Chapter 10
Elsa and Kara had slept throughout most of the day. Nobody knocked on their door. Everyone knew that they needed their time alone. It was already five in the afternoon when Elsa woke up. She looked down to Kara only to see her naked chest. Elsa leaned over Kara and gently scratched Kara's skin over her stomach. Kara's eyes opened slowly and she looked to her wife hovering above her.
"Don't you know it's rude to wake a sleeping dragon?" Kara asked in a playful tone.
"Well, I'm hungry and I didn't want to leave without you, my love." Elsa said as she kissed Kara.
Kara groaned into the kiss. "Very well...but I want meat."
"Anything for you, my love." Said Elsa as she stood up allowing the sheets to drop from her body. Kara's eyes followed her every movement and turned away when Elsa magically summoned an ice dress. Kara got dressed as well and they both walked to the kitchens. Upon arriving, they saw Artemis and Anna talking with each other. Anna seemed to be happier than before.
"Hello, Anna." Kara said. "How's Kristoff?"
Anna looked to Kara and smiled. "Thanks to your healers, he's doing much better. They managed to close the majority of his wounds and heal the bruising. They weren't able to reattach his hand, but they're working on something to replace it. He also talked to me. It was wonderful to hear his voice again. The healers are working on him some more right now."
"That's wonderful news, Princess." Kara said with a smile. Elsa walked over to Anna and embraced her sister in a tight hug. The four of them sat together for about an hour. They laughed and talked about their younger years. Everything seemed peaceful...until...
"Your Majesties." Kara's generals stormed through the kitchen doors each with worried looks on their faces.
Kara groaned. "What is it now?"
Atlas stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we have received a messenger hawk with a letter from Prince Hans of the Southern Isles." He handed the letter to Kara. She opened it. After reading it, she crumpled the letter and threw it.
"Prepare the troops. They're coming."
"What?!" Elsa exclaimed. "But what of the people?"
Kara took a deep breath and looked to her wife, sister-in-law, and sister. "Evacuate the kingdom. Your people will be safe in Argos. You and Anna must go as well." She directed to Elsa.
"NO!" Elsa yelled and she pulled Kara into her arms. "I will not leave you. We can fight together."
"Elsa" Kara said in a hushed tone. "Your...Our people need you to go with them. The army needs me here to fight. You must go with them. Go with your sister."
"Kara." This time it was Artemis who spoke. "You and I both know that you're much stronger with Elsa. She's your wife and you are hers. She should stay with you."
"Artemis, you know that I cannot fight while she's here. I'll be distracted and worried about her safety."
Artemis laughed and shook her head. "Oh sister, must you be so stubborn? Just think about it. Elsa can help slow down their navy. She can create walls to protect the kingdom. She's a part of this war whether you like it or not."
"Artemis is right, Kara." Elsa said. "I can do all those things. Why won't you let me help?"
Kara was fuming. Elsa and Artemis were both pushing her buttons, but she did her best to remain calm. "No." She said in a deep voice. "I will not have you in the line of fire. This isn't just any war. This is a war between dragons and dark creatures. And as your superior, Elsa, you will obey my orders! You will leave to Argos with your people." And with that said, Kara stormed out of the kitchens with her generals tailing behind her. Elsa, Anna, and Artemis were in complete shock. They looked at each other in silence for a few minutes until Elsa broke the silence.
"I'm staying, regardless of what Kara says. She needs my help."
Artemis gave a sly grin. "I knew there was a reason behind why I liked you. We need to come up with a plan to make sure that Kara doesn't know that you stayed behind."
"Elsa, are you sure that this is a good idea?" Anna asked. "You can be killed during the battle."
"Princess, I will personally be looking after Elsa. Kara may be the queen, but were are all strong. She'll be safe. Dragons promise." Artemis said while making a cross over her heart.
Anna giggled at Artemis' gestures. "Alright. I trust you."
"Excellent! Anna, I think it would be best if you pack a light bag and go with Kristoff. Elsa, we need to prepare you for battle. Lets go."
The three of them took off together from the kitchens and only separated when they reached Anna's room where Anna began to pack. Elsa and Artemis didn't say a word until they were in Elsa's study. They began to talk about different plans to trick Kara. Artemis, being a master of stealth, was able to formulate a plan within a matter of minutes. They knew that they were going to face the wrath of the Queen of the Dragons once she found out she had been deceived, but neither of them cared. They only wished to help in any way possible. This was Elsa's kingdom after all. This is the land where she and Anna were born, where they grew up, where they played with their parents... She wasn't about to leave and allow a madman to destroy her home without a fight. She would fight...and on the back of a dragon. The day was coming to an end, but Elsa was ready for what awaited in the next few days.
*Line Break*
The next morning in Weselton.
Hans paced in his study. He was furious. He lost Kristoff, his key to winning Arendelle, and he was almost killed by a dragon. If it weren't for the Duke's stupidity, Hans would be dead. He was through with being nice. He was ready to storm Arendelle and use all the power that he possessed. Only he and the Duke had the power to control the dark creatures, but now the power fell only to him. He wasn't about to share with anybody else. He wanted the world to bow down to him and him alone. To fear him. The raw dark power coursed through his veins. At times, he felt out of control as if the darkness was doing its own bidding and using Hans' body like a puppet master. But it didn't matter to him. He would have the world.
A knock was heard at his door.
"Enter." He commanded to whom ever was outside.
A woman in an officers uniform walked in. "My lord, we are ready to depart."
"Good. Let's be on our way." he said as he stormed out of his study and headed to the docks.
"Arendelle will fall." He thought as he boarded his ship. He looked out to sea and surveyed his navy. It was the largest navy in the world and it was mostly composed of dark creatures and a few soldiers who ran their respected ships. Each vessel flew the flag of the Southern Isles and Weselton. Their sails were black. Black. The color of death, darkness, hate... it was a perfect color to symbolize the downfall of each nation that stood in the way of the Southern Isles. It would be the war of the century and it will end in his favor.
"What is your command, my Lord?" Asked the female officer.
"Set sail for Arendelle!" Hans shouted.
The signal was given to the other ships and their sails were opened to catch the wind. Hans watched as the ships picked up speed.
"Let there be death."
*Line Break*
There was panic throughout Arendelle. The citizens were busy packing small bags and loading dragons of all shapes and sizes. Every family was to be taken to Argos where they would stay until Arendelle was out of danger. Arendelle's guards helped anybody that needed assistance. There were so many sounds throughout the kingdom. Some people were crying, others were yelling... nobody wanted to leave their home, but they had no choice. The packed a few items, and headed to find a dragon that was ready to take off. Slowly, the sky began to fill with dragons, each carrying a family or items that a family chose to take with them. Kara watched the entire process. Some men had wanted to stay to help fight against the enemy, but Kara would not allow it. She spoke to the people and made them leave. After a few hours, the kingdom was quiet. The only people that remained were the royal family and a few servants. Kara made her way to the castle with two of her soldiers behind her. It was time to get the royal sisters out.
Elsa was with Anna, Kristoff, and Artemis in the hospital wing of the castle. Anna was sitting next to Kristoff, who had yet to awaken, when Kara walked in.
"Elsa, Anna, it's time. These dragons will take you to Argos." She pointed to the two soldiers behind her. "Are you ready?"
"What about Kristoff?" Anna asked.
"He will go with you on one dragon and the other will carry Elsa. Don't worry."
"Kara, please let me stay with you." Elsa pleaded. "I can he.."
"You will go to Argos, Elsa. End of discussion." She said in a harsh tone. She then turned to her soldiers. "Take them. They are in your care." Then nodded and saluted Kara. "Artemis, lets go." She said as she walked off, not even saying goodbye to her wife and sister-in-law.
Artemis looked to Elsa and Anna. "Well, I guess this is goodbye, for now." She smiled and gave Elsa a hug. "Remember our plan." She whispered into Elsa's ear. Elsa nodded and smiled back at her. Artemis then gave Anna a hug and said her goodbyes one last time. Then she turned around and went to join her sister.
"Your Majesty, are you and Princess Anna ready to depart?" Asked one of the soldiers.
Elsa looked to the soldiers then glanced around the room one final time. "Yes, we're ready." The soldiers saluted the Queen and Princess and walked over to Kristoff. They picked him up gently and asked that the royal family follow them outside. Once outside, a pair of Arendellian guards were waiting to assist the Queen. They took a hold of Kristoff and waited for the dragons to transform. Once they were ready, Anna climbed onto the back of the larger one of the two. A guard helped placed Kristoff in front of Anna and she was ready to go. Next was Elsa. She took a deep breath before approaching the waiting dragon who had lowered himself on his belly so that she could easily get on. She climbed on top of the mighty beast and he stood up. She felt someone watching her, so she turned to look and there she was. Kara, standing in front of the castle doors watching Elsa and Anna's departure. Elsa wanted nothing more than to get off of the dragon and run to her wife, but she couldn't. At least, not yet. So with a heavy heart, Elsa gave the command to go. The dragons opened their wings and began to flap. Gusts of air were blown to all who were watching. They climbed higher and higher into the sky. Then the dragons moved forward and set their course to Argos.
Kara watched her wife disappear in the sky. She did feel bad for the way she had treated Elsa, but it had to be done. She felt Artemis' cold stare behind her. "I know you're upset at my behavior, but I cannot allow them to get hurt."
"You could have, at least, said 'goodbye'. You don't even know if you'll live to see them again." Artemis said with a snarl.
"You're right. I don't know if I'll live to see them again. Which is why I am ordering you to go home. Now."
"WHAT?! NO! You cannot force me to leave! I am YOUR SISTER!"
Kara didn't falter. "I know you're my sister. That is why I need you to go home and take care of things in case I am to die on the battle field."
Artemis didn't know what to say. She sure as hell did not want to leave, but this could work with her plan to bring Elsa back. So, she decided to play along and even push her sister a little more. "Know what? Fine! I will go. Maybe once you're out of the picture, Elsa will have a chance to actually fall in love with someone who is not YOU!" And she stormed off with a smile on her face, transformed into a dragon, and leapt into the sky to catch up with Elsa and Anna.
Kara's jaw dropped and for once, she did not know what had just happened. She snapped back her thoughts and ordered that the servants that remained in the castle to be evacuated. After half an hour, Arendelle was empty, save for a few dragons. It resembled a ghost town. The only sound now was the wind coming in from the sea. Kara transformed into a dragon and flew high into the sky.
"Forgive me, darling." She thought. "I love you too much to allow you to witness such darkness. Your soul is pure. Mine is not. You must stay alive. If you were to die, the world would mourn. If I am to die, the world will live on because of you. I pray to the gods that you trust my decision."
Kara flew back down and walked back inside the now vacant castle walls.
*Line break*
Somewhere above the sea.
Elsa and Anna were silent during the trip. Only Kristoff would grumble every so often, but other than that, it was quiet. It wasn't until a loud roar was heard that the sisters turned around to look.
"Is that Artemis?" Asked Anna.
"It looks like her. But why is she here?"
The blue dragon flew just above the other two and transformed into her human form in mid air only to land on the dragon currently carrying Elsa.
"Artemis! What are you doing here?" Elsa asked. Artemis looked angry.
"My cold hearted sister sent me home. She refuses to allow me near the battle field. But that's alright. She has no idea what's coming to her."
"Well, this certainly makes our plans easier." Elsa said with a grin.
"That it does, my queen. That it does. And might I say, I believe you're going to look fabulous in battle armor." Artemis said with a wink.