Chapter 36

~ Not Going Anywhere ~

Anna sat alone in what used to be her sisters room. Hans had been using her old room as an office, Elsa was now forced to stay with him. So she was either there or being forced to work in the study. Arendelle had been under the impression Anna, Elsa and Erynn had all died. Only Erynn's body was retrieved, when in reality Hans had just executed him.

He was using Elsa to do all the work she had done before as Queen. So he could relax yet receive all the credit. Anna was confined to the castle, she was allowed to go see Elsa very seldom for a short amount of time.

"Princess Anna." A man stepped inside the room, she recognized him the Captain of The Guard, as appointed by Elsa. Hans probably had someone else in the position now.

"How did you get here? Does Hans know?" she whispered softly.

"I am your sisters Escort, I take her wherever she is needed." he paused. "Well, Archer was injured... Hans has me escorting her around now I guess I was just in the right place when he decided who was to take the position. He is very very particular about Elsa, he's almost obsessed with her, like his little pet."

Anna stared at him sadly "I know, I feel so bad for my sister, he is using her and it's breaking her down. She's more miserable every time I see her." the Princess spoke with a deep sadness in her voice. "I love her so much and I can't stand to see her like this."

"Anna, Elsa has always wanted to keep you safe, so I am going to listen to her wishes and get you out of the castle. Three hours ago, Elsa received a letter from Kristoff he has returned from his trip finally able to get back into Arendelle. He will be waiting for us near the edge of the village."

Anna looked as if she were about to start sobbing. "I've missed him so much!" she confessed to the Captain. "Oh Elsa will be so happy! We finally get to go out..." Anna stated speaking dreamily looking up at the celling.

The Captain of the Guard stopped her. "Anna." he began in a serious tone. "Elsa will not be coming with us, she's with Hans too much and we won't be able to get her away from him. She has to stay here, but you are leaving with Kristoff during the night. She needs you to be safe."

It took no time for Anna to feel her heart break again. "But... He, he will torment her, and use her and hurt her!" the Princess stammered crying softly.

"If Elsa knows you are safe she can fight back without the fear of having them hurt you."

"She won't do it, Elsa has been broken... Hans destroyed her, and her life. Those walls she put up were finally torn down and now... Now her life is crashing down around her those walls are being built up again its like she's suffocating. I can't just leave her like that and expect everything to turn out okay... Not even to see Kristoff. This is not some petty argument this is a war and If Elsa doesn't come nor do I so you better figure out a plan to save the both of us... I need my sister I won't leave her here to continue dying inside." Anna looked at him slight anger apparent in her face, yet her strong voice held a stern tone. Surprising the captain of the guard he seemed quite shocked for a moment before her began to speak once more.

"Anna, you don't understand what your sister needs. There is no reason for you to stay here. You have a way out, tonight when the shift change happens and the guards at your door will be absent a few minutes I will sneak you out of the room, be dressed in the Royal guard outfit so you will be less noticeable , it's in your closet. Nobody will be able to see you clearly since it will be dark, don't bring any source of light or anything that could make noise."

Anna shook her head. "I need Elsa! She needs to get out of here."

The Captain looked at Anna sympathetically. "I am doing all I can to assist Elsa, what she really wants is your safety. She doesn't want to take any risks until she is sure you are safe. The captain looked at Anna with a sad face breathing slowly making sure he locked his eyes onto hers. "Anna, I know it's difficult to leave your sister behind... But if she knows you're safe she will be happy."

"What if Hans hurts her! Or what if she gets sick" Anna paused raising her voice. Speaking in an assertive tone. "I want to be there for her! I NEED to be there for her."

There was a long moment of silence, Then an idea came to the Captains mind he soon spoke up again. Voicing his idea quietly to Anna, trying not to be too loud. He told her what he was thinking. "I'm going to tell Elsa to make Hans think she's very sick. He might release her until she gets better again. He is far to self absorbed to take care of her in anyway. Personally I do not think he would want to chance himself getting sick by being around her. During that time we can try and get you both out of the Castle and ask The neighboring kingdoms to support us in reclaiming Arendelle and defeating Hans... Once they hear of what he has done they will not want somebody so corrupt ruling by them. It could cause much trouble in the future surely one of them will help us."

Anna smiled. "So Elsa is coming with us!" She cheered in a happy tone. "I'm not going anywhere without her. I know she cares about me, but she doesn't think I want to protect her as well. She is the Queen, but she's my sister." Anna spoke softly in a loving sort of tone. "And I love her, and I want her to know I will do absolutely anything for her." The Princess finished in sweet tone slowly rocking back and forth on her feet.

A few minutes later the Captain left Anna's room he walked down the hallway. Towards the study, it was the morning of another dreary day in the kingdom of Arendelle. The shining yellow glow of the sun was mostly blocked by a miserable grey that overtook the skies so often this time of year. He looked a a few of the men who stood in front of the doors. Hans usually had a few guards or soldiers stand near or outside them, to make sure Elsa did not go anywhere she was not supposed to.

When he entered the Captain saw the former Queen busy working quickly writing word after word on paper. He neared her and she looked up with a grim expression probably expecting Hans, yet as soon as their eyes locked Elsa managed to give him a small smile.

"Elsa." he whispered. "I have a plan that might work, one that could get both you and your sister out of the Castle, away from Hans and to a safer place where we can efficiently plan and carry out a way for you to gain back the Kingdom and take your rightful place as Queen."

Elsa sighed. "I may not be Queen by legal documentation. But these are still my people I should not abandon them out of my own selfish reasons."

"Look Elsa, your sister needs you and you won't be abandoning anyone. In order for you to reclaim the throne we need a plan. The only way to do that is to get you and Anna to safety. A nearby Kingdom that could help us with this problem. Surely there is one of them willing to assist us during a time like this."

Elsa exhaled deeply frustrated and slightly annoyed. "Fine, tell me your plan. Might as well hear it if I'm going to be participating in such activities."

"I want you to Pretend you're growing very sick the next time Hans comes to see you. Edith will confirm you are indeed very ill. Lay on the couch over there and look like you're dying or something." The Captain suggested gesturing to the blue couch underneath the window. "Hopefully he won't make you sleep with him tonight for fear of getting sick himself. When shift changes and the guards leave their posts for a few moments I will come collect you and your sister. I wish for the both of you to be dressed in the Royal Arendelle guard uniform. Already placed in the closet, they outfits will make you less noticeable to anyone who just passes by. Because it will be dark it shouldn't matter to much about your faces."

Elsa looked at him for a very long time. No words came from her mouth, nothing but a long drawn out silence. "Okay." she breathed. "But you understand if you fail Hans will Kill my sister. If anything happens focus on her, don't worry about me at all. If somebody starts to notice you get Anna away from here at all costs."