Author's note: Another chapter at least partially inspired by music. Once again, this one came from Skillet, this time their song 'Hero'. Because right now, Anna, Kristoff, and Lisbeth all need one that isn't afraid to risk his life.


Nik sat at the desk in their study, going over some papers while Elsa lounged on the couch reading. Suddenly, Kai hurried in without knocking. "Excuse my intrusion, Your Majesties," he apologized quickly, "but this just arrived directly from Corona. The messenger says it is of the utmost importance." He held out a letter, and Nik took it.

He opened it and read it quickly, then slammed his fist down on the desk hard enough to make Elsa and Kai both jump. She rose and went to him, while Kai took a few steps back toward the door. A reaction like that could only mean bad news, and the herald knew what could happen when tempers flared in this castle. "What does it say, Nik?" Elsa asked quietly, her hand resting on his shoulder, her voice quaking slightly.

Nik closed his eyes and laid the letter down. "Lisbeth has been kidnapped. And Gunnar has escaped," he said slowly. Then he turned and opened his eyes, meeting her open-mouthed stare. She saw the worry in his eyes immediately as the gold flecks swirled in his bluish green eyes. "They both disappeared the day Anna and Kristoff left for home."

Her heart sank. If this letter reached them before her sister and brother in law, then where were they? Fear filled her, and Nik rose and wrapped his arms around her. They were both sure they knew what happened. She leaned into his warmth and began to sob.


A day later, another troubling message arrived, this one verbally. "Your Majesties," Kai said as he led a man into the family dining room. He knew he was interrupting their dinner, but he had little choice; the man had been quite insistent. "This messenger just arrived." He met Nik's hard stare with a pale face. "He's from the Southern Isles."

The man didn't bow, but shouldered past Kai and began speaking. "I bring word from Prince Hans. He wishes to inform you that he has Princess Anna and the ice harvester, along with Princess Lisbeth of Corona," he began, an air of superiority to his voice. "To ensure their safety, he demands that both Kingdoms be turned over to his rule." He paused and looked at Elsa with a devious smile. "He also demands that you denounce your marriage as a sham, and take him as your husband and King."

Nik stood and stared at the messenger as the man spoke, his anger rising, and his magic with it. Aksel and Johan both tensed as the air charged, but it was Elsa's reaction that reminded him that killing the messenger would get him nowhere.

"No!" Elsa shouted as she rose. "He can't do this! He can't just kidnap them all! And I will NOT denounce my marriage! Nik, what do we do?" She turned to Nik and clung to him, tears welling in her eyes; she was scared for her sister, Kristoff, and little Lisbeth. She couldn't believe Hans could manage a kidnapping of this scale. They all knew he could scheme, but no one expected this.

The messenger bowed finally before he answered her. "The answer is simple. To accept his terms and save your family, you are to travel to the Southern Island and marry him." The arrogant smile on his face widened as he spoke.

Nik held Elsa, standing in front of their chairs. He looked at the Southern Isles man with a glassy stare, his magic boiling just below the surface. "You are fortunate that I don't send blood messages," he told the messenger coldly. To Kai, he ordered, "Kai, see this man back to his ship. If he gives you any trouble, see him to the dungeon." Kai nodded quickly, and escorted the man from the room, closing the door behind them.

Elsa still held on to his shirt, sobbing. "Shhh, Elsa, love," he soothed her, his hand slowly caressing her back. "Now that we know where they are, I think I have a plan." Still holding her, he looked at Johan and Aksel. "Collect Harold. We need inside knowledge of the castle they're being held at. We're going to get them out," he assured them all.


A few hours later, they were assembled in the Small Council chambers in the Arendelle castle. They gathered around the table, going over a map of the small island. "This is the same castle the meeting this spring was held at," Nik commented. "It was a fairly large castle, though much of it was falling apart. Where would he hold them, Harold?"

Harold considered for a moment, then replied, "Probably in the old cellars under the crumbling section here." He pointed toward an older section of the castle. "It's the area he was released in, and where he spent quite a bit of time preparing his plans. He may have brought his dark wizard there as well."

"Then that's where we will look. It's safe to presume they'll be expecting us," Nik thought aloud. "A large force will ensure we won't reach them alive. My thought is just a few of us, maybe four. A commando force, if you will." He looked around the room at his brothers, Elsa, and Harold. "Not you, Elsa. I will NOT endanger you or our child. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you. Besides, our kingdom needs a strong ruler. If I should fall, the people will look to you to protect and lead them."

Elsa nodded solemnly. "I don't like it, but I understand, love. I will stay here. I hope you return to me safely," she said as she wrapped her arms around him. She hated the thought of losing him.

Johan and Aksel looked at one another in silent communication, then turned to Nik. "You aren't going without us, Nik. We've stood by you in every other trial you've faced; it would be unacceptable to do otherwise now," Aksel told him, standing tall and placing his closed fist over his heart. "Our swords are yours forever." Johan nodded in silent agreement, copying his younger brother's salute.

Harold frowned, then spoke up, "I'll go as well. You'll need my knowledge of the castle. I used to play there often with Hans and the others, so I know it fairly well. I will stand against my brothers with you." He met Nik's gaze unflinchingly.

Nik looked around the room at the three men. He knew he could trust his brothers without question. He decided he would simply HAVE to trust Harold. The boy had been nothing but truthful, faithful, and loyal since his capture months ago. "So be it. We leave in the morning. Collect your things." He turned to Elsa and held her tightly. "I will return with all three of them, Elsa. I promise you," he said, then leaned down to kiss her.

She returned the kiss and clung to him, not wanting to let go. "See that you do, husband. Your child and I need you," she reminded him, then released him and retired to their rooms.


The next morning, Nik and his commando force slipped out of the harbor in the predawn fog on a small, unmarked vessel. Elsa hadn't seen him off on the dock, but had given him a very fond and memorable farewell in their room; he intended to return to her quickly. Nik called on his magic, bringing a strong wind that pushed them toward the southern island and the man who held their loved ones captive.

Elsa watched from the window of their room, her heart heavy watching him leave yet again. She clung to the hope that he would return soon with her sister. She couldn't bear the thought of her child never knowing its father.


The rain made the ground treacherous, but the thunderstorm was necessary to mask their approach. The thunder and rain concealed any sounds they might make, and the wind and flying debris provided adequate cover as they crept up the beach, since there were few trees. All four men had their swords at the ready in case they happened upon any sentries. So far there had been none.

They all followed Harold, who led them to a hidden door along the castle wall. It lead to a stairwell that wound up to the battlements and down to the cellars. The four men slipped inside, shaking the rain from their equipment. Nik indicated for Harold to lead, while Aksel brought up the rear. Nik and Johan strode along in the center of the group.

They arrived in the cellars, immediately noticing how warm it was. The heat felt almost unnatural, as cellars were usually damp and cold. As they slid down the hallway, Nik moved up beside Harold, his magic waiting at his fingertips. He wanted to be prepared for an immediate release in the event of an ambush.

Up ahead, they could hear the soft cries of a baby. They crept forward, Nik taking the lead. He approached an open door, using Frostbite's reflective blue blade as a mirror to peer around the corner. He could see a crib and an old woman sleeping in a rocker; a nurse, no doubt. He certainly didn't think Hans capable of caring for a child. The woman didn't stir as he crept around the corner, Johan and Aksel behind him. Harold stayed at the doorway to watch and listen for guards.

Aksel moved to the crib and lifted the girl from it, coddling her to calm her crying. "It's her," he whispered. "It's the little Princess of Corona." He held her protectively as he moved over to his eldest brother.

Johan quickly tied the old woman, covering her mouth with a swaddling cloth to keep her from screaming. "We come on behalf of Arendelle, the North, and Corona," he explained quietly, her eyes wide with terror. "We're here for the princesses. If you value your life, stay silent." Once she was secure, he moved by his brothers. "What do we do, Majesty?"

Nik thought quickly. "Get her to the ship, and move it to deeper waters immediately. Harold and I will continue searching for Anna and Kristoff. When we find them, we'll escape and a bolt of lightning will illuminate Frostbite to signal you. If the storm ends suddenly, make for Arendelle with all haste, for we've been captured. Get Lisbeth to safety."

Johan and Aksel nodded and made for the stairwell. Nik and Harold moved further into the cellars, where the temperature seemed to be getting warmer. They finally approached another doorway, where dim lighting and voices drifted out. Using Frostbite as a mirror again, Nik peered around the corner and caught a glimpse of Kristoff. "They're inside," he whispered to Harold.

"I know. I put them there," a familiar deep voice said from behind him. Nik turned just in time to avoid an awkwardly swung sword. He saw Harold sprawled on the floor, and looked up to see Gunnar, holding a sword in his left hand. "And you'll be joining them, if you live." He swung again.

Nik dodged quickly, then brought Frostbite around in a tight arc. He easily knocked Gunnar's sword aside, then brought his own back around and caught the big man in the side. Gunnar's lack of armor let the blade slice deep, and as Nik pulled it back, the man slumped over, spitting blood. The unfocused stare on the fallen soldier's face spoke of death.

Nik rushed into the room, his element of surprise lost. He looked around quickly, seeing no one but Kristoff and Anna, though there were many shadows he could not see into. He moved toward the two tied to chairs, intent on his mission. They would all escape to safety.

"Nik, behind you!" Anna yelled suddenly, just as the hilt of a sword hit him in the back of the head. He collapsed to his hands and knees, Frostbite clattering a few feet away by the wall. He lifted his head, his vision slightly blurry. He tried to focus his eyes, but his head pounded from where he'd been struck.

Hans stepped from the shadows, a smile on his face. "Well done, little brother. I see I finally brought you to your senses. You've delivered one thing I wanted, though it took you long enough." He drew a sword and held it to Nik's neck. "Now, to return this and get what I really want." He raised the blade slowly. Anna screamed.

"Wait, Hans!" Harold interrupted, placing a hand on his brother's wrist, stopping the kill. "I've learned something in my time with them. Elsa will respond more rapidly if we send her a message that he's alive and whole. She may even come herself to try to free them all." His expression pleaded with his brother to not kill the King of Arendelle and the North.

Hans paused and thought for a moment, his desire to end Nik warring with his mad desire for Elsa. Finally he smiled. "How right you are, Harold. Thank you. Tie him up, and make sure his hands are closed and behind his back. We don't want him trying anything foolish." Then he brought the hilt of his sword down on Nik's temple, knocking him unconscious.


Outside, Johan and Aksel watched the storm dissipate, the mid morning sun beginning to shine. Silently, they turned the small vessel to sea, making for Arendelle as quickly as they could. Neither man looked the other in the eye, but they both knew the other shed tears. Neither was prepared to deliver the bad news to their Queen. They could only guess how she would react.