I don't own Frozen.
I'm not dead!
Once I again I wish to credit my friend A Cold Touch for allowing me the use of his character and altercations of the Southern Isles in my story. I will do my best to do them their justice in this.
I'm so sorry that it took so long for me to finish this but life's been making it hard for me to work on this.
Episode 9: Obscurity Broken
"Remind me again, why we're here?" Kaji asked as he and Elsa walked off their ship, onto the docks of the main Southern Isles Island.
Despite only being on the docks, Kaji had to admit that the place was very impressive. They were on the main island of the kingdom or empire as Kaji called it. It was noticeably smaller than the other islands but it was also the island where the palace, the royal family, and high nobility and military officials lived. Kaji could even see the palace from the docks.
"We were invited as the guests of honor, dear," Elsa reminded as she held his arm. Kaji turned to her and he couldn't help but admire her.
Elsa was wearing a nice, formal blue dress that looked a lot like the one she wore when they met but instead it was more fine-tuned to look "presentable" by highborn standards as she called it. Her hair was done up in a nice bun that she claimed she wore when she took the throne, but Kaji didn't know if he could believe her not. Regardless, he thought she looked very beautiful.
He simply wore his armor, stating that it was a way for him to show his strength. Though he knew that Elsa wanted him to wear something less…armored and more formal. Except he preferred wearing his white armor, saying that their people seemed to think that his "marvel from the past" only made him look more…reassuring. Elsa said she preferred seeing him in his armor as well, as well as wearing armor herself but they weren't in Arendelle at the moment. It was for that very reason that Kaji was so unwilling to go without his armor and sword though. He didn't trust it.
"Well at least the view is nice…" he teased in a rare flirting manner. Elsa blushed at his comment when she saw that he was looking at her when he said that. She playfully hit his chest, but Kaji didn't exactly feel the blow since he was wearing his armor. He laughed when he saw her rub her hand.
"Your majesties, are you sure that you will not need us?" Kaji turned to see Tamriel, walk across from their ship onto the docks.
"We'll be fine, Admiral. No one would dare attack us here," Elsa said as she wrapped her arm around Kaji's once again. Tamriel looked like she wanted to express her concerns but Kaji dismissed her with a wave of his hand. She looked displeased but she saluted before she went back onto the ship.
"Now…what were you saying about the view?" Elsa asked. Kaji smiled, lightly, deciding to play the game his wife was prompting.
"The palace is quite a sight isn't it? I mean the buildings and town look nice but I wonder how the palace looks up close?" Kaji commented as he turned back to look at the small town and by extension, the palace.
The city that was resting on the island was rather extravagant. The buildings were all bigger than most of the buildings in Arendelle's city and this was a small island. Kaji wondered if all the islands had buildings as big as the ones on that island. And the palace was the icing on the cake. Even from his distance Kaji could make it out. The building was easily twice the size of Arendelle's castle at least in width. He could make out three towers that held up above the main building and signs of a party in progress. Though he didn't have to look at the palace to know there was a party in progress.
The city in front of them was full of life. There were people running around or…dancing? Kaji wasn't sure what exactly was going on. There were decorations all around the city and little streamers of confetti and other things were flying around the air. Yeah…a party was occurring and it wasn't just the nobles that were partying. He wondered if the people were really just this busy all the time though and it just looked like a party was occurring. Adenia was like that, but it brought a frown to his face when he thought about it.
"I was talking about me…" Elsa muttered, darkly. Kaji allowed a small smile to stay on his face as he turned to face her.
"Hey, you're the one that asked about the sights, right?" he asked. Elsa opened her mouth to retort something but then she narrowed her eyes at him since he got her there. Kaji laughed a bit before Elsa leaned up to his ear. Her breath was cold and Kaji went still, not from the cold but her words.
"You're lucky you didn't do something like that last night…" she whispered. He laughed nervously as she whispered some more things into his ear.
"Tonight, I want to try something different though…" she whispered. Kaji blushed, badly, cursing his pale skin. It would only make the change in color more obvious. Plus he knew that Elsa liked to take advantage of that from time to time. He was glad no one was staring at them yet.
"Elsa, not the time," he whispered back. She didn't seem to hear him, unfortunately and moved his scarf a bit, baring his neck to her. She nipped at the skin a bit, making him almost moan before he reeled himself in. It wasn't the time or place for that.
"Elsa, not now," he said, firmly. Elsa sighed in annoyance and pulled away. Then he pulled his scarf into its usual position. Then he turned to look at her and she had a 'dark' look on her face as she looked at him.
"Fine…but tonight…" Elsa left the sentence open, leaving him to think about it. Then she smiled brightly again, her face practically gleaming with light.
Kaji sighed at his wife and shook his head slightly. He found that while his wife was a very kind and caring person and wife; she also had a darker side to her. Of course everyone had a dark side, it was just the nature of the world. But Elsa's dark side seemed to revolve around their nightlife. Though he didn't exactly mind, but he'd never openly admit that.
"Well I guess that means we're going to the palace?" Kaji asked as they walked off of the docks.
"A part of me is surprised that this place looks so…bustling," Elsa commented.
"Ulfric is not a bad person. At least not towards his people, that's what I heard anyway," Kaji commented as they tried to bob and weave through the crowds of people.
"Maybe the armed escort would have been helpful?" Elsa grunted as they struggled to work their way through the crowd, while still holding onto each other. It was like a giant wave came in and crashed against them. When they finally broke through the worst of it, they almost gaped at the amount of traffic right outside of the palace gates. Literally hundreds of people were massed outside the gates, all of them looked like they were nobles given how they dressed. They must be trying to get into the party but were refuted at the door. Kaji almost sighed at the sight.
"Great…we'll never get there in on time at this rate," Elsa groaned. Kaji was a bit annoyed as well. How were they going to get in?
"Hm…maybe we could ask one of the guards?" Elsa suggested. Kaji looked around the group for a guard or someone that looked in charge. However, pointing someone out, even someone as obvious as a guard was like trying to knock down a brick wall with a toothpick. He was about to say he couldn't see one when suddenly, his vision blurred before a blue hew took over his sight. He shook his head and blinked but his vision remained the same.
His entire sight was tinted blue but that wasn't the only weird thing that was occurring. The people all had green auras radiating around them. His eyes widened as he tried to figure out what was going on. Then he remembered that he was supposed to be looking for some guards and then as if responding to his thoughts, a few people in the crowd started glowing brighter than the others. Then he turned to his wife, taking a few moments to note that the aura around her wasn't green like the others, but instead it was an icy blue.
"Kaji?" Elsa asked, alarmed. Kaji shook his head again; closing his eyes and then when he opened them again his sight was back to normal. He blinked a couple more times to make sure he was ok before he addressed his wife. Her eyes were filled with concern and he thought he saw a bit of shock in them.
"I'm fine, I was just…distracted," he covered. Elsa seemed to accept his assurance and nodded toward the crowd.
"Do you think we can find a guard or someone of importance in this mess? Because I can't spot anyone," Elsa asked. Kaji looked at the crowd again then back towards his wife.
"I saw a few," he said. Elsa looked at him like he was lying but he nodded, assuring her he wasn't. He led her by her hand towards the crowd and as if answering his words, one such guard pulled himself from the crowd. He pulled his chest plate's collar a bit; obviously the poor guy was overwhelmed. Kaji turned to his wife and smiled a little in victory before addressing the poor guard.
"Excuse me?" Kaji asked. The guard jumped a bit when he heard Kaji but he quickly straightened up. Elsa almost giggled at his display.
"I'm sorry, Milord, and Milady but you'll have to wait outside like everyone else unless you are expected," he said in a tired voice. Kaji and Elsa looked at each other before turning back to the guard.
"We are the King and Queen of Arendelle. We believe Crown Prince Ulfric and the Emperior of the Isles are expecting us?" Elsa asked. The guard visibly stiffened when they told him that. He looked them over and tripped over his words when he realized they weren't lying.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't realize-" Elsa held up her hand to stop the guard from tripping over his words and embarrassing himself.
"Don't worry, it's quite alright. Just bring us inside, please," Elsa said. The guard simply nodded and Kaji thought he looked thankful for a moment before leading them towards the main gates. There were a few scorns of distaste directed at Kaji and Elsa since they got to bypass the line. Kaji turned to the line when he thought he heard someone mention Adenia. He looked through the crowd of people, cautiously but he didn't see anyone hostile…or the hostile that was unhealthy for him anyway.
"Are you ok, Kaji?" Elsa asked as she tightened her hold around his arm. Kaji turned to her and he nodded before they continued walking towards the gates. When they arrived at the entrance. The guard that brought them to the gate quickly explained to the others who they were and the couple was rushed inside rather quickly. The guards were obviously having a hard day.
"The ball is just down the hallway, you can't miss it," one of the guards as they hurried them through the doors into a hallway.
"Well that was interesting?" Kaji commented as the doors to the palace shut behind them.
"Those poor guards, I hope they get paid well," Elsa added. Sounds of light music and rather loud voices came from the end of the hall. The couple looked at each other before they walked through the hall they were in until they stopped at the end of it.
The entire ballroom as the guard called it was massive. It was about three times the size of the one in Arendelle's castle. The entire place was decorated with marble tiles on the floor along with crystal chandlers hanging from the high ceiling and the walls were decorated with paintings of the land and people Kaji thought were part of the royal family.
"This your first time here too?" Elsa asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"Did you think this place would be so big?" Kaji asked. Elsa shook her head as she looked around some more.
"No, it's so much bigger than the ballroom in Arendelle. And look at how many people are here," Elsa stated. The room was filled with nobles and highborn and of course, guards that looked like this was too much for them. Fortunately, it appeared as though they would be able to avoid attention since they didn't recognize anyone right away. But when Kaji felt Elsa's hands tighten around his arm; he knew that they were just spotted.
"Queen Elsa! It's such a pleasure to see you again!" Kaji turned to see the owner of the voice and he saw a young man with brown hair and sideburns that ran to his jaw. He looked older then the couple but that was because of their agelessness. He was dressed as a noble and from the way Elsa gripped his arm and the glare she directed at him, Kaji figured she didn't like him at all.
"Hans…" Elsa forced out as if the name was poison to her. Kaji recognized the name and he immediately hardened his gaze as he looked at the man. He remembered Elsa and Anna telling him about the man that tried to kill them both and take Arendelle for himself. He also remembered Anna telling him that this man manipulated her. Just the type of person Kaji disliked.
"So you're Prince Hans?" Kaji asked with a monotone voice. The prince turned to him as if he didn't realize that he was there.
"And who are you? Her personal guard?" he asked with a bit of amusement. Kaji winced a bit at the cruel comment and when he looked at Elsa she seemed to be even more upset then he was.
"We don't have time for people like you," she emphasized the last word and Kaji felt satisfied when he saw Hans visibly get angered.
"Well wh-" thankfully the supposed usurper was cut off by a voice they all recognized.
"Little Brother, stop pestering the guest of honor before I put you back into the dark depths of the dungeon," Hans paled at the voice of Ulfric and Kaji saw Elsa smirk at him as the crown prince stomped over. He snapped his hand onto Han's back, making the man recoil, a pained expression flowing over his visage as Ulfric pushed him back towards the main party. Then the giant crown prince turned to them with a rather big smile.
"Ah yes, the delegates from Arendelle! You both made it!" he bellowed so loud that the entire party heard him. Kaji felt himself pale from the mention and he felt Elsa tighten her grip on him, comfortingly.
"Who are they, wait is that Queen Elsa? Who's that with her," comments like those swarmed throughout the entire room and Kaji had to struggle to get himself to remain calm. Ulfric turned to the crowd and gestured toward him.
"Yes, who is this young man, next to the Queen of Arendelle?" Ulfric asked as he stepped aside. Kaji could of sworn he had a guilty look on his face as he walked away from them. Then he turned back to the crowd, who were all looking at them, expectantly. Obviously they couldn't exactly shy away from this problem. However, he couldn't exactly bring himself to speak in fear of who might be in the room. Thankfully he was able to work up the courage to speak though.
"I am the King of Arendelle," he stated with as much firmness as he could muster. More whispers and comments circled through the room until Elsa spoke up next.
"Yes, this is the king of Arendelle and my husband," she said the last word, fondly and Kaji felt his heart flutter a bit. The crowd looked like they were about to do something but Ulfric interrupted them again.
"Back to the festivities please, they'll be time to question these two later," he said, it was a statement not a request. The people all seemed to go with it then Ulfric motioned for someone to come over before turning to the couple.
"What the hell was that Ulfric?" Elsa asked, accusingly. Kaji felt a bit angry as well, the man just blew his cover!
"You must forgive me, but I am in a difficult position. I have had little choice in the matter but I can at least warn you both," he said in a hushed voice that Kaji thought was odd coming from him. He looked at Elsa, who looked like she was debating to listen or skewer the prince.
"Warn us about what?" Kaji asked. Ulfric took a shallow breath before turning around to check for something before replying.
"Adenia knows where you are, Kaji," he said in a rather grim voice. Kaji's eyes widened in response and he instantly paled at the news.
"You mean…my brothers know where I am?" he asked in a shaky voice. Ulfric nodded a bit before checking behind him again.
"How did they find out?" Elsa asked, alarmed. She held Kaji's arm comfortingly and protectively. Kaji appreciated the gesture but it did little to sate his fear. His brothers…Mitsu and Tsuyo. They knew…they knew where he was hiding…they would be coming to Arendelle to take away everything again.
"Their spies were there the day of that ball you held. They relayed the message back to Adenia not too long ago. I imagine that they'll be sailing to Arendelle with an invasion force before the month ends," Ulfric said.
"How do you know this?" Elsa asked, skeptically. Kaji was trying to keep his mind in the present but fear had him gripped tightly so he could only listen without putting his input in.
"An…informant; you may also say he's a spy within Adenia's own ranks. He's the reason I call you two here. He's someone Kaji knows well enough and he'll also be the one that tells you more about this invasion," Ulfric said, quickly.
"Who?" Kaji asked, finally getting ahold of his voice. He was still afraid but he knew that he had to get ahold of himself. He didn't know if he could stop his brothers but he did know that the lives of the Arendelle's- no his people were in danger as well as his new family and friends. He just knew that he had to remain as strong as possible.
"Someone you know well…" Kaji's eyes widened when the voice hit his ears and he didn't have to wait for Ulfric to step aside to know who it was. It was a boy who looked about the same age as Kaji and Elsa, eighteen; he had short blonde hair and green eyes. He was pale but not to the extent of Elsa or Kaji. He wore red and purple clothing of a highborn and he smiled brightly at Kaji.
"Chie!" Kaji rushed forward and hugged the guy, tightly as if he had just seen a ghost. The one now known as Chie, chuckled as he patted Kaji's head.
"It's good to see you too, little brother. You've changed so much!" he exclaimed as he pushed Kaji away a little by his shoulders so he could look him over.
"I can't believe its you…" Kaji said, tears coming to his eyes. They didn't fall but they were there. Chie patted his shoulder, telling him not to cause a scene.
"Don't worry so much, no need for a scene. I see that you've done very well for yourself. In more ways then one…" he said as he looked behind him at Elsa no doubt. Kaji blushed from the hidden meaning in that compliment and quickly backed up so he was next to Elsa again.
"Elsa, this is my older brother, Chie," Kaji said, cheerfully. Elsa looked Chie over a bit before smiling and offering him her hand, which he shook.
"Don't worry, Kaji has told me about you. Thank you for saving him and insuring that he'd find his way into my arms," she said as she wrapped one of her arms around Kaji's.
"Of course. Unlike our brothers, I actually respect what Kaji means for our family and bloodline. Plus I know what it means to be a family…" Chie stated. Kaji smiled lightly at his brother, thankful.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but I should return to the guests before someone gets suspicious. Mitsu no doubt has spies roaming around this party," Ulfric cut in. Chie nodded and quickly told him to go before turning back to the couple as Ulfric stomped off.
"I also wish to apologize for cutting the formalities short but we don't have much time. As Ulfric said, Mitsu has spies at this party so I have to make this quick before they piece together what's going on," Chie said in a hurried tone.
"What's going on Chie?" Kaji asked as he looked to his right to make sure they didn't have a shadow.
"As Ulfric said, Mitsu knows where you've taken up residence and he is massing an invasion force. He intends to wipe Arendelle from the world and anyone that gets in his way," Chie said. Kaji clenched his fists tightly.
"Why can't you leave me be? I don't even want the throne of Adenia," Kaji said, exasperated. Chie smiled sympathetically before continuing.
"I'm afraid our brother doesn't want you interfering with his claim to the throne. People are beginning to question his claim, especially since our father named you his heir and our mothers death and he will are starting to look…opportunist to some. I'm afraid he won't settle for capturing you. He's looking to kill you…" Chie spoke, grimly. Kaji felt his blood turn cold at the news. So Mitsu finally decided that he had enough of him so he wanted to just get rid of him like trash…
"He won't get to him without a fight," Elsa said, firmly. Kaji turned to smile at his wife and she leaned up and gave him a soft kiss before they turned back to Chie.
"So, I assume its war then?" Kaji asked. Chie nodded before turning around to check behind him.
"About a fourth of Adenia's military aren't going to participate in this fight and will follow whoever wins. About a little more than a third of what's left have decided to side with you, even Commander Yamato. The rest are following Mitsu and of course he also has Tsuyo," Chie said. Kaji nodded, a bit surprised that so many actually decided to fight for him.
"Are you going to help us?" Elsa asked. Chie nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. After we're done here, I'll go rally everyone, who is willing to fight and die for our real king and bring them to Arendelle. Even so, you should call on any allies you have as well. Adenia's military is the largest in the world and Mitsu has the biggest portion of it fighting for him. You'll need all the help you can get," he said. Kaji nodded before turning to Elsa again.
"Corona will probably be willing to lend some help and I think the trolls will demand to as well," Elsa said.
"You have until the end of this month at the earliest to form any kind of defense around your kingdom. I'll be there within a week at the latest with our portion of Adenia's forces. Until then and after then, get whatever help you can," Chie said. Kaji turned to Elsa and his own dread was mirrored in her eyes.
"We will do what we can," Kaji said. Chie nodded and placed a hand on Kaji's shoulder.
"Stay safe, Brother, we will meet again, I promise," he said, but before he could leave, Kaji caught his arm.
"Wait! Chie…what about Suri? You didn't mention her…" Kaji asked, softly. Chie's eyes widened at the question and Kaji already knew the answer before he gave it.
"She's dead…Mitsu had her tortured and executed shortly after you left…she was denied burial in the royal crypts as well…" he said sadly. Kaji's eyes widened and he barely acknowledged Chie taking his leave or the worried calls of his wife. It wasn't until they were back on their ship, sailing back for Arendelle, in their quarters that he finally came back to the world and…he wept in his wife's arms until he ran out of tears.
