Hey everyone, I'm back! :) It's been a while, yeah, been a while... but don't worry I haven't forgotten about you guys! I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my Coaches because they've been super supportive of me and helped me out a lot during my health problems last year. I'd never thought that I would have Coaches this loving and caring, but they've proved me wrong :) I love them and each of their spunky personalities. And if they're reading this right now, I would say that I wouldn't be here without their help. So, thank you, Coaches! Love you all always! "Get excited" for this chapter! Haha!
After gaining the crystal from Grand Pabbie, the search party, including Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, Sven, Prince Lukas and a couple of Arendelle guards hurried out into the woods towards the direction where Elsa might be. Lukas led the group in front, holding the crystal close to his chest and directed them where to go. During their search, they stopped momentarily when Lukas moved the crystal in every direction to find the glow again.
"Which way Prince Lukas?" Anna said.
Once Lukas picked up the brightest glow he pointed out and said, "This way."
"We better hurry, the sun is starting to set," Kristoff spoke up.
They rushed deeper into the woods when Lukas quickly raised one of his hands to stop the party from traveling any further. They ended up in a small clearing when everyone reared their horses, and reindeer, to a sudden stop.
"What is it?" Anna said.
"Shh," Prince Lukas signaled her to be quiet. He pocketed the crystal and raised one of his hands to ignite a flame from his palm. 'Something is not right…' he thought.
Lukas looked out closely into the woods when he spotted a glint in the darkness. Quickly, he reacted and yelled, "GET DOWN!"
With a single swipe of his hand a brief wall of fire 'whooshed' in front of the group just in time when three arrows came flying towards them. Fortunately for the fire, the arrows turned into ashes the second it made contact with the flames. No one was hurt… yet.
"We're being ambushed!" Lukas screamed out. He jumped off of his horse and used his fire magic to block more arrows from coming their way. Lukas moved with precision and fierceness as he used both of his hands and feet to burn down the arrows.
"I'll hold them off! Hurry, protect the princess and get out of here!" Lukas yelled.
"But Lukas–!" Anna screamed over the commotion.
"Leave. Now!" Lukas said.
"Anna, come on!" Kristoff said as he pulled the reins of her horse away from the fight. Even the guards stood with Kristoff and guided the princess back to the kingdom. As they were running towards Arendelle, Anna looked behind them and watched the flashes of fire disappear into the trees.
...
"We made it…" Everyone caught their breath as they arrived back in Arendelle's town borders. They dismounted their horses, and reindeer when they realized that they were safe.
"Are you okay?" Kristoff asked Anna.
"Y – yeah," Anna brought her arms up to hug her body and Kristoff wasted no time to comfort his girlfriend from the sudden trauma. "Aw man, that was intense," Anna nervously chuckled.
"Yeah," Kristoff breathed out.
"Where's Prince Lukas?" she asked looking towards the trees.
"I – I don't know…" Kristoff said, "He must still be back there, fighting for us…"
Then suddenly, a distant explosion erupted from the trees and black smoke rose into the air.
"Lukas!" Anna yelled out. She almost rushed into the woods once more if it wasn't for Kristoff holding her back.
"Anna no!" Kristoff said, "It's too dangerous."
"But we have to help!" Anna said.
"I know, but we can't… not right now…" Kristoff said, "All we can do is wait… Lukas will be fine… he'll be fine…" Kristoff brought Anna back into his embrace and she desperately clung to Kristoff's shirt hoping that her boyfriend was right. "C'mon, let's go back to the castle where it's safe," Kristoff said, "we'll wait for him there…"
...
It was about thirty minutes later when the guards informed Anna and Kristoff that the prince has returned. When Prince Lukas walked through the gates and into the courtyard, clothing scratched and torn, they all rushed towards their friend with haste.
"Prince Lukas!" Anna said.
"I held them off as long as I could," Lukas said as he struggled to get off of his horse, "I don't think they'll try to attack as long as we're here."
"Are you hurt?" Anna asked.
"Just a few scratches," Lukas chuckled, "It's nothing I can't handle."
Anna laughed along, "Yeah, you were pretty awesome," she said, "Thank you."
"It's my pleasure, your highness," Lukas dusted himself off and bowed.
"… So, what now?" Kristoff spoke up.
"What now?" Anna repeated, "What now is that the plan hasn't changed, we have to go back out there and find Elsa!" Anna exclaimed.
"Anna are you crazy?" Kristoff said, "You could've been hurt or worse! I mean look at Lukas!"
"I know that Kristoff, and I'm glad that everyone's alright, but Elsa's still captured!" Anna said.
"We know Anna, and we want her safe and sound, but this isn't like the last time…" Kristoff said, "Out there are really bad people who are a real threat. What good is it to Elsa if you end up injured… or…" Kristoff sighed as he brought both of his hands to Anna's and held them tightly. Then Kristoff looked into his girlfriend's eyes and pleaded for her to understand his words, "…Right now, I think it's best if we stay here in Arendelle where it's safe… I don't want anything bad to happen to you… please…" he said.
"…but we can't just sit here and do nothing," Anna desperately argued back.
"She's right," Lukas spoke up.
"What?" Anna and Kristoff said.
"You're right Princess Anna," Lukas repeated, "Elsa is waiting for us, and I'm not going to let a group of thugs get in the way of her safety." Lukas proudly stepped towards Anna and Kristoff, "However, I agree with Kristoff. If anything happens to you princess, Arendelle is lost. And I know Queen Elsa wouldn't want to know that her sister is injured on my watch." He placed a hand over his heart and bowed, "Allow me, your highness, to go after her majesty, Queen Elsa. After all, I am the one with the ability to protect myself," he said, "Please, I can bring her back…"
"But…" Anna said, "I want to help too…" she looked down dejectedly.
"Then help Arendelle," he said, "Your people need you, Princess Anna." Lukas raised his hand to place it on Anna's shoulders, "Please your highness, trust in me and I will get your sister back."
Anna wanted to argue but she couldn't find the words. 'Can I trust Prince Lukas?' Anna thought, 'But… Hans… I… No, Lukas is not Hans. He risked his life for us and proved that he wants Elsa safe. Maybe I can trust him… maybe this will be okay…'
Anna sighed as she made up her mind, "… Okay… but you're not going alone," she said, "I'll send a couple of the castle guards with you."
"Your Highness if I may, my guards are more than capable as well," Lukas said, "Allow me to bring them with me to keep me safe."
"Alright, bring your guards if you must but my guards are to accompany you too," Anna said.
"Of course, the more the merrier" Lukas laughed then bowed once more, "Thank you, Princess Anna."
"No," Anna shook her head, "Thank you, prince, I mean, thank you… Lukas."
Lukas beamed with pride when Anna dropped the formality. He felt honored that the princess placed her trust in him. "I should go quickly," Lukas said.
"Yes, please…and Lukas?" Anna said before he left.
"Yes princess?" Lukas replied.
"I'm putting my faith in you," Anna said sternly, "Bring back my sister."
"I will not fail your highness, I promise," then Lukas mounted his horse again and signaled a few Arendelle guards to come with him as well as his own. Then they all rode off once more into the woods to follow the glow of the magic crystal.
"Hey, it's going to be alright…" Kristoff said as he wrapped an arm around Anna, "I'm here with you… we all are…" Then Olaf, who was standing nearby hugged Anna's leg and Sven cuddled her arm.
"Thank you, everyone…" Anna smiled and placed a hand on Kristoff's, then she looked towards the gates and thought, 'I really hope you're safe Elsa, please…'
Author's Note
Yeah, sorry this was a short chapter. Originally it was supposed to be one huge chapter with the next one, but I decided to split it up :/ But don't worry, I promised two chapters today so that's what you guys are gonna get! Stay tuned for the next chapter for comments and reviews! See ya then!
CurlyCookie AWAY!