(A/N: I realized the link I provided wouldn't remain complete when I saved my document. Sorry. I think it's a security thing and the link would only remain complete if I shared it on YouTube or Social Media. I guess you won't be able to see it after all. That's disappointing. Oh, well. At least I still have fanfiction. I had to redo this chapter because I completely forgot about an important scene. If you recall, Levi is a teenager that the harvester wives mentioned has a crush on Elsa. I made a slight tweak to his occupation to make him different from Tim in Spirits & Swords.)
CHAPTER TWELVE: REVELATIONS
So…this is how it ends. His injuries were too dire. He could feel himself drifting away. All he could do is look in Ayla's eyes as she cradled his defeated body in her arms. She was panicking, begging him to stay.
"No. You can't die. I have too many questions. Questions that need answers. You have to answer them."
I'm sorry, Ayla…but I can't stay. I was hoping to tell you everything once I knew you were safe. Seeing you again after all this time- I just wish I could stick around a little longer…for you, but at least you are safe. That's all that matters.
"Leave him alone! Elsa, please! Save him! He has answers about my past! I need to know!"
Just as he was about to drift away for good, he felt something cold cover him and keep him from slipping away. The cold made him more alert in his unconscious state.
No one could go to sleep at that late hour. How could they when death came so close to them? Prince Joseph was retrieved by his father who explained that things have escalated in Arendelle and excused their abrupt departure to Henrik and Ella. Joseph was fast asleep when he took him to his bed. He turned to see Elsa staring with a worried expression at their son. Kristoff came over and took her hand, which pulled her out of her head as she got lost in deep thought. "Don't worry. It's over. The people trying to harm our family are gone…thanks to you."
Elsa allowed a small smile to appear on her tired face. She remembered what the leader of the attackers said with his dying breath, but kept it to herself. She'll reveal what she had learned when she met with the Council to discuss their prisoner's fate. She overheard some of the guards whispering about killing the prisoner and believed the Council members would be vocal as well. At that very moment, Jason and a couple of assistants were working to mend the fatal injuries in hopes of saving the rogue's life for Ayla's sake. Had it not been for the plea of her friend, Elsa would have left him to die with the others. However, Ayla was desperate about answers about her parents and her past, convinced this assassin somehow knew. Elsa also wished to interrogate him to get answers about any remnant of their group. Her mind drifted back to Ayla and her grandfather. They were both in a couple of guest rooms in the palace, since Elsa was convinced this was over. Plus, she needed answers from them as well.
"You should get rest," Kristoff suggested, "I'll wake you up when Jason has finished."
Elsa shook her head as she pulled away and walked down the hall with Kristoff right behind her, "I can't. I almost lost Ayla, Anna and Aesir. These assassins were well trained and were ready to make their move. Who knows how long they have been watching us? I can't let my guard down, not since I'm…" her hands traveled down to her belly. Her defensive motherly instincts were kicking in again just like when she was pregnant with Joseph. With him, she was always on guard, hiding behind a cold and regal demeanor to ward off any worry or danger. When he was born, she was afraid to hold him since their son was such a fragile thing as a newborn infant. She wasn't going to make the same mistake with Eden- Elsa caught herself already naming their unborn daughter Eden. We are NOT calling her Eden!
"You need your sleep. Depriving yourself of sleep isn't healthy for you or the baby. Don't worry. I'll be right there watching over the both of you," Kristoff replied as his hand slid over her's. Before she could argue, he picked her up in his arms like he did on their wedding night and carried her to their bed. Elsa was startled slightly when he just tossed her on the bed once they were close enough and looked up at him with a smile. He smiled back and said, "As King of Arendelle, I order you to sleep."
"Very well," she replied, laying her tired head on her soft pillow and allowing herself to drift off. Kristoff sat in a nearby chair, close to the bedside so he could stroke her as she drifted to sleep. He leaned in close to her belly and whispered to their unborn daughter, "Hi, Eden. It's Daddy. I can't wait for you to be born. You're going to love having Elsa for a mom. She's beautiful, smart, funny, and fearless. She also has magic. You'll love it. I wonder if you'll have magic too."
Jason lightly knocked on the doorframe and Kristoff went over to get the report. "It was a very difficult surgery. Luckily, his spirit is strong."
"Elsa just fell to sleep finally. I'll have him moved down to the dungeons and guarded closely. He needs to be contained. Elsa will have many questions for him tomorrow," Kristoff said.
"He should be shackled and contained in one of the guest rooms. The dungeon is no place for a patient recovering," Jason debated. "He could die."
"I don't like it either, but he's dangerous. The safety of my family comes before him," Kristoff replied.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Jason conceded, realizing Kristoff was right and it was pointless to convince him otherwise.
Anna paced in her room when she couldn't sleep. She looked at her closed door and walked to it before sitting against it. "Aesir?"
"I'm here," he replied on the other side.
Ever since she tried going to sleep, Aesir remained outside her door, compelled to protect her. "You don't have to-"
"Yes, I do," he interrupted her. "If I close my eyes, they are there and I failed to protect you. Guarding you while slept is the only thing keeping me sane so DON'T tell me not to protect you." His voice was definitely agitated. Anna could hear it. She opened the door and cuddled close to him, laying her head in his lap. "Anna- What are you- ?"
"I'm guarding you," she replied with a playful smile as she looked up at him.
Aesir smiled, feeling better. "Yeah? Am I your prisoner now, Your Grace?"
Anna's eyes stared at him with a look of longing for the longest minute before they drew close to each other's lips. Aesir's hand supported her head by cupping around her ear and the back of her head. Their lips met softly for several minutes before Aesir fell sleep.
"Aesir?" Anna asked. She stifled a small laugh. She cuddled close and laid her head against his chest, focused on his relaxed breathing and his heartbeat. He fell asleep on me. Sleep well, my Prince. Its my turn to protect you.
Ayla sat by the gurney in the doctor's office where her captor laid. His arm was closed and his body was covered with stitches from all the wounds Jason and his assistants had to close.
"I sometimes have these dreams…of things that happen before they happen," Ayla shared, unsure he could hear her. "Grandfather knows what's wrong with me, but won't tell me anything. I was hoping…you could."
She turned when Kristoff said her name, "Ayla." There were guards behind him.
"What's going on?" she asked, standing up.
Jason came over to her. "Kristoff and I have discussed the prisoner. Until we can know he's not a danger to anyone within these walls, he needs to be confined in a secure area for everyone's safety."
Ayla looked at Kristoff and Jason with shock. "You want to lock him up?"
"It's for the best, Ayla. There's too much we don't know," Kristoff explained softly, trying to gently lead her away from him so the guards could move his body to the dungeons, but she ripped her arm out of his hand.
"No. He won't hurt anyone, I promise. He was trying to protect me. He's not like them," Ayla quickly defended him.
"Why? Until we know his intentions, we can't risk it. Not with him," Kristoff stepped closer. He knew he could trust Ayla since Elsa trusted her, but he didn't trust their prisoner. "Please…step away from him, Ayla."
Ayla tensed up as she backed up against the gurney.
One of the guards got impatient, "Enough of this. We'll just remove her by force if she won't listen to our King." Ayla's captor immediately got up, startling everyone. He examined his surroundings and finally his stub of an arm. Finally, he looked up. The guards had their swords drawn and King Kristoff standing in front of them with his arms raised to halt them. "Easy, guys. Put your swords away. Now."
"He's part of the group that killed my older brother. He guarded the gate. For all we know, maybe he killed him," a guard replied angrily.
"You don't know that and acting out of revenge is not going to bring him back," Kristoff tried to calm the closest guard.
"Since Queen Elsa has killed the others and Master, Ayla and I are leaving," the assassin said and Ayla looked at him, but his eyes are focused on the guards.
Another guard drew his sword, "You think we're really going to just let you walk out. You're not leaving."
An evil grin came across his handsome face. It was the first time Ayla ever saw her captor without his mask on. "Who's going to stop me? You?"
The other guards stepped forward, drawing their swords and each replying, "Me."
Her captor's grin widened more, "You and what army?"
The guards rushed him, defying King Kristoff who was trying to prevent escalation, but it was in vain.
Ayla was pushed to the side. Her captor, not wielding armor or weapons and down one arm, somehow managed to defend himself just fine, using their momentum and strength against them.
Anna and Aesir were wakened by the commotion and rushed to Jason's clinic inside the palace. They halted when Kristoff flew out of the door and violently against the wall, cracking it and knocking the pictures off the wall and making a vase on a pedestal fall over. Anna rushed to him.
His eyes widened. "ANNA! LOOK OUT!" Kristoff pushed her aside a second before a guard flew into Kristoff. Aesir rushed in to stop what was going. The assassin froze when Aesir's sword barely touched his neck. "Easy, there." Aesir looked over at Ayla who was on the other room. "Let's leave the room. It's getting a little crowded in here," he joked with a smile.
Ayla felt calmer now that Aesir was there. She slowly walked around hurt guards to Aesir, her eyes met her captor's stormy grey eyes, which were watching her like a hawk. Intimidating, but with a look of longing, like he didn't want her to leave. Ayla was suddenly filled with warmth. The thought of her parents abandoning because they didn't love her left her with a void in her heart since she was little. The way he looked at her made her feel loved and desired. It was terrifying and made her tear up slightly.
"Ayla," he called for her when she passed and tried to turn but the edge of Aesir's sword warned him to remain still. The sound of his voice when he called for Ayla, struck her deep.
"Please, just do as they say. Tell them what they want to know," Ayla said and he surrendered himself and was led away. Ayla recalled everything.
Have you come to kill me?
No.
The sight of him turning on the other assassins to protect her.
Shhh. Don't resist. Just let go. I won't let harm come to you.
You were dreaming about something. You were crying and moving in your sleep. I wasn't sure if I should wake you.
Don't do that. You'll hurt yourself.
What is this?! Where am I?!
Somewhere safe. Somewhere you'll remain until it's over.
Until WHAT is over?!
The Purge. Master has grown impatient and wishes to return Arendelle to the ancient ways by eliminating the Crown. The fate of Arendelle…its future will be decided in the upcoming battle. The strongest will live and thrive. The weak will perish. Such is the will of Runegar.
I need you…to live. Eat…or I swear to your God I'll start shoving it down your defiant throat! Do you understand me?
Why am I here? Ransom from the Queen?
No. I have no interest in money.
Then why?! Why turn on the others to protect me?! What am I to you?! Another prey for you to torment before you finally take my life?!
You're my property. That's all you need to know.
Finally, she remembered what the Master said to him when they attacked. You have become such a disappointment. At first, I thought the woman was just another prey for you to kill, but you turning on your peers…to protect her. Now…I know the truth. You love her.
Ayla.
Ayla quickly started walking after him but Aesir stopped her and held her close. "It's okay. He can't hurt you anymore."
She looked over his shoulder with teary eyes at Anna who rubbed her hair and said, "He's right. You're home now."
Their prisoner was placed in the farthest cell in the dungeon, reserved for the most dangerous criminals. Kristoff headed back to the stairs to go to bed, but found Elsa standing at the top of the stairs watching him. "I thought you said you were going to wake me when Jason finished."
Kristoff rubbed the back of his neck nervously and smiled, "I'm sorry. You just fell to sleep." He began to walk up to her.
"Any problems moving him when he woke up?" Elsa asked. She couldn't help but smile. He had that effect on her.
He came closer, rubbing his shoulder. "A minor disagreement, but luckily Ayla was able to talk him down."
"Ayla?" Elsa looked at Kristoff with surprise. "Who knows what he did to her after taking her."
"Ayla said he protected her. Before you and the Council pass judgement on him, allow her to speak in his defense. I think there is much more happening than we know. We need answers," Kristoff suggested.
"Very well," Elsa said after leaning down the stairs and kissing Kristoff passionately.
Kristoff was stunned for a few seconds as Elsa giggled and turned back to the royal chambers. "You coming? Queen can't sleep without her King."
Kristoff chuckled nervously. She had a way of making him feel like that poor simple Ice Harvester years ago. The power of a true royal, I guess.
The next morning after breakfast, the Council met with the King and Queen and all that the monarchs have learned was shared. This deeply disturbed the nobles.
Ayla was in her room with her Grandfather, telling him everything that had happened. He fell back onto the bed with shock over what she just told him. She knelt in front of him and held his wrinkled hand.
A guard entered, "The King and Queen request your presence in the Great Hall as witnesses."
"Witnesses? For what?" Ayla asked.
The guard didn't answer and two guards escorted them to the Great Hall, a large room for the King and Queen to sit on their thrones during meetings with important guests or civilians. Ayla noticed a few nobles gathered near the throne and there were many guards along the walls. Anna was by Elsa's side by the throne. Aesir stood by Anna. She felt intimidated, like she was in trouble. They were escorted to the side. The guards became tense as the doors opened and Ayla's captor was brought in with two guards. Chains fastened his legs at the ankles and his one arm was chained to his waist. A necessary precaution for a prisoner as dangerous as him. When close enough, he was forced on his knees before the throne.
"What's your name?" Elsa asked the criminal.
"I- can't remember," he replied looking down at the floor with genuine confusion. "It's been so long."
Elsa and Kristoff looked at each other and the Council members muttered amongst themselves. "You have been charged with murder and plotting against the Crown of Arendelle. I don't take threats and attempts against my family lightly. If it was only up to me, I would order your immediate execution. However, after hearing the counsel of my husband, the Council…and Ayla, I have been convinced to look deeper into recent events before passing judgement."
He looked over at Ayla and smiled at her, which made her turn red and look away. Elsa noticed and reseized his attention by asking, "I have questions and you are going to answer them."
One of the nobles came forward with a Bible and his hand was placed on it. "Do swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God."
"I swear by Ayla," he replied. There were mutters and the noble looked at Elsa who nodded it was okay.
"What is the purpose of the group you were associated with?" Elsa asked.
"We are the children of the Arendelle of Old. During the times of Aren, the people of Arendelle were warriors. Vikings. Arendelle was greatly feared because its warriors conquered and pillaged distant lands. It was a lawless land. There were no laws. No monarch. We lived for ourselves. However, Aren betrayed our founder, Runegar the Merciless and thus the kingdom of Arendelle was established." Ayla's eyes widened when she heard the name Runegar again, which Elsa remembered and tucked in her mind for now. "Our mission was to eliminate the monarchy and return Arendelle to the ways of old. To the way it should be."
"What do you know of the Triad?" Elsa asked. Inside she wasn't sure how she felt about this prisoner. Pity that he was obviously brainwashed by a violent cult? Righteous fury for his crimes? There were more questions to ask to determine that.
"The Triad was once of the group, yet deterred from the mission. They became disciples of King Runeard, who opposed anything magic. They were entrusted with the truth of his visit to the Enchanted Forest all those years ago."
"Did you kill the lieutenant and kidnap Ayla?"
"Yes," he replied and this caused a commotion that was immediately silenced by Elsa rising from her chair and approached the prisoner.
"Why?"
"Our group had spies within these walls. The lieutenant and the young cook, Damon, were such spies. I killed Damon because he failed to kill the King by poisoning his oatmeal." Elsa shot a look at Kristoff who went pale. "He was a loose end and a danger to our cause. The lieutenant was going to kill Ayla. I couldn't let that happen."
Captain Halden stepped forward with anger, "You lie! The lieutenant was a great and honorable man! He was worth ten of you!"
"He's not lying!" Ayla yelled to defend the prisoner's testimony. She was halted by a nearby guard but was allowed to come closer to Elsa by her silent invitation. "The lieutenant stopped. The road was blocked by four cloaked men in masks. The lieutenant threw me onto the ground in front of them, pulling my hair and told them to kill me. He said I was a distraction. The lieutenant was going to kill me himself, but HE saved me and killed the others. They were there to kill him too for defying their Master."
"Explain," Elsa requested softly. It obviously bothered Ayla to revisit those terrifying events.
"You. The King and the young Prince went to the lodge. I was sent…to kill all three of you," the prisoner hesitantly answered and this made everyone tense. "I am the sole surviving descendant of Runegar the Merciless." Ayla stared at him. That WAS you. You WERE there.
The nobles all spoke up, "Your Majesty! He needs to be eliminated! He's the descendent of your ancestor's! He's a threat!"
"ENOUGH!" Elsa commanded and everyone became silent. She glanced at the prisoner, "Rather than finish what you came to do, you chose to go after Ayla instead. Why?"
Ayla was especially interested in knowing that as well. There was a long silence before he glanced at Ayla but avoided her eyes, "She's…my friend…since we were little."
Ayla gripped her head when memories she didn't recognize flooded her head, causing a sudden flare of pain surge in her head, making her wince loudly. The prisoner immediately stood and tried to go to her out of concern, but was pushed back down by the nearby guards.
Elsa quickly knelt by Ayla. "Ayla?! What's wrong?!"
Ayla winced loudly more as she gripped her head firmly, "It hurts! Elsa, it hurts!" Elsa quickly sent magic to her hand and placed the cold hand against her head. She looked up at the prisoner and hissed, "What did you do to her?!"
"Please…help her," he requested with genuine concern before he was forced back to his cell by Kristoff's order as he, Anna and Aesir rushed over to help Ayla. The Council was dismissed and the others carried her to Jason's room.
"Uh…what's going on here? I just fixed my space from our last patient," Jason complained.
"It's her head," Anna said, "It was sudden."
They sat her on the gurney and Jason examined her eyes before examining where she was gripping. "Here?" Ayla nodded, enduring the sharp pain. Elsa held her hand and rubbed her back.
Jason froze when he noticed the old scar on the top of Ayla's forehead. A thought came to him. "What can you tell me about this scar?"
"I've had it since I was little. I…can't remember how I got it," Ayla answered. Jason gestured Elsa away and shared his thoughts. "Ayla could be recovering from memory loss. I'm positive that's what's causing the pain. The reason it hurts so much is because her body is rejecting those memories as a defense mechanism. Something very traumatic happened to her when she was little. I can give her medicine for the pain, but perhaps its best she doesn't remember."
Elsa nodded.
"What if the answer about my parents is a part of it?" Ayla suggested, overhearing them. She was suddenly very eager to help reclaim those memories.
Elsa turned back to her, "Ayla, that might not be a good idea. You might not like what you learn."
"I don't care! I saw my parents, Elsa!" she began to cry tears of joy. "I saw them! I could smell something burning. I saw him! He was there! He knows what happened to me, my parents!"
Elsa was speechless from the emotion in Ayla's face and voice, but she had to intervene to protect her. "He's dangerous. You will not be allowed in the dungeons for any reason. Do I make myself clear?"
Elsa's chest became heavy as Ayla's joyful smile faded; painful tears slid down her cheeks. A look of pain and betrayal covered the young artist's face. "You can't- You can't do this to me, Elsa!" she cried standing up and holding Elsa's hands.
Elsa took a deep breath to remain strong. "I have spoken, Ayla."
Ayla fell to her knees, gripping Elsa's dress and begging desperately, "Please, Elsa! Don't do this! I thought we were friends!" This tugged on Elsa's heart and she looked away, "I'm saying no BECAUSE you're my friend."
Ayla stormed out after a scowl came across her face.
"Ayla, wait!" Anna called but Elsa grabbed her arm and shook her head. Aesir already headed after her before Kristoff could stop him.
Ayla boldly marched to the dungeons. She was sick of people keeping secrets from her and claiming it was for her own good. The guards guarding the door leading down into the dungeons stopped, "I'm sorry, miss. Civilians aren't allowed down here."
"Let me pass. He has answers. I need to know," Ayla tried forcing her way through but landed on the floor when a guard pushed back harder than he meant to. Aesir saw this and marched over to her and looked up at the guard, "What's the matter with you. You're a man. ACT LIKE ONE!"
"I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to-" the guard tried to apologize.
"Ayla. What are you doing?" Aesir asked, helping Ayla up.
"I need to see him. Please, Aesir. I HAVE TO KNOW," Ayla begged.
He turned to the guards, "Sorry for this. Carry on. I'll talk to her."
Ayla tried to get out of his arms, outraged but he quickly explained once they were far away, smiling. "Take your grandfather home. I'll meet you at your house after everyone is asleep. I know a secret passage that leads into the dungeons. This is between you and me. Okay?"
Ayla smiled and hugged him firmly, overjoyed SOMEONE was trying to help her. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
Aesir smiled, hugging her back, "That's right. Go on. Tell me I'm amazing. Give me praise."
Ayla pulled away and hit him in the shoulder playfully.
"Ow, that actually hurt. You are strong," Aesir laughed, rubbing his shoulder. Ayla took off and Aesir watched until she disappeared around the corner. Forgive me, Elsa, but she needs this.
As Aesir left to prepare for that night, Anna noticed and became suspicious. What are they up to?
That night, Ayla quietly snuck out of her house, careful to not wake her grandfather up. She wore a cloak and waited patiently outside. Suddenly, another cloaked figure approached her. He was wearing a Royal Guard's cloak so she instantly knew it was him. "Thank you for doing this."
"This is a onetime thing. Get your answers and we leave. Agreed?" Aesir repeated to make sure she understood and she eagerly nodded. He carefully guided her to a cave on the beach and traveled to the wall in the back. He lit a lantern to see where he was going and pushed a spot on the wall and a door opened. "The Royal Palace contain secret pathways for the royals to escape if the palace is invaded. It's a big secret that only the royals know of."
Ayla became curious, "How do you know then?"
Aesir's face turned red. Once, he and Anna snuck into the dungeons for one of their romantic meetings. He pretended to be a prisoner and she pretended she was an interrogator trying to get information out of him. It was his idea to help Anna loosen up and have fun since she was still guarded around him when he flirted with her. "That's a long, boring story. Another time. Come on." After following a dark tunnel, they were in the dungeons. Ayla walked ahead, searching each cell. Aesir walked quickly to get the keys from the hook on the wall.
Ayla froze when she saw a locked door, the only locked door since Arendelle didn't usually hold a lot of criminals at a time. Aesir unlocked it for her and she entered. What she saw made her heart tighten with shock. He was sitting on the cold hard floor with his one good arm shackled against a board above his head in an uncomfortable angle. It was freezing, but he wasn't shivering. His eyes widened when he saw her and forgot he was shackled and couldn't rush to her. Aesir stood on guard while Ayla sat close to him. The look n her face told him everything. "You remember."
"Just bits of pieces. I'm done people hiding the truth from, afraid I'm just going to break. I know you know. You're going to tell me everything. My parents. Me and…the real truth behind us," she said firmly, letting him know she wasn't going to leave without the answers.
She listened silently as he told her everything. Her eyes slowly filled with tears. The more she heard, the more she could feel herself break. She wanted to scream and cry. Somehow, she managed to burry her pain and use the key to try and let him go free. However, Aesir intervened, "What are you doing? Elsa could charge you with treason, Ayla. We have to leave."
"He's right. Leave me, Ayla," the prisoner said with a smile.
"You don't deserve this. You're not a criminal!" Ayla said. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. Ayla's eyes widened with shock as she experienced her first kiss and feeling the lightning and warmth flood her body as the sensation made her body tremble innocently from his act of affection.
"Oh, gee whiz," Aesir whispered with frustration, looking away to give them privacy. "Ayla we have to go."
Finally, the chained assassin pulled away and looked at her with his stormy grey eyes before whispering something in her ear. Something for her alone to know. "I am Elias. If anyone should know my name, I prefer it be you."
"What am I to you? We're not just friends like you told Elsa," she whispered back.
Her eyes widened when he told her the truth and she was suddenly looking at him like he was a different person, getting lost in his intense stormy grey eyes.
"Run, Ayla. Run." Elias whispered and Aesir quickly grabbed her and they retreated for the hidden exit before they were caught by a guard making his rounds.
Elias leaned back against his cell's cold wall and rubbed his lip with his stubby left arm.
When Aesir and Ayla exited the tunnel, they froze when they saw Anna and Elsa standing on the beach waiting for them. Aesir gave Anna a look over tattling on him and Anna mouthed, 'sorry.'
Aesir's eyes met Elsa's regal cold eyes and immediately bowed. "Queen Elsa. This was all my idea. I take full responsibility for defying your command."
Elsa looked at Ayla who was on her knees beside him, shaking in fear. Elsa walked over and knelt in front of her in the sand and raised her chin before asking with a warm smile, "Did you learn what you wanted to know."
Ayla's eyes immediately began to cry again. "I came from a distant kingdom, where a terrible massacre occurred. A revolution rose against the king and anyone who was devoted to the King was instantly killed. Elia- I mean the prisoner- my family made a deal with his family for protection, but our parents were killed by the angry mob."
"What kind of deal?" Elsa asked.
"It's my gift. I can see the future through vague dreams. His parents wanted us to become-" she paused, still unsure how to process this revelation, "I'm married, Elsa. The prisoner, Elias, is my husband."
Aesir. Anna. Elsa. All three stared at her with shock and almost jumped. Elsa stood and walked in the opposite direction a few feet. "That's why he's been watching you. Why he betrayed his Master and the others and kidnapped you. He was protecting you the only way he knew how."
Ayla felt so lost. She was secretly married to someone this whole time due to a deal between their parents. "Someone please say something. I don't know what to do."
Aesir immediately started laughing. "And you, being a married woman, had a crush on me. You're so scandalous Ayla." Anna hit him in the side with her elbow.
"I'm serious, Aesir. I'm- I'm married! I'm a wife and have a husband!" Ayla yelled. She was unsure how she felt. So many emotions were going through her mind all at once. The thought of suddenly being a married woman rattled her to her core and yet being a young woman, she secretly desired being in love and having someone in her life to love her just as much. "Elsa. What do I do?"
Elsa looked back at Ayla, who was so lost, yet Elsa was lost herself on how to help her upon discovering this earth-shaking revelation. The next day, Elsa was forced to take a stroll through her kingdom. Doing so helped her clear her mind. How can Ayla be married already? According to laws on marriage, a person of authority like a minister, a captain of a ship, a judge or even royalty could perform a ceremony? Was there even one present? Could their marriage possibly be not official?
"Good morning, Your Majesty," one of the harvester's wives from the lodge greeted her. Elsa smiled, welcoming the distraction from the enigma of Ayla's marriage.
"Good morning," Elsa greeted back.
"Have you by any chance met with Levi yet?" the wife asked.
Elsa covered her eyes with her hand, "I completely forgot. He's the teen who supposedly has a crush on me right?" She recalled with a playful smile. "He works at Blodget's Bakery if I remember correctly."
"Indeed, Queen Elsa," the wife replied.
"Why don't we pay him a visit?" Elsa giggled.
Levi, had been working at Blodget's Bakery for two years now. He would make cookies, cakes, and other deserts that people lined up for. They weren't the only bakery in Arendelle so he had to work twice as hard to help Blodget's Bakery succeed. He wore an apron and was covered with flour. The woman he worked for, Tomolly, always told him that the more flour he used the better. He would just need to clean up afterwards. Tomolly went up front when a couple of visitors entered. "Levi? Can you come help these customers while I check the inventory?"
"Sure thing, boss," Levi smiled and quickly headed up front. He froze in shock when he saw Queen Elsa in the bakery. He had the hugest crush on her. How could you not become mesmerized by her angelic beauty?
"Hello, Levi. I have heard so much about you and your fabulous cookies your made in my honor. My friend here tells me they are to die for. May I please have one of each of your special cookies?" Elsa spoke with a warm smile. She had to contain her laughter seeing how star struck the poor boy was.
"Yes, Queen Elsa! Right away!" Levi exclaimed nervously, quickly going to the display case where he just loaded with his fresh batch. He three different cookies of Queen Elsa. One was a snowflake. The second was of Elsa in her old hair due during her coronation and had a little tiara. The third was like a ginger bread man- or woman. The likeness of her in her blue dress during the Great Thaw was incredibly detailed. Elsa shot the wife a look while they waited. The wife was struggling just as hard as her to contain herself. Levi handed her her small bag and Elsa handed him coins to pay for it and give him a quick harmless peck on the cheek and whispered in his with a smile, "Thank you. Keep up the amazing work."
Levi's face turned red, "I- Uh- Thanks, Your Majesty." Elsa bit into one of her cookies and she moaned by how it tasted against her taste buds. She exited with the harvester's wife, Johann. They both giggled.
"That poor boy," Johann laughed.
"You think I overdid it any?" Elsa asked, "He looked very embarrassed."
"Maybe with that big smooch you gave him," Johann laughed.
"It was just a peck," Elsa defended herself and laughing.
"Hun, when it comes to teenage boys, there's no such thing as just a peck. In his hormonal little mind, he probably considers it a French kiss," Johann said.
"Oh, Johann. Your bad," Elsa gasped, "Kristoff would definitely not like that."
"Just wait until that little Prince of your's becomes a teen and the daughter you and Kristoff are having," Johann warned.
"I'm not worried. I have Kristoff to help with Joseph. Gerda will be a cake walk since I have Anna for a little sister," Elsa shrugged Johann's warning off.
"If you say so," Johann nodded and they both laughed. Gradually Elsa's distracted faded and Johann noticed Elsa was looking down with worry. "What's wrong? You that worried about Kristoff?"
"It's not that. Someone I know has been trapped in a marriage and she just learned who her husband is. I'm try to think of a way to dissolve it." Elsa explained.
"Does she want it dissolved? Why don't you speak with her first?" Johann suggested.
"That would be wise. She's so lost on what to do," Elsa replied, "Thank you Johann. Make sure to tell the other wives about our visit to Levi."
"I'm way ahead of you," Johann laughed.
(A/N: This will be it for a bit so I can catch up on Spirits & Swords. I want to explore Joseph at an older age, so the final three or so chapters for this story will be a Timeskip by several years so we can see Joseph and his sister as teenagers and reach an epic conclusion of this mysterious group who opposes the monarchy of Arendelle. What will Elsa and Kristoff name their daughter? Will she possess magic like her mother or not? Who is the REAL Master of this group of killers? Will the royal family be safe when she finally comes to Arendelle to avenge her brother? Will Ayla learn more about her gift? Will Aesir and Anna ever become anything more? Which man will claim Ayla's heart, Erik or this mysterious guardian angel, Elias who is her promised beloved? What will the children of the Queen and King face as the Price and Princess of Arendelle?)