Chapter Seventy Eight

Exiled

ELSA

In a way, although they had won an astonishing victory last week, it still felt like they had lost. Anna had recently brought back devastating news from her emergency summit with the rest of the Confederation, stating that everyone across the continent with supernatural and strange abilities was to be arrested and handed over to Confederation appointed authorities.

In any case, the Confederate authorities were going to be dispersed across the continent to enforce the "Purge", as the Confederation was now calling it. Anna was risking a lot by alerting the League of Sorcerers to this development, but she'd done it anyway so that the League would have just enough time to escape before Confederate authorities arrived.

It was, to put it bluntly, plain prejudice. But then again, deep down inside her, Elsa had always known that this day would come. That she, along with others like her, would be branded as outcasts, freaks and monsters. She had already experienced a sampling of what that was like, on the night of her coronation two years ago, but this…this was on a much larger scale.

In truth though, as much as she was deeply grieved, she knew it was just a part of human nature that she had come to accept. People are afraid of what they don't understand and can't control. Still, the law the Confederation had decreed was nothing short of radical, and Elsa knew that if she and the rest of the sorcerers didn't leave now, they would be soon surrounded by Confederate authorities whose sole purpose was to hunt them down for incarceration.

And hence the beginning of the exodus, one that was led in secret. Elsa found herself in a position where the sorcerers needed guidance and leadership once again, and as the Pilgrim, it was her responsibility to take charge of the confusion and panic. I've already abandoned them once for my kingdom, I won't abandon them again.

She had instructed Florie to take the rest of the sorcerers back to Swynvort to hide, since that was the most straightforward solution. However, in the long run it wouldn't be a very viable solution since there was always the possibility of the Confederate authorities being able to track them down.

If they found hundreds of sorcerers all hiding in one single location, it would all be over. But that problem would be left for another time, Elsa decided. Right now we just have to get out of here before we're caught.

Obviously the rest of Arendelle hadn't been made aware of it yet, but as Anna had rightly said, it was only a matter of time. The news would spread from other kingdoms across the continent even if Anna tried to keep things quiet. No, she had decided to weather the storm and reluctantly announce the establishment of the new Confederation law.

However, Anna had promised Elsa that she would do everything in her power to make sure the people knew the truth: that their princess had no choice but to flee with the rest of the sorcerers to seek refuge because the Confederation had issued a law of discrimination. It was the best that they could manage, for now.

Sighing, Elsa glanced over her old bedroom and her gaze lingered. This time, it was very likely that she wouldn't be coming back again. Before, it had been of her own accord, her own decision to stay in the Enchanted Forest. But this time, she and the rest of her friends were being hunted like criminals. Besides, she couldn't stay in the forest, because the Confederate authorities would be sweeping through the entire region to find any hiding sorcerers. Besides, they couldn't seek refuge with the Northuldra since the tribe would be remaining in Arendelle for the time being till the threat of Exon was permanently dealt with.

This is it, Elsa sighed and picked up a suitcase which contained all of her possessions that she deemed important. There wasn't time to pack more, unfortunately. Elsa pulled on a midnight blue trench coat and pulled her hair back into a simple ponytail that completed her modest and ordinary look. She had instructed the rest of the sorcerers to dress inconspicuously blend in with the rest of the civilians, so as not to attract any unnecessary attention, and it was only logical that she did the same.

A precise and calm knock came at her door that told her exactly who it was.

"Come in." She said.

The door opened and Frederick walked in with his usual air of unflappability. Two well-polished silver stars gleamed on both shoulders of his ever immaculate uniform, replacing the silver eagles that had marked his rank as colonel.

"Your Highness." He bowed.

"Division General Frederick Valquerson." Elsa smiled. "It's official then?"

"Yes." He allowed himself to flash a grin, but it disappeared quickly like lightning in summer. "I'm sorry about how everything turned out. You…you and your friends deserve better than this."

"Thanks. I wish it didn't have to be like this either." Elsa shook her head ruefully. "Do you think we'll ever see each other again?"

"Truthfully…" he looked thoughtful and even a little forlorn. "I don't know."

"Well, in case this is the last time, I just want to say thank you…for all that you've done for my family since Anna and I were children. You've always been there for my father, and you've always been here for us, and I want you to promise me something."

"Anything, Your Highness."

"Take care of my sister." Elsa said. "Something tells me the war isn't over yet. The Empress is still out there somewhere with her inner circle and I don't doubt that she'll rebuild her forces. Anna is going to have her hands full, and I need you to make sure she's alright."

"Of course, Your Highness." Frederick bowed again. "I'll protect Her Majesty with my life."

"Thanks Frederick. I knew I could count on you." She sighed, half relieved, half morosely.

Frederick nodded and indicated her suitcase. "May I?"

"Thank you." She said as he picked it up for her, and they both walked out of her bedroom. Stealing one last glance over her shoulder, Elsa allowed herself a final moment of nostalgia before the door was closed behind her, marking the end of her former life as she knew it.

###

Downstairs in the drawing room, her old friends Olaf and Sven were waiting for her together with Anna and Kristoff. The former two had returned together with the rest of Arendelle's population after the crisis was over, and had been elated to be reunited with Anna, Elsa and Kristoff.

The moment Elsa walked through the door, she was ambushed by Olaf who clung to her leg and hugged her tightly, brimming with emotion. She smiled and rubbed his head affectionately.

"I'm sorry, Elsa." He said forlornly, unlike his usual bubbly self. However, after everything he'd seen and heard over the course of the past two weeks, she couldn't blame him if he'd lost his optimism and constant cheeriness.

"Don't apologise." She laughed. "It's not your fault."

Sven came at her and rubbed his head against her arm. She scratched his head and ruffled his fur. He grunted and snorted as if to say that he would miss her.

"I'll miss you too." She said. "All of you." She glanced at Anna and Kristoff, who were walking over to her.

"It's a real pity." Kristoff lamented as he hugged her in his thick arms. "I wish we could find some way for you to stay. To bypass the Confederation law and somehow let you all remain free."

"In time, Kristoff. Maybe we will." Elsa agreed, patting his back. "But right now this is the best thing to do. I don't want Arendelle to be at odds with the rest of the Confederation. You're going to need their support and resources in the days to come." She looked at Anna. "Are you alright?"

"Me?" Anna balked, putting on a strong front. "I'm not the one going into exile here."

"Don't say it like that." But Anna was right. Elsa and the League were effectively exiling themselves from the human world, which was rather sad, when put that way.

"Can I have a moment alone with Elsa?" Anna glanced at the rest.

"Of course." Kristoff nodded and ushered Olaf and Sven out of the drawing room. "Come on guys."

When the two sisters were finally alone, Elsa exhaled and sat down on one of the nearby couches. She snuggled up to Anna who placed her arms around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"Elsa?"

"Hmmn?"

"We're going to figure this out."

Elsa glanced up at Anna, her head still rested against her shoulder. "I don't want you to worry about me. You've got a lot on your plate in the coming weeks, what with the Confederation finally acknowledging Exon's threat and weathering their contempt against Arendelle's tolerance of sorcerers."

Anna waved a hand dismissively. "Those aren't going to be a problem. I'm more concerned about finding a way to persuade the Confederation representatives to abolish this ridiculous law."

"Don't forget that you have to plan your wedding with Kristoff too."

Anna coloured a little. "Ah, yeah."

"So am I going to get an invitation?"

"Sure, if I can find the mailing address to wherever you're going to be hiding."

Elsa chuckled. This was one of the things she was going to miss. Light banter with her sister, and the warm fuzzy feeling of being together with the one person who understood her the most. Her own flesh and blood. The thought of parting with Anna brought hot tears to her eyes and she looked away quickly and blinked them away.

Anna must have felt Elsa's shoulders heave slightly, because her tone changed almost instantly. "I'm sorry, Elsa."

"Don't." Elsa rubbed her eyes. "Everyone's been so apologetic because of this but it's not anyone's fault."

"It's King Uxzas." Anna said angrily. "He's the one who pushed for the law to be established. His discriminating views are outrageous and disgusting."

"It was always going to happen sooner or later. People are afraid of what they don't understand."

"No." Anna set her jaw. "We're going to fix this. Somehow. In the meantime, just be careful and stay safe."

Elsa sighed and nodded.

"Is Deirdre going to be alright? You know, after her brush with her sister and all."

Elsa nodded again. "She's strong. She's fine, but angry that we are being hunted."

"Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if our relationship had been more like Eleanor and Deirdre's?"

Elsa paused and shuddered slightly. "I'm glad we didn't end up that way."

"We very well could have." Anna said. "After our parents died and your powers were revealed and… we could have ended up hating each other, invoking a civil war and…"

Elsa watched her sister's face grow tense and disturbed as if she was recounting something from memory.

"…it could have all gone so differently."

"But it didn't." Elsa reached for Anna's hand and squeezed it. "That's what's important."

"I just…can't bear to think how I'll survive without you, Elsa. You've always been my rock."

"And you've always been mine. We'll always have each other's backs, no matter what. Even if we're thousands of miles apart."

Now it was Anna's turn to tear and her voice cracked. "I'm going to miss you, Elsa."

The two sisters enveloped each other in a hug and lingered there for a long time. Elsa rubbed her sister's back as she sobbed, and her own eyes watered again. They'd said goodbye before, but it'd been under more favourable circumstances and they had known that they would see each other again of their own free will. But this time? Elsa wasn't sure.

Elsa and Anna had both lost track of time, but when they had both composed themselves, they decided that there was no point in putting it off any longer. It was time for Elsa to join up with the rest of the League and go into exile.

Hand in hand, the two sisters walked down to the foyer where a small gathering of the highest decorated officers of the army were standing at attention in their ceremonial uniforms, with General Matthias and General Frederick at the head of the column. Elsa blinked in surprise. She hadn't been expecting a farewell ceremony.

"I took the liberty of organising a little something, Your Highness." Matthias bowed. "With Her Majesty's approval, of course."

"Thanks," Elsa glanced round in appreciation. "But you didn't have to do this."

"We all agreed." Anna smiled weakly. "You all deserve a proper sending off as heroes, not as hunted criminals."

"Ain't it grand?" Tracy said, as the two sisters went over to join the remaining League members, which comprised of the three other Elemental Sorcerers and Janus, as well as Tracy and Maui. All of them were dressed in civilian garb as Elsa had said, to avoid attracting attention when they were outside the kingdom.

Elsa nodded, still a little awed and immensely grateful.

"At least the Arendellians know the truth." Maui piped up. "They know who saved the kingdom from the Empire."

"Sadly the people outside Arendelle won't be quite so kind if they know who you all are." Kristoff came over to join them as well. "Be careful out there."

"Aww, you're worried about us?" Tracy teased, attracting a tiny scowl from him.

"Kristoff's right." Anna said. "Take care of each other."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Jade grinned and sketched a curtsey.

Jordan and Deirdre both shook their heads in embarrassment. Janus, on the other hand, stood at the back of the group quietly, looking uncomfortable to be unmasked in the midst of so many people.

Elsa slipped to the back and nudged Janus lightly. He turned to her.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." She slipped her hand into his. "I just wanted to ask you again, you know, if…"

"No." Janus cut her off firmly before she could finish. "I'm coming with you. I'm not going to leave you again."

Elsa gave a small sigh. She'd offered him the chance to stay, and Anna had also agreed to arrange something for Janus so that he could live in Arendelle and assume a semblance of a normal life away from the chaos. However, he had turned down the offer, promising to stick by Elsa through thick and thin. In a way, she was happy that he would be with her. It was a consolation, in the midst of all the gloomy mood and negative situation that had developed.

"Alright." She finally said. "Then at least we will have a real chance to explore this relationship together."

He squeezed her hand. "I'll be happy to."

###

Later, when the farewell ceremony was over and it was time for the sorcerers to go, Elsa and the rest had been escorted to the edge of the kingdom in the best royal carriages reserved for the guests of highest status. Anna and Kristoff had both travelled together with them to see them off.

It had been decided that they wouldn't swing round to Swynvort just yet. Elsa knew that there were other sorcerers out there throughout the continent that needed a place to seek refuge after being cast out and hunted down by the Confederate authorities. The League's new mission would be to seek out these stragglers and outcasts, and offer them a home with the League of Sorcerers in Swynvort. And so the mission would begin upon their final departure from Arendelle.

Bag in hand, Elsa swung herself out of the carriage to join the rest of her friends. Looking out into the horizon beyond the hills on the Eastern border, the sun was beginning to set and the sky was alit with soft colours that denoted the slow transition to summer.

"You sure you're ready for this?" Anna anxiously clasped Elsa's hand in her own. "You remembered to pack everything?"

"Don't worry." Elsa reassured her, feeling a whole lot less certain that she sounded. "We'll survive."

"You better." Anna said. "I'm going to see you all again."

Elsa could tell that Anna was trying to convince herself, and she nodded in agreement.

"If there's anything you need." Kristoff ran a hand through his hair. "We'll always be here to help."

"There's only one thing I need from you." Elsa smiled and leaned in close to his ear. "Make sure she gets enough sleep and not eat too much cake."

Kristoff forced a grin that was meant to be reassuring. "Don't worry, I will." He drew her into a hug one last time, before withdrawing to give Anna and Elsa one final moment together.

"Goodbye, Anna." Elsa tried not to let her voice waver as she embraced her sister for what might be the last time.

"Goodbye, Elsa." Anna whispered.

They both lingered silently for a moment that stretched into an eternity, before reluctantly pulling apart.

Elsa gazed at her sister one last time before forcing herself to tear her eyes away, and started down the path to join the rest of the sorcerers who had already said their goodbyes, and were waiting for her down the path.

"So what now?" Tracy asked, as they began walking down the dusty track away from Arendelle.

Elsa struggled to find an appropriate answer, but found that she had none. They were in uncharted waters now.

Author's Commentary:

I wanted to end the story on a bittersweet note, really, since the past two stories have seen our heroes always emerge triumphant. The question that got it all started came when I was writing Book 2, and it's this: can our heroes win but lose at the same time? The initial idea when I was outlining my ideas and major plot points for the series was to have our heroes exiled after the end of Book 2, but obviously I had other plans.