The Ice Behind Bars

Chapter VII: Acquainted

Eight more years had passed, and the citizens of Arendelle were starting to believe that their home was cursed and haunted by the Devil. They believed he was torturing them with screams and unbearable cold.

Summer nights were unnaturally freezing. Winter nights sent people to their unwelcomed cold death. The Screams were always accompanied by raging snow storms and blizzards. The citizens already noticed that with each passing year, the storms only grew more powerful and dangerous, turning some of the small wooden shacks into piles of shattered and broken wood. Some said God was furious, others said the Devil was having fun. Some even said it was a sign of war and the ones that blamed the king, were hanged, leaving their body dangling from the gallows to freeze.

While Arendelle was dealing with unbearable nights, other kingdoms were dealing with great amount of theft. The news scattered the lands, announcing the successful theft of Corona's Lost Princess' crown, Prince Hiccup's royal family sword, Hammertown's treasury and many more. Bounty hunters were sent everywhere, so that whoever would catch the thieves, would be rewarded handsomely.

The Thieves Guild members gathered in the huge stony hall to attend their newest member's vows ceremony. Flynn, Rapunzel and Aiden, already had their vows last year, stood amongst the others, around two figures, one standing in front of the kneeling other.

"Rise." Tyler spoke with a commanding tone.

The young woman with strawberry-blonde hair who was kneeling in front of him, stood slowly, all proud, strong, trained and brave. "You are one of us now, Anna." Tyler continued. "Remember our vows." He said, resting both of his hands on her shoulder.

"We fight for the weak. We steal from the wealthy, to give the needy. Everything is permitted. In people's eyes, we're thieves, but in God's, we are heroes." The whole room chanted with Anna in unison.

Leanna stood silently at the far end of the room, watching her adopted daughter, who had grown and became a great, brave and well-skilled young woman. She couldn't stop herself from shedding a joyful tear at the sight of Anna, whilst grinning warmly at her. She is no longer a little girl anymore. She thought, smiling. Soon, she'll have her own tasks and quests. And at that thought, Leanna's smile dropped. She knew that eventually Anna had to do her duty to the guild, and that meant going out there and having the risk to be harmed. No… No, she is strong and capable! I trust her abilities. She was trying to convince herself before her eyebrows lifted as she was brought back from her thoughts by a strong, familiar voice.

"She is still the Anna you're afraid to lose, you know." Leanna calmly turned her head to face the voice.

Aiden approached her before he stood at her side, both were now looking at Anna who was talking to Tyler, probably about her first quest.

Leanna was taken aback first. She was surprised since it felt like as if Aiden already knew what she was thinking of. Indeed. Leanna didn't want Anna to grow up. She wanted her to stay playful and loving, and she was worried that the hard and stern training might stir Anna's personality, yet it clearly never did. And she was utterly grateful.

"I know." She said flatly, her face expressionless, yet Aiden kept smiling.

Leanna sensed her harsh tone and she mentally winced, for Aiden was like a son to her. He had grown into a tall, well-built man. He was wearing the guild's known black leather armor, his frizzy hair tied in a low, barely visible ponytail and he had grown scruffy and stubble light brown beard.

She forced herself to ask, not willing to disappoint him by her silence, yet still stern, "What makes you so sure?"

Aiden looked at her then gave her a smile and chuckled, "Well… Take a look!" He said cheerfully, pointing at something up front, with his open palm.

Leanna's eyes followed his hand's direction and smiled warmly again when she saw Anna approaching with the other two comrades Anna loved most, Flynn and Rapunzel.

"Mum!" Anna called, ever so happy, followed by Flynn and Rapunzel who were already smiling proudly at their cheerful best friend. The three of them wore the same attire as Aiden's. Rapunzel had her hair tied in a high, still long, braided ponytail that even when tied, reached her waist. Flynn had his usual messy dark brown hair, slimmer than Aiden, more because of his climbing skills.

"Congratulations, Sunshine." Leanna opened her arms before receiving a warm hug from Anna.

"I did it, Mother!... I am now a full member of the guild!" Anna said proudly before breaking the hug, "I have received my first quest!" She cheered.

"Oh?" Leanna asked, smiling, yet a little worried.

"I am to take three companions… Of course," Anna swayed her hand, motioning on her three best friends with a smirk and continued, "And we should head to-" Anna was cut off by a startling voice.

"Leanna!... We need you at the infirmary, please!" The woman said rushing towards the calm Leanna.

Leanna sighed sadly, then, "I'm coming." She replied with rigidity then turned to Anna with a soft face and said, "I'll have to go now. I'll see you later, love." She said, hugging Anna who was disappointed and a bit sad at not having time to spend with her mother, since the woman was always busy.

Leanna broke the hug and gave Anna a kiss on the forehead before she turned to face the others with a blank face, "Flynn. Rapunzel… Aiden." She acknowledged them one by one with a simple nod, bidding them a polite farewell, and they replied with a disciplined head bow.

When Leanna disappeared from the view, Flynn let out a loud relieved breath, "Phew!" He breathed, "Why does she always have to be so… Cold!" He asked, "I felt like she was staring at my soul!" He said clutching his chest dramatically, making Rapunzel giggle.

"Hey! That's my mother you're talking about, Mister!" Anna defended with a humored tone.

"I know, I know, but still!" He replied.

"You are being mean!" Rapunzel teased.

"Come on, you guys! Give her a break. She has a lot of work to do. Seeing blood and injuries all day, might turn anyone like this… Besides, I don't think she was always like that." Aiden noted while scratching his chin.

"Well… She really was never like that." Anna started shyly, making the three companions give her a confused look. "I-I mean… That's what Brandon said." She pointed out.

"So… What made her?" Flynn asked again.

Anna rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. She leaned forward so that her voice could only be heard by them, "Uhm… He once told me, that she had to heal an injured Queen, and well… Unfortunately, the queen didn't make it, a-and my mother took it as a big failure for her healing skills. So she blamed herself for the death of this… Queen." She finished lowering her head in shame.

"What would a Queen be doing at Leanna's, in the middle of nowhere! Instead of being in her castle surrounded by dozens of physicians and doctors?" Rapunzel asked with a whisper.

Anna looked at them again and started scratching her head, as if thinking, "Well… Hah… Here's the thing. Whenever I ask Brandon that, he just shut me up a-and close the subject, then just walk away!" She said flailing her hands in the air. "Once I even asked her and-… She… She started to cry."

Aiden was silent. No wonder why I hear her cry sometimes at night… Praying to someone for forgiveness. He thought looking at where Leanna headed.

The four of them turned to stare at the door that the enigmatic Leanna just went out from, an utter silence between them, all wondering what's Leanna's real story, then Rapunzel was the first to break the silence.

"Sooo… What was our task again?" She asked.

"Oh! Right!...Tyler said we should sneak inside a castle, and try our best to find the King's crown. He said it have a great value, and that it will be enough to feed many of the poor for months." Anna described.

"Another crown?!" Aiden whined placing his hand on his forehead.

"Leave that to me!" Flynn bragged.

"Oh, don't start with the 'I stole the crown of Corona' with us… You already did!" Rapunzel paused, then, "A million times!" She added, making Aiden and Anna laugh, and received a frown from Flynn.

"We'll move tonight." Anna suggested.

"Wait. Aren't you going to tell your mother?" Flynn asked, suspicious.

Anna felt guilty for a second, but she shook it away, "Tyler will tell her!... That's not a problem. Besides, she'll be pretty busy... Like always." She argued.

"Anyway…" Aiden tried to get back to topic, "Anna, which king's crown we are supposed to get?"

Anna felt a shiver in her body. This was her first task, though she knew it was really dangerous to take, and that she would be hanged if she got caught, but that was what she was trained all her life for, and she wouldn't fail them. She looked at Aiden with determined eyes,

"Arendelle."

The Four rode out of the fort at night, hoping for their arrival to the kingdom to be around dawn, enough for them to plan their actions before it could get dark again and before it was time for their mission to start.

Anna felt a bit worried since it was her very first quest, and she never really traveled that far from the fort. The fort walls always gave her the sense of security and peace, but now, she had to face the sense of being a thief.

As they rode, each two on a horse, for they knew that having a group of cavaliers would mostly likely draw attention, and that was not what thieves wanted. Rapunzel was with Flynn on a white horse, Maximus, and Anna was with Aiden on a black horse with white Half Cannons, Ebony. Rapunzel peeked at Anna and smiled sympathetically. She knew the strawberry-blonde was nervous.

"Hey…" Rapunzel comforted her, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Anna looked at Rapunzel and she gave back a smile, "Hey." She said with a low reazssuring voice.

"Are you okay?" She asked, receiving a nod.

"Don't worry, Anna!" Flynn assured, "It's simple: We sneak in. Grab the crown. Sneak out. That's it!" He tried to cheer but failed miserably, receiving a punch on the back from Rapunzel.

"Uhm… What Flynn was trying to say is," Aiden spoke, looking at Anna who was behind him, from his shoulder. "That we have your back, Anna. Nothing to worry about… Besides, it's not like we're going to find a monster inside the castle or anything." He joked.

"I know, I know. And…Thank you." Anna smiled fondly at her friends.

"For what?" Aiden asked, a bit confused.

"For being you… All of you." Anna replied, glancing to the side at Rapunzel and Flynn, who returned the smile. "I don't know what I would have done without you guys."

"We are one now, Anna… One guild. One family. Living in one-" Rapunzel was saying before she was cut off by Flynn.

"Kingdom!" Flynn pointed happily up front, but Rapunzel haven't noticed what he meant.

"It's a fort." She said crossing her arms, referring to their home back at the guild's fort.

"No, no! Not that!... Look!" Flynn corrected her while pointing again at the kingdom that was now clearly visible. "It's Arendelle!"

"And we're right on time!" Aiden noted, pointing at the rising sun.

"We'll have enough time to rest and then we'll explore the ways and roots of the Kingdom, so we can know our way out fast. If anything not preferable happens, hopefully we'll be able to run away." Aiden informed, making them all nod in acceptance, yet Anna couldn't help but to have a strange feeling in her stomach at the sight of the kingdom. Have I been here before? She wondered.

"You. Did. WHAT?!" Leanna was pacing back and forth, anger and concern overwhelming her.

"I said, Anna is off to Arendelle with Aiden and the others." Tyler said flatly.

"HAVE YOU REALIZED WHAT YOU'VE DONE!?" Leanna turned and screamed in his face, bringing some of the people's eyes on her.

"I sent her on her first mission." He said ever so calm and a blank expression painted his face.

"I have spent all these years keeping her away from there, and now you send my daughter to her DOOM!?" She yelled trying hard not to attack this extremely and annoyingly calm old man until he stood up from his desk and yelled back.

"You know she is not just your daughter anymore, but she is also a full member of the guild! She took her vows quite officially I recall!" He paused then, "And do you want me to remind you that she is NOT quite your daughter, Leanna Vincenburg." He finished sarcastically, using her full name to mock her from calling Princess Anna of Arendelle her daughter.

And that did it. Leanna's eye twitched. She couldn't take it anymore. The world turned red and the rage was consuming her as she charged at him with a fist held high.

"Why… Y-You…" Her voice vibrated from rage, "SON OF A-" Leanna was running towards him, her face was red, her eyes were flaring with rage, but she was held back by Brandon.

"Leanna!" He struggled to keep her put.

She was cursing and yelling at Tyler, not noticing that some of the members started to stare. "Leanna, STOP!" He grabbed her head gently and let her face meet his. Her flaring eyes turned to his gentle ones.

She saw his soothing expression, and felt her rage disappear. Brandon could see her blinking rapidly, as if she was waking up from something. He felt utterly relieved, knowing that she was out of her red flaring view. "Listen to me!... We can't do anything right now. She might have already arrived there."

Leanna felt her rage turn to extreme concern and then to sadness. No… She loosened herself from his grip gently as to show him that she's calm, "Alright." She said defeated, lowering her head.

"What you can do now, is to pray for her safe return." He advised.

She lifted her head again to stare at him with teary, worried and pleading eyes as her hands started to shake, "I just… What if she was recognized? What if he recog-" She suddenly was cut off by Brandon's hand on her mouth.

"No!" He whispered kindly, "She will come back safe… She won't end up like Robin." He assured with a gentle and low voice.

She closed her eyes, keeping her tears from falling then she quickly remembered that she was being watched by many others, so she quickly stiffened and straightened her back, then her face returned to its usual blank and cold look. "Fine." She said to Brandon before she turned and gave Tyler one last glare. And boy she wished she could spit in his face, yet people were watching, and she didn't want to make another scene.

She walked out of the room, all eyes on her. The moment she turned her back on everyone, her face was quickly back to its pure concerned and scared look. God, please bring her back to me. Don't let him see her!... She is not Robin, she is not Robin!

As they walked around Arendelle, exploring the amazingly beautiful Kingdom and every one of them taking mental notes for tonight's plan, Anna smelled something. Her eyes closed slowly and she sniffled the air, "Chocolaaate…" She mumbled distractingly.

"What?" Aiden asked.

"Can't you smell it!?... It's chocolate!" She said enthusiastically. "Come on, I wanna get some!" She said, pulling Aiden by his arm.

"Hey, wait!" Flynn came rushing towards them, "Anna, I don't think it's a good time to buy chocolate right now." He reminded, gesturing at her guild's attire.

"Ah come on, you guys!" Rapunzel said while approaching them and rubbing her hands together for warmth, "The sooner we're done here, the better… Besides, why is this place so cold!? It's summer for goodness's sake!"

"I don't know. Maybe it's winter and we don't know it?" Anna mocked.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny." Rapunzel frowned, "I'm serious you guys, we're in the middle of July!"

"Well, summer heat never appealed to me." Flynn spoke, "I prefer winter."

Rapunzel gave Flynn a glare and opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by a loud throat clearing sound.

"Uhm… Back to the chocolate please?" Anna demanded sarcastically, making Rapunzel sigh.

"Fine fine fine!" Rapunzel said while waving her hands, "Let's go."

"YES!" Anna shouted in victory, hugging Rapunzel, nearly knocking her off.

They approached the stall, stared at the huge collection of chocolate in awe then the merchant finally spoke, snapping them to attention.

"What type of chocolate do you wish to buy, Ma'am?" He asked with an honest smile.

"Hmm, let's see… Dark, milk, with caramel, with hazelnuts, anything!" Anna decided while counting on her fingers, one by one, making her friends roll their eyes since she clearly chose everything.

"Alright, just give me a minute while I prepare them for you."

"Okay!"

Anna and Rapunzel decided to wait for the chocolatier while Aiden and Flynn decided to go and look for a place to settle in for tonight.

While waiting, Anna wandered off a little from the stall, whistling to herself for fun, then she saw a stall selling Firewood? She thought, surprised that the stall was also busy with a lot of customers. Why would someone sell firewood in the middle of summer?...Wait. Why are all these people rushing to buy!?

Then suddenly, whispers crawled inside her ears, snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned and saw two men talking to what looked like secretly.

She whispered for Rapunzel to join her in her eavesdropping, "Pssst!... Rapunzel!"

Rapunzel reached Anna who pointed at the two men with a tilt of her head. Rapunzel looked confused at first, but both couldn't help their already winning curiosity. They leaned slightly so they could hear better, still pretending that they were having their own conversation so that the two men wouldn't get suspicious about them.

"Did you hear them yesterday?!" One man asked.

"Louder than ever!" The other one replied with worry. "My wife and I haven't slept for two days I tell you!"

"Us too, Percy. My children are waking up at night, terrified with nightmares! My wife keep insisting on moving from this town. She said it's cursed! But I can't just risk going away and give my sons a refugee' life." The man said, concern clear on his face.

"Not to mention the cold!... I have lived in Arendelle since I was cub, and I'm telling you, these abnormal things only started happening after the disappearance of the Queen and Princess." Percy said.

"Well, at first I thought it was the injured princess's unfortunate treatments…" Percy's companion said while rubbing his chin.

"But the princess is long gone! It's been eight years! These screams just kept going routinely at night!... At first it was just the screams. But now, Arendelle faces unnatural blizzards and snow storms… Only, at night!... At NIGHT, Jefferson!" Percy said and fear was now shown on his face.

Anna gave Rapunzel a questioning and confused look, and Rapunzel only replied by shrugging her shoulders, so they continued their eavesdropping.

"Didn't you see what happened to poor old Oaken's shack at the last storm!?... It collapsed and flew off! The storm smashed and swallowed it! I'm telling you, something is haunting this place!" Jefferson said looking around nervously.

Percy scoffed, "I don't believe in this hallabaloo. I think, the king is hidin-" He was cut off by Jefferson's hand on his mouth.

"SSSHHH! SHUT IT PERCY!" Jefferson whispered urgently, though loudly enough for Anna and Rapunzel to hear. "Don't ever speak about the king! What if someone hears us right now!? Do you wanna end up like your brother!?... Hanged!... Do you?!"

Rapunzel and Anna gulped nervously. Wow, looks like this king is overprotective of his reputation. Anna thought.

Percy sighed when his friend remove his hand off his mouth, "I'm sorry… It's just… I miss him."

Jefferson placed both his hands on Percy's shoulders and smiled sympathetically, "Come now. Let's get some wood before it's Night time. I have a feeling it's gonna be a rough and cold night." He deadpanned.

"Like always." Percy said with a weak and not so heartily chuckle.

Rapunzel and Anna got out of their 'Blending mode' and exchanged confused faces.

"What was that all about?" Rapunzel asked.

"I have no idea." Anna shook her head, "All I understood was: Snowstorm, blizzards, screams and… Hanged!" Anna said, placing her palms around her neck as if mimicking a hanging rope.

"Nah! People around here are just paranoid." Flynn's voice came from behind them.

They quickly turned and saw both Aiden and Flynn approaching.

"You were eavesdropping too!?" Anna asked with both humor and anger in her voice.

"Well what should I say… We are all thieves in the end." Aiden reasoned.

"Lower your voice, ya big buffalo!" Anna whispered, slapping his shoulder.

"Uh… Speaking of buffalos… What is that?!" Rapunzel spoke, bewildered, pointing at something behind Anna.

They all turned to follow Rapunzel's gaze and their eyes widened when they settled on a "Reindeer!" Anna shouted joyfully then quickly slapped her mouth when she noticed the young man next to the reindeer.

But it was too late. The man lifted his head and smiled awkwardly towards Anna.

MAN, he's cute! Anna thought.

"I-I mean the reindeer!... The reindeer is cute, not you! Wait what?!" Anna blurted out loud, making Aiden and Flynn give her a confused look and making Rapunzel hold back a laughter but failed.

"Looks like someone is having butterfliiiiess!" Rapunzel teased with a sing-song.

"What?! NO!... I'm n-not having b-butterflies-" Anna was trying to defend but was cut off by Rapunzel's mocking tone.

"B-B-B-B-Butterflies!" Rapunzel stammered purposely to mock her, "Then why are you stumbling on your own words, HUH?" She asked with a smirk, resting her elbow on Anna's shoulder.

"Ahhh, shut uuup!" Anna whined, pulling away. "He's cute and everything but I don't think we are here for this." Anna was rambling, not noticing that the three in front of her were mouthing for her to stop talking and were pointing behind her. "We already have a lot of work to do tonight, a-and besides, he has a rein-!" Anna was talking awkwardly before her angrily-waving hands hit someone's face.

"Ow!" A man's voice came out.

Anna quickly turned, and she froze. In front of her was a blond man, with chocolate brown eyes and a big muscular chest, bigger than Aiden's too. Anna gazed at him in awe. Are you even human? She thought, staring at the handsome man in front of her, then she noticed that he was rubbing his nose, so she snapped out of it, "Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?!" She said holding her hands up towards his nose in worry.

The man chuckled awkwardly then spoke, "No, no, it's fine. At least it's not broken." He joked.

Anna felt like she was about to faint, but her friends' giggles brought her back to reality, "I'm really sorry! I just didn't see you there, and my hand just flew out! And I didn't know I h-had this strength in me! I-I-I'm mean I'm just a girl and-" Anna was throwing random phrases when she was cut off by Flynn.

"Just a girl!?... You broke my smolder when you were ten!" He said both angry and teasy.

Stop it! You are gonna scare him off! Anna gave Flynn a glare.

"Ah, come on! It's not like you're dead!" Rapunzel teased Flynn.

Anna realized that she didn't introduce her friends yet. WAIT. She realized that she didn't even introduce herself! "Uhhhh… I'm… I'm Anna!" She said, holding her palm in up.

The man smiled and shook her hand. "Kristoff. Best ice harvester at your service." He bowed, "Oh! And this is Sven!" He said, pointing behind him at the hitched reindeer who was busy eating carrots.

"Oh! He is cute!" Anna said with a squeal, making Rapunzel smirk again. Eh… Oh just stop it already! She thought, frowning at Rapunzel. "Oh uhm… This is Rapunzel, Aiden and Flynn." She said pointing at them one by one, and as always, worth the habit, the three gave Kristoff a head bow and he replied with a wave. Such for discipline, you guys… Hah… He really should see you guys EAT! Anna thought before she was brought back to reality.

"Ma'am, I have your chocolate." A voice said, making the five of them turn.

It was the chocolatier holding a sack full with chocolate.

"Oh! Thank you!" Anna said, grabbing the sack then handed him some coins. If only he wasn't here, I would have took that chocolate sack and scurried off… What?!... NO, Anna! You don't steal for your own selfish need! Anna's thoughts were cut off again by Rapunzel's voice.

"Well, it was really nice meeting you, Kristoff." She said dragging Anna away, "But we have some plans to do."

"Oh s-sorry… Uhm… O-Okay! I'll see you guys later." He said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Bye, Kwistoff!" Anna shouted while waving her hand and had her mouth full with chocolate.

And the four were off, leaving the blond with a chuckle. "Bye, Anna." He whispered as he watched her go with a warm smile.

It was night time, and the four thieves were waiting for the citizens to go to slumber. They sat around a fire, outside the stables, shivering.

"GOD! I-I-It's f-f-freezing!" Rapunzel sat, shivering and covering herself with three cloaks, leaving only her eyes exposed.

The four thieves could already see the steam coming out from their mouths as they breathed.

"This is really strange." Aiden said as he watched the steam in amazement.

"Well, it's j-just like they s-s-said… Arendelle sure h-has cold summer n-nights." Anna said tucking her cloak tighter around herself.

"Now we know why everyone needed all this firewood." Aiden noted, holding his hands in front of the fire to warm them.

"I'm NEVER gonna visit this place in winter!" Flynn added.

"It's only a matter of time before we start our mission." Aiden reminded.

"So, just like w-we decided?... The s-sewers?" Anna asked, still shivering from the cold.

"Yup, it's the safest way." Aiden turned his head to look at the closed castle gates, then back at the fire with a scoff, "Well it's the only way, actually." He corrected.

"Eww, I h-hate the s-s-sewers! T-They smell r-really ba-" Rapunzel was trying to say when she jumped in surprise by a sudden shriek that echoed around the kingdom and into the mountains.

They all looked around shocked and confused, "What was that!?" Anna asked a bit afraid.

"I have no ide-" Aiden tried to say but the shriek came again, and it was much louder.

They quickly stood. All confused, scared and shocked, "It's coming from the castle!" Flynn noted, pointing at the royal castle with his chin.

"Uhm, now we also know what screams these… 'Supposed-to-be paranoid people' were talking about." Anna tried to joke but failed as another shriek came, and Anna could have sworn she heard it as a 'Please!' and was more shocked when sudden wind blew in their faces.

Everyone shielded their eyes until the freezing wind passed.

"Where the h-h-hell did the w-wind come f-f-from!?" Rapunzel tried to ask.

They exchanged confused looks then Flynn spoke again.

"It doesn't matter. Let's just do our business and head the hell out of this place as soon as we can." He suggested and sat back down, earning a nod from everyone as they followed his suit.

They sat around the fire, barely even feeling its warmth, listening to the sound of the flames and the wood snapping along with the screams that kept them extremely nervous and uncomfortable. They mentally prepared themselves to start their mission. It's just like what Flynn said, right? Anna thought, cheering herself up for courage. It's not like we're gonna find anything insane in there.