A/N: my last attempt to post failed, but hadn't realized. With working 70 hr workweeks with only one day off at a labor intensive job, having energy is a lost cause.
If anyone is still interested in my musical motivation, it comes from the soundtrack for the animated movie "spirit: stallion of the Cimarron" and is called "sound the bugle". Look at the lyrics of you don't like sad slow songs. The first couple verses are about lots and hopelessness. The third and final verse is about finding the courage to continue. This would be similar to what I'm attempting with my story. Just a teaser, Anna will be renouncing her place in the royal family. As I'm still writing the outline, she may or may not get it back. I won't say any more on that until I actually get something posted for my third installment.
...
Turning her head, she could see a worn out looking man gloating at her. She knew this man, though whe appeared to be a shadow of his former self. The last she saw of him was just after Elsa's coronation debacle. Smiling, the duke of Weselton stood by the door to the right of the chess board. An Arendelle guard was just walking through the door, unbuttoning his shirt as he went.
"What? You did this? Why?" asked Anna through teary eyes. Looking more closely, the duke's toupee was gone, and his clothes were none too clean.
"Why you ask? You brought this on yourselves. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be hiding here like a criminal. When you sent me back, and placed your embargo on us, other countries decided to follow your lead. They don't understand how dangerous you and your sister were, but I knew. You may have fooled them, but I knew Elsa was a monster and Arendelle's royal bloodlines were tainted."
"Unfortunately, the combined embargoes caused by Arendelle were fatal to Weselton's economy. We don't have enough of any one resource to survive on our own, but our central placement has made us a very desirable trade hub. Without trade, we were lost. Once our reserves were gone, the peasants started to starve, and revolted against their betters. While bloodlines were butchered and I barely escaped with my own life. After all you cost me, I came here to repay the debt I owed. The southern isles, vultures that they are, swooped in to annex Weselton into a new province. There was no fighting them. With Weselton no longer a country of its own, many countries finally lifted their embargoes. Only Arendelle still maintained its embargo."
"You know, you and Elsa really are very predictable. Your training was actually the easy part. Elsa being at the head of your rescue party was unavoidable in any event. After all she was here to save her beloved sister."
"By the way, do you know how strict the laws are regarding the assassination or attempted assassination of the reigning monarch actually are? I do thank you for removing the monster of Arendelle from the throne, so I will return the favor by letting you escape with your life. Killing a monarch in Arendelle is treason and immediately punishable, regardless of the reason, without the need for trial. You can thank your parents for the stories of the law, because of a failed attempt on your father. A brief questioning to determine who was involved, and then a quick execution. The poison on the bolt was very potent. If quickly renders a person unconscious, and then it is almost already fatal. It is more merciful that Elsa deserved. In your case, it means you not only killed your sister, you are also guilty of treason. You cannot send to the throne, not can your offspring."
Anna just stared at the duke with ever growing horror as he continued to speak. Her tears fell freely to mingle with Elsa's blood on the floor. The dukes malicious chuckle brought Anna's attention back to his speech.
"It is amazing how well you took to your training to kill the queen. I just dictated the environment and the timing of your meeting and you did the rest. I didn't even have to ask you to do it. You decided all on your own. That incident with the brotherhood last year was very telling on how to control your reactions. We broke your spirit and then gave you something to keep it from shattering completely. Those innocent young girls gripped your heart like few others could. You kept crawling back for more well past your normal break point."
"Sending in those useless assassins, who were young girls from the estates of your own lords by the way, was for nothing but entertainment. They were promised freedom if they could kill every female in the dungeon. We even told them how many to look for. If they won, I still won. You winning just made it all the sweeter."
"The assassin that looked like your sister was the hardest part. Finding the right person, and then the right drugs was harder than expected. The one you eventually killed didn't respond to the drugs like other people and we almost killed her. We eventually found one that made her volatile enough to attack anything that moved. Killing her was a mercy, as the previous drugs had already destroyed her mind. She couldn't even tell you what her own name was. By killing her, you were less repulsed by the idea of killing another clone of your sister."
"And you think Elsa was the monster?" whispered Anna in a defeated voice.
The duke chuckled before answering. "Please Anna, all will come clear in time, including why I HAVE to tell you all this. You didn't think it was to clear my conscience, did you? Let me just show you how predictable and ready to manipulate you really were, you AND your sister. Once the idea of Elsa being able to die was planted, we needed something to draw out your temper. That idiot bowman was ordered to go after one of the children. You see, we needed you angry so you would be more likely to attack Elsa before you figured out it was her, but which child? Your twin was too new and we didn't have time to wait, Elsa was ahead of schedule. That left the first girl and Elsa's twin. What better way to get you more used to Elsa dying than take her twin out? I was concerned we should have chosen the first girl after we saw how close you two had gotten. Either of the two would have worked, but I think we chose correctly."
"Timing your sister's arrival was no easy task either, especially with the traitorous servants we had taken on. They almost had the queen here too soon. Once I caught the second one, it wasn't hard to convince her to keep writing letters for me in exchange for her life. Once her last letter was written, I had her removed to another farm we have. They would look after her there, after all, the guards wouldn't have to pay for a tramp when they had a free one to pass around. The only thing they were not allowed to do was permanently injure her. I honor my deals, and I said she'd live after all. Your infernal sister arrived just in time to rescue her. My men would have been gone in less than ten more minutes."
"Just as we have been doing all along, we have been following behind you and cleaning up your messes. From the lord's daughters you murdered to Elsa's twin, we have been very careful to make sure you didn't get sick from a rotting corpse, or old blood. Since we didn't have time to take care of them before your sister arrived, I sent a guard to your lavatory to deal with the two young girls. He should be done by now. I'm sure you realized how futile blocking the door would be before you left them alone."
"As entertaining as this is, I think you should go now. Arendelle's guards will be checking on the queen soon, and if you want to live, you can't be here. If you for, my revenge won't be fully complete. I never intended to kill you, ever. You need to suffer like I have these last few years. You will live the rest of your pathetic life running from your subjects, knowing you are the sole reason your sister is dead, and all these people died. I never once asked you to kill any of them. You choose that option on your own, rather than make peace with them. Once they knew who you were, I'm sure any of them would have helped you. Lessons learned I guess. If you speak out about what you've done, people will start hunting you for treason. Take your useless crossbow and your little knives and leave. That door," said the duke pointing to the door on the right of the chessboard, "will take you to the forest out beyond Elsa's guards. They haven't found it yet. I will make your sister comfortable until the poison runs its course. That will just allow me to savor the victory all the longer."
"I'm not that stupid. With me on the run and Elsa dead, you can step in and take the crown. Your just making her comfortable to say you were trying to save her after she was shot. You're lower than a snake's belly."
The duke chuckled as he replied. "Well, since I refused to deal with you in this treasonous act, you've had me imprisoned down here four months. What can an old man do?"
As Anna went to retrieve her bow and the duke chuckled again as she walked to the door. When the duke reached Elsa, Anna paused and looked back over her shoulder before going through the door. "I think there is something you should know before I leave," said Anna in a dead voice.
"And what would that be my dear?"
"Even though I used both the poisoned bolts you have given me, I still had one more unpoisoned bolt left to put in this." Anna turned and raised the bow. "It isn't empty." Pressing the trigger, Anna launched her last bolt from the bow. Shock showed on the duke's face as the bolt impacted his neck. Blood spurted been his fingers as he grasped the fletching that had almost buried itself completely. "You should also know I'd die if I had to if there was any chance to save my sister, especially after what you've done." Anna's spoke without any emotion to her voice. She figured she would soon be dead anyway. Elsa want awake to save her from being executed for treason, and after what Anna had done, why would she help her anyway?
Not expecting a response, Anna raced for the left door. She didn't hesitate to throw the offending weapon this time, once again damaging the bow as it connected with the wall. Anna didn't care. Her screams up the stairs were soon answered, as was her call for a physician for the queen. Her last three words were repeated loudly down the hallway as she turned away from the door. "Poisoned crossbow bolt!"
Anna raced back into her prison to the dining room where she found the dead guard. Barely pausing, she grabbed his sword and ran full out for her toilet room. Without realizing it, she had made a habit of moving quietly. Even in her haste, her bare feet barely made any sound.
As she approached the door, she could hear a man's voice through the half open door.
"I saw what you tried to do with the princess when you all went to wash. What's wrong with this redhead? She may not be as lively as she used to be, but I'm not asking you to touch her cut throat. Your interest should be a bit lower. The longer you entertain me, the longer you live..."
Anna didn't even pause as she walked through the door. It looked like Patty had been pushed down next to Trish. Trish's body was laying on the floor face up. A deep gash across her throat had already spilt most of her blood to the floor under Patty. Patty was starring up at the guard in fear mixed with revulsion. The guard was between Patty and the door, the tip of his sword resting gently on her shoulder. For the first time since she arrived, Anna didn't hesitate to act.
"Please, please don't make me do..." begged Patty before she was interrupted by the guards sudden movement. He had arched his back suddenly with a shocked look on his face. A moment later, Patty saw the top and about six more inches of a sword spring out of his chest. Blood started to drip from the tip as she stared in shock. It took about five long second before he toppled sideways. Behind him, Patty could see Anna standing there panting heavily.
"Anna!" screamed Patty as she jumped up to hug her. Her tears came even faster as she sobbed into Anna's shoulder. "I... He... Th-thank you." she stuttered as she continued to sob.
"I'm sorry," whispered Anna.
"Why?" Patty whispered back as she turned her head to the side.
"I failed you again. I promised nobody else would die."
"Yo-you came back! You tried! You did everything you could!"
"Yes. Yes I did. I protected us so well that Trish is dead. I keep promising more than I can do. I even protected us from the rescue party. I shot my sister with a poisoned bolt, and I killed an Arendelle guard."
"What? You wouldn't do that if you knew it was them. You couldn't have known..."
"Your right again. I didn't know, and I never took the time to check. The letter told us Elsa was in the area but hadn't found us yet. I never thought to doubt it. The noise was my sister and I thought it was an imposter like before. I shot her before she even knew I was there. I killed Arendelle's queen and my only close family. People call Elsa a monster, but they got the wrong person. I-I have to go tell the guards what happened. Come with me and I'll try to make sure they look after you before they lock me up."
"The way you talk about Elsa, she wouldn't do that to you! I'll explain..."
"Elsa's dying and likely won't wake up because I shot her! The reason doesn't matter. That's treason."
Before Patty could speak again, Anna pulled away and walked out the door. Fresh sobs could be heard as Patty rushed to catch up. When they were together again, Patty put an arm around Anna and they walked in silence.
Just before they reached the chess room entry, Patty pulled Anna to a stop. "Anna, listen to me. You did everything you could. You fought for us and came back for us when you could. You did more than anybody could expect out of a horrible situation. Now, as the only one left who can, it's my turn to fight for you. It's my turn to do what I can."
"Patty, the laws are clear and I've broken them. Don't drag yourself down too. Over the last couple years, I've changed and it's not in a good way. From the number of people I've managed to hurt lately through my bad choices, maybe it's better that I get locked away... or worse. Just... just let it go."
"I can't. Anna, you're the only one I've ever met who tried to help me without wanting something in return. What you were up against was more than you were ready for. That's not your fault. There really weren't any good options. Learn from it, but don't give up. I... I need you. I don't have anybody else. I know it's too much for me to hope for, and more than I have any right to claim. You've already done so much for me. Please!" begged Patty desperately.
"Patty, the people I care about get hurt or die. It's usually at least partially my fault. You may have had a hard life, but you'll likely live longer if you stay away. You'll be safe from me."
"No! I'm not leaving without you unless you're going to be okay. I don't care what you say, I'm not giving up on you. I-I promise."
"As you wish," said Anna softly with a sad smile. "Don't say I didn't warn you." They turned and walked through the door together, Anna with slumped shoulders Patty with one arm around Anna's waist.
When Anna entered three chess room, only two guards remained. Elsa, the dead guard, and the duke had all been removed. Only the spilt blood remained. Anna cringed and hung her head when she saw it.
"My lady, we are glad to find you alive! Please, we have been asked to piece together what happened to the queen. If it's not too much, is there any way you can help us?"
"Actually, yes. I guarantee you won't like it though. I know exactly what happened," whispered Anna.
"That will make things much quicker and easier then. Please give us any details you can."
"I will give you the details, but that will take a very long time. I will answers any questions put to me, as well Patty," said Anna, indicating herself and Patty, "but let me give you a quick summary. The duke of Weselton was behind the whole thing. At first, after my arrival, I had to fend off various attacks. As time went on, the attacks became more frequent and one was even an imposter made to look like the queen. As part of his manipulation, I was given young girls to protect. Failure meant watching them die. Of the three, only Patty survived. I was also given reading material aimed at controlling me. Once I grew attached to my charges, and Elsa was getting close, the attacks were aimed at the children. It was all aimed at controlling me, and keeping me off balance. Near the end, there was barely any time between the different attacks."
"My lady, what does this have to do with..."
"Just listen. It all leads up to a vile treason."
"Anna..."
"Hush Patty. Just before Elsa arrived, I received a letter and with it I was given a crossbow with two poisoned bolts. I thought it was the person helping me and Elsa, but she had been caught. She was forced to write letters for the duke to me and maybe to Elsa too. I don't know when that started. The letter warned us to barricade ourselves until Elsa could find and rescue us. It also warned of imposters acting like somebody I would normally trust. One of the children had been killed just shortly before I got the weapon so I wasn't thinking clear."
"Later, when I heard noises, I went to check it out while the remaining two girls hid. When I saw the imposter I was warned about, I shot her with a poisoned bolt, retreated, and then took out her guard." Anna took a deep breath before she plunged on. "That's when I found out there was no imposter and that I had just shot the queen. Gentlemen, I submit myself into your custody on the charges of treason and the attempted murder of Queen Elsa of Arendelle. Under Arendelle's laws..." Anna was unable to continue due to a chorus of voices raised in protest.
"Milady, there must be some mistake..."
"Your highness, I can't believe you would willingly..."
"Anna! NO! It's not your fault! I'll explain..."
"Everybody! Please! My sentence should be carried out on our return to Arendelle. I've proven how much of a danger I can be to the queen, and now to Arendelle itself. People around me tend to die unexpectedly. I think... I think it's for the best. Everybody w-would be a-safer..." said Anna. She would have continued, but she couldn't hold it back any longer. Collapsing to her knees, she began sobbing uncontrollably, not caring who saw.