A/N: I'm back! It has been forever and a day since my last update, but with weddings galore (including my own) I was a very busy man these past months! But never fear, I made sure that I would return to this story and see it to the end, which by the way, is coming soon! Enjoy!
He was on a beach, with white powdery soft sand and a striking emerald blue shore. How he got there he did not know, nor did he recognize the area. Behind him stood one lone mountain. It paled in comparison to the North Mountain, but was a sight to see nonetheless. He decided to walk along the beach, in the hopes to find some sort of bearing. The sun's warmth felt good on his skin, as if it were replenishing and healing his entire body. As he strolled, he noticed a group of figures in the distance, near the tropical forest's edge. They all stood, as if they had been expecting him. Their faces were warm and welcoming, the familiarity upon them grew with each step he took. His heart was starting to race, and his mind was torn between belief and skepticism. For what lay ahead of him was surely not possible.
"Erik, my brave son. Come and sit with us and rest, you have earned that much at least." The man beckoned to a log.
"… Father?" It wasn't plausible what he was seeing. "I don't understand..."
"Peace, my boy. We have much to discuss, come and sit." The man reiterated with his arms stretched wide.
He sat down, his face etched with growing elation. "How are you here right now?"
"I have always been here, right with you."
"But you're… you're dead… the ship was found in pieces… All was lost…"
"Ah, but when things are lost, they can be found again. We mustn't let go of hope. It is what drives us. It is what drove you, and saved you."
"Saved me?" Erik looked around again. There were no signs of Arendelle anywhere, or ships, or civilization. "How did I get here?"
"I think it was inevitable you would find us. You see, things happen after traumatic experiences. What happened to you was so powerful it sent you here. It sent you to me."
The other man stepped forward. "So this is the young man I have heard and seen so much about. The great son, steadfast in bravery."
The commanding and regal voice startled Erik; he had completely forgotten the other pair standing behind his father. "My lord! My lady!" He kneeled low, in total shock. "How is this possible?" He whispered.
The King raised his hand, "Please, child. There is no need for formalities with us. We should be bowing to you."
Erik was shocked again when the late Queen hugged him. "You saved our daughters. There is no amount of wealth that could repay you for what you have done!"
Erik wasn't sure what to say, he merely smiled at them. "I was only doing my duty."
"Just doing your duty eh? I think it's a bit more complicated than that!" The King winked.
Erik's face went red, "Yes, well… er…" There was no use lying. "Honestly, at first I was fulfilling my oath. I will admit, however, that there was a part of me that wanted to make sure she was safe, and not just because she is the Queen." Making no sense of what he was saying, Erik to a moment and then tried to calmly explain again: "Of course I wanted to get to know her, who wouldn't? Not that it matters anymore…"
"Anymore?" His father seemed to know something.
Erik looked around again. "I'm guessing I didn't make it. That's why I am here." He dejectedly threw his arms down.
The mood turned inexplicitly sour. "What that man did, to you and the girls was absolutely horrid. The betrayal, the stabbing… thank goodness Arendelle has you as a protector." The King clapped him on the back.
Erik didn't understand. "How is it exactly that you all know what happened? You've been here on the island haven't you?" He turned to look at all of them together.
"Yes, and no." His father was still smiling like he knew something.
"We've always been watching. Not together in this setting of course." The King remarked.
"This setting? What do you mean?" Things weren't adding up.
The Queen interrupted. "Never mind that! Erik, you mustn't feel ashamed for having feelings for our Elsa. She needs someone like you."
Now he was totally confused. They've been watching? Did they just give him their blessing? "So, I'm not… you know… gone. Then?"
"Our Elsa has very strong powers, especially when she gets emotional. No, you're not gone. You're simply where you need to be right now." The King proudly stated.
Erik looked at his father. "And that means…?"
His father beckoned once again for Erik to take a seat. "It means you're simply here, son, until you're needed elsewhere."
Nothing was making sense. "Well then, I suppose I'll have to wait and see what that need is.." Erik sighed and plopped on one of the logs.
They all stared at each other, wanting to say something, but unsure of how to word it.
"…What happened?" Erik broke the silence.
"Well, you were struck by Prince Hans while-"
"That I know, I mean to say, what happened to you? Why did you never come back home? Were you attacked?"
His father for the first time grew grim. "No… in some ways it was worse. We were hit by a rogue wave. The ship was destroyed, the crew was lost and our precious cargo…"
"You did everything you could. You didn't cause that wave." The Queen consoled his father.
"… I know… I'm so sorry son. I should have trusted your judgment that day. Your intuition is impeccable."
Erik felt the tinge of remembrance and guilt. "I should have gone with you. If would have been there, maybe…"
"You would have been lost at sea, and would have been a help to no one. You were meant to be with Arendelle, you were meant to help our children." The King's eyes flickered with spirit.
There was silence again, before Erik thought of one last question. "Will there ever be a way for me to find you? To reach this place again?"
They smiled at him.
"How much time do we have?" Anna worriedly looked about the woods.
Kristoff was confident. "It's enough… the raiders are starting down the last bits of the mountains, but we will beat them back with plenty of time, right Sven?"
"I hope Halvard is ready for this…" Anna shakily muttered.
"He will be." Elsa called from the back. "Once they see the entire armada sitting in the harbor, a lot of those raiders are going to abandon and scatter."
"And if he isn't there, and they don't scatter?" Anna skeptically asked.
Elsa paused. "Then we do it on our own."
"You're not afraid you'll lose control now?" Anna remarked.
Elsa huffed, "I'm only doing that as a last resort."
Anna, Kristoff and Olaf were all crowded on Sven, while Elsa was riding along the side of the makeshift sled holding Erik. The reindeer was growing terribly tired from the hurried pace to outmaneuver the army.
"We're almost there, Sven. Just a little more to go buddy." Kristoff patted his side.
He gruffed in response. Elsa was hovering over Erik, the anticipation was growing to be too much. She stared at him, as if to will the man to open his eyes.
"Please, wake up soon Erik. We need you…"
No response. All was quiet except for the rustling of foliage by Sven's hooves. No one felt prepared for what was to happen. They were still tired, and still hungry: They had already endured enough of an adventure. Elsa continued to gaze, taking note of the small peek of a glint from his sword. She took the hilt and examined. It was a beautiful, decorated weapon, and not normally something a lower ranking shipman would have.
"Woah…."
Kristoff broke Elsa's trance. Arendelle was in plain view, but surrounding it was the entire naval fleet. The water was barely visible between the ivory masts and wooden planks.
"They didn't let us down." Elsa smiled. "There is no way the raiders can make it past that."
"I hope so. Otherwise I have no clue what we can do…" Anna retorted.
Kristoff sighed. "Come on, we better tell them everything we know."
"Right. Head for that ship on the docks. Halvard should be there." Elsa pointed to the mountainous seven-mast vessel. It was adorned with Arendelle insignias, sprawling rope works and countless cannons.
"Oi! Captain! They're back! Quick, make way you blathering fools! Off the bridge!"
The workers scattered, pushing and shoving to get a look at the scene: Sven was huffing puffing, with Kristoff, Anna and Olaf holding on for dear life as he thundered past. The sled was falling apart and skidding behind. It was not a triumphant and regal entrance.
"Where is Captain Halvard?" Elsa hopped off the sled.
"He's here." Halvard hobbled down from the ship's bridge and looked over Erik. "How is he? Is he…?"
Elsa placed a hand on Erik's forehead. "He's okay. I think… He was supposed to wake up, but he hasn't. I really don't know what's going on and…"
"Erik will be fine. You're with him aren't you?" Halvard tried to appease her. His look turned more serious and stern however, "Now, about this army marching towards us?"
"They should be here soon, and they'll be bringing all sorts of machinery and equipment. I've never seen anything like it before…." Kristoff remarked.
"How many are approaching?" Halvard kept his eyes on the horizon, scanning.
"Hundreds, at least. But that shouldn't be a problem." Elsa stated, gathering her senses. "It looks like the entire naval fleet is in the harbor, how can they make past that with only one bridge to cross?"
"We shouldn't underestimate them my lady, it is far better to be prepared and alert than lax." Halvard respectfully added.
Elsa took a more commanding presence and refocused. "You're right. Well we better continue preparing then. Kristoff? Anna? How about you two go throughout the town and make sure everyone moves back within the castle walls. Halvard is right, we need to take precautions."
"And you will be doing…?" Anna sarcastically tilted her head.
"I'm going to take Erik back to the castle. I'll meet up with you, don't worry!" Elsa answered becoming distressed again.
"Elsa! Wait!" but she took off with Sven before Anna could say another word.
Kristoff walked up next to her with a screwed up expression. "So, uh… looks like we're alone again… together again, I mean…"
Anna, blushing, slapped his arm; "Oh don't you get any ideas now. We need to warn everyone."
"I'll come too! Since, Sven and Elsa left…" Olaf tugged on Anna's dress.
"Actually, Olaf, you should probably stay here and keep a lookout for the raiders. I'm sure the naval officers would enjoy your company! Good luck!" Pulling an Elsa, she grabbed Kristoff's arm, and the two took off down the cobbled bridge.
Halvard cleared his throat. "Don't worry little guy, you can stay with us. Here, my lieutenant can show you a real bird's eye view from the crow's nest."
Olaf pondered for but a moment before making up his mind. "Well, okay. That sounds fun I suppose!"
"Good. Let me know if you see anything while you're up there."
"Aye aye, sir!"
Halvard couldn't help but crack a smile. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined talking to a snowman in the middle of summer. He turned to more serious manners and continued overseeing the defense operations.
Elsa led Sven through the gates. The townspeople were already gathering around the square, chatting and shouting.
"The Queen is back!"
"My lady, what is going on?"
"Don't trust her! Do you not remember her power?"
Elsa had forgotten about her incident just a few days prior. The initial shock washed over her, and she tried to stay strong and stern.
"Please! Everyone! Just calm down. There is much to explain, but now is not the time. We need to ready our defenses. Gather as much food and supplies as you need. Check to make sure no one is left behind in the village. We must all band together through this. If we do, I know amazing things will happen!"
With her courage faltering, she urged Sven once more to enter the castle. They galloped to the nearest room on the main floor, where immediately ushers rushed in to help carry Erik from his splintered cart to a more comfortable couch. She offered her thanks, and then set the men on their way to ensure the rest of the castle was secure.
She took a long look at Erik. Still confused over everything that had happened. She gingerly grasped his hand.
"I'm so terribly sorry for what has happened to you Erik. Please…. Please, wake up to me now… I need your help and advice."
More silence. And then, sounds from outside the castle thundered in Elsa's ears. It sounded as if the dreaded army had finally arrived. There was cannon fire, the cracking and splintering of wood, and shouting of men.
"I… I wish I could wait here by your side to see you wake up… but our people need me…" Small tears formed in her eyes. She looked down, still holding his hand, "you'll be safe here at least… goodbye…"
She got up to leave, but found she couldn't. His hand had tightened onto hers. It was like a jolt of electricity had coursed through her. Unable to move, she watched for another sign; everything had stopped: her breath, her heart, the world and time around them.