"You go to Ahtohallan. You die. You. And your baby."
Elsa couldn't believe what she heard. Believing it to be a poorly worded jest, she addressed the Water Spirit again.
"Pardon me… Nokk? I don't understand."
Still in the same terse manner, Nokk responded, "Ahtohallan. Have all answers. Death also. You go, die."
"Death… why? How? Who would want to kill me?"
"Not kill," Nokk's aqueous horse head fluttered slightly, simulating a shaking motion. "Ahtohallan, place to find all things. Also place to lose all things. You find answers. You lose life. And offspring's life."
Nokk's words hit Elsa like bolt of the blue. It became clear to her why Gale would continuously coax her to go to Ahtohallan only to suddenly back out of its persistent efforts.
"Gale…" she called the Wind Spirit, her voice trembling. "Is that why?"
Yes… Elsa… said the Wind Spirit, sorrow and guilt evident in its voice.
"Why? Why didn't you tell me?" Elsa hissed, her voice laden with creeping anger. "My life is one thing. But you have to drag my child into this too!?"
That's not what I meant, Elsa-
"Then what!? You mean that I've got this – curse-!" Elsa fired off a few bolt of frost, which hit empty air, yet her hostility towards the Wind Spirit was unmistakable. "All because of some sick Spirits decided to play my father, my mother, Anna and I as a joke!? And in the end, we're all just sacrificial pawns for your own amusement?!"
Elsa, please-! Nokk, you buffoon! This is why I always tell you to speak normally! Look at how you confused the poor girl!
"Unclear. Explanation sufficient," said Nokk. "She goes to Ahtohallan, she dies."
If she goes NOW, you imbecile! She doesn't have her full powers and she's pregnant, that's WHY she would die if she goes NOW!
"Unclear. She goes later, better survival chance not guaranteed-"
Ah, just shut up, shut up now and let me explain before you screw up everything! Gale screamed, frustrated. Elsa, what this liquid-for-brains means is that with your powers diminished as it is now, it is very dangerous for you to go to Ahtohallan, because will need your magic to protect yourself there. Not to mention, being pregnant as you are will be a great physical challenge. Not just for you, but your baby as well.
Elsa didn't respond, merely staring daggers at the empty space where Gale's voice came from. With a blow of wind reminiscent of a sigh, Gale continued.
That's why I was reluctant to let you go there… at least for now. I would suggest we wait until you're in a better physical – and magical – condition, of course, before we go to Ahtohallan.
"While I'm stuck here, Arendelle is in danger, are you not aware of that?" Elsa said sarcastically. "The Warlock may be gone for now, but what if he returns? And we cannot be sure that Nordgard would be kept at bay forever either. And besides-" she drew a breath. "Why should I believe you, when you've already lied to me?"
A long moment of pause. The wind flowed away noisily, yet without Gale's playful chatter in it. And the aquatic figure of Nokk seemed to just stand still.
… Because you're one of us, Elsa. said Gale finally.
"… What?"
You're the Fifth Spirit. No, to be precise, you're the avatar of the Fifth Spirit. The power of the Fifth Spirit resides in you, and with it, it is your role to right what is wrong in this land, and bring back the balance and harmony it once had.
"If – if this is another of the so-called 'destiny' fairy tale, I'll have you know that Arendelle is as much as my destiny and my responsibility as this is!"
This concerns you and Arendelle as well, Elsa! You know The Warlock? The man named Ghish? He is the Fire Spirit!
Elsa was utterly stunned. Her mouth tried to form words, yet the idea to respond couldn't even cross her mind.
I don't know exactly what happened to him that caused him to change that much… but he was once Bruni, the playful yet gentle Fire Spirit. He wasn't always the monster you've seen, no. He was this tiny, happy lizard that would rather make perfectly roasted potatoes and warm hearths rather than burning down trees and men. But ever since that day… the day King Runeard came and the ensuing chaos with the Northuldra… he disappeared. And the next time we'd seen him, he had become… that.
The words of the Warlock rang distantly,
"A part of a past I'd rather forget, yet I cannot. Yes, there are more of us. And you, Snow Queen, you used to be one of us. Our brethren."
"Then tell me what I should do," said Elsa quietly. "You can tell me, can't you Gale? Please, I haven't the luxury of time… to wait to go to Ahtohallan."
Elsa… I can't.
"… Why?"
Because I don't know what you, me, or anybody supposed to do! Not even Nokk here. I can tell you the gist of what happened that day - according to my own understanding - as any of the Northuldra could. But the absolute truth? Only Ahtohallan knows.
Unconsciously, Elsa's hands crawled to wrap her belly, as they always did when she was anxious. It seemed that there was no other ways about it; she'd just have to wait until the time was right… to finally proceed.
"Is this why they'd brought me here and kept Anna away at Arendelle? So that I can solely dedicate my efforts for this? But… can I trust them? Gale had already lied to me not once, but twice – Nokk said even at my full power, my chance of survival at Ahtohallan wouldn't be much greater. Also, what guarantee do I have that my powers will return to me? And of course I don't want to die; who would? But is there even another way to get out of this place? And if there is and I do get out, how should I defeat that monster again when I meet him?"
Elsa sighed. So many questions, yet so little time and resources.
"Oh Anna… If our positions were switched, what would you do? Would you make my choices? And I yours? Tell me… What should I do? Anna, Hans, what should I do…?"
Just do the next right thing, Elsa.
The words came not from Gale, not from Nokk, but herself. Perhaps it was Lieutenant Matthias' advice from before that triggered it. But it felt right to her, especially in this predicament.
"Very well, Gale," Elsa said, her voice regaining its steadiness and confidence. "Let us proceed as you suggested." She turned to Nokk, "I will be back… when the time is right."
"Exemplary," the Water Spirit said, its liquidous horse neck emulating a bow.
Woo-hoo! Awesome, Elsa! shouted the Wind Spirit, its voice regaining the original mirth and excitement. I knew you'd make the wise choice.
"I still haven't forgiven you, you know," Elsa said coldly to Gale. "For keeping the fact that I would die if I go."
Oh come on, you wouldn't die; it's just this idiot Nokk blabbering nonsense-
"Yet there is danger in that place, is there not?" the Snow Queen said coolly.
Well… uh, I'm sure it's nothing you can't handle once you've got your powers back!
"I won't hold my breath," Elsa scoffed. She turned to the Water Spirit. "Nokk, it has been a pleasure to speak with you, but I suppose it's farewell for now."
"Valediction," said Nokk, and its watery figure dissolved back into the ocean.
Elsa turned and walked away. The idea of nuzzling on the warm Northuldran bed seemed appropriately alluring to her.
One thing though; I still don't get how you called our bluff, Queenie, said Gale. I mean, facing my tornado with your full power was one thing, but now you cannot even use a fourth of your original power. What would you do if that wasn't a bluff?
"I didn't," said Elsa. "If that wasn't a bluff, I suppose I'd perish either way. There was no escaping a freak of nature of that scale, not on my own. And even if I did manage to save myself and leave the Northuldra to their fate… I won't have that sin weigh on my conscience, not now, not ever."
Elsa… Gale's voice was brimming with admiration. You truly are something else!
Finding the elusive brother of his wasn't quite a simple task, even for Hans. Of course it wouldn't be – the first time was hard enough, and this time he'd rattled the proverbial hornet's nest. He was rather fortunate that the hornet chose to fly away instead of stinging him in the face.
Still, that gave him a glimpse of his brother's buried past. One of the Westergaard brothers did indeed have a hand in the demise of Stefan's wife.
Or perhaps more than one.
Who?
It didn't matter.
"Your move."
Hans briefly looked up at his brother, who was sitting on the opposite side of the chessboard. Stefan's expression, as usual, was blank like that of a stone wall. It was useless trying to read him from his facial cues.
He reverted his gaze at the silent pieces of wood, whose transfixed position reflected their state of minds.
Yes, all that mattered was to win today's game, again.
Almost an hour ago…
"Fancy meeting you here again, big brother."
No answer.
The magister Zelgabaarth kept his gaze transfixed on the vista, where green, red, blue, and other verdant colours were conjoined.
"You know, it was rather an ordeal to finally catch up to you. Would you mind sharing with me some of your preferred locales, where we can-"
"My place is in the battlefield, as is yours, Magister Jeigan," growled Stefan finally, his voice bordering on cold indignation. "We are the blades of King Vaynord, and I must say I am rather flabbergasted to see a Magister of your stature freely frolicking about without care like a feckless vagrant."
Hans chuckled. "Flabbergasted?"
"Disappointed, more like."
"If it's any consolation to you, my orders used to come from the Magister Ghish," Hans shrugged. "Now with His Honor's whereabouts unknown… can't exactly act on my own without coordination, can I? Lest I jeopardize our war efforts."
Hans intentionally took a long pause to emphasize this point. After all, he was an outsider from Stefan's perspective. Either he'd be forced to accept it and let Hans continue to have free rein… or finally cave in and tell him what he needed to know.
Stefan, however, remained stone-faced. Hans chuckled inwardly; others might have lost their temper facing one with such utter lack of reaction like this brother of his. Shrugging, he instead settled himself nonchalantly beside his brother.
"Also, never have I had any contact, let alone interaction, with His Majesty, save for the day I was appointed Magister," he continued. "Ah, that reminds me, you were there on that day too, were you not?"
Again, Stefan simply sat mutedly, pointedly ignoring Hans' last enquiry.
Trying to coax a response from this man proved to be quite the endeavor, Hans thought, and it was getting cumbersome. If mere speech wouldn't move him, time to change tactics. Hans reached and settled beside him a hefty object made of wood.
A chessboard.
Stefan gave it a perfunctory glance before turning his gaze away. Feigning disinterest, perhaps?
"Care for a game?" Hans grinned.
Again, muted response.
"Well, I can't blame you," Hans let out an exaggerated sigh. "Would be a shame if the best tactician in the White Wolf army was humbled by a mere vagrant."
Immediately the Magister Zelgabaarth's glare was on Hans. Feigning a sweet smile, Hans held out two pieces of pawn, knowing that he'd won today's game too. The real game.
"Black or white?" he asked.
"Only. A game." Stefan snapped, snatching the white piece.
Hans breathed in deeply, having just closed the door behind him. The match was short but it had drained him.
His brother defeated him, rather easily, and not for his lack of trying. It looked like they didn't call the Magister Zelgabaarth one of the best tacticians in Nordgard for nothing. Yet Hans noted something about his style of play… it was a pure brute offense, heavily reliant on sacrifice play to achieve a greater end. As if he didn't care about anything else but the singular goal.
Was this a glimpse of a man who had lost everything, Hans wondered. Was this, too, what would happen to him if he didn't meet Elsa? Him, on a path so narrow and destructive, with nothing but a single goal that would see him burn to nothingness at the aftermath?
"Elsa…"
A blast of wind, and the window to his room was knocked open. It happened so suddenly that even he was shocked and knocked off balance. And the wind… it was fleeting but it was warm. A far cry from the typical winter gale.
Hans hurried over to the window and peered out, trying to see if someone had pulled a fast one on him. Or perhaps something worse.
He looked around, and… No one.
As it should be; his room was on top of the tower. There would be no way anyone would-
"… What's this?"
A strange shape was on his desk.
Hans leaned closer; it was a letter. He picked it up and pondered – he was absolutely certain this wasn't here. Eyeing the envelope, he couldn't help but notice the strange material it was made from. It certainly wasn't paper, or at least, paper from any of the nearby regions. It fleetingly resembled a parchment, an ancient writing material that was seldom, if never, used nowadays.
He flipped it backside and frontside trying to find a seal or emblem on it.
Nada.
The Prince Consort of Arendelle's curiosity heightened; he reached for the opening instead and unsealed from it the content.
And he couldn't believe what his eyes beheld.
The thin, almost artlike handwriting.
The all too familiar diction and style of writing.
And the signature at the end.
Yours Eternally,
Elisabeth Margarethe Brunhild Nordstjerne
The wintry breeze brushed lightly against her face, bringing a comfortable and fresh sensation. Being cooped in the castle for days, the Princess Regent of Arendelle found the outdoors truly rejuvenating. If there was one thing she enjoyed substituting for Elsa, it was the days of walking the streets and mingling with the citizens, personally hearing from them their complaints and feedback.
Days like this one.
"So how's business, Grandpa Jon?" Anna greeted the old fishmonger. The market, as usual, was bustling with buyers and sellers from all over the town.
"Princess Anna!" the fishmonger greeted back. "It's nice to have you here at my humble stall!"
"Well, you always have the best around here," Anna winked while inspecting a large northern cod covered in ice. "Very nice skrei!"
"Thanks to you and the Navy, we could still make our catch in peace," Jon flashed a smile. "We've even had some early pollocks and sea basses, and no trouble storing them either, thanks to the ice we've got from the Master Ice Harvester there!"
Kristoff, who was standing behind Anna, coughed in attempt to hide his blushing.
"Did you hear that, Master Ice Harvester?" Anna smirked, nudging her beau. "A job well done, he said!"
"Uh… yes, glad I could be of help," Kristoff grinned sheepishly.
"The Arendellian Navy isn't all we've got though, the Southern Isles also lent some of their men to strengthen our security!" chirped Anna.
The smile on the elderly fishmonger faded at the mention of Southern Isles.
"Ah, yes, The Southern Isles…" he trailed.
"Is something the matter?" asked Anna, noting the grim look that crept into the old man's visage.
"Ah, it's nothing Your Highness…" the fishmonger waved his hand dismissively. Unconvinced, Anna leaned closer.
"Please, if there's anything that bothers you, I want you to tell me," she whispered sympathetically.
"It's just… we've had some of them Southern Islanders here every few days or so. And our encounters with them had been… less than pleasant, so to speak."
The revelation cast quite a shock on the Princess.
"Elaborate," she urged.
"Well to be honest, in the beginning they were quite the polite customers, coming ashore twice every week or so, and buy our goods with coins or trade with their rations. But a month in, and they started to change. Instead of buying, they'd start to demand. Saying they're here for our protection and the likes."
The princess felt heat rising to her temple.
"How dare they?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Jon huffed. "But we didn't dare to refuse, lest we offend them and put the alliance in danger-"
"Don't you worry about that," Anna patted the old fishmonger's shoulder. "I shall have a word with their commander and take care of this."
"Your Highness, that's-"
"We'll take care of it, Grandpa Jon, fret not. You can concentrate on catching the best seafood possible as you usually do; we still have a need for a lot of it," winked the Princess.
"Th-thank you, Your Highness!"
"Speaking of seafood, I'll take your skrei, some pollocks," Anna carried on, pointing at the fishes on display, "and the freshest squids you have. Just send them to the castle as usual."
"Of course, Your Highness," the old man smiled and bowed.
"This 'military aid' is proving to be more troublesome than I thought," Anna grumbled in a low breath once they're out earshot.
"Perhaps it's all not so black-and-white," Kristoff whispered back. "We haven't heard their side of the story yet."
"You're right," nodded Anna. "Either way, we'd get to the bottom of this."
Kristoff nodded and smiled approvingly. In the past three months after she'd taken over for Elsa, Anna's temper had mellowed considerably. The once hot-headed Princess who was always rash in making decisions now had grown into an even-tempered Regent who was much more tactful. Even Kai and the Prime Minister had noted and complimented her on it. Perhaps it was the combination of stress from bearing the weight of responsibility and the realization that there were many facets of human politics, even in a small country like Arendelle.
Nevertheless, this new temperament of hers was about to be tested once again...
The discussion with the Rear Admiral of the Southern Isles Navy took almost three hours already. Though the Rear Admiral was apologetic at most times about the unruly behavior of his subordinates, he also elaborated that with the war efforts that strained the Southern Isles' resources on the south, supply lines that were going towards the forces stationed in Arendelle was growing thin. Some days, the sailors and soldiers would not get enough to eat and drink. As a result, they were getting restless and weary, and morale was steadily falling.
In response, the Princess Regent offered to shoulder some of the logistics and provisions needed for the upkeep of the Southern Isles Navy stationed at Arendelle; the crown would cover a part of the foreign navy's expenses, but in return, absolute order was to be kept upon the ranks of the Southern Isles Navy. This was a rather controversial move to be sure, one that would draw ire from many of the nationalist factions on the Arendellian parliament. Nevertheless, their discussion seemed to prove fruitful, with early drafts of the agreements being finalized.
Only a few fine tuning here and there, and it seemed good to go! Anna thought.
The sun had already set when the meeting was adjourned. Anna invited the Rear Admiral Sorensen and his party for a supper, yet they declined, saying that they already imposed so much on the Arendellian hospitality.
"Until we meet again then, Rear Admiral," Anna bowed as she was seeing the party off the castle gate.
"Thank you for your help and hospitality, Your Highness," the Rear Admiral bowed back.
The Princess Regent waved and waited until the party was out of sight before turning back to the castle. From the side of her eyes, Anna spotted the figure of the ice man, leaning his back against the castle walls.
"Gentlemen, if you would excuse me, I have something to talk about in private with the Master Ice Harvester," Anna said to her guards.
"As you wish, Your Highness," the guards bowed and dispersed.
Anna turned and walked towards Kristoff, who was still leaning on the wall near the gates.
"Hey," she greeted. "Sorry, did you wait long?"
"It's nothing," Kristoff smiled back. "I knew you were busy."
The two shared a brief hug.
"You could have waited inside, you know? Maybe in my studies or the guest room."
"I know, Anna, but it just didn't feel right," Kristoff huffed.
"Didn't feel right how?"
"It's just… I'm a commoner, I can't exactly go in and out as I please like I own the castle."
"That's nonsense," Anna waved her hand dismissively. "The people here know you."
"Yes, but I'm still a commoner, and you're the Princess Regent," sighed Kristoff. "The story would be different if we're married-!"
Kristoff choked on his own words, instantly realizing what he was implying. Heat rose to his cheeks.
"You mean when we are married," Anna corrected him with a warm smile. "What, you're having doubts about me now?"
"N-no! Of course not!" said Kristoff, blushing. "But you… you're okay with someone like me? I'm no prince nor someone of status, Anna-"
"And why should I care about any of that?" Anna whispered, taking Kristoff's hand and holding it firmly. His burly fingers felt warm against her delicate ones. "The people like you. Elsa likes you too, and Hans... And most importantly, I love you. Shouldn't that be all that matters?" She added, noting Kristoff's hesitant look, "And if it's any consolation, you do give pretty good advices. About life and politics and other stuffs."
Kristoff let out a little laugh.
"Thanks. You know, sometimes I feel like I'm the woman in this relationship."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Anna pouted. "You're saying I'm not feminine enough?"
"No, no! It's not that… It's just… Usually the men should take the lead in a relationship, but…"
"Well, you better be bolder or get used to it then, mister!" Anna smirked. Kristoff shook his head and smiled, and they pulled into a hug and shared a brief kiss.
"It's getting late, I suppose I should get back." Kristoff said, noting the sun that was completely gone.
"Aww, won't you stay for dinner?" said Anna, looking a little dejected.
"Maybe next time, I still have a few errands to run today."
"Well, good luck to you then, Master Ice Harvester!"
Once again, the two shared a brief hug before the ice harvester took off.
As the gates slammed shut behind him, Kristoff felt like there were springs beneath his legs, propelling him forward. The way through the town felt unusually light and short, and even more so as he took shortcuts through the alleyways.
"Kristoff Bjorgman?"
Surprised, Kristoff spun around and saw a hooded figure standing behind him in the alley.
"Yeah, who's asking?" Kristoff called back, slightly unnerved at the sight of a hooded man in a dimly lit alley. He unconsciously assumed a defensive stance.
And his senses were proven right as the hooded figure charged at him, brandishing a glint of steel that Kristoff recognized as a dagger. Dodging the first strike, Kristoff rolled and stumbled about, picking up a block of discarded wood as a weapon.
"Who are you!? Why-"
The ice harvester didn't get to finish his sentence as the figure charged him again, this time slashing at his legs. With blinding speed, Kristoff blocked the blade with the stick he was holding. His monstrous strength prevailed; the assailant was repelled with a swing of his stick, hitting the wall behind him.
Before Kristoff could deliver a follow up assault, however, came another hooded figure from his sides, slashing at his abdomen. Again he blocked the strike with the stick, but this time yet another hooded man came from behind him and struck his left leg.
"Aah!" Kristoff let out a cry of pain as he sunk to his knees. Blood trickled from his thigh; where the assailant ripped at him.
And all of a sudden, no fewer than five assailants had already surrounded him. Kristoff tried his best to put up a resistance, yet despite his great physical strength, his lack of combat experience was evident. It wasn't long until the band of hostiles overwhelmed him. Blood was gushing from almost every one of his orifices; his sight was blurry, and his breath ragged.
"Should we kill him now?" he heard one of the assailants asking.
"No," said another. "That person said to bring this one to him alive. He may have some uses for him still."
"You're the boss," said the first assailant, and the five of them began closing on Kristoff.
With a roar, Kristoff let out one final assault.
A strike from behind squarely hit his back of the neck, and like a candle in the wind, his consciousness snuffed out.
A/N: Ooh, twisty.
Anyway, this is why I said Elsa's plot is the hardest for me to write. On one hand, I'd like her plot to move along at the same pace as the other two. But on the other hand, because she's, you know, pregnant, there are limitations on what I can and cannot do with her (frankly, would you let a heavily pregnant Elsa fight the stormy seas like she did in the movie?). From here on out, I guess she'll have to watch from the sidelines for a while.
Reviews, faves and follows are appreciated as usual. :)