True Loves' Final Act
Chapter Eight
Past- With Hans in the Cave
"The preparations are being made. Arendelle knows of the faux alliance with Weselton and your former home." The hooded figure told the former prince in the cave.
Hans was busy reading the book in his hands, "What about the other thing?"
"They also know of your so called demise as well."
Hans nodded as he continued reading, "And the other thing?" This time the hooded figure went over and took the book from Hans's hand, "Hey!"
"I have not found a copy yet. I am still searching." Hans's noticed how his companion's eyes started to glow a dull red color. This time the figure threw the book back at him, "And it would do you well to learn your manners if you want to be a successful King."
Hans rolled his eyes, "I am doing what you said. Keeping myself entertained; and this is some serious magic."
The figure sighed, "Yes some of it, but most of what is in there is child's play."
"Child's play? Look at what this is!" Hans exclaims as he points to a spell.
The figure does as he is asked and shrugs, "So? Your point?"
"My point? Are you not seeing what this is for?" Hans asks as he takes the book back, "A method on how to tear someone's heart out?!"
"Like I said. Child's play." The person stated, "It's very simple." Then without a warning, the figure throws a blacked gloved hand out, and with a powerful force of magic, pins Hans against the fall; the book discarded on the floor.
"Hey! What the hell?!" Hans yells as he struggles against the force of the magic.
The figure says nothing as he strides forward and plunges a hand inside Hans's chest. Hans lets out a painful gasp, and in one swift movement, the figure yanks his hand out with Hans's dark red heart in his hand. Hans's eyes are wide with terror, "No freaking way." He says, then the figure nods his head and Hans falls to his knees on the floor of the cave.
"Told you, child's play." Then holding the heart up, he observes it in his hand, "Not as dark as I would have imagined your heart being."
"What do you mean?" Hans asks as he struggles to stand and places his hand over his chest.
"The more red a heart has, determines how much goodness a person has. See these dark spots?" The figure asks as he shows the heart to Hans, who nods in affirmation, "That shows the amount of darkness that is held in the heart."
Hans nods and then without warning again, the figure plunged his hand in his chest, and quickly removes it. Hans's hand flies to his chest again and he feels the beating of his heart, "Holy crap!" Hans exclaims and looks at the figure, "Can you teach me how to do that?"
"I suppose I could. After I find what you had requested, but I suggest you practice the other spells first."
"Why?"
"Because magic comes at a price. I've told you that before, and this is pricier than those simpler spells. See when you take someone's heart," the figure steps forward and again steal's Hans's heart again. As he is on the ground the figure begins to explain once more, "It becomes enchanted. Stronger than a normal heart. You're not hurting the person or creature," he looks down at the prince and says, "You're controlling it." Thinking of a command, the figure concentrates on the heart in his hand.
Hans begins to stand and picks the book back up, and unable to control his movements, he hands the book back to his companion. Hans tries to speak, but finds he is unable to do so, and the figure continues speaking, "Here is another thing you can do…if you wish harm and do not want to get your hands too dirty." The figure starts to slowly squeeze the heart. Hans gasps and collapses on the ground and wither in pain. The figure continues to squeeze for a moment or two longer, but then releases it. Kneeling down the figure grabs Hans's collar and yanks him up, following the movement by plunging his hand back into Hans's chest and giving back his heart, "Are you sure you want to learn this?"
Hans's pants and looks into the glowing red eyes of the figure before him and says, "Yes."
Present- in a middle of a clearing in the woods (next day)
Hans looks around and slowly pulls a book out from a pocket underneath his vest. Opening it up and flicking through the pages, he is about to call out the name of the person he had been seeking when, "Well I was wondering when you would be paying me a visit."
Hans spun around to see the black hooded figure standing behind him with his arms crossed with the damned hood covering his head and whole face, with the exception of the glowing red eyes, "Do you ever stop sneaking up on people?"
"Nope," he responded as he popped the 'p', "I find it more dramatic if I surprise my employers. Now then what can I do for you? Your 'happy ending' not so happy?"
"Everything is fine." Hans said, although as he said that, it sounded false.
The hooded figure picked up on the lie, "Not from where I stand. I believe I once told you that by enacting this curse will take a terrible toll. It will leave an emptiness inside you. A void you will never be able to fill."
Hans mentally shivered at those lines, while it had only been a few days since he awoke to this new life, he has felt a void, "That is not why I am here."
"Perhaps not, but it is part of the reason. You have questions and you think I have the answers, I believe…" The figure stepped forward and looked deeply into Hans's eyes, "this has to do with your unexpected rendezvous with your commander." Hans felt himself going red in the face and the man smirked, "I thought so."
"How-?"
"Because of her heart. In the previous life you had taken her heart right before the curse reached you. In this life you have memories of taking her heart, however you have not used it on her. Just keeping as a failsafe as it were. You used magic, you have ties to her heart as you do control it, your feelings of what you required transferred from your mind and to her heart."
"Therefore I made her-"
"More or less. You wanted a void filled, she is just as void of emotion as you are, and it worked out to both your benefits." The figure said shrugging, "I told you how enchanted hearts worked. You experienced it first-hand."
"Do not remind me." Hans said visibly cringing. Then composing himself he asked, "So you are telling me that Anna has no true emotion."
"The only emotion she has is what the curse gave her, and of course having no heart also helps. Whatever she has you either preprogram into her, or what her mind was reset to believe."
Hans nods, "So the curse is still strong then right?"
"What are you really asking me?"
"I am asking if there is a chance of anyone breaking it." Hans stated, "Is your curse full proof?"
"It is not my curse. It is yours and as of right now, it is. However there are many things still in play that could affect the outcome."
Hans did not like this. In fact he had a feeling that was creeping into his gut that he did not like, "Then fix it."
The figure looked at him, "I cannot do that. I cannot meddle in what has yet to come."
"Bull shit."
"Believe what you want." The figure stepped forward and Hans blocked his path, "Move."
"No not until you tell me what you know."
Hans saw a smirk form and his eyes glowed brighter, "Please." Hans stiffened and reluctantly moved out of the way, "Glad to see our deal is still in place."
"I remember our deal."
"I know I saw. You must do what I say, so long as I say please." The figure said a bit too happily.
"Just who are you? Really?" Hans asked as he watched the figure's retreating back.
"You know who I am. Some just trying to help a poor unfortunate soul." With that there was a cloud of black smoke surrounding the figure, "You better hurry if you want to see the people that sacrificed themselves for you country my King." And then he vanished leaving Hans once again alone in the clearing.
Past- in Arendelle
"Damn it." Anna groaned out suddenly as she sat up.
"What is it?" Elsa asked as she sat up too, surprised by Anna's sudden curse.
They had accomplished the task of building a snowman and proceeded to have some fun such as ice skating, snowball fights, and even sliding down a large snow slide (minus jumping from mound to mound). It was when they were completely exhausted that Elsa had melted their personal winter wonderland, and laid down on the ballroom floor not moving. Just lost in the tranquility of the peace and quiet…at least they were enjoying it.
Elsa watched as Anna stood up and began rubbing her face with her hands in frustration, "I forgot about that damned dinner we are supposed to be having in two weeks." Anna said her voice muffled by her hands, "I have so much to do. Planning the meal, getting out the silverware, organizing the-"
"Whoa ok slow down." Elsa said stopping the pacing princess in her tracks, "Take it easy. It is only one dinner and it does not have to be extravagant."
The dinner they were talking about was more of a small gathering of delegates. It was Elsa's idea to discretely find out what some of the delegates from other countries thoughts were of the Southern Isles and Wesleton. Anna had agreed to the idea and took it upon herself to plan everything as it was her job, "Doesn't matter. I still have a lot to plan." Anna groaned out as her and Elsa left the ballroom.
Before Elsa could respond, Kristoff came swiftly walking up to them, "Ok just what is going on? Why did you ignore me by the docks?" He asked as he gripped Anna's shoulders.
Anna managed to get out of his grip and took a step back, "Ok come on, we will talk while we walk."
As they continued to head to Anna's study, she and Elsa started to tell Kristoff everything he missed while he was with the harvesters. He was listening intently, not being able to believe what he was hearing. Anna a commander? As he watched while she talked, he suddenly could believe it. They entered her study and she strode over to her desk, while he and Elsa took the chairs in front of it, while she sat behind it, "So yea, we are preparing for a possible war." Anna finished.
"And the fireworks were for…?" Kristoff dragged the question out.
"As a signal, in case they already started a blockade. Anna had Admiral Leon put a watchman on the edge…" Elsa looked around the study until she saw the map hanging on the wall. Getting up she went over to it and placed a finger on the area, "Here. We estimated that if something were to happen, we would be able to see it from the shoreline…hopefully."
"But if this is still all talk," Kristoff started saying as Elsa sat down and Anna looked up from the paper she was writing on, "why not just nip it in the butt now."
"How do you mean?" Anna asked curiously, "We are not firing the first shot."
"No I mean if this is about the Isles and Weselton's crippling economy, why not slowly open up trade with them again?" Kristoff suggested looking at the two sisters, "I mean of course it is not your fault considering the fact they tried to assassinate you two first, but why punish the whole kingdom?"
Elsa and Anna exchanged looks and was instantly reminded of one of the many problems from earlier in the day, "I suggested that actually…" Elsa said hesitantly looking at her younger sister.
Kristoff noticed the exchange, and when neither woman continued he said, "Well?"
"I shot it down." Anna stated looking at him with her hands clasped in front of her.
"What? Why?" Kristoff asked surprised, "If the other kingdoms see you-"
"If the other kingdoms see us giving into them, then we are going to be seen as weak and-"
"As weak? I would think they would see you as compassionate." Kristoff argued back.
Anna held up her hand, "Let me finish." Seeing that Kristoff waved her on to talk, Anna continued, "While yes it would be a sign of compassion, it would make matters worse."
"Which later I agreed," Elsa responded to Kristoff's look, "due to the fact that people might take it the wrong way and make matters worse than they already are."
Kristoff shook his head, however looking at the sisters, he knew that there was something else he was not being told, but before he could continue there was a knock, "Enter." Anna called out.
The door opened and a man in a major's uniform entered. Anna stood up and the man didn't know what to do: bow or salute, "Uhm…" He saw Elsa and bowed, but looking at Anna he hesitated.
"Look formalities aside, it doesn't matter." Anna stated tiring of the man's indecisiveness, "Bow or salute I do not care."
"Oh ok." He bowed as Anna rolled her eyes and sighed in annoyance, "We need you at the arena."
Anna groaned internally, "What now?"
The major shifted uncomfortably, "Well it is about one of the men ma'am. You see," then he got confident and his mood became lighter, "I think we probably found a leader for that sniper unit you were talking about."
Anna cocked her head in question, "Seriously?"
"Sniper unit?" Kristoff mouthed to Elsa.
Elsa acknowledged him by holding her hand up to him discretely, and mouthed, "Later."
"Yes ma'am."
"Well lead on." Anna said and she followed the major out of the room. Looking behind her she saw that Elsa and Kristoff had not moved, "Well? You coming?" Nodding they followed Anna and the major to the arena.
Once in the arena, they saw multiple men lined up in a row shooting at glass bottles, "Wow." Kristoff said in awe as he looked on with Elsa. Most of the men's aims were terrible, but he could tell that some were gifted. Including one man in particular. He noticed another major looking through binoculars and talking with the man.
As they drew closer, no one had noticed Anna yet; but what Anna was hearing, was not at all pleasing to her. Some of the men that were standing around the man in question were placing bets and not at all taking the exercise seriously, "Bet you he can't do it again." One commented.
"Bet he can."
"Hey Rivkin!" The man with the gun turned to the speaker, "Bet you can't hit the bottle again!"
"Oh yea?" Rivkin reloaded the gun and took aim once more. Anna stopped moving which caused the major, Kristoff, and Elsa to stop. Elsa looked at Anna and saw the displeasure on her face and wondered why?
When Rivkin finally took the shot, he hit the bottle, "Nice!" They men cheered and laughed.
The major that stood next to Rivkin watched fairly pleased, and when he heard a cough he finally took notice of Anna, "Attention! Commander Anna on the field!" This caused the men to sober up quickly and got into one line with their backs straight, chin up, chest out, shoulders back, stomach in, and eyes facing front with their firmly at their sides with the butts on the dirt and the barrels facing upward. Kristoff marveled at how quickly the men's happy laughing expressions could turn blank and expressionless by one simple command.
As Anna took a step forward she said, "As you were." The men instantly relaxed, and she pointed to the man named Rivkin, "You. Front and center." Rivkin hesitated slightly and approached her.
Kristoff looked at the men and noticed something in their eyes. He looked at Elsa and did not like her expression at all, however when he looked at the majors, who stood by each other, he saw that they were wearing pleasing expressions. So what was going on? Kristoff wondered to himself as he watched his girlfriend with the man, "You are a good shot, Private." Anna complimented lightly to him as she walked circles around him, "What is your name?"
"Private Michael Rivkin and thank you, Commander." He said as if relieved.
Anna nodded and stopped circling him to appraise him up and down, "Tell me. Where are you from and where did you learn to shoot like that."
The man smiled, "I grew up near the woods by the Southern Mountains. My father and grandfather would take me hunting since I was five. They taught me how to hunt and shoot."
Anna nodded along with the story and appeared to be genuinely interested, "What game would you hunt?"
Rivkin shrugged and said, "Foxes, elks, bears, different types of deer." At this Kristoff had to hold back a wince, "The hardest ones however were hares and squirrels. Those were tricky."
"I can't imagine." Anna drawled out. Elsa could tell that Anna was becoming impatient and did not like where this seemingly innocent conversation was headed. She stole glances at the men, she did not recognize any of them from this morning's fiasco so she knew this must have been a new group that was working here this afternoon, "You ever killed a man?" Anna asked offhandedly.
Wait kind of question is that? Kristoff wondered. He looked at Elsa, but he couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"No, ma'am." Rivkin said confused.
"Have your father or grandfather ever fought in battle?"
"No."
"Have you ever heard stories about war? Stories that were told so vividly you could smell the gunpowder, hear the cries, or even see the countless of bodies sprawled on the battlefield?" Anna asked thinking about the stories that Malone had passed down to her. Judging by the look on his face, Anna knew the answer.
Rivkin swallowed a lump that formed in his throat, "No ma'am. There have been multiple years of peace during the time of my father, and when my grandfather was growing up."
"But you're handy with a gun." Anna stated backing away from him.
"Yes, ma'am." He nodded sternly, wanting to redeem himself.
There were no secrets in Arendelle. Everyone knew about the events that occurred during the Queen's coronation. Furthermore when he got here to be enlisted in the army, he heard from the guards about not only the Queen, but about the Commander as well. Anna, Princess of Arendelle and Highest Commander of Arendelle's Navy and Army. He heard many things about her, both as a princess and as a commander, and so far he was not disappointed. However one thing that was common amongst the stories was that you never wanted to make the commander and princess mad, "Reload."
"Excuse me?" Rivkin asked as he was brought out of his thoughts.
"Reload your weapon." Anna said slowly and deliberately. Rivkin nodded, not wanting to show her that he was incompetent, because he wasn't.
Kristoff watched closely as Rivkin took out some kind of paper cartridge, bit the end of the cartridge, and tore it off with his teeth. He then watched as the powder was poured into the muzzle of the musket, "Faster." Anna ordered firmly causing everyone around them to jump in surprise in the severity of her voice.
Kristoff continued to watch as the paper itself was crumpled up and stuck into the musket. Rivkin then reached for the ramrod, "Faster." Anna said again with more severity. Kristoff saw the man now becoming nervous and was having difficulty with the rod getting into the muzzle of the gun, "Come on faster!" Anna yelled. Finally Rivkin was able to ram the contents into the gun.
There was now tension in the air, Kristoff and Elsa noticed that no one was smiling or looking like they were having fun anymore. Rivkin continued to load the gun with a minie ball into the muzzle and shoved it again with the ramrod, "Discharge your weapon." Anna ordered now.
Rivkin was startled even more as he struggled to return the ramrod to its holder, "Discharge your weapon!" Anna yelled.
Panicking now, Rivkin had managed to return the rod to its holder, raised the gun, and a cap was affixed to the hammer, after which the musket was ready to fire, "Do it!" Anna commanded.
Rivkin fired the weapon, and returned at attention. Anna looked at the target and sighed heavily, "Now, do it again. Only this time, I want it done quickly." Rivkin reloaded the gun and as he was doing so, she spoke to the men behind him, "A good man can fire three aimed shots in a minute!"
"Anna, can I-" Kristoff started to say, but was stopped from continuing speaking by a hard slap from Elsa, who shook her head at him.
Anna did not even notice as she approached one of the majors. Turning to the one who was already in the arena with the men, she ordered, "Major Follett, give me your Colt revolver."
"What?" Major Follett asked confused looking at his comrade in confusion.
"Your gun. Give it to me." Anna demanded slowly and deliberately. He gulped and handed it her.
Anna then went back over to Rivkin and stood behind him, "Faster." Rivkin fired his gun.
Clicking the hammer back Anna ordered, "Reload."
Rivkin started to reload and she fired the gun in the air, causing him to jump and pause in shock, "Quickly." Anna ordered.
Mentally shaking himself, Rivkin tried to focus on his task, "Faster!" Again Anna pulled the hammer back and fired in the air.
"What is she doing?" Kristoff asked Elsa stunned, not believing what he was seeing.
Elsa shook her head as she watched her sister. It was almost the same as this morning, expect it was hand to hand combat. She winced as another shot was fired in the air and Anna's voice ringing throughout the area, "Faster!" BANG! "Faster!" BANG!
The men watched as Rivkin was getting drilled to load his weapon more and more quickly and each time he was jumping and becoming more flustered to do what was expected of him, "Load!" Anna yelled. BANG! BANG! She kept firing the revolver.
"Do it!" She yelled in his ear. BANG!
"Do it!" BANG!
Finally he gave up on the final fire of the Colt and dropped his weapon to the ground heaving for breaths that would not reach his lungs. Kristoff even thought that the man's eyes were starting to water up a bit. No one spoke a word as Anna looked at Rivkin and met the eyes of every man in the unit. Then she slowly approached the stunned majors and handed Major Follett back his revolver, "Teach them properly, Major."
He stood straight back at attention, and swallowed, "Yes ma'am."
Then Anna faced the other major that had come to get her, "If they can fire under pressure, then come and get me. Otherwise I am not to be disturbed for the rest of the night. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes ma'am."
Anna looked at everyone again and walked away. Kristoff and Elsa watched before following after her as they heard Follett give commands, "Anna!" Kristoff called out running to catch up to her, "Hey wait up!"
Anna paused, "What?"
"What was that about?" He asked as Elsa approached.
"That was showing how to properly teach inexperienced men to shoot under pressure." Anna stated as she continued to walk to the castle.
Kristoff followed after her after sparring a glance at Elsa, "But that did not seem like teach-"
"Now see here." Anna said spinning back around, "I love you. I really do. But I am going to tell you the same thing I told Elsa. My job is to protect Arendelle and try to keep these men alive. That means if I have to resort to drastic measures to demonstrate that this is not a joke, then so be it. These men are inexperienced-"
"So are you! You have been sheltered for all your life! The only time you were out was to-"
"No! I was trained by an admiral! I was training for times like this since I turned ten!" Anna yelled at him, "I was put through the same thing that these men are receiving, so do not question me or my authority!"
Kristoff had nothing to say as he backed down, and stealing a glance at Elsa while Anna closed her eyes to calm herself down, he saw that she had this conversation before, "I am sorry." Anna stated as he looked back at her, "But I really do not have time for this. I will see you guys at dinner."
"Wait you are not going to join us for lunch?" Elsa asked as she and Kristoff made a move to follow Anna again.
"No. I have a lot to get done. I'll have the dinner plan on your desk for your approval when I have it worked out." Anna said and with that they took that the matter was closed when they entered the castle and Anna retreated up the stairs, leaving them in the middle of the entrance area.
Kristoff sighed and turned to the Queen, "So lunch for two?"
"I suppose." Elsa said leading the way to the dining room.
Later in the evening at dinner, Elsa sat alone picking at the plate of chicken, rice, and vegetables. Kristoff had already informed her that he was tired and would go to sleep early. She had asked if he had seen Anna, he had told her yes however she was still working. So this left Elsa alone, waiting for her sister. Alone…how it used to be. Normally some alone time was never a problem, especially since she has Anna for a sister, but now it was downright dreadful.
Being alone meant silence. Silence meant thinking, and all Elsa could think about was how everything was coming apart for them. Anna was becoming short tempered in these past two weeks then she had ever been. Also Elsa was seeing a side of her sister that she never knew existed before. It scared her to no end. How had the sweet innocent five year old, turned into a strong headed brave and happy eighteen year old, yet also become this hard faced angry and already war hardened woman? It was impossible and yet…she was the cause. Elsa shook her head as the memories played before her: striking Anna in the head, each denial to build a snowman, freezing Arendelle, striking Anna's heart, the fjord, their fight, and then seeing Anna lying unconscious in bed after her run in with the wolves. Just how much had her sister really gone through?
Of course she knew what she had been told. They had a real long lengthy conversation after Anna had awoken. However while they had agreed to no more secrets, no more running, no more closed doors, there were still some things that Anna had not spoken about…and Elsa knew it. Just like she was never told that Anna would be leading the forces, not her. How she had no control over the forces in general, Anna did. Placing the fork and knife in their proper places to signify that she was finished with her meal, the servants took her plate away. Still sitting on the table, she looked at her hands.
Perhaps it was not all her fault, it was their parents fault as well. Their father was the one that signed the contract with Anna, Malone, and Leon. Also as far as Anna told her, their mother did nothing to stop it either. Was Anna really forced into this position, or did she actually volunteer, or better yet was it half and half? Anna had talked to her, but what was Anna not telling her? The servants came back with a bowl of chocolate ice cream and Elsa slowly began picking at the frozen dessert.
As she picked she began wondering what Anna was working on. True to her word, before dinner, Kai had presented her with Anna's idea for the dinner with the delegates. Elsa quickly had looked it over and signed it. Looking at the clock she sighed again, seriously what was she working on? If it was something serious, Anna would have gotten her right? Or after today's events does Anna really not want to see her? Not being able to eat anymore, she decided to get a bit more work done.
As she was walking down the hall to her study more thoughts as to what Anna could be doing filled her mind. Along with those thoughts, more memories plagued her. However before they could get worse, she stopped when a melody reached her ears. She knew that Anna was the one behind the musical sound and followed it's melody to the music room. Approaching the closed door she tried to turn the knob, but found it was locked. Which was odd considering they had said no more locked doors. Not sure what to do, or what kind of mood Anna was in now, she hesitantly knocked their knock and she called out, "Anna."
No answer and the music kept playing. She tried knocking harder, "Anna please open up."
The music got louder and fiercer. It's menacing tune filling the hallway that brought chills down Elsa's spine. This did not sit well with the queen, and it started to make Elsa panic a little. She was already losing her sister to this mess, how long would it be before she lost her sister forever, "Anna please! Open up!" On a deeper level, Elsa knew that she was overreacting due to her thoughts from before. She had been over thinking, however over thinking is a form of fear. This fear, it becomes worse when adding the memories, imagination, and emotion.
These past memories played into her imagination of what was coming. Of the possibility of losing her sister, and the emotions that accompanied them. Then her nightmare had come back to her that she had two weeks previously: Anna fighting, then dying, then being taken from her. All of this caused Elsa to lose all control she had, "Anna!"
Frost started to coat the door and hallway as snow began to fall. Ice shards started to appear in the corners of the ceiling as the queen slid down the door. She was not even aware of the music stopping, nor the running of the footsteps from inside the room, "Elsa?!" Anna called out wrenching the door open to see her sister crying on the floor, "Hey its ok I am here. What happened?" Anna asked kneeling down and gently touched her sister's shoulder.
Elsa immediately looked up at the sudden contact, "Oh Anna!" She threw herself at her sister. Love warming her heart and melting the ice, snow, and frost in the process.
Anna kept rubbing small circles on Elsa's back until Elsa was fully calm, "Uhm…ok? What did I miss?" Anna eventually asked a bit confused as she helped them stand up still in the embrace.
Elsa was still getting her breathing under control as she responded, "I uhm…it's going to be silly." She said as she thought about what just happened.
Anna looked at her confused, "Uhm…no it isn't." Looking at her older sister, Anna could see the fear, sadness, and uncertainty in the ice blue depths. She watched as Elsa looked away, deciding that she was not going to let the matter drop, she reached under Elsa's chin to make her sister look at her, "Hey talk to me. What happened?"
Elsa sighed and shook her head, "It's nothing, just my imagination getting the better of me. I promise."
Anna was still not convinced and sighed. She then dragged Elsa inside and over to the bench to start what had become a part of the night time routine. She began to softly play Elsa's lullaby. Anna started out playing slowly and gently, then she stole a look at her sister. For the past two weeks, she knew Elsa was not sleeping well. Heck she herself was not sleeping that well. In fact she remembered entering Elsa's room and waking her up from a brutal nightmare. A nightmare that Elsa still had not even told her about. So it was after that moment this ritual began. It was just a way for them to both decompress before bed.
They would meet or walk together to the music room, and Anna would play a few different songs, always ending with Elsa's song. Closing her eyes, she feels Elsa rest her head on Anna's shoulder, and Anna leaned her head on her sister's as her fingers drifted over the ivory keys, keeping the tune as calm and relaxing as possible. Once the song came to an end, Anna allowed her hands to pull back and Elsa lifted her head off of her shoulder, "Better?" Anna asked after a moment.
"Much." Elsa admitted, "I am sorry, I do not know why I suddenly went into meltdown mode."
"It's ok. I understand. I am sorry I didn't hear you before." Anna said as she took her book off the stand, "I was just so caught up with the music that I lost myself. It happens from time to time."
"Oh." Elsa said looking at Anna. Then after a moment she asked, "So why did you lock the door?"
"I wanted to be left alone." Anna said, "However I had forgotten I locked it. I mean I heard you, but I figured you would walk in. I did not realize I still had it locked." Then gasping Anna looked at Elsa, "That is why you had the meltdown isn't it? I locked the door?"
"Partially." Elsa said looking away, "Also my thoughts took a dark turn earlier and I guess this was the straw…"
"Oh Elsa." Anna groaned, "I am so sorry."
They got up and walked out of the room, "Hey its fine. Really Anna…"
"But I made you upset…again." Anna groaned out as they entered the hallway and she relocked the room.
"But you opened it…"
"Only because I saw frost and ice in the room." Anna bit out annoyed at herself.
Elsa looked at her sister as they made their way to their rooms. It was moments like this that was bitter sweet for her. She could actually see past Anna now, just through the facial expression, not the hardened look that she had come to see, "Hey I am fine now. I know it was an accident. It was just my stupid mind getting the better of me. I promise." She said firmly as Anna looked at her.
Anna nodded, "Ok. If you are sure."
"I am."
They stood outside Anna's door and before either of them could speak again, there was a sudden flash of lightening and a rumble of thunder. Looking outside, there was a dull bright moon, but in the distance passed the fjord, there were storm clouds, "Funny…didn't look like it was about to storm before." Elsa muttered out as they stood by the window as the clouds approached the kingdom.
Anna nodded. She was afraid of storms, especially what occurred three years ago, however there was something ominous about this event…something was telling her this was no ordinary storm, "Yea…funny." Looking at Elsa now she said, "I am going to bed."
"Yea me too." Elsa said as Anna opened her door, "I love you." Elsa said suddenly before Anna closed the door.
"I love you too…" Anna said wondering what made Elsa say those three words all of a sudden.
Closing the door Elsa slowly walked back to her room. She did not know why she said those three words all of a sudden. She knew that Anna knew that she loved her…it was words that did not need to be spoken. However Kai's advice from two weeks ago haunted her memory, "Did you know the three hardest things to say are: I love you, I'm sorry, and help me?"
Elsa sighed as she walked into her room and closed the door. How many times had they apologized compared to how many times they said 'I love you'? Perhaps she felt compelled to remind Anna that she loved her…no matter what. Then again, as she got into her night gown and into bed, when is Anna going to admit that she needs help? Thunder rumbled and lightning struck through the sky, Elsa turned over and as she closed her eyes as a final thought came to her, these storm clouds are not normal. They are of something far greater and more dangerous.
Present day- with Elsa and Kristoff
Elsa sighed as she fingered with a music box. This was no ordinary music box though. The box was made out of chestnut and along the sides of the box was decorated snowflake patterns and right in the middle was her name, beautifully carved in an interesting pattern that reminded Elsa of winter. Elsa then gently caressed the smooth wood, allowing her fingers to feel the patterns of the snowflakes. Gently transferring the box to her lap, she grabs at the chain around her neck and gently slips it over her head. On the end of the chain was a snowflake pendent, but this was not just any snowflake, it was 'her' signature snowflake.
Elsa gave a watery smile as she picked the box back up and placed the pendent in the hole that was in the shape of the side of the pendent. Giving it a couple of turns, she stopped and waited a few moments. The next thing that happened was the top of the box opened and out rose a figurine of two little girls, one blonde hair in a braid and one strawberry blonde in pig tails building a lopsided snowman. As they turned a melody played, a melody that Anna had named Elsa's lullaby.
"Are you ok?" Elsa did not look up at the voice that had approached her. She was only traveling with one other person.
Kristoff sat down as the music played around them. Its melody soft and gentle, "No, but this helps." Elsa says softly as to not to disturb the music. However she did look at him, "How are you?"
"Aside I may lose my fiancée forever because of this damned curse, I am doing swell." Kristoff said with his own ironic grin.
Elsa did not say anything. Pabbie had explained that other than trying to jog Anna's memory without alerting Hans, there was nothing else to be done without Anna having her heart which held her true emotions. In fact after the night from hell that they had with discussing how they were going to approach this matter, they still were not much closer in figuring out how everything was going to work out, "Think we can do this?" Elsa asked as the music came to a stop.
"In all honesty I do not know." Kristoff said almost defeated, "I mean its' one thing to bring back summer, but another to restore someone's heart."
Sven nudged his friend and Kristoff patted his nose, "But you have to try. Olaf said that love thaws a frozen heart, it can heal too."
Elsa smiled again as she put the music box away, "He told me the same thing."
Kristoff smiled and stood up, "Ready to go so we are not late?"
"Yup let's do this." She said taking his hand.
From his pocket he pulled out the two enchanted pendants and handed Elsa her pendant, "Remember Pabbie said that we have to come back in a few days so they can have a magical recharge. So we have to try and take off at the same time to go back. Especially you." Kristoff said sternly.
"Right I know." Sighing she placed her necklace on and felt as if water was being dumped on her. Looking at the river, she saw her reflection and then Kristoff's next to her, "Ready?"
"Yup. Let's go bring back Anna."
"And then Arendelle." Elsa said.
As they continued to make their way back to town, neither of them noticed a black hooded figure spying on them. As he watched their retreat, he knew things were about to get interesting as he disappeared into a cloud of black smoke.
