The Storm Rages On

Chapter Twenty-One

Preparations

Elsa stared at the luminous being at the entrance to the chamber, astonished. "I . . . I thought you were leaving this world. I thought . . . I thought you were going back to your Father."

Gábriel smiled slightly. "I did, Elsa. I returned home, at long last." His eyes looked off into the distance. "But my reunion with my brothers was short-lived. I have been given a new task. One that no Maíreth has ever been given before. I am to directly aid you in the retrieval of the Tritastónende."

Elsa knelt before the being of light, her head bowed in shame. "I . . . I am so sorry. We failed. We . . . I betrayed your trust. But I had no choice. Please, try to understand . . ."

Gábriel looked down upon her, a grim expression on his face. "I know," he said. "I would be lying if I said I was not disappointed. I placed great faith in you, Elsa." He looked at the rest of the trembling companions. "In all of you. This world is now in great jeopardy because of your actions."

His face softened, his eyes filling with warmth and compassion as he moved toward Anna. "And yet, I understand why you handed them over." He knelt by Anna, taking her hand, running his free hand over her brow. "The love you Men are capable of feeling for each other . . . That is something my brethren and I will never be able to comprehend." He looked back at Elsa, still kneeling at Anna's side. "You did what you had to do to save the lives of your sister and her children. For that, I cannot fault you."

Anna arched her back, groaning as an even more intense burst of agony overwhelmed her. Gábriel moved his hand to her abdomen, his eyes widening as he realized the severity of her predicament. The Maíreth looked at Kristoff. "Your wife must return to your homeland at once. She . . . She is in grave danger here. Her life and the lives of her children are at stake." Gábriel closed his eyes, concentrating. A bright white light flowed across Anna's belly. Anna cried out in shock, then closed her eyes, relaxation washing over her.

"What are you doing?" Kristoff asked, his face creased with concern. When he received no response, Kristoff grabbed hold of Gábriel's robe, pulling him close, not caring if he incurred the Maíreth's wrath. "What are you doing to her?!"

"I am buying you precious time," Gábriel responded, still allowing his aura to flow over Anna's body. "I am soothing her muscles, holding off her pangs of childbirth for a few more hours. She cannot give birth here. She has no healer, no access to medicines." He looked up at Kristoff, the light returning to his own form. "Your children are no ordinary children, son of Man. That is why your wife is in such torment. Her body cannot contain the power that fills them for much longer."

Anna was now unconscious, her expression truly peaceful for the first time in days.

"She must rest now," Gábriel said softly. "She has much suffering to endure in the hours ahead. She will need all of her strength."

The Maíreth rose, turning to Elenórathem. A thin smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "It has been a long time, Elenórathem. Far too long since last we met." He gestured toward the Eden-stone on Elsa's hand. "I see you have chosen to reveal yourself at last."

The Spirit nodded. "It was time," she said. "She is ready, Gábriel. She has finally embraced her true power. She can stop this madman. I know she can!"

"I have little doubt of that," Gábriel said. "Her power, combined with that of her companions, is no match for him, even with the Tritastónende. My concern lies with how they intend to subdue his army. Even with all their strength, even with my assistance, five hundred men would easily overwhelm them."

Alúvelin stared at Gábriel, shaking her head. "Then . . . Then what is the point? Why would God give you this task if you could not help us succeed? Is this some kind of cruel trick? Is that how your Father derives his amusement, by watching His children suffer hopelessly?"

The Maíreth gingerly took Alúvelin's hand. The Empress felt a rush of fear flow through her as the sheer power of his presence ran through her body.

"Of course not," Gábriel replied, his voice soft yet firm. "My Father is not a sadist. He never places obstacles in the way of His children that they are incapable of overcoming. Now, He does not make the path easy, for without suffering, growth and wisdom cannot be attained. But He will not abandon His Creation. Ever."

A flash of light filled the room. Arberish laid his hand over Elsa's eyes, shielding her from the intense illumination. As the light faded, the companions were astonished to find another being in their presence, golden light flowing from his indescribably perfect form.

Gábriel smiled, moving toward the new arrival. "I see you found us, Brother. Were you successful? Were you able to speak with them?"

The fellow Maíreth embraced Gábriel, a warm smile upon his face. "Yes indeed, Brother. It was not easy, but I found them. They will be meeting us here shortly."

"Excellent," Gábriel said, pulling back from his brother. "With their assistance, we may yet stand a chance of defending this world."

Elenórathem moved toward the new arrival, wrapping her arms around him, her eyes bright with recognition. "You came," she whispered. "I never thought I would see you again. How long has it been, Míchælen?"

The second Maíreth wrapped his arms around the blue Water Spirit. "Far too long," he replied, smiling. He nodded toward Elsa. "Is this . . . Is she the one?"

"Yes," Elenórathem said. "She is. She is ready."

The Maíreth moved to Elsa, standing before her. "Young one, I am Míchælen, eldest of the Maíreth, Commander of the Legions."

Elsa nodded, her eyes consumed by the brilliant light shining from Míchælen. "I . . . I don't know what to say," she replied. "Why . . . Why are the Maíreth helping us? I thought it was our responsibility."

"My Father," Míchælen said, pausing. "My Father does not wish to see Arendelle fall, not while someone of your worth is responsible for defending her. He wishes to see you succeed, but knows that you are facing a formidable challenge indeed." He smiled. "That is why I am here. I will assist you in battle. My legions shall distract the army while you and your companions retrieve the Tritastónende." Míchælen's face grew serious once more. "Understand, however, that this is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Do not think the Hosts will come to your aid directly again."

"So," Arberish said. "So, the Maíreth will fight alongside us?" He smiled, taking Elsa's hand. "That alone should provide us with confidence."

Míchælen cocked his head, his expression inscrutable. "Not exactly," he said. "The Maíreth cannot abandon their appointed tasks. Each of us has a specific role to play in this world. If all of us left our responsibilities unattended at once, the result would be chaos of the highest order." He smiled. "However, you will receive assistance, I assure you." He gestured toward the large hole in the wall. "In fact, if I am not mistaken, they are waiting for you at this very moment. Shall we?"

Kristoff and Arberish carefully lifted Anna, carrying her through the gap in the wall, toward the bright sunshine. Valanda turned to Elsa and Elenórathem, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"I don't understand," she said. "If the Maíreth are not helping us, then who . . .?"

Elenórathem smiled. "I think . . . I think you will simply have to see for yourself in order to understand."

Gábriel nodded. "Come, daughters. We must hurry. We have much to do in a short amount of time if we are to prevent Arendelle's utter destruction."

The group passed through the hole in the wall, each member sighing in relief as warm sunshine fell upon their faces once again. Quickly, however, they realized that they were not alone.

Alúvelin gasped, astonished. "What . . . What is this?" he whispered, turning to Gábriel and Elsa. "Elsa, do you know who they are?"

"No," Elsa replied. "I don't. I . . . I've never seen anything like this before."

Standing before them were one hundred beings. They resembled men at the peak of physical perfection: tall, muscular, powerful. Fifty of the beings possessed skin tinted red, while the other half bore skin colored with blue pigmentation.

Míchælen smiled. "Behold, our army." He held his hand before the red-colored beings. "These are the Flamdráneren, the Bearers of Flame." With his other hand, he gestured toward the beings of blue coloration. "And these . . . These are the Icénderen, the Keepers of Ice."

Valanda's eyes went wide as she realized what she was seeing. "Of course," she whispered. She turned to Elsa and Alúvelin. "Don't you see? The ancient scrolls described beings such as these! The Almighty created them to assist Man in caring for Creation. They are our ancestors. By marrying the daughters of Men, by siring their children, they created the brann wielders and the ice bærers."

Elsa turned to Gábriel. "Where . . . Where have they been all this time? They were thought to be nothing more than legend."

"Across the sea," Gábriel replied. "The Flamdráneren and the Icénderen left the Continent millennia ago to search for a land to call their own. Men no longer desired their assistance, so they sailed away, never to return."

"Then, why? Why would they return now?" Elsa asked. "What do they care if Hans is successful in destroying Arendelle? I don't understand."

Elenórathem took Elsa's hand, the Eden-stone pulsating intensely. "Because they still feel a sense of responsibility for this entire world. Their sense of honor will not permit them to watch their Father's creation be destroyed. That is why they have come in our hour of need."

Míchælen turned to the companions. "Once we arrive in Arendelle, Gábriel and I will lead the Flamdráneren and the Icénderen into battle. We will distract the army, while you and your friends confront Hans. You will need to be quick and disarm him before he is able to unleash the power of the Tritastónende." His eyes narrowed. "If he is able to use the power of the Jewels . . ."

Elsa nodded. "We cannot allow that to happen."

Arberish frowned. "How exactly are we to get to Arendelle before Hans? We have no horses. Anna is currently unconscious, due to give birth at any time. We could never cover that kind of ground on foot in a timely fashion."

Gábriel smiled knowingly. "Leave that to me."

Elsa turned to Valanda. "I . . . I have a favor I must ask of you, Valanda. Please, let Alúvelin, Arberish, and I confront Hans. I need you to stay with Anna and Kristoff as she delivers her children."

Valanda opened her mouth in protest, but Elsa raised her hand. "Please, Valanda. I need someone I trust watching over her, guiding her. She . . . She will be terrified, I know it. You have given birth before. You can help her. Will you please do this favor for me? I . . . I'm begging, you, Valanda. Please, take care of my sister."

Valanda looked at Elsa, realizing for the first time the true depths of Elsa's love and concern for her younger sister. "I . . . I promise, Elsa. I will take good care of her. I won't let anything happen to her or her babies. You have my word."

A look of relief washed over Elsa's face. "Thank you," she whispered.

The Snow Queen turned to Elenórathem. "I am going to need your help as well," she said. "It is the only way I can stop him. Lend me your power once more, like you did with the wall."

The Spirit of the Eden-stone nodded. "Of course. I will gladly help you. We cannot allow that monster to abuse my sister and her brothers."

Elsa moved to Kristoff, kneeling beside him. She looked at her unconscious sister, Anna's face twitching slightly in discomfort. Elsa inhaled as a wave of trepidation washed over her.

"I can feel it, Kristoff," she said softly. "Anna is almost ready to give birth. I can sense her body preparing for it. Help her be strong. Please. I need you to keep her calm. Whatever she needs, whether it be your words, your strength, or merely your presence, please . . . give it to her."

Kristoff nodded as Elsa kissed her sleeping sister's forehead. "Take care, Anna," she whispered. "Please. Take care."

She rose, taking Arberish's hand. "Are you ready?" she asked.

Arberish ran his hand gently through her loose strands of hair. "Let us end this now," he said. "Let us stop this madness before anyone else is hurt."

Elsa looked at Gábriel. "We are ready. Take us to Arendelle."

The Maíreth closed his eyes, the golden light from his form washing over the companions and their army. The world began to spin, faster and faster, fading away into a blur of nothingness. The light grew in intensity, blinding them, as they braced themselves, prepared to face whatever dangers lay before them, together.

AN: More to come!