He had managed to convince the new jailer that, with his bad arm, he was no longer a threat. It'd taken several days and numerous examples of him dropping his food with his right hand, but the idiot had finally released his chains. When the morning guard came in, he'd smashed his head against the wall. The dungeons were apparently being staffed lighter, as the daytime guard was the only one down there today.
Now, Gunnar slipped through the secret passageways he'd been forced to memorize before the attack months ago. His destination was ahead. He had what Hans had wanted him to get before, so all he had to do was slip onto this ship unnoticed, then make contact with the captain and convince the man to drop him at his final destination, where Hans would be waiting. He could promise the man anything he wanted, and Hans would pay it for what he carried.
"Thank you so much for your help these last two months, Anna," Rapunzel said with a smile as she embraced her cousin. "You'll be a great mom someday. Thank you for helping me learn how to be one."
"It's been a pleasure. I wish you all the best," Anna replied, smiling brightly. "You picked a beautiful name for her. She's up in the nursery?"
"Yes. Sleeping soundly. Lisbeth is such a little angel," Rapunzel remarked, the love for her daughter very evident.
Eugene sighed and wrapped an arm around Rapunzel's waist. "Yes, she is. I never thought I'd be a family man, yet here I stand. Good luck to both of you," he said as he shook Kristoff's outstretched hand. "And give Nik and Elsa our regards."
"We will. It's been great seeing Corona," Kristoff replied. "But we really must get back to Arendelle. Who knows what my assistants have done to the ice trade in my absence. And I miss Sven. Perhaps we can come back again soon."
With that, he and Anna boarded the ship. As it slowly picked up speed and moved out to sea, they waved one final time to their hosts, then retired to their quarters. Kristoff still wasn't too comfortable on a boat, preferring his sled and reindeer or his own two feet. They settled in for the several day voyage.
A few hours later, Eugene rushed into the nursery, a worried expression on his face. "Blondie, what is it? The servant said..." his voice trailed off when he saw her standing on the other side of Lisbeth's crib, staring down into it while she cried. He approached slowly, and what he saw made his heart drop. Or rather, what he DIDN'T see.
"It's happening again," Rapunzel cried, unable to meet his eyes. "Our daughter's been stolen." She sank to her knees, and Eugene quickly moved around the crib to pick her up and hold her. He'd just sat down on the couch, cradling her, when the Captain of the castle garrison ran in.
"Your Majesties!" he breathed harshly, having ran the whole way there. "Gunnar has escaped!" With those words, Eugene's heart dropped further; they all knew exactly who had the little Princess. Where he was taking her, on the other hand, remained unanswered. Another horrifying thought crossed his mind, and he squeezed Rapunzel tighter.
"We have to send word to Arendelle," Eugene whispered. "Nik and Elsa need to know. Anna and Kristoff might not make it home."
Gunnar had promised the captain quite a bit, and he hoped Hans could deliver. Once he found out the Princess of Arendelle and her husband were on board, he knew Hans would want them as well. He had to make sure they disembarked with him. Things might finally be turning around for his master, too.
He'd managed to keep his package quiet for the trip so far, mostly by staying in the cargo hold away from anyone else. The captain had just informed him that they were about a day from his destination; it was now time to secure those two as well. He smiled as he walked silently along the halls of the ship; he had a meeting to get to. He hoped his package would stay quiet for just a little longer.
Kristoff jumped up and moved in front of Anna when the door to their quarters burst open. Several armed men charged into the room, slamming him into the wall and pinning his arms, tying them behind his back. Anna had likewise struggled, but her arms were bound as well. Kristoff kicked out at the nearest man, only to be hit in the back of the head hard. His head thumped against the wall, and he leaned into it, dazed.
"Any more outbursts like that, and a throbbing head will be the least of your worries," one of the men told them. "Now be good little kids and follow along," he told them and pushed them both forward.
"What's the meaning of this?" Anna demanded as they were ushered through the ship. "You're aware that I am the Princess of Arendelle, and by extension the North? My sister and her husband will NOT stand for this! Release us, or face their wrath!"
They entered the Captain's quarters as she said the last. The Captain stood to the side, watching them enter. His face was completely impassive, and he refused to meet Anna's eyes when she glared at him. Behind the Captain's desk, Gunnar stood. "That's the general idea, my dear," he sneered. "You'll be perfect bait to lure the King to Hans, where he'll be destroyed."
"You're no match for him, or my sister!" Anna bluffed, her eyes boring into the giant soldier. She knew Elsa's powers were gone, but she hoped this monster was unaware. "The two of them will easily stop the two of you. Did you forget the last time you crossed their path?"
Gunnar smiled. "I know your sister is powerless. And I doubt your King will use his power in full against us. Corona will also fall; I have ensured that for my master. We have one other card to play." With that, he turned and lifted a bundle. He held it up with his left arm, his right shaking as he pulled down the top of the cloth.
Rapunzel's daughter looked out at them. Kristoff and Anna gasped. "How? She was in her nursery asleep when we left!" Anna cried, a confused look on her face.
"A doll. It's amazing how dull a nanny can be. I'm not the most intelligent, as I'm just a soldier, but I'm smart enough to know when a babe is not a babe," he commented, an evil smile on his face. "By now, word of her disappearance should have reached your King and Queen. They should also know that you two have been taken as well. When we land, both kingdoms will be sent messages that they are to surrender their thrones to the Southern Isles and Hans, or they will never see any of you again. Not alive anyway," he laughed. "Take them below!"
Once in their cell, Kristoff and Anna huddled in a corner. "What do we do, Kristoff? Do you think Elsa and Nik will give in?" She looked up at him, tears starting to well in her eyes.
"I don't know, Anna," he admitted as he looked down into her teal eyes. "But I'm sure they'll think of something." With that, he pulled her close and held her as she cried.
