Anna sat as still as possible. Kristoff nodded to her as the troops passed. They both let out a sigh of relief.
There were a thousand questions burning in her throat; who was running the country? And why did the Southern Isles Military think that Kristoff was a prince? And where was Elsa?!
These were left unanswered day in and day out. Kristoff insisted they keep a low profile. Once the Winter's End reached international waters between the Southern Isles and Arrendelle, it had been set aflame and sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Kristoff had commandeered a small life-boat and rowed for days to get back home stealthily.
That had been almost a month ago. They had found Arrendelle ice-locked. Either they were experiencing an early winter, or Elsa had lost it- again!
Anna wanted to see her sister again, more than anything. But any time she tried to leave, Kristoff's answer was always the same, "No way, buddy."
She shot him a frown, hoping he'd just feel it and look at her. She was ignored- again!
"Hey!" She hissed. Kristoff sighed.
"No way, buddy," He said quietly, "It's dangerous enough for me to go out there. The last thing I need is for Baragor to find out you're here. So stay put!" He made a stopping motion with his hand.
Setting foot outside, Kristoff straightened his cap and headed to his 'parents' house. They had new orders for him. Although 'orders' didn't necessarily apply to him right now, he recognized the need for them.
Baragor wanted total control of Arrendelle. And if the international community suspected he was using them to gain power, they would depose him just as quickly as they had imposed him on others.
Kristoff walked across the market, on high alert, watching out for Hans. His brother was usually busy hunting snow-ghosts up in the mountains, but there was no telling what the prince might be doing right now. The baby of the family was... hard to predict. Clever and vicious, he had a habit of turning up alive when he ought to be dead.
Kristoff found his way to the cottage of his 'folks' and sat down at their kitchen table. The Southern Isles citizens looked at him suspiciously, "Well?"
"She suspects nothing," He intoned.
"I knew it!" Screamed Baragor.
Thanks to a tidy arrangement between the two, Kristoff kept his work and private life separate. Baragor figured Kristoff knew Anna's location, but knew to threaten her might endanger his alliance with his brother.
"And?" The elder questioned.
Kristoff sighed, "And she wants to see Elsa."
Baragor hissed in frustration, "When's she going to let that go?!"
"Never," Answered Kristoff, "They'll never let it go. They'll always want to protect the other."
Baragor paced nervously, "I'm running out of time!" He muttered. Finally, he turned on Kristoff, "Elsa or Anna?"
"I can't-"
"ELSA OR ANNA?!"
"...Anna," Said Kristoff. Baragor patted him on the back.
"Good... bring her to me."
"Alive?"
"Of course!" Crowed Baragor, "Because our little brother is going to murder her for us!"
Kristoff stared off into the distance. He had no grudge against Elsa, but... Anna came first, she always did. Besides, she'd had a death-sentence on her for years now. It's not like he could undo that.
The only person who was not going to co-operate with this plan was Hans. The youngest Westerguard had a way of mucking up plans.
"...what about Hans?"
"Oh?" Baragor mused, "I'm afraid... our little brother is a little too obsessed with the snow queen. Once he finishes her off, he's going to prison as the Black Spot."
Murder, betrayal... Westerguard history continued.
Six months 'til Elsa had to die. Maybe Kristoff could let Anna at least say "Goodbye".
