A/N: It's been 84 years... Anyways, sorry I left you all at a cliff hanger for so long. Not my intention. If you're expecting an immediate continuation of last chapter, you will be disappointed. This chapter is all about character development. So enjoy -FW
Also this chapter is all in the past even though I didn't put it in italics. I was tired of that shit. Just read the headers.
Chapter 28: Greed
8 years ago
-Weselton Palace-
Kristoff always found the library in Weselton to be excessive… intimidating, even. Just like the rest of the palace, there were golden accents lining the shelves that reached over twenty feet high, stretching out to a good fifty paces in width. It tripled the size of his chambers and was as overly polished as the king himself, trimmed to a T without a fault to utmost perfection.
Kristoff could never appreciate how unnaturally pristine everything needed to be; he didn't believe in the idea of a flawless world, so he just figured the short tempered man had a stick up his ass. Not a single fleck of dust appeared anywhere that he could see, all organized in alphabetical order, and probably hardly ever put to use if the burly young man had to take a guess. It was easy to see how often the mustached man would hide behind his money to compensate for his lack in height… and personality.
Kristoff knew immediately how much the king hated him no matter which faux mask he wore in front of his daughter and guests. It seemed that any little thing Kristoff would do agitated the king, so he figured giving him a proper reason for such hate. It'd be such a shame for the royal to walk through his palace to find things disheveled, misused, or even damaged.
And that's why Kristoff was on a mission to do just that, looking around at the library with a bemused grin.
He was keen on the idea of creating a mess a half hour before the king had a meeting in such a place. Why not spice up his life and pull some mischievous pranks? It reminded him of his siblings and all the trouble they'd get into, the adventures through the kitchens and stables. He chuckled aloud at the memory as he slid a book from the first shelf into his hand. It was a fairytale of dragons. 'Anna loved this one…'
Stuck in a state of nostalgia, he pictured his sister begging for a story by the fire. He missed her more than he expected, she really was the light of his life before Elijah forced him away. As quickly as his happy thoughts came, they vanished and were replaced by an itching anger that had manifested. It seemed to occur more often, his short temper being tested by the mere thought of the worst half-sibling he'd been accosted with. That kind of attitude was common in their family and more prominently as they grew older.
He slammed the book shut, barely reading the first sentence as he scowled and threw the book over his shoulder in a plop. 'No, I'm better than that bastard…' He went through another, busying himself when all he imagined were emerald eyes within the pages. 'Gods, I hate him.'
Kristoff growled, throwing another book over his shoulder, the fluttering pages echoing as he grabbed another. It became a cycle of picking up and putting down before he had enough and just tossed books around in a fit of rage, "Bastard!"
The pile grew as he barreled one book after another, "That son of a bitch!"
He had half a mind to not fully wreck the whole place, knowing it was still to be his home now. He snatched another to chuck across the room, but his eyes glanced at the cover and caused him to pause with furrowed brows.
The Princess & the Frog.
It was one of Anna's absolute favorites, giving him pause as he sighed in defeat and swiped a hand over the top cover gently. His chest slowly heaved as he began to calm down at the thought of his sister, remembering this book all too well. He used it to teach her how to read since she never listened to any of her tutors anyway… well, most of them.
So he had taken upon himself to teach her everything he knew, and this was his favorite story to read to her. Each time he opened it to the first page, her eyes would shine with excitement. Tracing a finger over the spine, he opened the cover and sifted through the thin pages, trailing to the end.
He could practically hear his sister now, 'C'mon Kristoff, one more time, pleeeease?'
'…She must be so big now.'
He smiled down at the article with wilted eyes growing misty until the jiggle of a knob snapped him back to the mess around. 'Shit. Lost track of time.' He could hear the king clear his throat, ready to present the pride and joy of his castle. Kristoff panicked, ducking behind the tallest shelf in a far corner, musky from lack of use as he jammed himself like a chameleon.
The door swung open and Kristoff shut his eyes, praying he wouldn't get caught. "Do make yourself co- What on earth!?" The young prince suppressed a chuckle, 'At least his reaction was worth it.' Between the rows of books, Kristoff pried an eye open, watching as the king surveyed his library in distaste, "I do apologize for this; my servants are usually on top of everything."
Kristoff couldn't get a good look at the other party, trying to stay hidden in the shadows that did him well as a cloaked figure moved passed the king and kicked away books. "I don't really care; I'm not here to admire your things." The prince recognized that voice anywhere, 'Elijah…?'
"We don't have much time to discuss this, shut the door."
The king harrumphed, ensuring privacy with the click of a door, "A bit impatient are we?"
Elijah ignored his comment, taking a seat and gesturing the king to take the other across from him, "Your daughter is due to marry my idiot brother when they are of age, yes?"
The short man brushed passed him, taking purchase opposite of him and clearing his throat, "In a few weeks, unfortunately…." Kristoff scoffed silently, rolling his eyes at the comment. He adjusted himself, slowly removing a book from the corner to get a better view of the two royals as Elijah leaned close and clicked his tongue as if tasting his next words.
"What if I told you we could subtract him from the equation?"
Kristoff's brows furrowed together, mouth twisting in confusion as he took a shaky breath. 'He's not seriously saying…'
"…Are you saying-"
With a wicked grin, Elijah chuckled, "To have my brother killed."
Kristoff's blood ran cold, eyes shooting open as his back went rigid. The air in the room grew tense and for a long moment the king remained silent. A beat passed before the man reacted; crinkling his nose with a raised brow as if the idea actually intrigued him.
"What do you profit from this?" Kristoff's jaw dropped.
Emerald eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as Elijah reached for something in his cloak, revealing a small black notebook. He flipped through the pages, pressing his finger over the right one and trailing along a list of scribble with a gloved hand, "You see these names? If I execute them, I gain land, arms, and a crown…"
He snapped it shut when the short old man started digging his nose for more than was needed to be shared, jolting the king slightly, "…and become King to a kingdom no one would even dare think of touching, a dictatorship if you will."
The king leaned back, brushing a finger atop his well groomed mustache, "And if I comply?"
Kristoff thought this all to be a bad joke, a cliché scene in a book, cynical mustache twisting and all. But the more he listened, the more it became a reality. He took shaky breaths behind his hand, trying to keep quiet. Gods know what would happen if he were caught.
Elijah hummed in approval, "We shall be partners, our trade market would boom and our enemies will cower. I'm already sending off my siblings to forge alliances… well it's being sold as an alliance, at the end of the day I will own them all."
"Except for Weselton, which shall remain mine?" His nasally voice carried a small hint of a threat behind it.
Elijah didn't waver, "As long as you are loyal to the Southern Isles should we need aid, you'll be an extension of my leadership."
"Sounds appealing enough, how will this be done?"
Kristoff's eyes darted back and forth between them, observing the way Elijah easily manipulated the king in such short time, "I'll have him assassinated on the day of his wedding; make it seem like some bandits wrecking havoc for some jewels and wedding presents."
"To hide your tracks."
The prince grinned almost predatorily, "Precisely."
"I will see to it that Kristoff dies, no matter the situation... This just so happens to be more convenient for myself."
The room was quiet again and a building pressure started to suffocate Kristoff as he prayed for some sort of mercy with every silent minute. "Do we have a deal, your Majesty?" Elijah persisted, sugar coating his words with a confident smirk.
Whatever hope Kristoff still had was snuffed out as he watched his future father-in-law smile in return and shake Elijah's hand, "That we do." The young prince slumped against the shelf in defeat, 'How can this be happening?'
"I have one question though, why Kristoff? He's not in line before you and you could still have an alliance if my daughter marries him, why go through all this trouble?" The young prince chanced a glance back up, eyes narrowing into slits as he watched his brother's casual demeanor with disgust.
Elijah simply shrugged his shoulders, "He's always been a nuisance to me, better to be rid of him than to have an uprising. Do you doubt me?"
The King stood and brushed invisible wrinkles from his uniform, "No, do what you will with him." They smiled at one another once more, satisfied with the result of their business meeting as their countdown began.
Everything faded out from there, Kristoff didn't even remember hearing them leave. All he knew was that he was alone with his thoughts and the haunting truth that his brother and future in-law were plotting to kill him. It wasn't enough to send him away; he had to die too? Elijah had one thing right, Kristoff would be an issue of revolution and he always had been even as young kids.
He thumped his head back with a grunt, hitting it against a shelf and biting his teeth through the pain. He jumped when a heavy book fell over and collided with his head. The prince winced, rubbing his fingers through his sandy locks with a groan. Biting his lip, he eyed the faded cover, head tilting a bit to read the nearly faded title. Magic and Sorcery.
He slowly reached for it, looking up to find where it had fallen from. It was dusty and worn, clearly never looked at in all these years, yet every other book was at least dusted off. This one though seemed to be avoided like the plague.
The spine cracked after being opened from year of isolation, straining to hold the thin pages together. They were yellowed and worn, some even stuck together. After much inspecting, Kristoff guessed the book to be about enchantresses and sorcerers, something he had remembered hearing about as a boy but refusing to believe.
He never understood it, but his father always believed in the magic of trolls and forces of nature so he indulged himself. There were spells and stones, but they weren't written as stories. They were facts, recipes, and written for an older audience. He skimmed through a few more topics, delving into any form of distraction in hopes to find something that would save his life or sanity. No matter how illogical it may have seemed at the time. Some people pray to the gods, some look for miracles, some rely on pointless relics, while others do nothing.
Frankly, Kristoff couldn't stand the idea of waiting around like cattle, not after what he had heard. It seemed crazy, but in his desperation he scooped up the book and hid it under his belt. He didn't have much time before a servant would find him here. Kristoff nearly stepped out before hesitating, walking back to his earlier hiding spot and taking another keepsake. The Princess & the Frog.
It was the closest thing he had in memory to Anna, and if he couldn't see her till his doom day, then he'd keep something close by. With a final glance he left the library and dashed to his room, thoughts running rampant with impossible ways to get out of this.
When Nina was first told she was betrothed to Kristoff, she didn't know what to really expect. She remembered when she first met him, a tall young boy with shaggy blonde hair in a crinkled shirt, soggy from sea water as he hoisted one of his bags over his shoulder.
At first glance, Nina thought he was one of the training staff from the ship until he introduced himself. The princess was a bit stunned as he gave a gracious bow with practiced ease, gently taking her hand and tickling her knuckles with a kiss. He was different compared to most nobles, genuine and kindhearted.
She had been filled with wonder ever since then. He took time to actually talk and listen, to bring her out of her every day routines of simply smiling a looking pretty. Through the years they had grown comfortable, spending most of their time with each other and admiring the way age was defining them for the better.
Nina couldn't help but steal a glance every time they were together, his jaw line becoming more defined as he grew taller, shoulders getting bigger as he walked with a confident stride now. Often enough he'd glance back, not only was Nina an incredibly beautiful girl becoming a woman, there was something about her that clicked with the young prince.
He'd never have to worry about being bored if she was around, if anything, he was paranoid that she would grow bored of him. He loved how intelligent she was, enjoying their games of chess. Her gaze always scanning the board as he would scan the way her eyes would narrow before she made a move… watching the way her lips would slightly part. She was more than he could have expected, hoping he'd never lose her interest even if they were obligated to wed.
So he always came up with things to do just to spend time with her and see her laugh, different ways to make their time fun. Random strolls in forbidden or forgotten parts of the palace, an unplanned horse riding trip (which her father wasn't too fond of,) or an escapade to the kitchens in search for sweets as if they were children again, taking the chance to hold her hand as they snuck around. Kristoff had always found happiness with his family, but Nina gave him hope of finding that same happiness with her.
Their relationship was more than what it seemed, it was an under layer of friendship, stuck together with trust and affection. She couldn't have been more grateful as the years flew by, growing a bit nervous and giddy when their wedding was suddenly around the corner.
Like any other morning, she had made herself presentable, waiting for Kristoff at the breakfast table and waving off his tardiness as his usual fault. Nina watched the clock as she realized she hadn't actually seen him since yesterday afternoon, a frown gracing her lips. She eyed his empty spot, sighing to herself as she finished the rest of her meal without his company. Meanwhile her father babbled about raising taxes and other political nonsense he had in mind until he finally left.
Finally free to roam, she headed towards Kristoff's room, ready to confront his absence. With a light knock she jiggled the knob, giving him enough time to invite her in before she passed the threshold. He had his elbows over his desk, mulling over a few books as he scribbled a note.
"Good morning, Kris. Was punctuality not your forte while growing up?" She teased and he could hear the smile in her tone, turning slowly with an easy grin, "Sorry, I just wanted to get this letter sent to Anna." She hummed in understanding resting her chin over his head as he resumed his writing.
"Everything okay?"
He gave a curt nod, "Yea, I just miss her."
Her nails raked lightly at his shoulders as she left her hands there comfortingly, "How is she?"
"She seems well, hasn't grown out of her babbling habit, it's even in her letters," he chuckled as he thought back on the last letter she had sent him, nearly three pages long.
"Hm, I can't wait to meet her," Nina tilted her head, resting her cheek over his soft locks as she scanned over books and loose pages sprawled messily. "Light reading?"
"What?" His eyes followed hers, "Oh… yea, just getting into a new topic."
"About?"
He inhaled briefly, trying not to think about his conspirators and taking one of her hands in his, "Old magic and folklores. I came across it in a dusty old section... something to take my mind off of things."
"That's not something I've ever read, mind if I…?" She trailed off, pointing at the side notes on a marked off page. Before she could reach it, he stood up abruptly, "Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to go for a walk?"
She raised her brows at him, watching his passive expression. There was a moment of tense silence between them with his question still hanging in the air along with her hand still reaching for the book. Her fingers twitched, curiosity teething at the edges of her mind until she relented and smiled, "Alright, I'm sure you're hungry, we could pass through the kitchens?"
He smirked, "You know me too well." Kristoff tucked the finished letter in his pocket and closed the books shut as he tried to organize his desk, hiding away his messy scribbles. He faced her again, not meeting her soft brown eyes as he held out his elbow for her to take. With practiced ease, they slipped beside each other and made their way out. Nina gave a final glance at his desk before he shut the door. 'It's nothing; he's just being Kristoff…'
Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He seemed too stiff and pensive, not fitting him at all. "Are you sure you're alright?" Hazel eyes gazed down at her, warmth spreading to his cheeks as he stopped their trail and leaned down for a chaste kiss. She was taken aback, eyes widening at the sudden contact before she gave in. It ended as quickly as it had started.
With a goofy grin, he chuckled, "I'm just happy with what I have right now." Resuming their walk, she couldn't help but feel the hidden urgency in his words, mournful even. She didn't press, not wanting to ruin their moment with her paranoia. One way or another, she'd find out.
Running a hand through his sandy locks, Kristoff leaned back in his chair as he looked over his notes. He had been at it for months, figuring out an escape clause or a miracle while he tried to keep to himself. The more time he had spent with reviewing the book, the harder he found it was to hide it from Nina.
He loved her, but how could he involve her in something that she didn't need to get into? How can he say her father was plotting to kill him? It wasn't simple, so he had to find a new spot to hide the article every night, knowing she'd come looking for it. Nina wasn't stupid and Kristoff knew when she realized something was off, so the best he could do was distract her with their little moments that they had left. To give her this blissful ignorance while he still could.
"C'mon there has to be something…"
Now he was on the cusp of an answer that was both improbable and reckless, running out of options, it was the best he had found that didn't rely on being born with magic. He ran his finger along the dotted instructions, a series of ingredients that required his blood, herbs, a personal trinket, and a magical talisman of some sort.
He was desperate, wracking his brain on ways to even obtain something of magical quality. It just didn't make sense to him, he was a practical thinker. Something in the back of his mind kept nagging at his brain, the small logical corner that knew no matter which book he read or what plan he'd come up with, he was going to die. On the edge of death people turn to religion, deities, or rash rays of hope. For Kristoff, he turned to the possibility of magic because he didn't know what else to do and if there were Gods on his side, they were surely being cruel to him. All he could rely on was a life after death… something he had to take for himself. 'I could run...'
'I will see to it that Kristoff dies, no matter the situation...'
He slammed the book shut in frustration. Kristoff nearly had each item but it wasn't enough. He'd gone into town, checked in with every merchant and found nothing out of the ordinary that could help him. With only one day left, he wasn't sure how much more effort he could muster. As far as he could see, the only happiness coming out of tomorrow was seeing his family one last time.
Giving another sigh, he grabbed the book and swaddled it in cloth. He tucked it under a pried floor board, pushing aside the bag of ingredients he had ready, vials and bottles clinked against one another. Taking a last look at his efforts, he pushed the board back into place.
'... There has to be something out there.'
-Day before Royal Wedding-
The first of ships had already docked and people from around the world began pouring in with the sun high in the sky. The ringing in Kristoff's ears seemed to block out the sounds of palace gossip as royals walked about. He was in a state of melancholia, hiding away in his room. From his window, he watched his home flag dance in the wind and the small figures of his brothers and sister as they disembarked. A lump formed in his throat, guilt crawling up his lungs.
Kristoff knew he should've been there, to have welcomed them with a big smile instead of strangers. He just couldn't manage to hold up a façade. Nina had checked in on him several times, to the point where he lied about feeling ill. Even then, it wasn't entirely untrue, stomach twisting in knots as he imagined what kind of death was coming. Would it be quick? Will it hurt? What'll be my last thought?
He waited for the sun to set, cooling the night with a crisp breeze as Kristoff walked along the docks for fresh air and privacy. Not wanting to stay cooped up in his room and not willing to join the party for. His boots clunked against the wood, creaking in time as docked ships bobbed along the ocean. He stopped by the end, letting his feet dangle over the edge as he leaned back on his arms and looked to the sky. Memories of his childhood flooded him, happy ones when Anna would pounce on him in the glades or their thieving of the kitchens. 'I should be with her… I'm being a coward.'
It was peaceful, gazing at the stars shining in the sky, delicately placed like doting freckles. He hadn't noticed the lone ship of Arendelle coming closer to dock until they rang their bell. 'Oh, nice timing… I guess.' He stood reluctantly with a warming smile, the best he could conjure, and waved to the oncoming ship. Once they docked, the king and queen emerged from the top deck. Waiting for the gangplank to be lowered with calm expressions, the plank hit the dock with a thud. They descended carefully but paused as the queen looked back.
A young girl with blonde hair tied behind her shuffled her feet on the top deck, clutching a pair of gloves in her hands. The queen nodded encouragingly and the young girl brandished the gloves, timidly following behind them. Kristoff peeked from behind the royals, offering the girl a friendly wave. She blushed and hid further behind her mother's skirt.
He shrugged and regarded the royals, "You must be King Adgar and Queen Idunn, welcome to Weselton."
He gave a curt bow and looked up, meeting the baby blues of the princess once more, in a much softer tone he greeted her, "and you must be Princess Elsa, I think you'll get along with my sister if given the chance."
She relented and gave him a smile before looking down. The royals were impressed by Kristoff's warming charm and were happily led inside, enjoying his presence even if he was the only one to greet them. They half expected it, seeing as late as they were, and half hoping for it. They didn't need everyone in their business, rumors did enough of that and they had worked so hard to bring Elsa out of the comfort of Arendelle.
"They just seated everyone for dinner if you'd like to join the party," Kristoff gave them the option with enough room to accept their refusal.
Adgar looked to his daughter and understood the nervous bite of her lip, he cleared his throat, "Thank you, but we're all very tired from the trip and the scare the weather had brought us, we'd like to retire for the night if that's possible."
Kristoff didn't miss a beat, "Certainly, two conjoined rooms have been arranged for you and your family." His voice gave a soft echo through the castle.
"The servants are probably busy at the moment, but I'd be happy to deliver supper for you if you'd like." Idunn smiled at that, "That's very kind of you but we wouldn't want to inconvenience you."
He chuckled, "I wouldn't mind it at all."
She bowed her head slightly in appreciation, "We're alright, but I'm sure Elsa could use a hot meal?" The princess nodded hesitantly, causing Kristoff to smile once more at her behavior. 'Not the talkative type.'
He made sure they were situated in their rooms with their belongings before heading toward the kitchens. He wasn't sure what the princess liked, so he put together a little bit of everything they were serving for dinner, and a small plate of desserts in case of a sweet tooth. The halls were quiet as he carried the tray to Elsa's room, rapping his knuckles along the door he was met with more silence. He did it once more before deciding to check the knob with a twist.
The door opened slowly, revealing the princess sitting by the window as she moved her hands around a floating ice sculpture in the making. Kristoff stilled for a moment, not truly believing what he was seeing. Snowflakes danced around her fingers as she hummed a tune to herself completely lost in her magic. 'Magic.'
This was proof of what Kristoff had been studying for weeks now, magic was real and he was witnessing it first hand. It gave him hope, as he placed the tray slowly on her bed and walked closer.
"That's beautiful…"
He regretted his words as she gasped in fear, causing the sculpture to shatter against the wood floor. She panted, holding her hands to her chest and pushing herself into the corner of the window like a scared animal.
He got down to one knee, trying to calm her, "Hey, hey, it's okay. I-I'm sorry I scared you, I… I won't tell anyone, okay?"
She watched him warily as he held up his hands in surrender, she wasn't sure if she could trust him but his apology shined through his eyes and it at least calmed her breathing. He took it as a good sign and tried again, "I brought you dinner…"
He looked to his feet, picking up a piece of the shattered ice skeptically and gazing back at her, sharing a long silence, "Look, um… your secret is safe with me, princess."
Kristoff stood slowly and backed up to the door, "I just want to add… that's a pretty cool gift you got there, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Elsa tilted her head at his words and he flashed a genuine smile for the first time all day. It was infectious and she nearly smiled herself before looking away, finding the situation awkward enough. He was still a stranger to her, even if he was a nice one.
Kristoff didn't linger, closing the door softly, he wished her a good night and strode to his room with more gusto than intended. 'Magic is real.' He reached into his pocket, holding out the ice he had taken and watching it glimmer. He nearly kissed the damn thing, stuffing it back in his pocket as he swung his door open. Reaching to the corner of his room, he kneeled down and pried up the floor board, nearly splintering his hands from excitement.
He reached for the bag shoved under the wood floors, smiling widely at the shard once more before tossing it in and grabbing his books. Kristoff swiftly moved to the kitchens, finding it empty and grateful they were using a separate wing to cater their guests. Setting a pot of water to boil he began dispensing the herbs he gathered, rubbing them between his fingers to ground them out.
If this went well then he didn't really have to say goodbye to anyone. In one movement, he swiped a blade over his wrist, letting his blood filter into the pot and changing the shade to a darker color. He quickly wrapped up his wrist, tying a knot over the wound and hiding it under the sleeve of his shirt. The prince still needed to add a personal item and the shard of ice.
From under his belt he pulled out a smaller book, the one that reminded him of Anna. He smiled at the article, ripping the last page and watching in fascination as the crumpled paper burned and changed the color of the concoction gray.
One thing was left. Making sure everything else was already mixed, he dropped the shard and the boiling water steamed. It stilled, chilling the potion and giving it a thick honey-like texture. He whirled it around, watching it go from a bright blue to a dull grey.
Rereading the page once more, he nodded in approval; it should work if he'd done everything right. Grabbing a cup from the cupboard, he poured it all in, letting the thick mixture settle as he raised the glass to examine it at eye-level, "Please... please work."
He wasn't sure who he was talking to, but the shiver running down his spine told him someone was listening. Without a second thought, he chugged the bile drink, squeezing his eyes shut as the nasty liquid burned down his throat. He struggled to keep it down, his stomach already disagreeing with it. Pinching his nose, he gulped the last bit with a cough. He gagged, choking on the taste as he washed it down with some water.
'Keep it down, keep it down, keep it down.'
He waited for a few minutes, not feeling any different until a chill ran through his entire body, freezing over his chest. It was a sharp pain, searing his nerves before he finally collapsed from nausea. He felt like he was drowning, water suffocating his lungs or clogged with something sticky. Kristoff tried to call out, voice failing him as he choked over his words.
The pain moved straight to his heart, wrapping around it in a constricting manner. He started to convulse in random spasms as he curled in on himself, lying in a cold sweat. His body didn't calm for a long while, fighting the potion and whimpering until he finally blacked out.
…
Son of royal blood, give me your name. It was a deep voice, the only thing Kristoff heard in the pitch darkness. He looked around fruitlessly, meeting darkness in every corner.
"Who's there?" Whispers echoed around him, almost hissing at him until the voice spoke again.
Give me your name.
His palms felt sweaty under the pressure of this… being? He wasn't exactly sure who he was in the presence of, but their energy felt heavy and it weighed on his shoulders. With a shaky breath, he licked his lips hesitantly, "… Kristoff… Westerguard."
What is it you desire, Kristoff Westerguard?
He waited a beat, hairs standing on end as his name echoed slowly in his ear, almost tauntingly. "Life… and revenge."
Your request has been heard.
…
He woke up still lying on the hard floor, confused and sweaty. The pain in his chest was merely a dull throb, more of a discomfort lodged in his chest, but otherwise, he felt fine. He slowly sat up wiping his forehead and noting his surroundings, it was still night out and he could faintly still hear the clinking of silverware. 'They're probably still having dinner if no one came looking for me…' He looked down to himself, 'Nothing looks different… but I definitely feel something…'
Another glass clink drew him out of his repertoire, "I better leave."
He couldn't do anything else about the potion, it'll either work or not, but there was nothing left for him to do. With a quick once over, he cleaned himself up and headed to the dining hall hoping his family wasn't too upset with him. He didn't have much time left for them to be fighting either way.
-Day of Royal Wedding-
"KRISTOFF!"
The young prince didn't expect to feel this kind of pain. He had hoped it would've been swift, like falling asleep, but of course Elijah spared no mercy. Even with hired help. He clutched at his chest, a burning discomfort of several arrows protruding through the soft flesh behind his suit as he cried out and stumbled.
Grinding his teeth together, the room spun as he tried to grip something tangible. Failing miserably, he yanked a cloth down from the nearest table and collapsed to the floor. He heard screams all around, the rumbling of people stampeding out of the chapel, benches falling over. Sticking out over the rest was Anna. In the midst of all the noise and pain, the soft touch of her hands caressing his face was soothing. She brushed the hair out of his face as he blinked up, watching the tears stream down her face.
'Please don't cry, Anna.'
It was just yesterday. Her face had lit up the room when he finally showed up, his brothers joked around as if time hadn't passed and everything seemed timeless. Even Nina joined the siblings as they all bonded and shared stories. Now Anna's face was the epitome of suffering, the tears streaking her freckled cheeks as she hiccupped.
He tried to speak but his lungs were punctured and all he could do was cough up the crimson that stained his quivering lips. There was a weight against his belly and he could faintly hear his brother crying for him. Kristoff wheezed, licking his lips with the taste of metal fresh on his tongue. "A-A-An… Ann," he coughed once more expelling the liquid in his lungs pointlessly. She leaned closer, caressing his cheek as she tried to hush him, "I- I'm here Kristoff…"
His body was running cold and the pain in his chest had numbed out, spreading to the tips of his fingers. 'S-Something's wrong.'
A fear gnawed at his stomach as he felt himself waver, everything fleeting. He wasn't ready to die, his confidence left him as he realized this was it. Whether if the spell worked or not he was going to die and this may be the last time he would ever see or speak to his sister. He reached up, his fingers sliding over her cheek while blood smeared on her face. She was so warm compared to him.
His mouth felt like cotton, run dry as his heart stuttered a beat, "U-Until… th-the day… I-I die…"
She searched his face, processing his final goodbye as he smiled up at her. 'I'm sorry, Anna. I love you.' He wanted to say so much more, but he couldn't. Her face blurred into a contortion of nothing and the ringing in his ears grew louder. His arm dropped and with a final breath, his chest rumbled before he fell limp against his sister.
Anna screamed out, her heart breaking as she fell beside him. Unaware, Kristoff's soul latched on to the first loving connection it found and tied itself to his sister. They had become forever connected and when Anna would wake, she would feel another beat in her heart. It would be quieter and discreet, but there nevertheless and it would never die so long as Anna kept on living.
The body of Kristoff Westerguard was laid to rest beneath the soil within the borders of Weselton.
...
What is your name?
He sat up slowly, observing his surroundings and meeting darkness once more. It was comforting, like greeting a long lost friend. He stood, relishing in the energy that permeated around him. He felt the same energy pumping in his veins.
What is your name?
Acknowledging the source of such energy, he tried to think of his name. 'Kristoff.' "Kristoff Westerguard was my name… but, that man is dead."
Then tell me. What is your real name, son of darkness?
It came as quickly as the first name, "… Clay."
What do you desire most, Clay?
With a toothy grin he breathed, "...To extract fear."
…
There was a moment of peace. The moonlight illuminated the stone on Kristoff's grave, casting a shadow over the fresh dirt that began to shift. The gravedigger on site wasn't paying attention to the burning soil as dark tendrils slithered up from the earth, too distracted with shoveling up dirt for another ceremony tomorrow. The snakes of tar brought decay around them, consuming everything as they stacked themselves atop one another.
Continuously, they bubbled up until a figure was made from the black magic. A tall ominous being rose, covered in the slick goop. The tar began to drip down from thick locks of hair as figure began to wipe his face. He groaned, rolling his neck as his bones popped in relief. Blinking a few times, he registered his surroundings looking down at the stone before him. 'Westerguard…'
He didn't feel a connection to the name anymore, more of a memory than anything. He remembered what it was like to be Kristoff Westerguard, to have been the promised prince to the kingdom of Weselton. The obligations, the raw emotions he had felt. The way his betrothed made him react, the way his brother morphed him into this. Born from rage and death, Elijah drove him this way.
The lingering thought made his lips curl back into a snarl, his obsidian eyes narrowing as his hands twitched. For years Elijah had made him suffer and Kristoff wanted nothing more than to return the favor. Only, Clay would be the one to deliver the sentence, it would be long and well worth it.
A shuffle of dirt nearby caught his attention. The gravedigger was mumbling to himself, still stuck in a hole as he tossed the shovel back up so he could crawl out. Clay's hands twitched again, a dark smoke emerging from his palms with an unnatural hunger to feed coursing through his veins.
He opened his hands, letting the power ooze out freely and putting his magic to the test. The gargling sounds of muffled cries echoed from the grave just a few feet beyond, all the while, Clay began to smile.
'And so it begins…'
A/N: As always, don't be shy to PM or drop a review. Also I'm not posting any replies to reviews just on this chapter, so next chapter I'll have lengthy replies for all those who left a review. Thanks for your support and I really do enjoy every minute of it. Till next time! -FW
P.S.- those who stuck around, thanks for not jumping ship.
