Chapter 14
It was early in the morning and the Argonian castle was quiet. Elsa awoke from her slumber alone and Kara was nowhere in sight. She decided to get up and prepare for the day. When she was fully dressed in her ice dress and braided hair, she decided to look outside her window. As Elsa took a few steps to peer outside the window, she got a chill.
"That's odd." She thought. "I never get chills."
She continued to walk to the window. Outside was grey and snow was falling. It reminded her of The Great Freeze back in Arendelle. The wind was howling and the clouds were whirling. Ice spikes were on the castle walls and statues. Elsa knew that this was no normal storm as she witnessed more spikes growing, but she also knew that this wasn't her doing. The color of the ice told her that. Hers was usually blue and would turn a dark red or purple color when she was upset. This ice, however, seemed to be glowing. It was almost like there was a fire lit within the ice. She tried to reduce the size of the spikes, but it was no use. This magic was stronger than her own.
"Who is doing this?" she whispered to herself. Suddenly a loud knock on her door startled her and forced her to turn away from the winter storm outside.
"Who's there?" She asked.
"Elsa, it's Anna. Please open the door. We need to talk."
Elsa quickly walked to the door and opened it for her sister. Anna was dressed in winter clothing and had a serious expression on her face.
"Elsa, what's going on? Why did you create this storm?" Anna asked in a calm manner.
"I promise you that this isn't me, Anna. Someone else with ice magic created this. I tried to stop it, but this person is stronger than me. Even the ice is different. See for yourself." Elsa directed Anna to the window where the ice spikes had completely barricaded the view to the outside. Anna took a closer look at the ice and gasped.
"It's almost like a torch inside the ice."
"Exactly, but I have no idea who could be doing this." Elsa said. "I need to find Kara. You go look for Artemis. Maybe we could stop this before it gets really out of hand."
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I'll check Artemis' room. I don't think she's woken up yet. I think I heard one of the guards say that Kara was in the throne room. You might want to check there first."
"That sounds like a plan. And we'll meet in the throne room after we find them. Let's go."
The Arendellian sisters split up and began searching for the dragon sisters. Elsa walked quickly towards the throne room. She noticed that none of the servants seemed worried about the winter storm brewing outside. They continued to do their chores without a care in the world.
After a few minutes of walking, she finally made it to the throne room. Two guards in their dragon forms guarded the entrance. They didn't move as Elsa stood in front of them.
"Let me pass. I must speak to Kara." Elsa ordered, obviously not in the mood for games. One guard transformed back into a human and looked directly into Elsa's eyes.
"Under the orders of Queen Kara, no human shall enter the throne room today." He did not falter in front of the Ice Queen, which made Elsa worry.
"What do you mean?! I am married to Kara and I have every right to go in. Let me pass!" Elsa was already losing her temper as ice swirled around her feet.
"I am sorry, Queen Elsa. Her Majesty ordered us. I do not dare to defy her orders." His response was sincere. Elsa took a deep breath and placed her fingers at the bridge of her nose. She was just about to leave to try to find another way in when she saw Anna and Artemis running towards the throne room.
"Guards! What is the meaning of this?!" Artemis barked. "Open the doors and let us pass." She was furious.
"Your Highness, Queen Kara gave us orders that no humans should enter the throne room today." He hung his head slightly as did the other guard in dragon form.
"Well, obviously I am NOT human! And since the day of their wedding, Queen Elsa ceased to be a human and is now half dragon. Now I order you to open the doors and let us pass before I throw you both out of the way myself."
The guards looked at each other and took a deep breath. "As you wish, Your Highness." The guards opened the doors and stepped out of the way. They did not even try to stop Anna from proceeding since she was human. They knew that the wrath of Artemis was just as bad and the wrath of Kara.
The first thing that the three royals noticed as the doors opened was snow. The entire throne room was covered in a thick blanket of snow. In some areas, the snow would combust into fire. They walked in slowly as the doors closed behind them. The three of them were too busy staring at the fiery winter wonder land before them that they didn't see the Dragon Queen sitting on the throne watching their every move.
"What are you three doing here." She asked, which startled the three royals.
Artemis was the first to speak. "Kara… What's going on here? A-and what happened to you?"
All eyes were on the Queen of the Dragons. Her eyes had changed color. One eye was the same shade of blue as Elsa's eyes. The other was a fiery red. Her hair remained red, except for a single strand of platinum blonde that matched the strand that Anna once had. Her hands covered in a thin layer of ice as hot embers fell to the snow on the ground. Kara lifted her hands and stared at them.
"It seems that a transformation is occurring due to the exchange of blood on our wedding day. I've been granted Elsa's powers with my own twist: ice and snow that can burn just as hot as any fire or be as cold as any winter." She closed her eyes and extended her right hand out to the side, taking aim at the wall. With a small flick of her wrist, a wall of ice sprouted. Ice spikes began to grow, and much like torches, they caught fire.
Artemis and Anna were shocked. Elsa, on the other hand, felt happy to some extent. She finally had someone that she shared her power with, but she was also scared. She knew that her ice magic was fueled by emotion and that Kara could sometimes have a temper. She walked with caution towards Kara. They locked eyes on each other and did not blink until they were standing face to face. Elsa examined Kara's eyes and hair closely.
"I like these changes. It's almost like I've officially claimed you as my own." Elsa said with a smirk.
"Why must you be so possessive over me?" Kara asked with a sly grin.
"You are to blame with that one, my love." Elsa leaned in to kiss her wife when a cough coming from Artemis interrupted them.
"You two can wait until you're alone, but right now Argos is covered with ice and snow. Kara, fix it."
"My dear sister, it was fixed the moment you set foot in here. I just wanted to see how powerful my magic was."
"It better be fixed." Artemis said with a huff.
"Artemis, what's the matter? You seem upset."
"Well, when you have Anna barge into your room completely out of breath yelling that a massive magical snow storm has covered the land only to find out that your own sister caused it, you would be pretty upset too! I honestly thought we were under attack."
"Well, I am sorry to worry the three of you. It won't happen again." Kara said.
"I'm sorry too." Anna said sheepishly. "I was scared. I didn't mean to wake you up so rudely, Artemis."
"You're not to blame, Anna. It's fine." She looked to Kara and shot her a glare. "I'm going to prepare for tonight. I'll see you all later." And with that said, she turned and walked away.
"Will she be alright?" Anna asked.
"She will be. She's just cranky and probably in pain from the battle yesterday. I'll go check on her. Why don't you two find Kristoff and prepare for the ceremony. I'll meet you all on the balcony in about two hours."
Kara gave Elsa a quick peck on the lips and walked out of the room. Elsa and Anna were alone again. They walked out of the room as well and walked towards the stairs. After a few minutes, they ended up in the stables thanks to the castles ever-changing walls. Kristoff was there brushing a horses mane with his only available hand.
"Good morning." He said with a smile. "What have you two been up to?"
"We busy panicking because there was a massive snow storm that wasn't caused by Elsa. So we rushed to find Kara and Artemis to figure out what was going on, but we found out that Kara was the one causing the storm an.."
"Anna! Breathe!" Elsa exclaimed to her sisters uncontrollable mouth.
"Sorry! Anyway, Kara now has Elsa's power to control ice and snow. Pretty cool, huh?"
Kristoff only starred at the two sisters and tried to take in everything that his fiancé had just said. He was about to speak when the three Argonian generals appeared in the stables.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Master Kristoff," General Atlas said with a bow. "So sorry to interrupt, but we have been asked by Her Majesty, Queen Kara, to be your escorts for the ceremony. Some of the dragons may be upset due to the loss of their family members. We will protect you should they act up."
"Would they really attack us?" Anna asked with fear in her eyes.
"They shouldn't." Calypso said. "They should respect you as the family of the Queen and Princess. But if something comes up, we will be there. Do not fret."
"We will be by your side throughout the entire ceremony." Elektra said. "Your Majesty, I will be with you. Calypso will be with Anna and Atlas with Kristoff. It will be alright. Now come, we must get you three ready.
*Line Break*
The hours had passed and Elsa was waiting on the balcony next to Elektra. They were both wearing Argonian armor. It resembled the armor of Ancient Greek warriors. Their breastplates were gold with a dragon embedded into its design. Her cloak was very same color of her ice and resting on the railing of the balcony was a golden helmet with a plume that matched her cloak. Elektra looked no different other than her cloak and plume color. She wore purple to match her elemental color.
"How have you been, Elektra?" Elsa asked. She really hasn't spent time with the dragon and hardly knows her, yet she's been working nonstop to end Hans' reign.
"I've been well, Your Majesty. Thank you for asking."
"You can call me 'Elsa' if you'd like. I prefer my name rather than being formal all the time."
"Understood, Elsa." Elektra said with a laugh.
They both waited in comfortable silence, until Elsa spoke again.
"I would like to thank you for all your help. You, Atlas, and Calypso have done so much for Arendelle. I have no idea how to repay you three for your kindness."
"Be a wonderful Queen to the Dragons of Argos and your debt is paid. That's all we ask. Argos is mother to all magical creatures. Just keep her safe."
"I will." Elsa said.
It wasn't long before Anna and Kristoff made their way out with Atlas and Calypso following closely behind them. Each of them were dressed exactly like Elsa and Elektra, except for the color of their cloaks and plumes for each of them wore their elemental color.
"This is probably the most revealing thing I have ever worn." Anna said while examining her armor.
"It's tradition." Atlas said. "Our ancestors were Greek. We wear these to formal gatherings and battles. Today is a formal day as we honor the fallen and lay them to rest."
"And lay them to rest we will." A voice said from behind. All eyes turned and saw Artemis also wearing armor with a dark blue cloak and plume.
"Artemis, glad to see that you're feeling better." Anna said as she ran to give Artemis a hug.
"Yes, well I am sorry for my behavior earlier. I was just upset about everything that's happened and it finally caught up to me. I've already talked to Kara and we're alright. I feel better."
"That's great to hear!" Anna exclaimed. "So, care to tell us about what to expect?"
"It's rather simple. Kara will do the transfer of the gifts here with some sort of incantation. Afterwards, we're going to head over to the Hall of the Fallen for the burial. Then we will place the bodies of the dead in their tombs where they will rest until needed again."
"Wait, what? Needed again? What does that mean?"
"Should there ever be a war on Argos, the dead rise again to help defend our home. That's what the incantation is. It's like a protection spell."
Anna gulped and her eyes widened. "Has that ever happened before?"
"No. All of our wars have been off of our homeland. We have always defeated our enemies before they even reached our shores. But should we be attacked, our enemies will have to face our living and our dead."
"How do you even kill a dead dragon?" Kristoff asked.
Artemis laughed and looked at Kristoff dead in the eye. "That's the thing. You don't."
"I see you're entertaining our new family members, sister" Kara said as she walked out of the castle. She, too, was wearing armor with a blood red cloak and plume upon her helmet.
"I'm only speaking the truth, Kara."
"I know, but enough of that. Our fallen approach."
*Line Break*
One hundred bodies of both men and women laid on stone beds. The receivers of the gifts stood to the right of their fallen family member, holding their head high and doing their best to stay strong for their families. Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff each stood next to the generals who were assigned to protect them as they watched Kara and Artemis prepare the bodies for the transfer from the balcony.
It was silent. Nobody spoke, not even the children. The wind blew gently throughout the kingdom and dark grey clouds covered them. Once Kara and Artemis were done, Artemis joined the others to watch.
"My brothers and sisters, I welcome you all here today for the transfer of gifts. Today should be a day for celebration as we allow the lives of the fallen to continue living through these receivers. Those of you receiving, do not be afraid. Be proud that you have been chosen to continue the legacy of these dragons. And because you live for them, they shall never die. They will be with you always. They will give you advice should you ever need it and they will protect you should your life be in danger. Be strong for them and for your families. Now, each of you will place your right hand over their hearts. Whatever you do, do not let go. Letting go could cause the power to leave and be transferred into the first living body it sees and there is nothing I can do to get it back. So, let us begin."
Each of the receivers placed their right hands over the hearts of the dead. Kara waited patiently as each receiver got ready. Once everyone was set to continue, Kara nodded and looked up to the sky. The once grey sky opened up and released a beam of light upon the dead. Kara began to speak.
"Mane usque ad vesperam. Vita ad mortem. Utrumque autem habet principium et finem habeat. Mors autem initium est tibi per hos oculos et dabo tibi animam tuam vivent. Itaque carissimi mei resurgent Draconibus. Iterum vivere atque iterum. Somnos tuis egredientur de morte fores."
The ground began to shake and the dead bodies began to glow. Slowly, their light shot into the hands and arms of each of the receivers. They yelled in agony as if they were burning, but each stayed strong and held on. The wind howled with a fury and lightning flashed across the sky. The beams of sun stayed strong as the powers transferred. Kara did not even flinch the slightest. Her eyes remained closed and her head held high. Slowly, the yelling ceased and the glowing died down. When Kara opened her eyes, the deed was done. The powers had been transferred successfully.
"Congratulations to you all. I know you will make your families proud. My brothers and sisters, prepare to march to the Hall of the Fallen."
*Line Break*
The Hall of the Fallen was underground, but it was just as beautiful as everything else in Argos. Torches lined the walls of the tomb. There were exactly one hundred openings to place the dead, but there were enough tombs to fill an entire army. One resting place caught Elsa's attention.
"Kara?" Elsa whispered as the dragons placed their dead in the tombs,
"Yes, Elsa?"
"Who does that tomb belong to?"
Kara looked to the tomb. The wall around the opening was designed with dragons. Two statues stood on either side of its opening.
"That tomb belongs to me. This is where I will be buried when I die."
Elsa gasped and looked to the tomb and back to Kara. She didn't even want to think about losing Kara. She latched herself on Kara's arm and held on to her. Kara simply chuckled and kissed Elsa on her head.
"Don't worry, darling. That will not be for a long while."
*Line Break*
Hans paced in his study. His map was marked with ink in all the areas they thought the dragons were hiding. He was going mad. He knew that the dark magic came with a price, but he was willing to pay anything as long as he would have Anna and Elsa's head on a silver platter.
"I will find you." He said. "I will END YOU!"
Hey everyone! School is done and I was finally able to update. Yay! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope to update again very soon. Also, the latin translation is down below. I hope it's correct cause I used google translate. Lol! Thanks for being patient.
-warriorangel21
"Day to night. Life to death. Each has a beginning and each has an end. But death can be the beginning as it is for you, so live out your life through these new eyes I give you. So rise again my beloved dragons. Live once more. Come out of your slumbers, out of deaths door."