Title: Chapter 51: They Reconnect
3 years 4 months until correction
Samuel's sensory receptors reset and receive new data pulses from his body. His mind registers weight across the back of his shoulders, on his left arm, against his chest and across his legs. As more receptors become active he feels the weight moving in a slight rhythmic pattern. Minuscule movement of air brushes against his left cheek. Other than the weight on him, which is generating less heat, something warm covers his arms with his hands clasped together. His nasal receptors receive a pleasant fragrance. The cool, fresh air drawn into his lungs wakes other receptors, causing him to breathe deeply. A familiarity in the air opens his blood vessels rushing the oxygenated blood to all parts of his body, but he detects an anomaly in his heart pulses. The extra pulses appear to be echoes of his heart beat. The rest of his receptors become active. He hears the extra pulses coming from close proximity to him. A rhythmic breathing identical to his breathing moves air across his cheek. He takes another deep breath and stretches his chest and upper back.
Sam slowly opens his eyes as a hair tickles his nose. Across the dining table Anna munches a bite of her sandwich and smiles at him. An empty plate of crumbs sits in front of a grinning Kristoff. Sam squints his eyes at both of them. A soft moan reverberates against his chest. He glances down at the wool blanket and turns his head to see the most angelic face he has ever remembered. He does not remember allowing her to sit on his lap, but she appears peaceful. He does not wish to awaken her, but the blood flow into his lower legs have noticeably decreased. Despite the pleasure of her company, the blood circulation needs to be re-established. His right hand slides up her arm to her small shoulder as compared to his. He touches her cheek and feels the contrasting differences in the smoothness and softness of her face as compared to his weathered skin. His finger pushes her hair from her face. Only the tips of his fingers drift across her cheek and one lightly slides down the ridge of her nose. He brushes the tip of his finger around the edges of her lips. Movement catches his eyes and he looks across the table. Anna has the 'cat ate the canary smile' as she grins at him. He pulls the edge of the blanket up to block her view. With a light touch of his lips against hers, he whispers, "It's time to wake up, my love."
"What did he say," Anna asks. "What did he say?"
"I didn't hear anything," Kristoff answers.
Elsa arches her back and stretches her arms over her head. She drops one arm across his shoulder and runs her fingers through his hair. Her other hand rest on his chest as she nuzzles closer and her lips move against his neck. As the tip of her tongue teases its way up to his ear lobe, a charge of energy fires into every cell in his body. Collectively his body tenses. She exhales her cold breath across his neck and his body relaxes. She lightly kisses his neck.
Sam whispers, "You're not playing fair."
"As Queen I do not have to play fair. After what I saw in your mind, I will need every advantage I can get to stay ahead of you." She nibbles his neck.
He replies in less of a whisper. "If this is your way of not playing fair, I can overlook it." His arms hug her closer to him. "I like what you are doing."
"I hear whispering," Kristoff states.
"Shh, I cannot hear them," Anna says.
Elsa rolls her head and lowers his hand holding the blanket. "How long have they been there?"
"They were there when I woke up several minutes ago."
She pushes his hand up to block their view. Her right brow rises as the corners of her lips curl up. Her finger brushes his brows, then lightly traces his nose. "I do not want an audience." Her finger traces the edges of his lips. He pulls them tight. She wrinkles her nose at him. "What should we do?"
He rubs the tickle sensation from his lips and answers. "You're the Queen. Tell her and Sven's owner they need to leave the room."
"I heard that," Kristoff comments.
"Shh," Anna says.
She puckers her lips for a kiss and releases them. "She is my sister. I do not want to hurt her feelings."
His brows draw together. "You want him to leave and let your sister watch?"
"I do not want either of them watching us, but I want you and Anna to work together supporting me. I want her to see you as I see you." She lays her head on his chest and looks up at him as she traces his jaw line. "I think I know what mother tried to tell me."
Elsa taps her fingers over his heart. "You are a good person in here. Your intentions are noble." She looks up at him as her fingers intertwine in his hair and she wiggles his head. "But in here, you have many painful memories and that is just the ones I saw. I suspect there are many more memories possibly more painful. I know you are proud and capable of relying on yourself. I also know you like to watch nature and it is during those moments you are the most vulnerable. It is during those times I wish to be there watching over you while you relax. Until you become comfortable around me and are willing to talk to me, I would like you and Anna to spend some time together. She does have insights about me that would help you to know me."
He peeks over the blanket. "Do you think Kristoff might have something to say about this?"
She tilts her head and squints at him. "To use a phrase I have heard you speak, 'until he gets off the fence, he does not have a say about it.'"
"I definitely heard that," Kristoff comments.
"Shh, if you want to have a say in this, meet me in the library this afternoon," Anna says.
Kristoff whispers, "Why did you announce the library? I thought that was supposed to be a secret."
Anna whispers, "Because he already knows we meet in there. If he knows, my sister also knows. Besides, if we get it out in the open we do not have to hide."
Several minutes of silence pass. Elsa lowers his hand holding the blanket. Anna wrinkles her nose and waves at her sister. She looks up at him. "What are you thinking?"
He glances at Anna and whispers, "You mean the two of us together?"
She smiles. "What part of you and Anna do you not understand? In social gatherings, you will talk to her. Ask her how her day is going."
"What am I supposed to do with the data?" She lays her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes. He studies her and feels he has missed what she was trying to say.
Movement across the table draws his attention. Anna mouths the words, 'tell her yes.' He narrows his eyes and she mouths the words again, 'tell her yes'.
He drops the blanket and lightly brushes the tips of his fingers across her cheek. "Is it important to you, Anna and I become friends?"
She answers with a quiet moan as she nods.
A strand of her hair tweaks his nose. He wrinkles his nose to subdue the urge to sneeze. "Then that is what I will do. Do I need to schedule an appointment with her or just when I encounter her?"
She taps his chest twice with two fingers.
"When I encounter her, I will."
Elsa's abdomen gurgles and she places her hand over the source of the noise as she giggles.
He whispers to her, "You're hungry. Maybe Anna could get us a sandwich while we freshen up." She opens her eyes and smiles as she exhales a cool breeze across his neck. After a few seconds he says, "You will have to get off my lap if we are to eat."
Elsa puckers her lips and blows him a kiss as her arm moves from around his neck. She pushes on his chest to sit up. Her arm collapses and she falls back on his chest with a thump. Her face rolls against his chest and she giggles as she repositions her hand.
Sam helps her to sit up.
Her eyes widen. Her hand grips where she tries to push up. Her right brow rises up as she smirks at him. "And what is this in my hand?"
She does not let go and her lips draw tight as if she is trying not to allow anything inappropriate to escape those beautiful soft lips.
He draws his lips tight. Why do you have to do this now and in front of your sister? Why not while we are alone?
She inhales a surprise with a chirp and tries to suppress a smile.
I guess I should find out if I am a friend or foe to you. He stares directly into her eyes. Your smile is not helping.
"You are a very gorgeous woman sitting on my lap. Despite what you may think of me, I am a healthy male with a beating heart."
With a snort she says, "I can tell. Thank my lucky stars, you are." Her hand gives him two quick squeezes. She moves her hand to his leg.
"What does that mean?" Anna asks.
"I'll explain it to you in the library," Kristoff answers.
Sam slides his hand under her hand and helps her to her feet. The sensation of stinging needles prick his legs and feet, so he waits for the blood to reconnect to his lower limbs. Meticulously and slowly he folds the blanket and places it on the next chair. Elsa holds her hand out to him. He stares at her hand for a moment. Looking up at her, he takes her hand and allows her to help him out of the chair. With a nod, he says, "Thank you."
Sam releases her hand, but Elsa holds on. He observes the size differences between their hands. Her small hand clings onto his larger hand. Her muscles in her forearm and hand move as she tightens her grip. His fingers seem to move on their own as they slowly close around her hand. His finger detects her heart beat in her wrist. Like the petals of a flower, they have an intricate design. Delicate and beautiful with the softness of silk and yet they are easily bruised with too much pressure. He continues to stare as her hand disappears inside of his hand.
A whisper penetrates his thoughts. "Samuel."
Who is that? Who are you that you can speak to me in such a manner? Your hand is so soft. I don't want to let go. What time is it? Where am I?
The whisper speaks again, "Samuel, look up."
His eyes gradually roll up and sees a beautiful face with blue eyes. "Are you speaking to me?"
Elsa gives him a reassuring smile, "Yes, I did."
He returns a smile and glances down. As quickly as he lets go of her hand, he steps back and locks his arms to his side as he cups his fist. "My apology, I do not know why I was holding your hand."
She responds, "It is okay."
"Good, I'm glad you are not offended. You have very nice hands. I like holding them."
"I like it when you hold them." Elsa slides her hand around his arm.
"Is this something we could do more often?"
A utensil clangs against a plate, then clinks against a glass.
From behind him a female's voice asks, "Wait. Did he ask to hold your hand?"
Elsa looks past him and motions Anna to stop talking. She steps to the side and motions him towards the head of the table. He does not move, but watches her. She places her hand in the small of his back and pushes him. He continues to watch her as they move around the Majesties chair.
Elsa watches him and with a glance, she motions for Anna and Kristoff to stand. "You know, you just showed up here one day and I believe we have not been properly introduced." She motions to her sister. "Anna, please introduces us and use proper titles."
Anna's brows push together and her eyes narrow. Her lips part, but she emits no sounds as she observes her sister. Elsa rolls her hand and motions towards him.
"Okay," Anna leans towards him and asks, "What is your title?"
He nods to her as he brings his feet together and rolls his shoulders back. Standing tall with his arms locked to his side, Sam replies, "Fleet Admiral Samuel Christopher Ryan, Commanding Officer of the United Star Ship Aurora."
Anna and Kristoff, with their mouths partially opened, stare at him. "Okay."
Anna bumps her sister's arm. "And you thought you had a long title." She stands between them and turns slightly to her sister. "Queen Elsa of Arendelle, I wish to introduce you to Fleet Admiral Samuel Christopher Ryan, Commanding Officer of the United Star Ship Aurora."
Sam blinks several times and turns his head towards Elsa. "Queen?"
He steps back and kneels on one knee as he places his right fist over his heart and bows his head. "Your Majesty, I was not informed of your stature. My humble apologies for my error and I assure you that I will never make this mistake again."
Elsa's hand bumps Anna as she motions for him to stand.
Anna says, "Admiral Ryan, please stand. Our Queen is a loving and forgiving Queen. She understands circumstances happen."
He stands at attention.
Anna shifts on the balls of her feet. "Fleet Admiral Samuel Christopher Ryan, I wish to introduce you to Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
Elsa holds out her hand to him.
Sam steps back and kneels on one knee as he places his right fist over his heart. With his other hand, he gently holds and lightly kisses the back of her hand. "Your Majesty, I am humbled and honored for allowing me this audience. I am your servant to command. If it is within my capabilities, it will be done. How may I honor you?"
"Is he serious?" Anna asks.
"I believe he is. After what I saw, I understand his pain and what he is going through." Elsa lifts his chin. "You can honor me by standing, Admiral Ryan."
He stands at attention with his hands to his side and feet together.
Elsa motions to Anna as she looks up at him. "Let us continue the introductions. Admiral Ryan, this is my sister, Princess Anna of Arendelle."
With a grin Anna holds out her hand.
Sam bows and kisses the back of her hand. "I am doubly honored to meet my Queen's beautiful sister."
She motions past Anna. "Behind Princess Anna is Master Kristoff, Arendelle's Ice Harvester and Deliverer, I am hoping to add a title to his name in the near future."
Elsa turns to Sam and sternness replaces her smile. "Unfortunately, I am not fond of titles in an informal setting. When it is just the four of us," She touches Kristoff's shoulder, Anna's shoulder, and her chest. "Please call me, Elsa. Is there a name that I may call you without your title?" She places her hand over his heart.
He watched her hand touch the others and stares at it resting on his chest. His heart calms and the pain lessens. "My friends . . . my friends call me, Samuel or Sam."
She slightly angles her head. A twinkle flashes in her eyes. "Do you consider me your friend?"
With raised brows a smile explodes onto his face. "I certainly hope so."
"Me too," she replies. Elsa moves along the side of the table and glances back. "Follow me Sam."
Sam stares at her hand.
Elsa sees his hesitation and glimpses an expression she saw in his mind, not of fear, but of not knowing. Is this what the older Sam meant? The one who gives her peace in his mind is the one she sees in him now. "It is ok."
He looks at her with a slight grin.
She grabs his hand. "You do not have to hold my hand, but I will hold your hand. When I let go, you let go."
"Okay," A grin blossoms across his face. "You know you have a soft hand?"
"I have been told that once or twice." She watches him compare her hand to his hand.
He measures the length and size of her fingers to his. They walk down the hall and without looking up, he nudges her more to the center as they pass a hall table. He begins to lightly trace the back of her hand.
A soothing and tingling sensation travels up her arm. She pulls her hand away. "Sam."
His left hand folds into a fist and slides behind his back. His grin changes into a slight smile. He stands tall and his shoulders roll back. "Yes, Elsa."
They stop at the end of the hall. For the moment, no one occupies the lower room. "I have changed my mind. I need you to walk me to my study room. Afterwards, you need to inform Gerda to bring my light lunch to the study. If you are hungry, tell her to fix you a light meal as well."
He stares at her without changing his facial expression.
As she is about to question him, his smile disappears. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, with a question."
Elsa catches the transition of his expressions, and then she recognizes the expression of the older Sam from his mind. She shifts her posture to the Queen. "Ask your question."
"Do you wish for me to have a meal with you or should I stand guard by the door and prevent others from disturbing your meal?"
"I have questions for you, so I need you to be sitting at the table across from me. Whether you eat or not, is up to you, but I will enjoy your company."
Motioning towards the study, he says, "Then that is what I will do."
They walk down the short hall to her study. He follows her into the room, but stands by the opened door. Glancing around the room, his focus stops at the desk. She watches his eyes. A faint blue line sweeps across his eyes.
He nods to her. "I will be back." The door closes.
Elsa sits at the table with her hands in her lap. Her eyes close. A thought speaks to her. Think about the snow. Think about the snow. Nothing happens, but she notices a change in her body. A heavy weight presses against her from all sides. It tightens around her. The darkness swallows the light. Her lungs struggle to intake air. Her heart races. Pain squeezes her head. Sound of shoes race across the stone floor. A door slams open.
A tingle grabs her arms and it spreads throughout her body.
A voice calls to her, but it does not sound familiar. "Elsa, stop. Elsa, stop what you are doing and listen to my voice."
That is a strong voice. Why is he calling my name?
"What is wrong with her?"
That is a nice voice. Who is she talking to?
A table moves. A chair squeaks. More shoes run across the stone floor.
"Elsa, you have to stop. Turn around."
There is that strong voice. Does he know me?
"Oh Lord, what happened to her?"
An older voice, she sounds concerned like a mother, but who is she concerned about? Did I have a mother? If I did, I hope she is concerned for me.
"We found her like this. What is wrong with her?" Says the young voice.
Three gray shadows move towards her. A very hot sensation touches her face. Get it off of me. It is burning. Help me.
"Is she having a seizure? Her eyes are gray. Did you do this to her?" Asks the older voice.
Another man's voice answers. "She is trying to reach out to you Sam. She did it before."
"I don't remember her doing this. Kai, please explain." Asks the strong voice
Kai must be the second man's voice. I think I know him. Is Sam the strong voice?
Cold presses against her neck. Kai says, "It was after the accident in the courtyard, after you thawed out of the ice, Elsa wanted to talk to you, but her mother would not allow it. She reached for you. You said she did it with her mind. Her eyes were the same gray color they are now."
The shadow's large hand reaches out to her. She steps back. The hand withdraws back into the gray area. At the last moment it reveals a snowflake on the back of the hand.
That is my snowflake. Where did you get it?
The hand moves out of the gray and motions for her to follow.
"NO," Elsa mumbles.
"She said NO. Why is she saying NO?" the young voice asks.
"She is afraid. I almost reached her, but she backed away," answers the strong voice. "She saw the snowflake on the back of my hand and recognized it."
"Well go get her," demands the older voice.
"She is fighting me and she is strong, but time is running out," says the strong voice.
The young voice asks, "What do you mean time is running out?" The voice asks with a higher pitch and faster, "What does that mean?"
"Your sister is in a dark area. If I can't get her to come back, her mind will be lost."
My mind, how can my mind be lost, it is right here. Wait, wait, I have a sister? The sweet young voice is my sister.
"Yes, Elsa, Anna is your sister. Go to her."
Anna, I have to find you. She charges into the dark.
"Elsa, Elsa, you are going in the wrong direction. Come back. Go to your ice castle. Elsa, go to your ice castle. Yes, that is the way. Go to your ice castle."
Wow, I feel like I am floating. This feels great. That is snow down there. There are blues, browns, and greens down there. Hey, that is an ice castle.
"Anna, she needs you." Sam says as he lifts Elsa into his arms.
Gerda commands, "Take her to her room."
Anna runs out the door held open by Kai. Sam carries Elsa down the hall
Gerda presses her palm into his back. Can you hear me?
Yes.
What did you do to our Queen?
I'm not aware I have done anything to her. She did this all on her own. Very stupid. Sam answers.
Anna holds the door open to the royal suite.
Sam enters. "Anna sit on the lounger and I will sit Elsa in front of you."
"No," Gerda interrupts. "Sit in the center of the bed with pillows supporting your back. He will lay her against you."
Anna hesitates and looks up at him.
"Do as she says."
Anna races into the Queen's bedroom, kicks off her shoes, and flicks the top covers back. She sits back against the headboard.
He lays Elsa against her. "Slide your arms under her arms and hold onto her wrist. Try to keep her in front of you. If you can't, roll her onto her side and stay as physically close to her as you can."
Elsa giggles with a smile.
Anna asks, "Why did she laugh and why the smile?"
He kneels next to the bed and touches the four specific points on Elsa's neck and face. After a moment he answers, "She has let her inner child out to play. She is riding on Marshmallow's shoulder." He looks at Anna. "She wishes you were there with her."
Anna tries to smile through her concerns and presses her cheek against Elsa. "I wish I could be there for her.
Gerda tucks a few more pillows behind Anna's back and neck. She slaps his arm. "What are you waiting for? Send her in."
Sam reaches around Anna and touches the four specific points on her neck and face. Anna starts to move her head.
Gerda says, "Don't move my dear. Say hello to your sister for me and most importantly, have fun."
Sam closes his eyes.
A layer of snow covers the ground. Overhead gray clouds slow their movement. In the distance, a beam of light pierces through the cloud. The sunlight illuminates a young child playing with her snowman.
Sam's eyes catch movement several meter slightly up hill. "I'm glad you decided to join us."
"How did I get here? Where are we?" Anna asks as the snow crunches under hear shoes.
He grabs her hand and pulls her to him. "You do not recognize this place?"
"No, I do not. Should I?" She looks at her surroundings. Her focus stops on him. "I do not remember you being so much taller."
"Our heights has not changed. You are standing lower than I."
Anna searches the ground. "I did not step into a hole. Are you standing on a rock? Wait. What –" The snow crunches under her shoe as she turns around. She stares at his boots. "I like the color scheme of your boots, how are they not touching the snow? I know I walked over here, but my foot prints have disappeared.
A snap, crackle, and a louder snap sounds followed by the rustle of a tree branch falling to the snow covered ground with a thump.
With wide eyes Anna stares and points to the forest. "That was not there a moment ago."
"Hold onto my arm."
Grabbing his arm Anna rises above the snow.
"Elsa is still creating her safe place."
"Safe place, creating?"
He points. "Look over there."
A small hill starts to rise and then rapidly shoots up to form a mountain. The surrounding hills transform and connect to form the mountain range. The distant mountains form with a forest at the lower levels.
"I have seen this before." Anna squeezes his arm. "That is the north mountain, but I do not see Elsa's ice castle."
"Keep watching," Sam encourages.
On the mountain's north face, a thin blue line grows in height and width. Angles and peaks and archways give the blue ice its shape. Finally the ice transitions from blue to purple tint as a yellowish orange glow rises from the east to reveal a snow covered landscape.
Anna giggles as she pats his arm. "That is Elsa ice castle."
"Yes, it is. She has done a wonderful job. I knew she could do it." He steps back and turns Anna to face south.
"Aw, there is Arendelle surrounded in green."
A short distance away, a blonde hair little girl in a blue dress giggles and rolls in the snow."
"Is that Elsa? I have always wanted to do that with her."
"Why do you not?"
"I'm too old to play like that."
"Really, I think I can help you with this."
She looks up at him. "Why are you grinning? Why are you getting taller?"
"I'm not. You're getting shorter. Do this." Sam taps his chest with both hands.
Anna taps her chest. Her eyes widen as she pulls her collar of her dress open. "Where did they go? What did you do to me?"
He sits in the snow and leans back on his arms. "You are the same person. I encouraged your inner child to come out to play."
"Play?"
"Anna." A young Elsa calls from the shoulder of Marshmallow walking towards them. "Anna, stay there I will come to you."
"Keep watching her and don't blink," He says.
A young Anna steps next to him and holds onto his shirt. In less than a blink, Marshmallow stands in front of them and Elsa slides down his arm with a thump into the snow. She runs to Anna and hugs her.
"I am glad you are here. We can finally roll down the hill together and play in the snow." Anna hugs her big sister, but does not let go of his shirt. Elsa's smile fades. "What is wrong? Did the stable boy hurt you?"
Anna looks back at him. "Stable boy?"
"I will give a detail explanation later. At her present age, she only knows me as the stable boy." A cold sweeps across his back and he detects a presence behind him. "Anna, your sister has not experienced the event at the great hall. It has not happened yet." He gives her a light push. "Go play with her and have fun."
Elsa glares at him.
"Show her your magic. Anna will love to see it."
Instantly, young Elsa's smile returns. She grabs Anna's hand and pulls, "Come on, we can roll down the hill."
Sam watches Anna and Elsa roll down the hill laughing.
Marshmallow walks down the hill as he says in his deep voice, "I will watch over them. My Queen wishes to speak to you."
A weight presses on his hand as a cold hand grabs the back of his neck. His hand snaps around and grabs an ankle, throwing her off balance. Her weight shifts enough for him to grab her hand off his neck and add momentum to her falling body. She lands face first into the snow several meters down the hill.
She does not move.
"The cold hand on my neck does not work in here." He tosses a snowball that lands on the back of her head.
"I know you are not hurt. Which Elsa are you?"
Brushing the snow from her face and hair, she sits up and sends him an angry glare. "How did you get in here?"
"The door was open, so I walked in."
"You were not invited. Leave."
He stands and glances down the hill. Young Elsa and young Anna continue to laugh and play. His eyes focus on her with the blue tint. "I recognize you. I hear the same sounds I heard long ago," he points towards the young Elsa, "when she was alone and afraid."
"I'm not afraid. You need to leave." This Elsa stands and ice drips from her hands. Her dark blue dress contrast against the white snow, even her exposed skin has an unhealthy, pasty appearance. The falling ice forms into two swords. She lifts them with the blades pointing at his chest.
"You cannot hurt me in here." He sweeps his hand towards the ice castle. "I know you did not create that. You are Elsa's fear and at the moment the dominant one here. Where are the others?" He scans the area.
"There are no others. I am the only one here. LEAVE." Fearful Elsa steps towards him.
"What about the child Elsa playing with Anna? You are not alone, so where are the others?" He walks towards her.
She lunges at him and the ice swords melt against him. The hilt of the swords drop from her hands. She swings her fist wildly.
He steps back and catches her fist flying pass his face. Grabbing her other hand, he wraps his arms around her and falls back into the snow. "I know you are afraid, but I need to find the other Elsa's, before it is too late."
She slams her head into his chin.
He wraps his legs around her waist and squeezes her closer to him. "Elsa STOP. I'm here to help you."
Her body falls limp. A tear rolls down the ridge of her nose and freezes in the snow. She whispers, "No you are not. You are just like the others. No one listens to me."
He loosens his grip.
She does not move, but whimpers, "I warned them something bad could happen, but they pushed me out of the way and now, they are gone."
"Gone where?"
She covers her face and more tear shaped ice falls into the snow.
He sits her up to lean against him and brushes her hair back. "I know you feel alone. I can help you and them. Please tell me where they are?"
She stares up at him and after a moment a smile begins to form. "I know why she likes you. You make her feel safe. I wish I could make her feel safe."
"But you can. By standing up to her and telling her why. It will make her hesitate which will give her time to evaluate your words."
"I don't know if I can." She lowers her head.
"Do you know what I am afraid of?"
She shakes her head.
He kisses her forehead. "I am afraid I would lose you. I have to protect you even if it means I have to let the monster out."
"You are not a monster Samuel Ryan. You are a good person."
"So are you. Will you help me find the others?"
"They will know I lead you to them." She cuddles into his arm.
"Will they be upset at you?"
She barely nods.
"Which one made the decision to seek out my mind?" She tightens her grip around his arm. "If I had to guess, was it Pride who convinced the others?" She nods and taps his arm with two fingers.
"Pride and one other?" Again she barely nods. Did Elsa's emotions separate into individuals? Are they working separately?
"Jealousy?" Her hand slides back and forth on his arm. "You know this will take time to run through the list of emotions."
She lightly scratches the letter 'E' on his arm. "Envy?" Her hand taps and squeezes his arm.
"So Pride and Envy lead a revolt." Several tears run down his arm. He whispers into her ear. "I know you are afraid, but I need you to be courageous."
"But they will hurt you."
"Perhaps, they will and I will know this was not meant to be. Elsa may live a long life as Queen if she does not encounter Hans of the Southern Isle."
"What about you?"
"I will travel and seek my fortunes for the future."
She sits up. "You would leave me?"
He flicks the tip of her nose. "I would be leaving all of you."
She glances away. Her lips part to take in more air as her chest rises and falls. She clenches her hands to stop them from shaking. Her brows drop as they push together and a frown covers her face. "You cannot leave me."
"Why not? You allowed them to throw you out. If they do not want me, I'm not sticking around."
Her frown dissolves into hurt. Her head lowers.
He taps her shoulder. "If I am to stay, I think you need to convince the others. Sometimes when I'm afraid, I calculate the worst and hope for the best."
"Risk big for a big reward."
"At least one of you heard me." He grins.
She lunges and pushes him onto his back. "Oh, you. If I can convince them will you stay?"
"It will definitely improve the odds."
Kneeling next to him and holding his hand, she closes her eyes. In less than a blink, a dark blue with shades of purple of the ice castle towers above them. They stand.
As she reaches for the door, he stops her. "I don't remember your castle being so dark. It is as though the window curtains are drawn close. Where was Elsa physically located when she tried to reach me?"
She points to the balcony above them.
He steps back trying to see anything that would give him a clue as to what went wrong. Taking another step back, he stretches his neck and rise onto his toes. Another step back. Something does not seem right with the balcony. A little further back, his foot slips off the edge of the cliff. A hand grabs hold of his arm. Her face strains and her body tenses to keep him from falling. A spike of ice forms in his free hand and he drives it into the ground. Together with this Elsa he pulls himself up. She wraps her arms around his body and buries her face into his chest.
Looking over the edge, he says, "There was an ice bridge here. What happened to it?"
Wiping her tears on his shirt, she looks up at him. "I don't know what I would do if you fell."
"You did the right thing. It took a lot of courage to save me. You could have fallen with me." His arms wrap around her. "I knew you could do it."
She steps back and punches his arm. "You scared me."
Rubbing the spot, he says, "It was not my intentions of falling, but I did see what I was looking for." He points to the balcony. "The last time I was here. There was a door, but now, it appears there never was one." Glancing at the cliff's edge, "just like it appears there never was a staircase of ice leading to the other side."
He grabs her arms. "Elsa, I know you are afraid, but it was the courageous part of you who brought me here. I need you to be courageous and tell me what happened the moment she tried to reach me."
Her eyes move back and forth as though searching his face. "I tried to tell them to wait. Pride and Envy stepped away from us and everything grew dark. The others pushed me and the young Elsa out the doors. After we crossed the stairs, Anger destroyed the stairs and said not to come back without you. I have never seen Anger so mad."
"Who else is in there?"
"Love, but if she is not careful, Lust will show up. Sadness, Joy, Doubt and Trust were fighting to stop Pride and Envy."
"Interesting, Love and Lust, Joy and Sadness, Trust and Doubt, they have opposites. You are Fear and Courage, so the counter to Pride is?"
"Humble."
"And Envy?"
"Generosity."
Considering the information he has, something still does not seem right. "Was it dark when you entered the castle?"
"No. It was bright and cheery. Envy wished you were here so she could show you her safe place. Pride said, let us make him see this castle. Envy and Pride held hands and called out to you. The castle grew dark like the sun was setting. A furious wind blew and a dark cloud circled the room and formed into you at the foot of the stairs."
"Me? Did I say anything?"
"You pointed to Pride and Envy and said 'you are endangering both of us. Stop before it is too late'. You disappeared, but the dark cloud began to fill the castle. That is when Anger, Joy, and Trust pushed me and young Elsa out the door. We watched the castle shake and grow dark. I took young Elsa as far away from this as I could." She wraps her arm around his arm. "I felt your presence and waited for you to come."
"So I was here. An image flashed in my mind while I was in the kitchen. It felt so real. I could not take a chance so I ran back to the study room and found Elsa unconscious."
"But you are here now. Can you make her stop?"
He looks at her and lifts her chin. "That is a risk I cannot take, but you can."
She buries her face into his arm. "I can't do it alone."
He lifts her chin. "You will not be alone. I will be there with you."
"But I thought you said –"
"I can't do it for you, but you can reason with the others. When all of you agree, this will end."
"What do I say?"
"Say what you would normally say and be yourself."
"Myself?" She steps away from him and turns to the doors. After a moment, her shoulders roll back as she stands tall. "We can do this." She glances over her shoulder. A blue flash sparkles in her eye. "Samuel will you please help me?"
"Where you go I will follow."
Elsa pushes open the doors. A plume of dark air rushes past her. She reaches her hand back and Sam grips it.
"Where are the others?"
"I don't see them.
"Elsa, you must bring the chaos under control. Control your thoughts and the air will clear."
She lets go of his hand. Rotating one hand around the other, a ball of light shoots up into the air. The room clears most of the dark air. The remaining dark air balls around someone at the foot of the stairs. One by one Sam assist the others to their feet. Calmness and Joy follow him to the next Elsa.
Trust looks up and smiles at him. "I knew you would save us."
"Actually, I'm not doing it. Your sister is doing it." They stare at the one shining a light on the remaining dark air.
"Courage? We were right to send her out," Joy says.
"She needs your help. Together, all of you can control the chaos."
Three of the four places their hands on Courage and the light brightens. The dark air changes to gray and they see two individual instead of one.
The fourth stands next to him. "Why are you not helping them?"
"I would rather put my hands on you." One hand slides behind his neck and pulls his head down as her lips brush against his lips. Her other hand grips his royal scepter.
A hesitant moment passes, before he pushes her away. "Okay Lust, get over there and help your sisters."
Her hand slides across his scepter and she blows him a kiss. Lust joins her sister and the light brightens even more.
The dark air dissipates to reveal Pride and Envy. A bright light flashes between them as they separate. They look at their hands and then at each other. They look towards their sisters. Courage lowers her hands. Humility and Generosity run to their sisters for a group hug.
Humility says, "This is not what we intended. I wanted to see if I could reach him."
Generosity says, "He was here and the darkness followed. I don't know what happened."
"I know," Sam states as he walks to the door. "You reached out to me unprepared for the shock factor if our energies were not synchronized. This is a hard lesson to learn." He turns to them. "Why didn't you just ask?"
"We did," Courage answers. "You give confusing replies or we do not understand your answers." The others nod in agreement.
"Sometimes you make me so angry," Anger states.
"And I feel you have doubts about me," Trust says.
"I have my moments of sadness, but when you are near, I feel happy," Joy says and the others nod.
"I want you to teach me those things you do, so I can give back for all the times you helped us," Generosity says.
"I am not weak if I have the knowledge, but I do try and make mistakes as you have seen." Humility looks away from him.
"We try to reach you out there." She points to the doors. "But you push us away, and I wonder if you are about to leave us."
He looks at each face of Elsa's emotions. "I see I have –" Behind them, he spots Love with her head down. An ice tear falls from the tip of her nose. He walks around the others. Taking Love's hands, he places them over his heart. She looks up with streaks of ice trails running down her face. "I see I have to do a better job at communicating with you. Only then can we have the courage to speak to each other without fear.
The other gather around him. "That is all we ask." They smile and step closer to touch him.
"Love, I am holding your hands and yet someone has their hand between my legs. Do you know whose hand it belongs?"
Love kisses the tip of his nose. "My hands is here."
He glances and does not see the others. The doors open. Young Elsa and Young Anna run in. At about the meter point from him, she launches herself. Her feet land squarely into his abdomen and he falls onto his back. She sits on his chest and pats his face. Anna jumps over his feet and lands on his abdomen as she hugs Elsa.
Anna says, "You are right. He is big compared to us. Wait until I get out and tell her what you did."
"What did I do?"
"You allowed Elsa to hold your royal scepter and you seemed to enjoy it." Anna smirks.
The Elsa he knows helps him out. "Okay, I know two little girls who have had a very long day playing. It is time for you to take a nap. Look over there." Two beds similar to the beds Anna and Elsa slept in when they shared a room. Young Anna and Elsa jump into the same beds and cozy together.
Sam watches his Queen tuck the covers around them. She turns to him. "What are you looking at?"
With a slight nod, he answers, "You have the instincts to be a mother."
She points her finger at him. "It is time for you to leave."
He holds her hand. "What happened to you in here?"
"I underestimated your abilities. I still have a lot to learn."
"I have a century of experiences. I will share them with you, but under no circumstances are you to try that again. I have to be with you."
She jerks her hand free. "Time to go." A flick of her fingers sprays ice on his face.
Sam's eyes gradually open and the sensation of falling stops with his head striking the side table. Sam rolls onto his side and holds his head.
Gerda kneels next to him. "What's in there? Did you find Elsa?"
He opens one eye to look at her. "Other than the scrape on my head, I'm doing fine?"
"That's not what I asked. I know you will be okay. What happened to Elsa? Is Anna still in there?" She helps him to sit up.
"Elsa is doing better. The little child version of Anna and Elsa were taking a nap, when Queen Elsa pushed me out."
"Pushed you out, she can do that?" She moves his hand. "You did peel back a chunk of skin."
"Evidently, our Queen has been watching me while I was not looking, but that will change effective immediately. I knew this day would arrive. I didn't think it would be this soon."
Anna drapes her arm across her sister and says, "Again." Elsa giggles, "Okay."
"Nap? Sounds like the same two little girls who got up to play after their mother put them down for a nap." Gerda pulls his head back. "How long before Anna gets out and they wake up?"
"Not long, as soon as they break physical contact, their minds will need to rest and they will sleep for several hours." He rolls to his feet and helps Gerda up. "In the meantime, I need to contact Pabbie. If she can do this on her own, I need to be prepared."
He walks towards the door.
Gerda follows him. "Prepared for what?"
He watches Elsa barely move with each breath, then he smiles to Gerda. "Have you ever told someone they were not ready to do something and behind your back they did it anyway only to get hurt or seriously hurt?"
"How serious?"
"She could literally lose her mind. You thought the great freeze was bad. If I can't stop her and she disrupts the normal weather pattern, summer would not visit Arendelle for several years if not for several decades. I don't know, if it would be a permanent change."
Gerda grabs his arm. "Could she really cause a new ice age."
With a grin he squeezes her cheek. "You asked how serious and I told you. We have to cross many streams, before it gets that bad."
Gerda stares at her two girls sleeping peacefully. Anna rolls to her side of the bed.
"See the contact has been broken. In their minds, they will fall asleep. When they wake up they will be here." He walks out the royal suite. "Now I have to find the old toad."
Elsa wakes up with a yawn and a long stretch. She rolls onto her side. The cover on the other side of the bed moves. She reaches over and pushes on the lump under the covers. "Sam, did you sneak into my bed while I was asleep? Gerda is going to tan your hide if she catches you in here."
A small hand reaches out and pulls the covers down. Strawberry-blonde hair covers the pillow.
"Anna, what are you doing in my bed?" Elsa flings her cover off and slides off the bed. She glances down. "Why am I wearing my day clothes? Did I fall asleep?"
The clock on the mantel strikes the bell three times.
Anna sits up and stretches. She says through her yawn, "There is a lot of light for three in the morning." She stretches again and falls back onto the bed with her eyes closed.
Elsa searches her mind for her last clear thoughts. Sam was with her and they walked to her study room. She remembers Sam leaving the room. Her thoughts are slow to come to her. "Anna why did you come to my room?"
"I do not know. Maybe you called me." Anna answers and rolls onto her side.
"Anna, wake up. I was in my study with Sam. I do not remember coming up here." Elsa says as she stares at the clock.
Anna opens her eyes and watches her sister. "The last thing I remember you were on the floor asleep and Sam leaning over you."
"Why was he leaning over me and why was I on the floor?"
"Perhaps it has something to do with the way he was touching you."
"Touching me?" She sits on the edge of the bed. "How was he touching me? Give me every detail." She taps Anna's head. "Wake up."
"Leave me alone. This is the best sleep I have ever had in forever."
"ANNA."
Anna sits up on her elbows. "Alright. You do not have to yell."
"It is important. Please show me how Sam touched me," Elsa growls.
"He touched your face like this." She touches three of the four specific points on her neck and face.
"Then what?"
"He touched the same spots on my face. The next thing I know, I am standing in the snow and see you playing, but we looked different like when you created the snow in the great hall." She sits and bounces next to her as she grabs her hand. "We had so much fun in your snow, and in your ice castle."
"Ice castle? Was Sam there?"
"Yes."
Elsa slips off the bed. She walks towards the balcony. Her head moves from side to side. She turns around and marches towards the front room.
"Elsa? What is wrong?"
She turns back to Anna. Her hands shake as many strange thoughts flash in her mind. "Something is not right."
The door opens and Gerda walks in. "I thought I heard you two talking. Is anything wrong Majesty?"
She snaps at her. "Where is Sam?"
"He rode into the hills yesterday afternoon."
"Yesterday? You mean we have been asleep twenty four hours? Why do I not remember?" Elsa paces and tries to remember.
Anna snickers, "Twenty-four hours, no wonder I feel so rested."
Gerda tries to console her. "Majesty, he said once the dream ended, you would sleep for many hours."
Elsa turns with clenched fists. "When will he be back?"
"He didn't say when. He had to contact an old toad."
"Old toad," Anna snickers again.
Elsa faces the north wall. If she could see through it, she would see the valley of stones. Her eyes close. "Samuel, where are you? Come back." Her body tenses.
Images from above the castle enters her mind. How did I get here? Arendelle slides past. The images move past the outer wall. Samuel is this what you see? The ground images move faster as they fly through the forest. Samuel? A blur of brown and green race underneath her. The movement stops as if she hit a wall. The image focuses on Samuel and Pabbie staring at her.
Ghostly voices speak to her. Elsa, are you hurt? Wake up. Elsa stop what you are doing.
Pabbie points to her. "You mean like that?"
"Exactly," Sam replies.
"Then you better stop her before it is too late." Pabbie transforms into a boulder.
Sam walks towards her. "Elsa, you are not going to like this, but I have to do it." A white light flashes from his palm.
A sharp pain stabs into her mind. She opens her eyes. Her aching body lies on her bedroom floor with Anna and Gerda kneeling next to her.
Anna's shaking hand brushes her hair from her face. Anna's eyes glisten with moisture.
"Majesty can you sit up?" Gerda encourages her.
"What happened?" Elsa rubs the back of her head.
"You were staring at the wall and your eyes turned blue," Gerda answers.
"You called Sam's name, then fell back onto the floor." Anna strokes her hair. "You have a knot on the back of your head."
"Did you see him?" Gerda stares into her eyes.
Elsa stares back. "Yes, I did. He opened his hand and a flash of light struck me." She glimpses a tear sliding down Anna's face. She grabs Gerda's arms. "Why would he do that?"
Gerda's head gradually moves from side to side. "I suspect he is on his way back here and you can ask him. In the meantime, let's get you into your bed, so you can rest until he gets here."
Anna and Gerda help her to her feet and then over to the bed. She lies back.
"I'm going to see if the herbalist has anything for the knot on your head." Gerda marches to the door. "Anna, it is your job to make sure your sister does not fall asleep. Keep her awake." The door closes behind her.
Returning from the herbalist, Gerda carefully carries two cups of tea up the steps in front of the castle door. Guards at the main gates yell and run to get out of the way. Aurora charges through the main gates and stops at the foot of the steps. Sam slides off her back and the momentum carries him up the steps. He grabs one cup of tea and guzzles it down as he enters the castle.
"That is not your tea. It is for Queen Elsa. She bumped her head." Gerda runs behind him.
"I know. She reached out to me again and fell. I saw the whole thing." He takes the stairs two steps at a time.
Gerda follows, trying to keep up with him. "Sam, calm down. It was an accident."
From below the stairs, Elsa calls to him. "Samuel, is that you?" She steps out into the lower room from the side hallway.
Sam jumps over the rail and lands on his feet with a loud thud in front of his Queen. Anna jumps back from his sudden appearance and squeaks a high pitched chirp.
Elsa grabs his shirt. "What is wrong with you for scaring Anna? You almost scared—" Before she can complete her statement, her feet leave the floor and her back slams into the wall as the air expels out of her lungs.
Sam forces his knee between her legs and uses his body to pin her to the wall. He grips her wrist with one hand above her head. His other hand holds her face so his dark green eyes can stare into her eyes. "Are you afraid?"
Elsa tries to move, but he presses his body harder against her. She struggles to breathe.
Anna grabs his hair and pulls with all of her might. "Let go of my sister." His head does not move.
Gerda runs out the front doors. Kai runs over and tries to pry Sam's arm back. Anna kicks at his legs. He does not move.
Elsa's mind struggles to make sense of his actions. She has never seen this side of him. Has he finally lost his mind? Even in his anger, he has never done anything like this. What is he trying to prove?
His eyes narrow. The color in his face transitions from brown to blue to gray. Frost rises out from under his shirt and up his neck. A thin layer of ice covers his face. Frost moves up his arms to his hands. His ice creeps onto her hands and arms. Her heart races.
His lips move. She does not hear his words, but knows what he said. Her hands refuse to move and her body slows with the loss of sensation. Her heart beats faster and nothing responds as it should. Is this what Anna felt, before she froze on the fjord?
Sam blows a fog of cold air through her hair and it freezes. "You think the cold does not bother you. Let me test that theory."
Her body tense as thousands of tiny needle sensations pierce her flesh. It is the coldest she has ever felt. Ice slides across the floor and pushes Anna and Kai away from them. The ice moves along the wall and touches her sides. Sam's exposed flesh changes to a solid blueish-gray. Out of the corner of her eyes, her arms appear an ocean blue and are getting darker. Her body has abandoned her. It does not move. The ice presses against her back. A shiver rolls through her neck and her facial muscles. Her teeth chatter, but he holds her in place. His ice grabs her body like tiny fingers. The tingling, changes to stinging needles.
Did you smile? Is this what mother said? Do not look into the eyes of the monster. Did they see the same thing in me? Am I their monster? She glances past him. Anna reaches for her but Kai holds her back. No Anna, stay away. I cannot protect you, let along myself.
His ice like a hand reaching out of the wall grips her head and slides around her neck. His ice pulls her body and legs against the wall. His breath smells of cold ice that burns her nose. It becomes harder to breathe.
Kai pulls Anna towards the kitchen. She cries to her. "ELSA."
His crystal green eyes stare at her, not at her, but through her. Are you seeing my soul? Do you see anything good in me? Have I become your enemy? If your logic say I must die. I beg you. Please. Please do not do it in front of Anna. Wait a few minutes. If I am still alive, I beg for mercy that you will make it quick.
"What did you say?" he speaks through his teeth.
You are hurting me. Please stop. Elsa pleads with her thoughts.
"Use your words that my ear may hear."
Her mouth barely moves to speak. "I know you are upset. Please do not do this in front of Anna."
"Are you afraid," he growls in a whisper.
"Yes, I am afraid."
Multiple colors of metallic green flashes across his face. "Say so all can hear you." His grip loosens on her face.
She says louder for the others to hear. "YES, I AM AFRAID."
Gerda returns with Captain Larsen and four guards with their swords out and ready to charge.
His face moves away from her. The ice withdraws and relieves the pressure against her neck and back. The fingers of ice pulls her hair, before finally releasing it. Her arms begin to sting as the blue fades. The ice pops and crackles. He pulls her arms from the wall and steps back. Holding her arms, he lowers her to the floor. "Why were you afraid?"
Her arms hang to her side, but they feel as if they were still over her head. The ice collects under her boots. She feels every centimeter of her body wakening up. With everyone in the room, she cannot fall to the floor. As painful as it is, she forces her body to stand in the Queen's regal pose.
The gray continues to cover his exposed flesh. He growls louder. "Why were you afraid?"
She glares up at him. "I was afraid of losing Anna. I did not want her to see me die like this."
"You were not close enough."
"Leave her alone." Anna charges at him.
"ANNA NO." She tries to step, but it is too late. Anna grabs Sam's arm and screams. She backs up with parts of her hands frozen.
"SAM," Elsa screams as she lunges at him. She is innocent. You knew this could happen. Attack me you green eyed monster and feel my claws. An erupting slap of her hand against his face echoes in the room. She runs to Anna and covers her hands with her own glowing hands.
After a moment, Anna wiggles her finger and says, "Elsa, you are bleeding?"
She looks at her right hands with traces of crimson red. "I'm not bleeding." She turns her hand up and they sparkle with flashes of tiny lights in the bright red liquid.
Anna rubs her hands together. "They do not hurt. I think it scared me more than it hurt." She hugs her sister. "I was surprised by the cold. I thought he was going to kill you."
Elsa stares at her hands.
Anna motions towards Sam. "Is it his blood?"
His blood is on my hands. I caused him to bleed. Why did I strike him? If he wanted me dead, I would not be standing here. She glances at Anna. You would be Queen. An emotional rush forces the tears out of her eyes.
She rubs her hands together and looks at them again. "Is this what he means to have another's blood on his hands?" She steps towards him. He has not moved. She steps a wide arc around him and holds up her hands towards him. "Sam, I did not mean to hurt you, but you hurt me and scared Anna."
A gravelly voice replies, "Nor did I mean to hurt you or scare Anna, but I had to get your attention. You wanted my capabilities. Pride pushed you to take a chance. I did not want you to suffer the pain I went through for so many years. I prostituted myself to that dictator of a government because of my pride. The realization literally ran over me, when I detected twelve small bodies in the back of the government truck." His voice wavers. "Two days earlier, I had seen those same twelve small children playing. I had to leave." His body does not move.
Frost forms on her hands as she edges around him. A dark, thick red drips onto his shirt. "You were hurting me. I was afraid."
His head gradually turns to her as his eyes open. His crystal green changes to the normal Hazel color. The gray in his arms fade to the flesh color. "Now you know, how I felt yesterday and today when you reached out to me." He looks at the floor. "I thought I lost you again."
"What did you say?" Her glare softens.
"If I had hesitated a few seconds longer, Queen Anna would have to lock you away for Arendelle's safety. Your ice castle and the snow covered mountain would be your home or you and I would travel north, never to return." Sam turns his head more and two thick red drops fall onto his shirt.
A gasp escapes her lips, before her hands could cover them. Elsa backs into the wall. From his ear across to his chin, as if from sharp knives, three evenly spaced cuts expose his teeth and bones. She glances at her hands. I am a monster as is he.
Anna rushes towards her. "What is it?"
She stops her sister and forcibly moves Anna towards Gerda. "You do not want that memory. I have to accept what I have done to him."
Captain Larsen motions for the guards to lower their swords.
With tears running down her cheeks, Gerda pulls Anna towards the kitchen. "Please come with me and I will explain. They have issues they need to resolve. At this moment, we can do nothing for them."
Kai ushers everyone out of the room.
"It seems you have learned the lesson sooner than I did." Sam turns to her.
"I am a pitiful Queen for striking you. I could not control it. I had to strike back."
"Why? Your anger has shown you what you can do, if you are not in control. I expected you would do something and did not stop you. You had to see. Perhaps next time, it will be Anna's face."
"Anna?" Moisture in her eyes overflows as a vision of her hand slicing Anna's face grips her heart. "No, no, I would not hurt Anna."
His boot stomps the floor and creates an echo ringing in her ears as she looks up at him. "But you did on your coronation day by revealing your powers in the ballroom and striking Anna's heart with your ice. You have to know what can happen. You must be in control at all times." A shower of ice flows from his hand. An ice version of her throne rises from the floor. He motions to the throne and offers his hand. "Please sit.
She reaches for his hand and walks around the ice and sits. After making a few adjustments she says, "You made changes. This feels just as comfortable as my throne with cushions."
He holds onto the arm rest and moans as he eases himself down to his knees. His head turns the wound side of his face towards her. "You did this. Now fix it."
She hesitantly touches a piece of his skin barely holding onto his lip. A rush of nausea fills her chest as the saliva loads her cheeks. She jerks her hand back.
Gerda offers her a cup of tea. "Drink this quickly, it will calm you."
She grabs the cup and guzzles it down. The heat from the tea burns inside of her chest, but it calms her nausea.
Gerda takes the cup. "I will make sure you are left alone to talk. I don't like it when my children hurt each other."
She watches Gerda go around the corner, but her words stung. She looks at his eyes staring at her. "I did not mean to do it. I was angry."
"Great power comes with great responsibilities. I know there may be times when I cannot be with you. One slip and you could die from an assassin's arrow." He grabs her hand and places it over his heart. "What do you feel?"
She looks at his gentle hands. Minutes ago, those hands gripped her arms like the shackles in the prison cells. They were rough and unyielding. Securely they held her to the wall. Try as hard as she did, she could not break free. Now they do not trap her hands, but hold them with the gentleness he had done before. The gentleness she desires to hold and make her feel secure. Would he grip my hand if I pulled them away? No, he would not. He would let me go if I asked, but I have his blood on my hands. I injured his face out of anger and fear. His words come to her mind. 'I will obey your command except in your safety.' She stares into the most beautiful Hazel eyes.
"I feel the warmth in your hands and your heart beating."
"Do you think my heart does not suffer when I see you act recklessly? I underestimated you. I will teach you everything you need to survive with your powers, but you have to trust me. You will have to prove you are ready to take the next step."
"But I am ready now."
His finger points to the injured side of his face as he says, "Really."
She lifts her hand to the wound.
"Elsa?"
Her hand moves back.
"You have more than enough knowledge to heal me. I will stop talking until you say you are done. Are you ready?"
"I think so."
"Do not think so. Know for sure."
A layer of frost forms on the top of her glowing hand. The ice leaves her hand and covers his wound. After a moment the underlying layers of flesh begin to merge together. She looks into his eyes. "Did you mean what you said about teaching me?"
His eyes blink and a thin blue line sweeps across his eyes.
"I hope that is your way of saying yes. I cannot hear your thoughts. I know you will not talk, but I hope it does not prevent you from listening. Please hear me out. I am truly, truly sorry for hurting you. You seem to do many things effortlessly. I thought I was prepared so I tried. I thought I was performing a swan dive into the fjord, and instead my body landed flat on the water. I understand if you had not saved me I would have drowned. I see how foolish I was." She leans close to his face. "You make life frustrating for me. Despite everything Father taught me, he did not prepare me for you. Every time I think I understand you, you lose part of your memory and I have to learn your mannerisms all over again. I know your mission is to save your family and I will do everything I can to help make it happen, but I cannot watch you and my Queendom at the same time."
His chin quivers and blood seeps out from the edge of her ice. She continues to express her likes and desires.
An hour later, she rest her hand in her lap. "I am sorry. My hand is tired, but there are three lines that will not heal." Her cold hand touches his face.
"Stop." He holds her hand over his heart. His fingers trace the three scars that match where her nails cut. "Leave it."
"But others will see it. How will you explain it?"
He moves his lower jaw from side to side. "Does it offend you?"
She shakes her head.
"Good. Let it be a reminder to the both of us for crossing the line when neither of us were ready."
She glances down.
He lifts her chin. "This has been a very stressful day for the both of us." He holds his hands next to her shoulders. "I don't know about you, but I need a hug."
Her smile blossoms as she wraps her arms around his neck. His arms slip around her.
He whispers, "Elsa, I must speak a truth. Approximately a year after S5 showed me that I could make ice, I became arrogant and reckless, instead of sticking with the scripted training. I thought S5 would not see and I used ice to change the training field in my favor. The result injured several personnel, including two of my team members. S5 met me at the field exit. I justified my actions with the ice and said the injured were collateral damage."
A cold drop splashes onto Elsa's shoulder.
"Later that evening, after lights out, she dragged me out of my room with her frozen hand around my throat. She did not let go until we were at the training field. An ice collar had formed around my neck. She walked a short distance from me. I asked her, why she was doing this to me. She showed both of her frozen hands pointed at me. Her facial color, almost blended with her white uniform. Then her eyes change to green."
She asked, "Who will the enemy attack first, the one spraying the troops with many arrows that they can see or one arrow being shot from an unknown location?"
"Before I could answer, an ice sword grew out of her hand and sliced through a wooden pole holding a sign. The sword impacted against my ice collard. She said the training ends at sunrise. Her sword transformed into a bow with an arrow pointed at me. She screamed 'run' and pulled back the arrow. Just as I stepped into the training field, the arrow flew past my shoulder. It did not cut deep, but the shock factor that she shot at me was enough for me to run fast."
Another cold drop splashes onto Elsa's shoulder.
"I stopped long enough to feel her ice covering my aching shoulder. I could not get it to stop expanding. My shoulder was freezing. With the one arrow, she crippled me. I was no match for her, even before this started. Every time I stopped for a breath, an arrow would land near me. If I hesitated to move, an arrow would scrape my body and it started to freeze. I could not outrun her, or out track her, nor could I see her. I look back now and can see her ice was a bright light in the dark. She saw me the whole time."
His sigh wavers and he squeezes Elsa closer.
"I could not go any further, and stood my ground. I formed a crude ice sword. Directly in front of me tree trunks froze, then the bushes, and then the ground froze. It stopped at my feet. Branches broke and a bush shatter into snow when she stepped through. Her clothes were as white as snow. Her face was a pale blue, but her eyes were not eyes, but were crystal green orbs. I had never seen her like that. I was afraid. I lifted my sword and barely saw her move as her sword shatter mine. Every time her sword touched me, a surge of pain exploded into my body. I lost control my ice and my body failed to respond. I was so cold."
She said, "If you are still in the field when the sun rises, I will kill you myself." And she walked away.
"She never lied to me, so I knew she would. I limped and fell, but I made it to my room as the first sunlight peaked in. No one checked on me. Over the three days, I was able to replace her ice with my own. I slept. The following two months, she didn't say anything to me. She laughed and talked to my team members, but when I came around, she would leave. It hurt so much. I had failed her. I cried myself to sleep that night. I wanted to die. The following days, not even my team would talk to me. They had us on a strict schedule, but I never received mine. When I asked questions, they all replied the same, ask S5. The few times I tried she would not acknowledge me. I stayed in my room during the day reading team reports, battle plans, field personnel, and mission goals. I ate my one meal a day in the dining room. I sat at a table by the window by myself.
"One day, I discovered I could requisition supplies. No one bothered me when I walked to the training field at sunset. I carried a backpack with supplies and my assassin's long range weapon. I knew they were watching. I read books, practiced the assassin's skills, and on clear nights I watched the stars, but my stare always focused on the one star I could not see. One night I heard strange music. It's as though the star was calling me. I was at peace. I slept a restful sleep. About an hour before sunrise my mind heard a noise that did not belong and all night creatures became quite. I opened my eyes and a blue tint, covered everything, then I saw them. Twenty members from two teams move through the forest as though they were tracking. They had to be tracking me. The odds were too large for me to overcome all of them."
Elsa asks, "So what did you do?"
"We were trained with the same tactics. Everything I knew they knew. Then it clicked. If I stayed within the planned tactics, I would be defeated quickly. So I decided to do the opposite."
"You did not play by the rules, so what happened?"
"By then, I had learned to increase my throwing accuracy. I attacked the strongest group. I saw a hand make the motion to move. They were distracted. I fired three shots. Three leaders fell. In that moment of hesitation. I fired ten shots. Two leaders and four other fell. With each shot I learned I did not have to wait for the results. As soon as I pulled the trigger, I acquired another target. Three took off running and fell immediately. They were down to eight. And this is when they forgot their training. We had been trained, when a mission falls apart or you feel you cannot complete the mission, return to the extraction zone for pickup. They were heading to the entry gate."
"I suspect you were ahead of them and waited for them to come to you."
"A good logical tactic, but in this case it would have taken too long. By shifting my sight spectrum just enough without revealing the color change in my eyes, I could make out their silhouettes in the forest and behind the bushes. I took my time. Eight shots and eight bodies fell. One had a rope on their belt. I collected their bodies in a clearing and use the rope to tie them together, but something did not seem right. Earlier in the morning I counted twenty. Now there were nineteen bodies. Evidently, one was pretending to have been shot.
"I had only three shots left. The sun would be peeking over the horizon in a matter of minutes. If I was them, the sun would at my back. I took a chance and scan the area with my blue vision. Did not see anyone. I ran, not to the entry point, but to the side of the field. A shot passed above my head. My eyes shift spectrum and my mind scanned without me thinking about it. The person ducked behind a tree. I stood out in the open so they could see me and they did. I took the suppressor off my weapon, so they would hear the weapon fire two shots to either side of the tree they were hiding behind. They ran and I shot my last ammo. They fell.
"I heard several people talking near the entrance. I crawled under the fence and shouldered my weapon as I marched back to my room. Along the way, S5 and a man I had never seen stood along a path leading to the command building. As I passed her, I said, 'Twenty needs to be recovered.'
"I dropped off my weapon at the weapon's storage and went to breakfast. I sat alone at a table near the window. A commotion outside cause my other team members to look out the window. A medical team and security force wheel out the twenty on carts. My team begged me for details. S5 tapped on the table behind them. We stood at attention. She said if they had completed their meals, they needed to leave. The others departed. She sat at my table with her breakfast. Out the window, the base commander had a heated conversation with the man I saw earlier. They screamed at each other for quite a while."
"Could you hear what they were saying?" Elsa asks.
"They were talking about the mission of the base. The man wanted to send some of the team members on a field exercise with the military. The commander objected. S5 and I talked. The one thing she said that stuck in my mind and became a primary principle I used all my life."
She said, "Rules are in place for a reason, but in battle, they will cause you to die. The rules are the result of the last war. Your actions tell me, you have learned to adapt to the situation. Continue to do that and you will survive long after the other team members have been killed."
"Her words sounded strange back then, but after her death three days later, I began to understand what she meant."
"Why are you telling this now?"
"My arrogance said I could do what she did. She proved me wrong. It hurt and when she refused to talk to me, it was the worst pain I had ever felt. I wanted to die. Because of the pain, I became more focused. For several months prior, she said I need to push forward, faster, and harder. Her death revealed the reality of the human race. They killed my mother and the only the friend I had there, Krystal. I was so angry. The monster came out. Everyone died. Every building burned and I walked through the forest.
"On the other side, a man in a blue suit, but not military, waited for me on the side of the road. I had seen him with S5 a few times on the base. Earlier that day the guards refused to let him in. The guards told him the base was off-limits due to an exercise about to start to test the base's defense. He said something was not right and contacted S5. She arrived moments before they were to execute me. The man in the blue suit claimed to be my uncle. Years later, I only had one name and when people asked what my last name was I took his name, Ryan.
"S5 taught me about my abilities, and how to attack and to defend. Uncle Ryan taught me how to associate with humans without wanting to kill them. So anything you like about me, you can thank S5 or Ryan. I should have died so many times, but I escaped because I did not act the way everyone expected me to act. The norms, the protocols, and royalty, I will leave that up to you.
From the hall leading to the kitchen, they hear. "They are hugging."
"Shh, let's give them a few more minutes before barging in."
Elsa waves towards Gerda and then turns her head to snuggle into his neck. "Thank you for telling this."
A memory of comfort calms their hearts.
End of Chapter.
