difference between then was that while Anna had one sister, Hans had twelve brothers, where a few saw Hans as invisible. They found each had a mutual love of singing and dancing. And both indulged in a minor duet apart from the guests. Wandering around the harbor, through the castle grounds, walls, stables, roofs, windowed towers and balconies. They shared and laughed and smiled during their time together. Each growing more excited about the other.
It was love at first sight. And when Hans proposed...
...Anna said yes.
OOOOO
The two pushed their way through the crowd, looking to find her sister, and spotted her mingling on the floor. "Oh there she is!" Anna exclaimed, then shouted, "Elsa!"
Upon hearing Anna calling her name, Elsa turns away from two other royals and spots her dragging a very well dressed man along behind her.
Realizing that She was with two other royals, Anna curtsies, obviously on her best behavior for the stranger as Anna said, "I mean- Queen. Me again."
Elsa smiles slightly at her sisters obvious formality while she pulls the man forward and wraps he hands around his arm as Anna said, "May I present, Prince Hans of The Southern Isles."
The prince, Hans, bows forward and says, "Your Majesty."
Elsa nods a greeting to the younger man and turns a questioning look to her Beloved Sister, who is practically jumping with excitement. And as both Hans and Anna excitedly said words that didn't fully go together, for there were multiple giggles and pauses. But from what she heard...
...Elsa could of swore that Anna was asking Her for Her blessing so that both Hans and Anna can get married.
Elsa's eyes widened in complete surprise as to what Anna just asked of Elsa. With one brow up, Elsa gave a shocked statement in a low voice to Anna's topic, "Marriage?!"
It was obvious that Elsa can barely process the revelation. Anna gave a small squeal of "YES!" while giving a sheepish smile and what looks to be tightly hugging Han's arm.
Trying to focus on how this topic came to be, Elsa said to Anna, "I'm sorry, I'm confused."
Anna began to explain, "Well, we haven't worked out all the details ourselves. We'll need a few days to plan the ceremony and of course we would have soup roast and ice cream and than - oh! Wait, will we live here?" Anna asked Hans when she interrupted herself
Elsa was immediately taken aback by this and said, "Here?"
Hans smiled and said when he took her hands, "Absolutely!"
Elsa tried to interrupt to catch her sister's attention, "Anna-"
Anna than said, "Oh, we could invite all twelve of your brother's to stay with us!"
Elsa felt like she was about to have a heart attack. Twelve brothers was a rather large royal family and Elsa had no intentions in meeting any of them. Immediately, her political side told her that such an act could force their two kingdoms together, and involve the worse case scenario that She will lose Her title as Queen and probably be forced to marry one of the other princes, with the inevitable reveal of Her Curse, which revealing to another kingdom will seem as a threat and would possibly lead to war.
Then Her rational side came to thought; Elsa had opened the gates for the first time in years and not a full day has gone by without Anna 'falling' for someone and asking to have Her blessing so that she could go be with a prince she just met! Something like this happening so soon made Elsa give extreme caution to the man, Hans. Two possibilities answered this scenario; either Anna was being manipulated so that the prince could take over or the simple fact that Anna was very naïve.
Elsa prayed that Anna wasn't being manipulated and was not seeing this clearly. "No! No-no-no!" Elsa tried to cut in with her words with hands up, but Anna was still taking to Hans.
Elsa tried again by saying a it a little louder, "Wait! Slow down."
This seemed to work, for now Elsa has Anna's attention. Finally able to talk to Anna, Elsa clearly stated, "No one's brothers are staying here. No one is getting married."
Elsa still couldn't believe her sister was rushing this, but her words stop the red-blond girls excited chatter as Anna pulls away from Hans and goes towards Elsa, asking, "Wait, what?"
As She sees her Beloved Sister's eyes grow with hurt, Elsa quickly decides her course and now thinks that moving this discussion to somewhere private is a good idea. Elsa looks to Anna with much eagerness as the edge of embarrassment strains her voice, "May I talk to you... please..." she glances around and asks Anna, "...alone?"
Suddenly, Elsa was shocked to see the look of betrayal cross Anna's face as the fiery redheads reply dashes that hope away, "No." To which she links her arm with the prince who is looking decidedly uncomfortable to this situation as Anna states, "Whatever you have to say, you can say to both of us."
Her eyes slightly widen, and She repeats the Mantra of Her Father in Her mind, composing Herself. Elsa regained her posture and simply states a fact with a much more formal tone, "Fine. You can't marry a man you just met."
Anna than reasoned, "You can if it's true love."
Elsa seemed somewhat right; Anna was naïve to the predicament she was in, but Elsa was still suspicious about Hans. She tries to reason with her, "Anna, what do you know about true love?"
But any hope of reason is dashed when Anna replied back harshly, "More than you! All you know is how to shut people out!"
Elsa's heart breaks at this, it felt like a hammer's blow knocked the wind out of Her. Elsa has never heard Anna say something so harsh to her. But suddenly, she knew Anna was wrong...
...Elsa did know about true love. Elsa remembered during their younger years how rebelliously innocent they were. They would steal sweets from the kitchen, but sometimes Elsa would get some and give them to Anna for when she was sick in bed and not allowed to eat sweets. Elsa would take a blanket and wrap herself and Anna in it when sitting in front of a fire in the library, where Elsa would read one of the stories on the shelves for Anna, for she always told Elsa that she was a good story teller. Elsa would stay up with Anna just to watch Anna's amazed reaction to 'the sky being awake'. Elsa would make crowns with flowers outside and place them on Anna's head so that she may be queen of the forest during the spring. Elsa and Anna would play hide-and-seek, tag, and ride horses with their parents during the summer. Elsa and Anna would jump into piles of leaves and kick them around during the fall. Elsa and Anna would make Olaf, their snowman, go down slides of snow and have snowball fights, which would take place even inside the castle when everyone was sleeping.
Being the only family Elsa has left, Anna was someone she wanted to keep close, but also hold onto from a distance. She loved Anna so much, She locked herself in her room for years just to protect Anna from ever knowing and facing Her deadly curse that nearly took Anna's life. She told Herself everyday that if She had the opportunity to be normal and to go back and regain all those days that was lost to her, she would do it. But now knowing that Anna wanted to marry a random man, that would not only cause problems mentioned from earlier, but She would be alone, with no family, no friends, and live in a empty castle with nothing but the heavy crown that lies on top of Her head.
Elsa does know of true love, and because of that, Elsa can see that Anna failed to understand what true love even was, choosing the prince through marriage over the possible detail of liking the same things.
She felt uncomfortable, unsettled, like she didn't belong here and the once horrible thought of returning to Her room didn't sound bad, for she needed time to think his through. Glaring at the couple, Elsa stated towards them with a formal tone that had an edge of strictness to it, "You ask for my blessing, But my answer is no."
She looks down and away at her Beloved Sisters fallen face, ashamed Herself at having to speak back at Anna in such a way in public and states, "Now-... excuse me."
As she turns to walk away, the Prince speaks up, "Your majesty, if I may ease your-"
She cuts him off sharply, somewhat stammering her reply, "No, you may not. A... And I... I think you should go."
As Elsa passes a guard, she gives him an order, "The party is over. Close the gates."
The Princess of Arendell cannot believe her ears, and says while trying to reach for her, "What? Elsa no, please!"
Her beloved sister grabs Her hand and pulls off that which keeps Her Curse in check. As Elsa felt this, Her hand felt exposed, and the emotions that She was feeling was starting to show its affect, for Her hand felt the cold of the curse. Startled by Anna taking her glove and the fear of exposing it to everyone made Her uncomfortable and extremely edgy, so She tried to snatch the glove back from Anna while saying, "Give me my glove!"
But instead, Anna kept it from Her reach, knowing that she now has Elsa's attention and begged to Elsa out loud while holding her hands together over Her glove in a begging manner, "Elsa, please. Please! I can't live like this anymore!"
Having to deal with the emotions of Her sisters as well as Her own, it was too much for Elsa. Already, She could feel tears at the edge of her eyes, making Her field of view towards Anna more blurry, as well as her hand growing colder. Ignoring this slight annoyance, Elsa knew why Anna said that; Anna couldn't be constantly shut out from Her, and Elsa realized that Her act of pushing Anna away, after all these years, has lead to Anna reaching out to someone who could possibly love her, like Hans. And due to Anna liking him, she is now jumping at the chance to truly be loved through marriage. And in order to do that, Anna needed Elsa's blessing, which She wouldn't give, denying that love once again.
Elsa knew Anna was right; Anna couldn't live like this, always being pushed away and never being able to love someone when she truly wants to. And Elsa would dare say that She couldn't live like this anymore as well, having done this to Her own Beloved Sister.
Elsa has made a few mistakes that had a major impact on Her life; using Her curse to nearly kill Her sister, never playing with Her in fear of hurting Her, locking Herself in Her room from Anna and being alone, never growing up with Anna over the years, not going to the funeral to say goodbye and to help Anna through that time of sadness, and having time and time again broken Her promise that Her mother told her to take care of Her sister.
Elsa realized that She was responsible for Anna's suffering, imprisoning Her from ever having to love anyone ever again. And so, Elsa was about to make another mistake, a mistake so shameful, it would forever haunt her from the night of her coronation to her final breath...
...Elsa let her go.
"Then leave."
Elsa's tears filled her eyes, blocking out the vision of Anna's eyes being filled with tears as well. She turns with Her head hung low and walks away, unable to look at Anna ever again.
However, Anna didn't feel free; she felt angry. Once again, Elsa pushed her away by saying to leave Arendelle with Hans so that she could be together. Anna wanted to have Elsa's blessing, not to be alienated from home, which is an entire new way of being pushed away from Elsa altogether! As the anger got the better of her, she cries out loud,
"What did I ever do to you?!"
"Enough Anna…" Elsa pleas as she holds her hand in check, hoping that it doesn't reveal her curse. Then Elsa thinks to herself, You didn't do anything. It was what I did that made me push you away.
"No!" Anna exclaimed, causing a scene, "Why! Why do you shut me out?!"
Her agony rises with each word, twisting deeper as she thought, To protect you from me.
"Why do you shut the world out?!" Anna yells out
Elsa thinks to Herself while she holds herself tight, the questions piercing Her like a hammer hitting nails as she is within reach of the door, To hide my curse and protect everyone from myself.
Furious, Anna yells to her, "What are you so afraid of?!"
At that instant, right before She reaches for that door, She felt Her world pause as one of the most simple and yet complex question pierced Her soul. Suddenly, She began to question Herself...
...what am I afraid of?
She began to hit Herself with every question; Why did she push Anna away? Why did she lock herself in her room after all these years? Why did she force herself to hide her curse through her gloves everyday of her life? Why did she do this?
She felt herself began to tremble at trying to answer to her burden, her curse, and she thinks back to why Anna loved her.
Anna never hid anything from Her, for they would always tell each other things that no one else knows and was able to have each others backs when they did the mischievous childhood crimes that many children did during their age, knowing that no matter what happened, they would always love each other.
Then she found her answer; Elsa pushed Anna away, even going so far as letting her go, so that Anna may be safe from Herself, made her realize that She did these things because
She loved Anna, for she was the only family she had left.
Then, as if a fog was lifted, did the revelation get to her...
...Elsa was not afraid of Fear. She was never afraid of fear. No...
...What she feared the most was bringing Anna close again so that she may get hurt, or maybe killed. What she feared was that revealing her curse would give the wrong impression, making people afraid of her and then going after both her and Anna. What she feared was her royal bloodline being shamed and for everyone to look down at her, leaving Anna to also suffer from the collateral damage and discrimination of being related to a 'witch'...
...Fear was never her enemy...
...For she was afraid to love again...
...For Love itself was her enemy, not Fear.
She felt Her heart freeze, realizing that everything she did, everything She put Herself through and what She put Anna through was out of love, and it was because of Her love for Anna that made them both suffer.
Then She felt a new emotion; rage. A unique and embracing emotion that made Her want to freeze everything She can get Her hands on. It was like one of your closest friends betrayed you, making your friend a traitor and leave you baffled as to who you could trust.
She felt so angry, the very words that Her Father would say to calm Her curse was but a lost echo with no source as to where it was coming from.
What pushed her too far was when she remembered why her Father made Her hide Her curse, saying to conceal and not to feel it, to not let it show, and that was because He loved His daughter, and that love has made Anna suffer with no one to love and for Elsa to suffer in a lonely room for years.
Then, something in Her... snapped... and with the twisting rise of Her bare hand, She turns around, and gave an angry shout...
"I. Said. Enough!"
Her Curse strikes the floor in front of Her, a bristling wall of spikes striking out to match the deep hatred raging inside Her.
Everyone close to the strike quickly steps back, especially Anna, for any who were close were almost impaled by the large icy spikes.
The old duke of Weselton whispers the Accusation, "Sorcery!"
He then shields himself behind his two guards.
Her heart stops as time stands still once more. She looks into the wide eyes of all around Her. Her inferno-like rage felt like a candles flame was blew out with a simple blow of breath, for She felt exposed, Her curse stripped from her Hiding clutches and revealed to all who She truly was.
Then She remembered Her fathers words, to now which held no meaning.
She has broken Her Oath.
Elsa holds Her bare hand, which felt like it acted on Her own, reacting to Her emotions.
She sees Anna's horrified look, a look that She has seen in countless nightmares...
...only this was no normal nightmare. This was a nightmare She will never wake up from.
Feeling the door handle behind Her, Elsa flees into the waiting hall.
A quiet voice She can barely hear behind Her, Her Beloved Sister calling for Her, "Elsa!"
She flees into the courtyard, and then She sees those of common birth celebrating Her coronation, then She hears them call Her their beautiful Queen.
Deep down, She knew Her beauty has hidden an ugliness too hideous to look at inside Her. Then She realized; She must not hurt them or let them find out! They make respectful way before Her as She tries to run through them, away from the castle.
But She was cornered by to many crowded people, and feeling surrounded, She tried to back away to protect them, only to hit the rim of the water fountain. Her curse reacted to her being startled when She bumped into it, it caused the fountain's water to appear deformed in a panic-like state, running its beautiful flow.
Elsa's heart began to beat faster, seeing that the entire kingdom now knows! Suddenly, She hears the old duke behind Her shout, "There She is! Stop Her!"
She turns, Her eyes wide, Her fear for hurting the people around Her spiking to new heights as She shouts back, "Please, just stay away from me! Stay away-" but She cries as Her hand held in front of Her in supplication, shot out a brilliant bolt of Her curse, which flew towards the old duke and his guards. He barely jumps away, landing on his side and knocking the guards sideways as frost covered the entrance and small spikes of ice matched her panic.
As he regains himself, he points to her and shouts "Monster!"
She hears the cries of panic, the cries of fear. She looks to her hand like it had a mind of its own. She then looks around, people cowering from her, a father hiding his kids, a mother holding her baby away from Her.
Then She remembers the old trolls warning,
"Fear will be your Enemy"
It was all coming true.
She runs outside the castle to the harbor as people fearfully make way for her to run away.
As Elsa reached the harbor, She hears her Beloved Sisters voice, "Elsa!"
She backs along the small rocky shore, frost rising with each step.
Her foot slips from the stone only to not land in the water.
She looks and sees a brilliant glow of ice, a patch formed by Her foot.
She looks back, to see Her Beloved Sister. Hears her call Her name.
Feeling slightly encouraged, She tests Her Curse and steps onto the still waters of the Fjord, and the result was thick ice forming over the water, where each footfall extending the path She wished to take.
Then came a decision she had thought of a hundred times over; Running Away.
During her time in Her room, She constantly thought of running away to protect everyone, but where would She go? What would She do for a living? Where would She live? How can She isolate Herself away from society without being noticed? And why would She abandon Anna? All these questions made Her stay, but seeing that everyone knows of Her curse, shaming Her bloodline for being seen as a monster, and how Anna wants to be with a prince, She now has nothing left...
...to hold her back from her prison, for when they all found out and Elsa let Anna go...
...She set herself free.
Not looking back, She runs forward, Ice flowing from each of Her steps.
To where, She does not know, only that She must run.
And keep Her Beloved Sister safe…
...To Keep Them All Safe...
...From Her Power…
From Her Cursed Self.
OOOOO
Anna rushes down after her Sister as She calls Her name. Anna sees Her look back, sees Her look to the hills.
Then Anna sees Her run across the Fjord, Her strange power freezing the water beneath Her as She runs. Anna slips as she takes the last few steps, Hans coming up beside her and then kneeling, holding Anna to prevent her from running onto the thin ice.
Because of this, Anna is forced to watch as she sees her Sister flee into the woods.
Then Anna hears Hans whisper, "The Fjord!"
Anna looks to see the rising tide of Ice engulf it…
...and the harbor and its ships…
...and all of Arendelle.
AN: special thanks to Master T_rex once again. send him some love guys and gals, He's been an awesome beta!
