Welcome to chapter 12. Sorry for the delay but it has been a busy week. This chapter also took some time to develop. Enjoy.
The Frozen and Pierced Heart
Chap 12
Elsa could not believe what she was hearing. She stared down at her guard her eyes wide with shook. Anna's face went from one of giddiness to one of shock and anger. If Erik had been looking up he would have seen Anna staring daggers at him.
Elsa was at a loss for words. She stood for a moment trying to figure out what was going on. Finally she managed to speak. "You're…You're resigning? What on earth for?"
"I'm sorry my Queen but I have failed you in my duties." He responded not looking up.
"But you saved my life! More than once if I recall!" Elsa protested.
"Your majesty I promised on your coronation you would be fine. Everything about you was revealed. When your chandelier crashed you barely survived. And if the princess had not jumped in the way of Hans' sword you would have been killed." Erik responded still not looking at her.
"That was not your fault!" Elsa insisted. "Those events were beyond your control!"
"My queen as your personal guard I should have never lost control of the situation. Because of my shortcomings you were placed in danger repeatedly."
Elsa started to pace back and forth a little bit of panic rising in her voice. "Captain. Your being much too hard on yourself. You cannot be held responsible for what happened. That was because I lost control or the actions of others. You also saved my life in those events. I should apologize to you if anything!"
Erik couldn't look up. He couldn't bear to look at her face and what this was doing to her. But the fact remained he had failed her. It was sheer luck she was still alive to hear this. He could not fail her again. "Queen Elsa. You were at no fault. I swore to protect you at all costs. Instead you were placed in danger repeatedly and it is only by a miracle you are standing here now. It was my duty to keep you safe. If I cannot accomplish that then I have no business being at your side."
"Captain this is not your fault! You have to see that!" Elsa said almost angrily
Erik couldn't. All he could see was her injured unconscious form in her ice castle when he feared the worst. "I'm sorry your majesty but I cannot. To me my mission is clear and by its definition and by what I promised you that I did not fulfill it."
Elsa looked at him tears starting to well in her eyes. She had gotten so used to him being there. He had been looking out for her for over four years. And not just her personal safety. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to not have him there. She knelt down next to him and gently put her hands on his face finally making him look up. She saw pain and guilt in his eyes as they met hers. She spoke gently. "Captain you have served me with the most incredible distinction and loyalty these last four years. You did things for me that no one could ask you to do. You stood by me and believed in me when I thought no one else would. I consider you more than my guard. I consider you my friend. Please, is there any way I can change your mind.
Erik bowed his head again and said softly. "I'm sorry Queen Elsa but there is not."
Anna had finally had enough. "You heartless monster!" She exploded and marched toward Erik. "She goes through all that and one of the people closest to her decides just to leave! How can you do that to her?"
Elsa stood and turned around holding up a hand. "Anna enough please. The Captain has done more than I could have ever asked of him. If this what he feels he must do I can't make him do otherwise."
She turned back to Erik. "Captain I regretfully accept you decision. I wish you nothing but the best in your endeavors. May you succeed well in whatever you choose to do."
She looked at him. "I will not accept your sword though. That belongs to your family. You as well as they have served Arendelle well."
"Thank you Queen Elsa. Know that I have enjoyed my time at your side. I have enjoyed your company and companionship. I know you will rule Arendelle well. My fate ever smile on you my Queen."
There was more he wished to say but couldn't bring himself to say it. This was hard enough as it was. He bowed to Elsa and Anna and turned and left the throne room.
Elsa stood and watched Erik leave. She still couldn't quite process what had just happened. He had always been faithfully at her side. Refusing to leave even when she had told him to up on the mountain. She still didn't understand what had caused him to do this. As far as she was concerned he had never failed her. She tried to hold back the tears as she watched him go. She never really felt she appreciated what he did as much as she did now that he was gone. Now it seemed like one of her closest friends had left her.
Next to her Anna was livid. She grabbed her sister and hugged her as Elsa let some of the tears fall. Anna looked at her sister. "Don't worry I'll talk to him. Want me to go punch some sense into him?"
That almost made Elsa smile as she wiped her eyes. "No Anna. And he has every right to do what he chooses."
"He still shouldn't have dropped that on you like that!"
"I have still never quite understood him. Part of him has always been somewhat of a mystery. Maybe he is right though. Maybe it is for the best. No other royal has personal relationships with their guards. In fact it's a common practice to get a new one every few years."
"But you're not a common Queen." Anna interjected. "You should have someone you trust by your side."
"That's what I have you for." Elsa smiled at Anna. "Can we not talk about this right now?"
"O.k. fine." Anna said. She was still determined to give Erik a piece of her mind before he left the castle though.
Prince Alexander had recovered enough to walk around the castle. He strolled calmly taking in the sights. He had missed the ceremony and Elsa's ice rink but had heard all about it. He wished he could have been there. If for nothing else then to spend more time with Elsa. Suddenly it looked like he was unexpectedly going to get his wish. Both Elsa and Anna were walking down the hallway towards him. He bowed to both of them. "Queen Elsa. Princess Anna. How are you this fine day?"
Elsa looked at him but her faced lacked the smile he so adored. "Prince Alexander. I hope your recovering well?"
He noticed her voice was polite but seemed to be sad. The look in her eyes told him something was wrong. "I'm fine Queen Elsa. But what about you? Is everything alright?"
"Oh, it's just I got some bad news. My personal guard decided to suddenly resign his position." Elsa said sadly.
"You can't be serious!" Alexander blurted out. "Why on earth would he do that? That man is nothing if not loyal to you."
Anna grumbled from behind Elsa. "Wouldn't we all like to know."
"He said he felt like he failed in his duties." Elsa said.
"That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! I watching him put his life on the line for you on several occasions. Plus carry you all the way down a mountain." Alexander said shocked.
"He said that some of the circumstances should have never happened. I don't quite understand myself. The Captain is a very complicated man." Elsa continued. "I'm glad to see you well Prince Alexander. If you will excuse me I have some business to attend to."
Alexander watched them walk away. Despite the fact he was jealous of Erik's hero status and he got to be by Elsa's side he respected the Captain incredibly. He also didn't like to see Elsa unhappy. He would have to see Erik today and try to change his mind.
When Anna saw Kristoff she excused herself briefly and went to see him Kristoff was happy to see her but noticed she has a perturbed expression on her face. He looked over at Elsa and saw her expression was not a happy one either. He decided to tread lightly. He smiled as Anna walked over. "Hey there Anna. So what's going on today?"
Anna smiled at him but still looked irritated. "Well it was going great until my sister's guard decided to be selfish and just up and quit."
"Wait the scary guy that protects your sister is quitting?"
"Yes. And he's not that scary. Just cold and heartless."
"You never had him point a gun at your head." Kristoff shrugged.
"He did what!?" Anna nearly shrieked. "When did that happen?"
"When I entered your sisters palace. He doesn't seem to take kindly to strangers near the queen. Its fine, once he figured out I was with you he put the gun away. It was just startling. Why did he quit anyways?"
Anna grumbled. "I think he picked up some of Elsa's bad habits. He is blaming himself for stuff beyond his control and running away from it. Now he's hurting her. It's so stupid." She started to get angrier. "I so want to go up there and let him have it. He's gonna be so sorry for what he did."
Kristoff grabbed her hand. "Easy there. I'm sure this wasn't an easy decision for him. Take a moment to calm down." He smiled at her trying to calm her.
Anna shook him off. "Okay, okay fine! At least for a little while."
Kristoff looked at her. "Tell you what, why don't I try talking to him first?"
Anna looked surprised. "You would do that?"
"Sure." Kristoff said. "Maybe some guys' perspective will help."
Anna groaned. "That might just make it worse. But okay. I thought he scared you though?"
"I'll make sure I knock and give him plenty of warning."
Erik had returned to his room and started packing his things. He wanted to make it fast because he was sure word of his resignation would spread through the castle quickly. He didn't want half the castle guard coming up to his room asking what was going on. He took a brief look around the room that had been his home for the last 4 years. He didn't want to resign but he needed to. It had all become too personal for him. During his time with the army he came to the conclusion that emotions just got in the way. It's not that he didn't care about the men he lead, he did. However, he thought getting to close would interfere in his duties and make him vulnerable.
When he started this job he thought it would be easy to stay detached and distant. When he first met Elsa she was so distant herself he figured it would be easy for it not to be personal. However, as he got to know her he saw that she needed much more than just a body guard. She needed someone to understand her. Someone to be there for her especially after her parents had died.
The events of her coronation and everything that had followed had shown him something though. He had become compromised. He was starting to care too much. He didn't regret taking the assignment or even caring for Elsa. She had needed someone and he was glad he could have helped. But now with her powers revealed she had Anna. He was no longer necessary.
Yes. It would be better for both of them if he left. If he was compromised by his emotions then she would be in danger. Also if he were ever to be killed protecting her it would be way harder on her then someone she wasn't close to. It wouldn't be easy for either of them at first but Erik was convinced it was the right thing to do.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He sighed. He shouldn't be surprised. He was expecting some of his fellow guards to try to talk him out of it. He turned to the door. "Come in."
The person who walked in was not who he was expecting though. Erik stood straight then bowed. "Prince Alexander sir!"
Alexander walked in the room. "Captain no need to be so formal I just came by to talk."
"Of course. What can I do for you?"
"Nothing in particular. I heard you were leaving so I figured I should come say goodbye before you left."
"Word gets around fast I see." Erik frowned.
Alexander looked around the room and saw a blood stained and tattered old uniform with a gaping hole in the chest. "Oh my! Who was the poor soul in that?"
Erik looked at the uniform. "Oh, that would have been me."
"What on earth made that big of a wound?" Alexander got closer to the uniform shocked at what he was seeing.
Erik went and took James' spear off the wall. "This thing did that. Skewered me back to front though the chest."
Alexander stared wide eyed at the weapon. "How on earth are you still breathing Captain?"
"Well." Erik started putting the spear back. "It's actually thanks to Queen Elsa. She froze the wound to keep me from bleeding out." He decided he didn't want to share the whole warrior's heart story, or the fact he had a permanent chunk of ice in his heart holding it together.
"I'm sensing there is a thrilling tale you're not telling me here captain. Please don't deny me such a story."
"Alright." Eric said. "It all started about 4 and a half years ago…" He proceeded to tell Alexander of the battle. How he and his best friend James had perused the traitor Snider as he tried to escape. How his best friend then betrayed him, stabbed him from behind, and left him for dead. How he had come to the castle and helped rescue the King and Queen and the saved Elsa while discovering her ice powers. He left out some details of his heart actually being pierced. "…and that's basically how I came to be in the service of Queen Elsa."
Alexander had listened to the story with a little bit of boy like wonder on his face. "So wait, you're telling me you have known about Queen Elsa's ice powers for over four years?"
"Yes"
"That quite a thing to keep secret that long."
"Well I swore a blood oath."
"I have to ask. Why on earth are you resigning as Queen Elsa's personal guard?"
"Well short story is without a series of miracles Queen Elsa would be dead right now. I can't risk that happening again."
Alexander looked at him. "From what I saw you were a part of the miracle that she is here in the first place."
Erik waved it off. "I was just doing what was necessary to correct the situation and ensure her safety. But the truth is I never should have allowed her to be in those situations in the first place."
Alexander didn't believe that to be true but he decided to try another approach. "You do realize that this is upsetting Queen Elsa very much. I saw her a while ago and she looked very unhappy."
Erik put his head down. "I know." He then looked up and continued. "That's another reason why I need to leave. A royal shouldn't become too attached to their guard. I would never tell her this but there are enough fools out that are scared of her power. Eventually there will be made other attempts on her life. There is a high probability that during one of these attempts I will be killed protecting her. It's only a matter of time. I would do so willingly and gladly of course. But with the gentle and caring person the queen is she would end up blaming herself. At least with me going back to the army, when my time comes it should be far away and she will have had time to forget about me."
Alexander didn't have a response to this. It wasn't what he was expecting. Instead he just looked at Erik and said. "You're pretty confident that you're going to die."
Erik shrugged. "We all do eventually. It's just a matter of when. As for me I have survived so many situations I shouldn't. One of these times I just won't be so fortunate. Just a reality I have learned to live with."
Alexander stood. Elsa was right this man was far more complicated then he appeared. "Well Captain I thank you for your service again. I wish I could change your mind. I sincerely hope you live a long full life and find joy in it."
"Thank you Prince Alexander. Enjoy your time here in Arendelle. Thank you for what you have done for her. Safe journey home to you."
After Alexander left Erik returned to getting his things together. He got about 15 minutes in before there was another knock on the door. Now who? He wondered. "Come in."
The door opened and another person entered he was not expecting. There stood the mountain man he had met in Elsa's castle. "Mr. Bjorkman correct? What can I do for you?"
"Well to be honest I told Anna I would talk to you." Kristoff shrugged.
"The princess didn't send you up here to punch me did she?"
"Oh no. Although if I where you I would be careful she still might come and do it herself. She's still pretty steamed."
"I see." Erik said but actually smirked at the thought of Anna punching him. Maybe he shouldn't have told her how to punch harder. But he was sure he could take a punch better than baby face Hans.
"Anyways." Kristoff continued. "I'm not going to ask you why you're doing this. Anna already said that and I figured you explained it enough already. Are you sure this is what you want though?"
"Of course it's not what I want. But what I want isn't important."
"What about the fact that it's what neither one of you seem to want?"
Erik frowned. "That's part of the issue. A royal and her guard are supposed to be detached."
"Well I'm just a commoner so I have to ask. But why?"
Erik smiled a little. "Hey I'm just a commoner as well. I just got this position because I happened to be in the right place at the right time. As for your question. Part of it as because I'm a commoner. I'm the same as any staff in the castle. Just trained differently and s required to be near the queen more often than your average servant. The notion of anything more than professional would be deemed improper."
Kristoff frowned. "I don't see why that has to be."
"Well those notions are created by people of a higher station in life then me and you Mr. Bjorkman."
"Come on in just an ice harvester you can call me Kristoff."
"Maybe eventually but it's a force of habit for me. Anyways another problem with a personal relationship developing between a queen and her guard will be the cause of many rumors. You probably know how a juicy bit of gossip spreads in this city. Even if we are just friends many will perceive something else going on."
Kristoff smiled. "I knew you considered the queen more than just someone to protect. You really do care about her."
"Of course I care about her. I have been her protector and had to be there for her for over four years. Despite what the rumors about me are I'm not completely heartless cold blooded killer who is incapable of forming relations. I just know what my duties are and my boundaries."
Kristoff looked at him and choose his next words carefully. "I can understand all that. But are you sure you're not leaving because you're afraid of what is happening with your feelings?"
Erik shot him a dark look. "What do you mean?"
Kristoff held his hands up. "I'm just saying I saw how protective you were of her up on the mountain. When you thought she might be in trouble the look in your eyes looked for more than professional. You actually looked afraid for her. You even said yourself. Four years of being her guardian and probably the closest to her it would be hard for feelings to not form. It would only be natural."
Erik considered this for a moment. "Well yes I can appreciate the sentiment in that. But I don't live according to sentiment. I have pushed the idea of love off to the side. For me it would just be a distraction. Besides the person you're referring to would be a fool's endeavor, and a compromise of my duty. I would never even allow the thought to enter my mind."
Kristoff shook his head surrendering. "Well you can't say I didn't try." He shook Erik's hand. "Well it's too bad I didn't get to know you better but good luck with whatever you do."
"Thank you Mr. Bjorkman."
Kristoff turned and left the room. He may be reading it wrong but he was sure Erik was burying feelings deep inside without even knowing what they were then running from them. It was a shame, he thought. From what he could tell they were very similar. It was better if he was by her side.
Erik managed to get another half hour of putting his things way when he was interrupted yet again. He turned to the door feeling irritated but kept it out of his voice. "Come in."
A man walked in wearing a royal Arendelle guard uniform. Erik snapped to attention. "Col. Davis Sir!"
"At ease Captain."
Erik dropped the salute. "What can I do for you colonel?" Erik asked but knew full well what Davis wanted.
"Just dropping in to check on you captain."
"Thank you sir. I'm doing fine."
"So are you sure about this? It's a big decision to make."
"Yes sir. Looking at my options it's the best idea."
Davis sized up Erik. "Really? I'm not so sure."
Erik looked questioningly at Davis. "What do you mean?"
"I would never tell you what decision is best for your life Captain. You have proved capable and intelligent. However, I personally believe your making this decision rashly."
"I disagree sir. As I told Queen Elsa if it was not more a series of miracles she would probably be dead now."
"I understand that captain. And I know how you feel. But you and I both know as soldiers sometimes the situation goes beyond your control."
Erik nodded. "Yes but as officers we are expected to adapt to the situation."
Davis smiled. "Which you did very well. If you hadn't adapted like you did the queen would be dead. Thanks to your actions and quick thinking though she is alive and well."
Erik shrugged. "That may be, but I made a promise to the queen on the day of her coronation that everything would be fine. It was because I lost control of the situation events played out how they did."
Davis frowned. "Given that you were the sole person who knew about the queens powers at the time, the ability to control it is something that could not be expected of you."
Erik continued. "I swore to protect her and keep her secret. By that oath it was expected of me."
Davis shook his head. "Captain I think you forget that I was Captain of the guard when the King and Queen died. There is not a day that goes by that doesn't go through my mind."
"That was not your fault." Erik argued. "You could not be responsible for the storm that came."
"And I have accepted that." Davis said. "So why can't you accept that you couldn't control a queen who has the power to create a storm?"
"It's a different situation." Erik mumbled.
"I don't see how." Davis said. "I think you're so used to being closed and detached that now that you have someone your close to you can't handle things like you're used to."
Erik didn't have a response and Davis continued. "Look I know you have lost your family and friends and was ever betrayed by your best friend. But you can't just shut yourself away from others. When my wife died I thought about leaving the castle and even the army. What would have that accomplished though? To sit with just me and my misery and teach my son that problems are supposed to be run from?"
Erik put his head down and listened.
Davis went on. "We have both lead men into combat and lost them. It's not that we don't' care but it's different when it's personal. My wife and son are not soldiers. The queen is not a soldier. They are not the ones who volunteer to put their lives on the line. But they are the reason we put our lives on the line. Any feelings you have for someone, its better you use those to do your job better. Let it motivate you." Davis stood to leave. "Look if you feel going back to a unit commander is the best move for you I'm not going to stop you. But don't close yourself off to everyone just because of what happened. That how we get commanders who view their men a resources to expend. That's not someone you want to become. Personally though, I believe the queen still needs your services. Perhaps more now than ever. You and I both now that the consequences of her powers being revealed are just beginning. Just promise me you'll consider that before you leave."
Erik nodded. "I'll consider it Colonel."
Erik stood and looked out the window as he considered what Davis had told him. Maybe he was right. Maybe this was a mistake. This may not be the time to leave Elsa's side. Even with Anna by her side big changes were going to happen and he might be useful to have around.
Still every time he closed his eyes all he could see was Elsa laying injured on her ice castle floor. He shuddered. It should have never happened. No, what he was doing was the right thing. There were plenty of soldiers that were as capable as he was in protecting her. They could do it more objectively.
Another knock came on the door. He sighed. At this rate it was hard to get anything done. Now who could it be? He turned to the door. "Come in."
To his surprise Princess Anna strode into his room. He bowed quickly. "Your highness."
Anna looked at him. "Oh don't give me that." She said. She was not as angry as before but he could tell she was still upset. "If you were so concerned with pleasantries you wouldn't have pulled that stunt with my sister earlier."
Erik looked up. "I'm sorry princess. But I felt it was most beneficial for both of us."
Anna glared. "How does it benefit her exactly? Up until recently I'm told, you were the only person who knew about her abilities. You were the one person she could trust with that secret! And now you're just going to quit and go home?"
Erik kept his face straight and tome respectful. "I'm not going home your highness. I will still serve the queen and Arendelle in the army. And as you pointed out. Her secret is out there so I am no longer necessary. Queen Elsa now had you to rely on. "
Anna looked a little taken back at his response but stood her ground. "I'm still not qualified to be her bodyguard. She still needs someone to do that."
Erik pulled out a piece of paper. "There are others who can do that job. In fact I have made a list of suggested replacements."
"But you're the one she wants for the job! I thought you were supposed to be loyal to her?"
Erik frowned a little. "Where you unhappy with the way I carried out my duties Princess Anna?"
"What? No! Well until today. But you threw yourself instead of who knows what for her. I mean I'm really thankful for that don't get me wrong."
Erik looked at her. "Well maybe you should be unhappy. Consider what would have happened if you hadn't been there to jump in front of Hans. Or even worse. Had you not turned to ice at the very moment his sword came down?"
Anna was at a loss for words then shuddered a little.
"Then I also promised on her on her coronation day that it would all be fine. That I would be there to prevent anything from being revealed or going wrong. We saw how well that went."
Anna's eyes lit up a little. "Yes, but look how it all turned out. I mean it all turned out for the best right?"
Erik shook his head. "This time they did. So your highness you're saying the ends justify the means?"
"Yes! I mean why not if it all turns out for good?"
"So next time Arendelle is brought into war it would be acceptable for me to have my men slaughter a town of women and children in order to force the enemy to surrender an shorten the war? Thus saving the lives of hundreds of Arendelle's soldiers?"
Anna looked disgusted. "What? No! That would be horrible!"
"Exactly your highness. While sometimes even the most horrible of circumstances can lead to a good end result people in our positions cannot leave that to chance. Even with the best intentions of making the end result a good one we cannot guarantee the result. Therefore we must do all we can to make sure we take the right actions to gain the desired result." He smiled at Anna. Does that make sense your highness?"
"I guess so." Anna said quietly. "But I still don't see how that fits with you leaving."
"It's simple. I have proven in the last few days to be compromised. To best ensure that doesn't happen again it best I be removed from the equation and someone new and qualified be brought in."
Anna shook her head. "I don't see how you're compromised. I mean I thought he cared about her. When I heard what you did for Elsa on the mountain and how you carried her down I thought you loved her."
Erik started a little. "Wait…what do you mean?"
Anna smiled a little. "Well when I heard about what you did it sounded so romantic. Why else would you do all that? Isn't love placing someone else's needs in front of your own?"
Erik sighed. "Yes your highness I suppose that could be a definition of love. However, there are lines I do not cross. Getting involved emotionally for me would be a huge mistake. Besides the queen deserves far better than a commoner like me."
"Kristoff is a commoner. Are you saying he is not worthy of my attention?" Anna shot back
"I did not say that your highness. Mr. Bjorkman seems like a fine young man. From what I heard he did a lot for you as well. I believe he would treat you very well. Besides he seems to have much more of a heart then me."
Anna could tell she was losing the battle but she had one last thing to try. She put on the saddest eyes she could muster and looked at him. "Please stay with my sister. I know she wants you there. It's just not fair to put this on her after all she's been though."
Erik smiled gently. "I'm sorry Princess Anna. But it would be less fair to her if I stay. As for someone to care about and support her. Her sister is far more qualified for the task then I could ever be."
He bowed as Anna left. As she walked out Anna wondered to herself how a man who did all that for Elsa could have such a heart of stone.
Erik had nearly finished. He would send most of his affects along to the camp. As he was finishing up there came another knock on the door. He figured everyone else had come to the door so that just left one.
He turned and walked to the door. "Sorry Olaf buddy but I don't think one of your warm hugs is going to change my mind."
He opened the door expecting a pair of black coal eyes to meet his.
Instead he found a pair of brilliant blue eyes meeting his.
He bowed quickly. "My Queen."
Elsa smiled softly at him although her eyes still looked sad. "Captain, may I come in?"
"Of course Queen Elsa." He led her in put kept the door open a crack so it wouldn't appear anything inappropriate was going on. "How may I be of service?"
She took one of his hands in both hers and looked at him. "Don't go."
He blushed a little and looked down. "I'm sorry you're Majesty but I must."
She looked at him. "Why? I want to know the real reason. I know what you told me before but I think your holding something back."
Erik paced a little. Trying to figure best how to explain. Elsa watched wondered what was troubling him so much.
He finally stopped and looked at her. "Your Majesty I couldn't live with myself if I failed to protect you. I almost lost you several times and can barely live with myself now."
Elsa looked compassionately at him. "But you didn't lose me Captain thanks to your actions."
Erik paced again. "That was this time my queen."
Elsa frowned slightly. "Captain I have no doubt in your abilities. What is troubling you?"
Erik took a deep breath. "Honestly every time I dream all I can see is you on the ice castle floor. I thought for a moment that you died. Then when I realized you were alive I nearly killed everyone in the room. If you had died I may have." He hung his head feeling ashamed. "My Queen our relationship has developed far beyond that of just guard and protectorate. There are times when I think of you almost as a younger sister. I am too emotionally invested to do my job properly."
Elsa considered this but said. "Captain it is because of the special bond we have that I want to have you around. It gives me comfort when you're close by. I do care about you too. When you told me to run and were about to fight Hans and his thugs alone I was terrified I would lose you."
"My Queen that's another reason why I must go. Sometimes a guard must make the ultimate sacrifice. I know you don't want any of your guards to do that but it can become a necessity. How can I do my job when you're afraid to have me do it?"
Elsa thought about this. She remembered when she fled her cell she was scared for many reasons. And one was the fact that her personal guard and friend may have just sacrificed himself to protect her. Despite what she had done to the kingdom.
She looked down. "I…I hadn't thought about that."
Erik walked up to her and spoke gently. "That is why I must go." Then he did something unexpected for the both of them. He gently took her hand. "Don't worry I'll always have a piece of you in my heart." Then he said with a little smirk. "Literally."
Elsa smiled at this then looked up at him. Neither had noticed Anna come in the room.
"Very well Captain." She said sadly. "Just promise you will take care of yourself." She then kissed him on the cheek causing Erik to blush bright red.
Anna let out a gasp when she did and they both looked. "Sorry. I was looking for you Elsa."
Elsa blushed a little then bade the Captain goodnight and walked out with her sister.
Erik watched them go then finished putting the last of his things together wondering if he had seen Elsa for the last time.
Anna looked at Elsa as they walked down the hall. "So what was that all about? Did you convince him to stay?"
"No." Elsa said sadly. "He needs to move on."
"Oh Elsa I'm sorry."
"It's ok. I'm going to walk in the garden."
"I'll come with you." Anna said cheerily.
"No thank you Anna. I..I just need to be alone for a little while." She turned and slowly walked into the garden alone in the night.
Erik came down a little while later. He looked out and saw Elsa in the garden. He thought about going out and saying goodbye. But what would that accomplish. Everything had already been said. It would just make things harder. He walked past and to the front door.
He paused and looked around the castle that had been his home. He wondered if he would ever set foot inside again. When he first took the job he dreamed about this moment. About going back into the field. Now he was sad to be leaving. But now was the time. He was going to serve Elsa and Arendelle in another capacity.
He turned and walked out the door into the night.
End of Chapter 12
So is Erik walking out the door forever or should someone stop him?
Hope you enjoyed Chapter 12. It was a different take then what I usually write. Chapter 13 coming in the next days. I'll try to make it quick as possible but the next two nights I am pretty busy. Keep the reviews coming it keeps me motivated to write.
