~Chapter 15~

Marcus

The pain growing inside my chest was sharp and intense with each passing minute. The light of the day was fading fast. Would we get there in time? Sven ran as quick as he could with his hooves thundering across the mountainous paths back down to our home. The city was just as we last left it. Covered in a thick blanket of freshly fallen snow. There were two guards who I didn't recognize posted at the front gates. They didn't look like my father's men and they weren't wearing the Arendelle guardsman coat of arms. I hopped off Sven's back as the two guards unsheathed weapons.

"No visitors allowed here on Prince Hans' orders." One guard spat, "Away with you."

"I need to speak with my father Pieter Aros, the captain of the guard." I urged, "It's of grave importance."

"Leave now if you know what's good for you."

Sven wasted no time in bowling the guards down with his brute strength. Plus the antlers helped.

"Thanks Sven!" I nodded.

The reindeer snorted and gestured for me to get inside quickly with the two guards momentarily distracted.

"Stay here and wait for Kristoff, Anna, and Olaf." I instructed.

Sven snorted again as I ran through the gates. I crept carefully around the courtyard keeping vigilant watch on everyone around me. Citizens were coming in and out of the palace doors probably seeking refuge from the storm. There were guards everywhere and I had to move quickly, though my parents could have been anywhere. I had no time. I cried out in pain suddenly at seeing the tips of my fingers begin to turn blue. Though my outburst of pain called attention to me as three guards apprehended me quickly. Once again, not wearing the right guard outfit. I tried to fight them and grab my sword from my belt, but one guard disarmed me before I had a chance.

"I recognize you, you're Pieter's boy." One guard sneered.

"Let me go! This is treason of Queen Elsa of Arendelle!" I shouted.

"That snow queen is a monster. Prince Hans was given stewardship of Arendelle and we follow his orders. You're the traitor. To the dungeon with you!"

The three men yanked me along as I continually tried to yank myself free, but in my already weakened state, of course, it was no use. These guys, unfortunately, caught me on a bad day.

They dragged me down the stone steps into the catacombs and into Arendelle prison. The cells were more filled than the last time I was here. Most of which were filled by guards I recognized from my father's regiment. As I walked by, many of my comrades looked up at me stunned to see me apprehended. Then we made it to the end cell that was much more private. There were no iron bars around this cell just the stone that made up the walls and a door to the inside. One of the guards unlocked the lock grabbing me by the arm squeezing me tight.

"You get a cellmate, how unfortunate." The guard sneered.

He pushed me inside and unusually clumsily of me, I fell to the stone cold floor groaning in pain.

"Marcus?" An all too familiar voice called out to me.

I looked up in shock to find Elsa chained to the wall and the floor. She got up to come over to me, but the slack in her chains was limited yanking her back. I slowly got up meeting her in the middle. I examined her restraints never seeing the likes of them before and I've brought many criminals down to this prison over the years.

"What did he do to you?" I asked.

"Just a bump on the head." She reassured me, "I promise, I'm fine." She paused, "Enough about me, where's Anna?"

"She's coming…" I muttered.

My lips were quivering and I felt so sluggish. My brain was shutting down. I glanced out the window covered in iron bars and there was mere minutes before sundown. There wasn't too much time, but I resigned myself to my fate, but I wouldn't go without saying goodbye.

"Listen Elsa, I was looking for my parents, but I think it's already too late."

"Too late? What's going on? Why is your hair going white?"

"Listen, I need to tell you something…"

"No, I need to go first." She insisted surprisingly, "I'm sorry, Marcus."

I looked at her stunned.

"My whole life I've been afraid to show you my true self. My powers controlled me and how I acted around those I cared about most. Shutting everyone out, especially the people I needed most. You have been a constant lighthouse in my seemingly never ending storm of no control. You've never left my side. You're my best friend, Marcus."

I could feel it spreading quickly. My body went limp and I fell against Elsa's shoulder.

"S-Sorry about this…"

"Don't apologize, please." She insisted

"Listen to me, Elsa." I said trying to pull my head up and look directly into her deep blue eyes, "Don't let fear rule your life. You only have one life and you need to live it to the best of your ability. Forget what people think. Embrace your powers, they only add to the already strong, steadfast, amazing woman that you are."

A single tear fell from her eye and I reached out and wiped it from her cheek.

"You're an amazing queen. Keep it up." I paused cupping my hands around her face gently, "I love you, Elsa."

This was it. It's now or never. I leaned forward pressing my lips to hers. Though it didn't last as long as I would have liked. I couldn't feel anything in my body. My heart was slowing. My consciousness faded away as my eyes were glued upon her as the world around me stopped.