Chapter 9:
Edward
After their encounter with the men who attacked them, Anna and Elsa were on higher alert. Both had no idea who the men were or why they attacked them. It was random, but from the way they did it, it seemed like they knew who they were. No. They were just scaring themselves. It was probably just a bunch of thieves who thought they could get away with robbing two young women. One afternoon, as they drove down the road, one of the wheels to the carriage fell off. Elsa pulled the reins tightly, signaling the horses to stop. When she examined the damage done, she saw that the wheel had split in half.
"Great. We must have run over a rock or something in the road," she said.
"Do we have a spare?" Anna asked.
"No, unfortunately we don't. I should have packed one. Looks like we have to take the horses to the nearest town to get a replacement wheel."
"Darn. Well, I'll go unhook the horses," Anna said.
As Anna approached the animals, she saw another carriage approaching them. The man driving pulled back on his own reins, stopping beside them.
"Is there a problem ladies?" he asked.
"Yes, one of the wheels to our carriage broke in half, and we don't have a spare," Anna explained.
"We're going to take the horses to the nearest town to find a replacement."
The man looked at the broken wheel on the ground, sharing his concern. "I'm afraid that the nearest town is several hours away," he said.
Anna sighed. "Well, that's just great."
"Tell you what, I have an extra wheel in the back of my carriage. You two can have it," he offered.
"Oh, we couldn't impose," Elsa said, stepping into the conversation.
"Nonsense, I have several. Besides, even if you did make it to town, they're just going to charge you for one. This one is on me."
"Wow! That's very thoughtful of you! We're glad you came by when you did!" Elsa said.
"Happy to help. I hate to see a couple of young ladies in distress. Let me just get the wheel from out the back."
The man retrieved the extra wheel, and put it onto the carriage. Before long, it was as if they had never broken a wheel.
"There you are! All finished!" he said, admiring his work.
"My sister and I can't thank you enough, sir," Elsa said.
"Not a problem. Happy to help," the man said.
"What's your name by the way?" Anna asked.
"Edward," the man said, shaking Anna's hand, and then doing the same with Elsa's. And you two fine ladies, are?"
"I'm Queen Elsa of Arendelle, and this is my sister, Princess Anna," Elsa said introducing herself and Anna.
Edward's eyes widened. He quickly bowed to the sisters. "My goodness, and I am ever happy that I came along when I did. A queen and princess? I'm very glad I could have been a service to you ladies."
"Thank you. We greatly appreciate all that you've done," Elsa said.
"Tell you what, how would you two like to come to my cabin and have supper with me?" Edward offered. "I only live a mile from here. I own a forest all to myself actually.
"Well, that's kind of you to offer, but we really should be going," Elsa said.
"Oh, come on, I insist! You two look like you could use a warm cooked meal," Edward said.
Anna nodded. "It's true. The past few days all I've had is fruit, and bread."
"Well, let's get a move on, shall we? Follow me. I'll take you straight to the cabin."
Elsa was unsure about this. They didn't know this man, and after their encounter with the men at the inn, she was a little wary about trusting strangers. But the man did seem nice, and he did fix their carriage. Maybe she was being too judgmental.
"Very well. Lead on, Mr. Edward," she said.
Edward led the sisters to an isolated spot in the center of the woods. There sat a cabin a lot like the one they went too back in Arendelle, however, this one was a bit larger. Inside, the walls were covered with stuffed animals: bears, deer, antelope, rabbit, pigs, etc. To be honest, it was a little unsettling. Edward saw the look on Anna and Elsa's face, and quickly explained.
"I forgot to mention that I am a big game hunter," he said. "I've traveled all around the world hunting many wild beasts. That grizzly bear there I shot and killed while I was in Canada. Hunting has always been a big passion of mine, ever since I was a child."
"I see," Elsa said. To be honest, it was creepy seeing the many stuffed animals staring down at them, but it was just a hobby, nothing more.
Edward led them to a table, and then began to cook the evening meal. When he was finished, the three ate together. The food was delicious. Anna and Elsa had never eaten meat that tasted this good.
"This is the best chicken I've ever eaten," Anna said, taking another bite.
"Actually, it's not chicken. It's rattlesnake," Edward explained. "It's my own recipe. Although I think I used too much curry tonight. I'm glad you like it though."
Anna and Elsa looked at each other. They had never eaten rattlesnake before. It was alarming to say the least. Neither of them ever thought you could actually eat such a deadly animal. There was an awkward moment of silence upon hearing this revelation.
Seeing a chessboard on the counter, Anna quickly got the conversation going again.
"Are you a chess player, Edward?" she asked. "Elsa's big into chess. She's the best player I know."
Elsa rolled her eyes. "Anna, I'm not that good."
"You beat me ever time!" Anna exclaimed. "Not to mention you beat practically everyone in the castle back home!"
"I just play the game, that's all," Elsa said, modestly.
"Well, we should have a little match, then," Edward said, putting his utensils down. "Come on, Elsa. Just the two of us."
Elsa sighed, but smiled nonetheless. "Alright. One match."
"Excellent! But before we do, would you ladies like some more wine?" Edward asked.
"Yes, please," Anna and Elsa both answered.
Edward went into the back room of the cabin, and pulled out another bottle of red wine. Unbeknownst to Anna and Elsa, he slipped out a small bottle of white powder, and poured it into both their glasses.
Upon returning, he gave each of them their own glass. Anna took a big gulp as soon as she received hers. Elsa took a few sips of hers as well.
The three of them then made their way to the counter, where Edward began setting up the board. "White or black?" he asked
"White," Elsa answered, taking another sip of wine.
By the time Edward had set the board up, Anna was starting to feel dizzy. Elsa quickly noticed, and grew concerned.
"Anna, are you alright?" she asked.
"I feel a little dizzy," she said, placing a hand on her forehead.
"Too much wine, Anna?" Edward asked.
"Maybe. I'm going to go lie down," Anna said, going over the coach.
"Suit yourself. But you'll miss a great match!" Edward said.
As soon as Anna's body hit the coach, she felt the dizziness grow stronger, and stronger. She struggled to keep her eyes open. Suddenly, she just couldn't do it any longer, and fell asleep.
By now, Elsa was beginning to feel the effects of the drug too. Her vision was blurring, and she too was feeling dizzy.
"Looks like you might have had too much wine as well," Edward said, smiling. "It's your move," he said, gesturing to the chessboard.
Elsa slowly moved one of her pawns forward, but the second she placed it down onto the board, she fell face forward onto the counter, out cold.
"It's my move now, Queen Elsa," Edward said.
When Elsa came too, she found herself in the middle of the forest. Anna was laying right beside her, still sleeping. Looking around, Elsa had no idea where she was. She grabbed Anna, and shook her awake.
"Anna, Anna, wake up!" Elsa said. Her head was killing her. No doubt a hangover from last night.
When Anna awoke, she was groggy, and in pain. "My head!" she moaned. "I feel like someone hit me in the head with a rock. Where are we?" she said, looking around.
"Elsa looked to her right, and saw what appeared to be a letter. She picked it up, and read its contents.
"Good morning, Anna and Elsa,
You've probably realized by the hangover you both have, that I drugged you two last night. I hope you got plenty of rest. You'll need every ounce of energy for what awaits you. You see, as I mentioned last night, I have a big passion for hunting. However, in recent years, I grew bored of hunting animals. That's why I now prefer to hunt humans. How great would it be to add a queen and a princess to my collection! This will be the ultimate sport for all of us. Me the hunter of course will be the one with the real victory, but you could also escape like any animal if you're quick enough. Now: let the hunt begin! Oh, and if it helps, think of chess. Think about every move twice before you make it. However, unlike chess, once this game is over, the board can't be set up again.
Good luck, ladies.
Elsa looked around her. In the area surrounding her and Anna were what appeared to be tombstones. Grave markers of the people Edward had undoubtedly hunted over the years.
"Oh my God," she said, softly. "Anna we got to go now!"
A/N: And so the hunt begins! Edward is crafty, but he picked the wrong people to mess with. I figured this would prove to be an interesting challenge for the sisters. Next chapter coming soon!
