The Ice Behind Bars
Chapter XLV: Dissociation
It was a very strange day for August. The sky turned gray at noon, contrary to its nature. A thought in her head had told her to Go Back—Go Back Now just before she could notice the dark swirling mass of sky-water reaching the grass on the ground.
Riding in front of her group and leading them to their target, she felt guilty— No, worse. Delinquent even!
But why?! She thinks she can just fill my head with her crazy stories and tell me that The Snow Queen is her daughter, and that Robin died to PROTECT her? Yeah right. Snow queen daughter my butt. Diana's head was filled with chaos; opposite thoughts colliding with each other. She was lying— No I mean she was probably just trying to protect her daughter?— Who is a murderous Snow Witch— But who was scared as hell from Gunner and the others back then and— what if…? But?... So then it's…? GAH!
So many thoughts.
Was it true? Was it a lie? Oh, she had no idea.
If she had one she would have turned her horse around and led all those angry villagers and hunters away from The Snow Queen AKA Elsa AKA Her husband's niece… AKA Her family, but—
It was THEIR fault Robin died! He was my HUSBAND! He was the father of my SON! I created our child with him! I just—… I just—… Diana sighed, lowering her head and trying to hide her tears. I just miss him so much! She wanted to just cry where she was but if it weren't for the weird stares everyone was giving her she would have easily chosen to bawl her eyes out and mourn her deceased husband.
Elsa… Pah! She named this witch too? Aphrodite, you idiot. She shook her head angrily again, being the stubborn blonde she was. But she's her daughter for crying out loud! She's Anna's sister too! Her face fell back into a sullen look and she was miserable again…
Only for it to go back into an angry sneer. But she's a murderer! She killed people! Froze children to death! The king said so! She is a cold witch! A heartless killer! She's an angry MONSTER! She slammed her fist on her thigh. She's Aphrodite's daughter! She's a human! She's such a beautiful innocent girl! She's his family! She's Robin's family! She's… She's…
"AH! She's his freaking NIECE!" Diana shouted and clutched her hair, spooking everyone and their horses.
"What the hell, woman!" A man behind her shouted, trying to calm his neighing horse.
"She's his NIECE!" Diana turned to the man and shouted angrily.
"Who is?!" Everyone silently waited for an answer under the light rain.
Diana was frozen. "Uh…" She stared awkwardly at them, and they stared back, utterly bewildered.
Diana thought and thought and thought. It was now or never. Save her husband's niece or bring The Snow Queen to justice?
She finally took a decision.
Diana suddenly glared, "Can't a crazy woman talk to herself here!? What's it with you?! Are you hitting on me?!"
"WHAT!?" The poor oblivious and baffled man squealed.
But Diana continued, "Oh I know your kind, you dumbass! We are here to… catch the snow queen and not to play The Birds and The Bees! Now come on!" She quickly turned her horse, leaving no time for anyone to argue with her. "It's this way! We'll be there in no time!" She took the other way, purposely leading everyone in the wrong direction and away from the fort, with one hell of a big-ugly scowl on her face that would have killed a bear.
"How long will it take for us to arrive?" One man asked.
"A month." Diana coldly lied.
"WHAT!?" Everyone shouted.
"But the king said—"
"Fuck the king!" Diana shouted. "Now MOVE IT!"
Never argue with an angry widow.
Aphrodite, you big piece of a crappy queen of poop, you BETTER have a good explanation! I loved my husband and I know he sacrificed himself for you and your children. I won't let his death go in vain. You owe me big time, Aphrodite… Big time.
A thud.
"Alright, Elsa. It's been two days and I think you've rested enough, right?" Anna asked while placing a huge stack of books in front of Elsa on the table, her face no longer visible.
Elsa stared at the big stack of books, up and down, with wide eyes. Was she going to read and study all that?!
"But now it's time to study and fill that mind of yours with some useful knowledge, okay?" Anna said while turning around, going to search for more books in the library they were in.
Elsa kept eyeing awkwardly—… and truthfully a bit worriedly at the books, "Uhm… Okay…" She poked her head from behind the books and looked at Anna curiously, watching her take several more books from the shelves.
"The Alphabet... The Alphabet…?" Anna searched between the books, running her finger along them and trying to find the one she should start with for Elsa. "The Alpha— Aha! Found it!" She pulled the book from the shelf and placed it on top of the ones she was carrying. She then turned to Elsa and placed the other stack on the table. "Well, Elsa, let's start from the very beginning, of course. You were a princess so you probably had learned SOME things back then, right?" She asked while pulling a chair and placing it right next to Elsa, then sat.
"Well?" Anna asked again, smiling sweetly at the anxious princess.
"Uhh…" Was what all Elsa managed to say. She once knew how to read but after everything she went through, she totally forgot how the letters even looked like.
Anna smiled sympathetically, "Don't worry you'll catch up on it all again. It's really easy. You'll see!" She said, placing a hand on the pale blonde's shoulder.
"Okay." Elsa was uncertain, but she agreed anyway.
"We'll start with the simplest things like the Alphabet." Anna informed, taking the first book from the top of the stack. "Alright," She placed it on the table in front of them and opened it, pushing it closer to Elsa. "We start?"
Elsa nodded with a smile, looking down on the first image that was a huge "A" and another minuscule one 'a' next to it.
Anna tapped the page, "There are twenty-six letters to learn so we'll start from the very beginning." She pointed at the first letter, "A…"
Knock Knock Knock
"Enter."
The door opened and an old woman with grey hair came in, "Good morning, Leanna. How are you today?"
"I'm fine, Waela. Thank you." Aphrodite said with her serious tone, giving Waela her special stone cold face, before turning to continue searching between the ingredients in the cupboard. "Do you need anything?"
"Oh yes, Ma'am, it's just one of the boys who went out to gather wood. He was injured. He arrived just now with quite a hideous gash on his side." She said, approaching Aphrodite who was still searching in the cupboard and definitely seemed to be frustrated by the fact that she couldn't find what she was looking for.
"Was he aiming at the tree or himself?" Aphrodite flatly asked.
"Uh I-I don't know, Ma'am." Waela answered, swallowing nervously since she could sense Aphrodite's annoyance.
Aphrodite sighed, "Probably both." She closed the cupboard then moved to the other side of the room to search in the drawers. "Fine, then. Here." She took out a vile from the drawer and handed it to Waela. "Put this on his wound and bandage it properly. Tell him next time he comes to me whining about another wound, I'll cut him myself." She went back to search in another cupboard, cursing under her breath and trying to find the right ingredient.
Waela was taken aback about what Leanna said, but it was Leanna for crying out loud, so it wasn't THAT surprising to her. She was used to her cold personality. "I'll… I-I'll make sure he knows that, Ma'am." She said while trying to hide her apprehension with a fake smile.
"Agh, dammit." Aphrodite cursed and gave up on finding her ingredient. She closed the cupboard and brought her fingers to her temple, trying to ease her headache.
"Rough morning?" Waela asked while smiling sympathetically.
Aphrodite slowly shook her head, "You have no idea." She took a deep breath then, "Have you seen Anna and the others?"
"Oh, yes. Anna and the princess were headed to the library. As for the others I saw Aiden and Rapunzel at the stables." Waela answered.
"Brandon and Flynn?" Aphrodite asked for some reason.
"Probably somewhere around the fort, Ma'am."
Aphrodite nodded, "Good, good…"
"Were you looking for something, Ma'am?" Waela asked.
Aphrodite lifted her head and looked at Waela, "Oh, yeah. Uhm… Where are the Arnica herbs? I need them for the baker's daughter. She's sick."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Leanna, but we are out of those. You'll have to wait for the harvesters to come back." Waela deliberately said.
"And when is that?" Aphrodite asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, for starters, they only left yesterday so they'll need three days. Don't worry, though… Just give them time."
"Time is gold." Aphrodite reminded.
"Yes. But—"
"Probably even worth more than gold. The little girl is sick and running out of time, not coin." The frustrated queen deadpanned.
That silenced Waela who lowered her head, feeling remorseful for the little girl whom Leanna was talking about. Leanna was a wise one and she wasn't known just for her healing skills but also for her wit and perception. But the current situation was inevitable.
Unless…
"Hmm… Oh! What about Bulda? Maybe she has some." Waela proposed.
"Bulda?" Aphrodite asked, not recognizing whom Waela was suggesting.
"The florist, of course!" Waela clarified, "I'll go see her now and ask her if she has any of what you nee—"
"No need, Waela. Thank you." Aphrodite shook her head and raised a hand to stop the old woman, "I'll go ask her myself."
The door opened and a man walked out, stretching his arms upwards.
Agh dammit, my back! Brandon thought, feeling the ache around his muscles. What a lovely morning. He thought mockingly since the weather was not so happy with all those grey clouds floating around the sky. I seriously need a new mattress for my bed. A thought suddenly crossed his mind. "Well, that's weird." He said to no one. "It's quiet... Too quiet." He looked around the fort, seeing that everything was fine and everyone was doing their normal business just like every day's routine.
The guards were guarding. The farmers were farming. The kids were… Well. Playing. And so on.
But something was just. Not. Right.
Brandon frowned. Where's Tyler?
Usually, Tyler always came early and woke Brandon with his yelling and whining about the fort's problems and fundamental needs.
Brandon's eye caught someone and he quickly called, "Dave! Hey! Over here."
Dave quickly rushed to oblige his chief.
"Yes, Chief?" The young man stood straight in front of his superior.
"Have you seen, Tyler, today?" Brandon asked.
"No. Not really, Sir. He went out yesterday on an important mission." Dave answered truthfully.
"Did he say where he was going?" Brandon interrogated.
"No, Sir. He said it was very important and that it will be very good financially for the fort. He said he'll make great profit out of his given task, Sir. It will help us all." The boy said happily, admiring his Brave Chief, Tyler.
"That's… Good." Brandon was skeptical… Very skeptical. "Alright then, go ahead." Brandon motioned for the boy to go.
"Yes, Chief." The boy nodded and scurried off.
Where the hell are you, Tyler? And what task is that? Brandon thought, getting an uneasy feeling in his stomach.
But no. Not now. He wasn't going to let Tyler's issues distract him from what he was going to do. He had more important stuff to take care of… and something in particular very special. Well… good luck Tyler… On whatever deadly mission you're after. You'll just probably lose a few fingers. He thought for a moment. Or hopefully your tongue.
And He started walking towards the blacksmith where his first special and personal quest started.
"So?... You got it? Quite simple really isn't it, Elsa?" Anna asked while placing her elbows on the table with her chin on her hands.
"Yup." Elsa nodded.
"How about you recite them for me!" Anna suggested.
"Okay!" Elsa agreed excitedly.
She shifted in her seat and readied herself to recite. She took a deep breath and…
"A… B… C…"
"Good, good. Come on, carry on." Anna encouraged, biting her lip.
"D… E-E…" Elsa stopped for a moment and pursed her lips, trying to remember. She suddenly gasped, "Oh I know! I know!" Elsa lifted her waving hand; a smile on her face, "F!... G… H-H…"
"You're doing great! Just keep at it. No rush." Anna cheered.
"I… J… K… L-L…" Elsa stopped again and bit her lip worriedly, trying to remember but finding it hard. What was it?! Q? O? N? She thought nervously, her heartbeat quickening.
Anna felt Elsa's anxiety and she rushed to soothe her. "It's okay if you forgot. Don't worry, it's your first time!" She grabbed Elsa's hand gently and smiled fondly at her, reassuring her that everything was fine and that it was okay to make mistakes sometimes.
Elsa smiled nervously back and felt comforted. Okay, Elsa… Just focus. She played with her fingers, looking right and left as if she would have found the next letter written somewhere. She closed one eye and squeaked, "O?"
Anna smiled and shook her head. "No… But you did great I'm so proud of you!" She moved to hug Elsa but the princess stopped her.
"Wait! Wait! I know the next letter!" Elsa said, waving her hands in front of Anna's face. Come on, Elsa! Think! Think!
Three… two… one.
Elsa suddenly gasped loudly, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Ah!" A spooked Anna almost fell out of her chair.
"I KNOW!" Elsa shouted happily and stood, her wide excited cyan eyes were inches away from Anna's blue-grey ones. "It's N!"
Silence.
Elsa stared with a radiant sweet smile and Anna stared back with Elsa standing and leaning over her, very close to her face.
"Right?" Elsa asked innocently.
Anna tried not to laugh. She couldn't resist that sweet smile and cute happy eyes. She giggled a bit, "No… It's M. But you were close!"
Elsa's smile fell and she stared blankly at Anna.
Another moment of silence and Elsa was still leaned towards Anna.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Elsa leaned back and threw herself in her chair, slumping down and sinking with a pout, "Fuck."
Anna's eyes widened and she gasped, "Elsa, what was that!?"
"What?" Elsa stared at Anna, totally oblivious.
Anna stood, "That word!"
"What word?"
"'Fuck'!" Anna whispered, knowing it's a bad word.
"Fuck?" Elsa cocked her head to the side.
"Yes, 'Fuck'!" Anna repeated the bad word without noticing.
Elsa shrugged, "I heard Flynn say it when he was upset."
Anna gasped and slapped her mouth; her eyes wide.
Silence again…
They stared blankly at each other.
Elsa, however, got distracted when she saw an ant on her book. Her face brightened, "Hi, Olaf." She whispered while waving.
"FLYNN! Get your BUTT over here!" Anna called out, smashing her fist on the table.
Flynn suddenly dashed in, completely oblivious to what was happening, "What's wrong!? Is everyone okay!? Were you attacked?! Who were they!? Oh I'll smash that sku—" He stopped his quick rambling when he noticed an irritated Anna who had her arms crossed and a scowl on her face with Elsa behind her waving 'Hi' happily towards him.
"Hi, Flynn." Elsa greeted with a blissful smile.
"Hey, Elsa…" He waved back. "Uh… Did I miss something?" He asked while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes. You taught Elsa a bad word!" Anna accused, poking him hard in his chest while glaring at him.
"WTF?! I didn't!" He defended.
Anna gasped, "Stop saying Fuck!"
"Fuck!" Elsa threw her hands in the air and shouted happily with her eyes closed.
Anna facepalmed.
"Oh." Flynn stared at Elsa who still had her hands in the air as his realization came in. "Well that was awkward I guess. Just tell her not to say it again."
"Oh trust me, it's not that simple. You should have been more careful!"
"I heard you say it too." Elsa confessed as she lowered her arms.
"See? She heard you sa— Wait, what?! Who me!?" Anna pointed at herself, sweat starting to cover her forehead as she blushed.
"Yes!" Elsa confirmed.
"Aha! See!? Guilty!" Flynn pointed at Anna.
How didn't I notice that before?!... Saying this in front of Elsa? Way to go, Anna. Anna thought as she felt guilty and lowered her head.
"What does it mean?" Elsa suddenly asked in curiosity.
Anna and Flynn's eyes widened and they exchanged awkward looks; their faces turning red.
Tomatoes. Elsa thought but still stared at them and waited for an answer.
"Uhhh..." Anna didn't know what to say. "It… it…"
"Yes…?" Elsa's eyes were wide and filled with a child's awe.
"Iiiitttt… Just meaaaannn…" She elbowed Flynn.
"Uh…" He muttered to himself and… "See ya." And he dashed out of the room and ran away as fast as he could.
Anna gasped and tried to catch him before he could get away but she was too late. "You'll regret this, Flynn!" She yelled from the door and sent death glares towards him as he ran, laughing in victory.
Anna sighed and cursed under her breath. She turned at Elsa and saw that Elsa was STILL waiting for an answer. "Haha…" She giggled nervously. "Well… it means…" She couldn't explain something like that to her!
So she decided to go simple.
"AH it just mean peeling potatoes now come on!" Before Elsa could react, Anna grabbed her by her arm and pulled her behind her, "Let's go do something fun!"
"Can we go peel potatoes with Louis?" Elsa innocently asked.
"Trust me, you don't wanna do that." Anna said and tried to ignore everyone's weird looks as they passed.
"Peeling potatoes!" Elsa jumped and shouted happily for everyone to hear, raising a finger in triumph.
"Oh just stop it!"
"Good morning, Jeff."
"Brandon! My friend! Where have you been all along?!" A huge bulky man with a big dirty blond beard, wearing his blacksmithing gear shouted. "Come here and give your old pal a man-hug!" He said, opening his arms wide while holding a hammer in one hand and a metal stick that was flaming hot and burning with an orange-red color.
"Woah! Woah! Get that away from me, first!" Brandon said, raising his hands in defense and chuckling at the big man's enthusiasm.
"Oh right… Sorry about that, pal." The big man apologized and turned to place his equipment somewhere safe.
"You should be more careful with what you hold, my friend." Brandon said, seating himself on a barrel.
The big man's head shot back as he let out a loud laugh, "Brandon, my boy! If it weren't for all of those things I hold, all of you thieves would have lost your gear!" He joked and laughed aloud again.
"Or an eye." Brandon deadpanned and laughed at the man's kind heart and humor.
Jeff was the fort's blacksmith. He was VERY tall and huge in size and a bit fat. He had a light brown, very thick beard but his head was completely bald. Sure his looks made him look like a Viking but on the inside he was very kind and funny, and Brandon saw him like a brother since they had been friends ever since they were kids.
"So tell me." Jeff started while wiping his dirty hands with an even dirtier towel and approaching Brandon, "What brings you here today?" He said sitting on a chair next to Brandon while placing his hand on the man's shoulder.
"I have a favor to ask of you." Brandon nervously said.
"Anything you want, Bran." Jeff assured.
"I…" He trailed off a bit, "Need a sword."
"A sword? But you're a dual dagger wielder. You're not good with swords. In fact you totally stink with them!" Jeff shot his head back again and laughed, slapping Brandon on the back and knocking him out of breath.
Brandon chuckled nervously, "Well… it's not actually for me." Brandon confessed.
Jeff's eyes widened a bit and he stopped laughing, "Oh?... And what size do you want that sword to be?"
Brandon showed Jeff the size using his hands.
Jeff suddenly burst into loud laughter and this time with tears, "Oh god!" He just couldn't stop laughing.
Brandon only rolled his eyes and shook his head in amusement, not being able to stop himself from chuckling alongside his childhood best friend.
"What? Are you gonna cut down a whole army with that?!" Jeff mocked and laughed again.
"It's not for fighting, my friend."
"Of course!" Jeff said and… "Very well!" He slapped Brandon hard on his back and Brandon could have sworn his back cracked.
"Jeff I want you to hammer the sword and use that good arm of yours on it! Not me!" They laughed with each other as good old friends and enjoyed their moment.
"Well you know me. Blame my work and muscles." Jeff winked. "Alright then," Jeff stood up, "I'll start working on it first thing tomorrow. I'll make sure to use the purest and neatest silver." He brought his arm around Brandon's shoulder, "And just for you, Bran my boy, it will be the best sword you'll ever see. That person you wanna give the sword to sure is lucky."
Brandon smiled to himself, "Yeah."
"Well. Best get to it then." He slapped Brandon on the back again and laughed aloud, knowing that he purposely was harsh. "Oh and by the way, someone seems to have a liking to you, Bran my pal." He winked and pointed with his head to the left.
Brandon gave him a confused look then turned to see.
There, stood three women giggling, taking shy peeks at Brandon and snickering between each other.
Oh boy… Brandon thought, not interested at all. He sighed and shook his head slowly.
Before he could turn and walk away, one of them approached and grabbed his arm, "Hey there, handsome. Free to spend some time to… talk?" She seductively said.
Brandon gently grabbed her hand and released himself from her grip. "No thanks, Sarah. I'll pass. Just like always."
The young woman pouted angrily and crossed her arms, "You always reject my affection. Is there a woman in your life already?"
Brandon blushed, "T-That's none of your concern, Sarah. I told you before I have more important stuff to do."
"Oh, come on now…" She grabbed his arm again, showing off her curves and biting her lip. "If you could just get to know me you won't be so stubborn anymore." She played with his hair.
God dammit, woman! Leave me alone.
Brandon was uncomfortable. He flinched away but her hold was firm. "Uhm… Sarah… I know what you're thinking and that won't work with me."
"Such strong muscles you have there, Branny." She gently touched his biceps, making him shiver. "I bet you're even stronger in battle."
Branny?! Oh God above…
"U-Uh… don't you have other stuff to do? I don't know. Like working at the fields?" He shifted in his place, trying to show her that he's very uncomfortable with her touching him.
"Yes. But I think I found something more interesting than the fields." She winked, "Oh don't be such a mule, Branny. I'm giving you everything I have!" She just wasn't going to give up.
"I said… I'll pass." Brandon was irritated now.
She giggled a bit, "Oh trust me... I'm as stubborn as you are, Branny."
"Is that so?" A woman's sarcastic voice said, and Brandon's eyes widened, knowing very well who it was.
Ohhhh boy…
Few minutes Earlier…
"Good morning, Bulda."
Startled, Bulda quickly turned to face her client, "Oh! L-Leanna! What a great surprise! I didn't see you there. Good… G-Good morning to you." Bulda welcomed.
Aphrodite stood tall, proud and confident, a cold and stern look on her face as always. Her posture and tone of voice completely neat and balanced.
"Hm confident as always, I see?" Bulda suddenly asked.
Aphrodite was taken aback but she did not show it, "Well, to succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence."
"Maybe," Bulda smiled, "But you're not here to give me lectures. So tell me, Leanna, how can I help you?"
"We were out of Arnica in the infirmary. I was wondering if you have any." Aphrodite said, folding her hands neatly in front of her, after making sure her hood was good.
"A man who bumped his head?" Bulda asked, raising an amused eyebrow and wanting to know for whom Leanna needed the herbs.
"A sick little girl at her death bed." Aphrodite corrected, her tone showing no emotion.
"Oh…" This was lachrymose news for Bulda. "Very well… I guess I have what you need." Bulda admitted with a sincere smile.
Aphrodite couldn't help but smile back in reprieve, "I'm relieved."
"Give me a minute and I'll prepare them for you."
"Thank you, Bulda." Aphrodite gave her a graceful nod of appreciation.
Bulda nodded back and turned to the pots so she could pick the flowers neatly from their roots. "You know, Leanna… I can't help but notice how deeply you care for the girl."
"I do not." Aphrodite lied, "I simply do not like the fact that someone at her age has to die in order that the rest of us should value life more."
Bulda nodded in agreement then cut the first flower, "Death is nothing, my dear, but to live hidden in a lie is to die daily."
Aphrodite's eyebrows furrowed, "Pardon?"
"You lie to yourself too often, Leanna. You know very well that you care about that girl. In fact you care about every one of us here. Almost as if you are a wise Queen who cares for her subjects."
Aphrodite averted her eyes, "Maybe… Maybe not. Trying to imply something, Bulda?"
Bulda shrugged, "Every woman has her secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call her cold when she is only sad."
Aphrodite's eyes widened. She lowered her head a bit, and Bulda noticed, and continued, "I always wondered when you're gonna leave this game and stop being a fool."
The queen chuckled at that. "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." She said, staring at the ground.
They were entertaining each other; challenging their intellect in a battle of words.
Bulda laughed, "A fool thinks herself to be wise, but a wise woman knows herself to be a fool. So what do you think of yourself, Leanna?"
Aphrodite stood silent and thought for a moment, her eyes still stuck to the ground, taking in Bulda's every word.
After a moment, Aphrodite smiled and lifted her head to look at the woman whom she respected, "The queen of fools."
Bulda stared off for a moment, comprehending the healer's words, then, "Wisely said." She turned again and continued picking the flowers. "But you're not the queen of fools…"
Aphrodite smirked, "Oh?" She had clear amusement on her face.
"You're just a wise fool." Bulda winked at her.
"Couldn't agree more." Aphrodite chuckled.
After their little parley, Bulda continued picking silently while the queen observed her surroundings.
"There. This should be enough." The short woman said, holding the sac of herbs in her hands. She turned to Leanna and handed it to her.
"Thank you, Bulda. I owe you one." Aphrodite took the sac and turned to leave but…
"Actually, you owe me twice." Bulda unexpectedly said.
Aphrodite turned and looked at her in confusion, seeing the smirk on her face.
"Did you know that a mother takes twenty years to make a man out of her boy, and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes?" Bulda vaguely asked, confusing the queen more and more.
"What?"
Bulda pointed to the right while grinning.
Oblivious to what Bulda was trying to show her, the queen turned and saw something that for some strange reason made her inners boil and her eyes go wide.
She saw Brandon with a beautiful woman who was throwing herself all over the man.
"You look quite pale my dear. Do you need some water?" Bulda asked slyly.
"No… But I think that woman needs some lessons in Dignity." Aphrodite said while gritting her teach hard and feeling very furious.
"Why are you mad? Every man wants a woman." Bulda teased, knowing very well about Aphrodite's feelings.
"And every man needs a lesson." Aphrodite sneered, glaring daggers at the scene.
"I said… I'll pass." Brandon was irritated now.
Sarah giggled a bit, "Oh trust me... I'm as stubborn as you are, Branny."
"Is that so?" Aphrodite said smirking.
The moment Brandon heard that voice, he knew he was doomed. But why? It's not like she liked him or something.
Sarah was irritated when she heard the woman's voice behind her. She realized there was a challenger just by the tone of the woman's voice. "Ah for god's sake whoever you are… You're such a nuisance! Can't you see that Chief Branny and I are busy here?" She said in a frustrated voice, showing all signs that she cared less about who was behind her and gave no respect.
Aphrodite's eye twitched as she tried to keep her fake smile. Behind those happy lips, she was gritting her teeth hard. Bran—… ny…?! She felt a very strange feeling in her heart when she heard that come out of the woman's mouth.
"Didn't you hear me, Nuisance?" The woman started to turn around to look at her rude opponent's face. "You are definitely deaf! I said I want to tu— Ah! L-Leanna!" Sarah screamed in surprise, her confidence dropping to zero in front of THE toughest Healer. "U-U-Uh what a great surprise! I didn't know it was you! I swear!"
Brandon could see that Sarah was scared and he couldn't help but smile in amusement. Albeit his smile quickly dropped and he looked away when he saw Aphrodite's death glare.
"Hello, Sarah… Brandon… I'm sorry if I was such a… Nuisance. I might have interrupted something, huh?" Aphrodite smirked, keeping her hands behind her back and clenching her fists hard.
"NO!" Brandon and Sarah shouted in unison.
"I-It's nothing! Really! She was just saying Hi!" Brandon vindicated.
Sarah decided to join, "A-A nuisance!? You?! No, no, NO! Not at all! W-What I said was… S-Susan! Y-Yes! I thought you were just Susan. She's quite a-annoying. Haha…" Sarah's seductive posture was all gone and she was nothing but a nervous and awkward young woman.
"Hmm, yeah, aha, I see…" Aphrodite played along. "You know, Sarah... It's been a long time since we talked. Let's have a conversation alone. Just me and you, woman to woman, and you get to know me better, wouldn't you like that?" Aphrodite started approaching Sarah.
"Oh! Y-Yes! Of course but—" Before Sarah could continue, Aphrodite linked arms with her and started pulling her away from Brandon.
"Oh, come on now! It's just a small talk!" Aphrodite tried to smile innocently, pulling Sarah next to her.
"U-Uh… okay." Sarah never witnessed THIS side of Leanna.
When they were away enough from Brandon's earshot, Aphrodite stopped in her tracks forcing Sarah to stop too, nearly making her stumble. "So!" Aphrodite started cheerfully, pretending to be happy. "I see you and Chief Brandon are making a great… couple." A very… great… couple… She thought angrily.
"W-What? No no! It's not like that! I was just…" Sarah blushed and rubbed the back of her neck, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Tomato!" Someone shouted from afar.
Aphrodite and Sarah turned to see Anna, pulling an excited Elsa who was pointing at Sarah. "Hey, Mum! How are you? Got to go! See ya!" Anna waved and then started pulling a happy Elsa away and they went on their way.
Aphrodite smiled, "See? Even the princess, agree." She looked at Sarah.
Sarah was still looking at the two sisters. "U-Uh… Y-Yeah…" She turned to face Leanna and lowered her head, feeling embarrassed.
"You know, Sarah. You're still young and I just want the best for you. So I'm gonna give you some personal advice." Aphrodite rubbed her chin, trying to act as if she was thinking of a real advice.
"A-An advice?"
"Yes!" Aphrodite wrapped an arm around Sarah's shoulder. "You see… Sometimes men act like…" She turned her head a bit towards Brandon, "IDIOTS." She said but made sure to shout the word Idiots enough for Brandon to hear.
Brandon rolled his eyes at how childish Aphrodite was being. Very mature, Aphrodite.
"And sometimes women too!" Aphrodite continued. "But I'll tell you something for your own good, sweetheart." The queen leaned to Sarah and whispered in her ear, "I am a healer and you already know that. And well… I already… Checked everyone's health here, and well… Chief Brandon's health… let's say… is not doing well." Aphrodite acted disconsolate while pouting.
"Uhm… No?" Sarah was confused.
Aphrodite leaned to Sarah's ear again, "It turns out he has a disease." She lied.
"A-A disease!?" Sarah whispered back in shock.
"Aha. A disease in… you know where." Aphrodite's brought her irises down, trying to make Sarah understand.
"Are you serious!?" Sarah's eyes were wide and she was horrified. She didn't want to do any business with Chief Brandon anymore.
Aphrodite's mischievous smile fell back into a dead serious and cold face. "Did I, Leanna, ever joke?" She glowered right into Sarah's eyes.
Sarah gulped nervously, "N-N-No…?"
"Good!" Aphrodite was cheerful again. "Now go along, darling. Go back to your fields and stay away from bad adult and ill men." Aphrodite started shooing Sarah and pushing her towards the direction of the fields.
Sarah turned one last time to face Leanna, "Thank you for warning me. Maybe there is more to Leanna then they say." Sarah smiled sweetly.
Aphrodite smiled back, trying her best not to punch her right in the face. "Aha… Don't mention it." She gritted her teeth hard behind her sealed smiling lips.
Sarah waved goodbye then turned and left.
Now… Aphrodite VERY slowly turned to face Brandon, putting on the deadliest glare she could master.
"Oh boy. Here comes trouble." Jeff said, and winked towards Brandon.
Yeah, no kidding! Brandon's eyes widened and he gulped fearfully, feeling his sweat forming.
Aphrodite approached him, her back straight as an arrow. When she was right in front of him she looked like she was trying to pierce his head with her green emerald eyes. "Brandon…?" Oh her teeth would have broken with her gritting like that.
"Aphrodite…?" Brandon mimicked her tone of voice.
"I see you were enjoying your little meeting with Sarah." Aphrodite crossed her arms.
"U-Uh… No. We were just talking!" Brandon lifted his arms defensively.
"Just talking with half her boobs out!" Aphrodite angrily reminded, her posture no longer the graceful one.
"S-She might have just worn the wrong size of a dress." Brandon awkwardly joked.
"She was all over you!" Aphrodite finally yelled.
"Why do you care?!" Brandon glared playfully at her, leaning down a bit to meet her eye level.
"I don't!" Aphrodite lied.
"Ohhhhh… I see…" Brandon teased, "It looks to me that Aphrodootifrootie is—" he tapped her nose, "Jealous!"
Aphrodite gasped aloud and slapped his hand away, "Aphro— WHAT now?!" She groaned in rage, glaring swords at him. "I am NOT!" She staggered, blushing hard.
"You totally are!" Brandon pointed at her face and laughed. He just reveled in teasing her.
Aphrodite groaned again in irritation, "Idiot!" She punched his shoulder hard.
Brandon laughed placing one hand on his hip, "You are idiot." He grabbed her hood with his other hand and pulled it all the way down over her entire face, glaring playfully at her and knowing how much it irritated her for him to do that.
Aphrodite was furious. She pushed his hand away and fixed her hood back up.
They both then glared at each other with Aphrodite gritting her teeth and Brandon smiling.
Some people around started to watch them and gave them weird looks.
Brandon looked at her piercing green eyes that shone with rage. He smiled fondly, "You are special."
Aphrodite's eyes widened and her face couldn't get any redder. She was completely taken aback and she quickly straightened her back and crossed her arms, frowning childishly and turning her face away from him, "And you are still an idiot… Branny." She stubbornly said, her anger actually dissipating for knowing she was special to Brandon.
Brandon chuckled, "I guess I deserve that. But still… Some women just can't resist my natural handsome charms." He puffed his chest and flexed his muscles.
Aphrodite rolled her eyes in frustration, "Hmph!" She gave him one last glare, turned, and then started walking away.
Brandon gazed at her back and smiled fondly. He laughed to himself one last time and shook his head in amusement at her. Queen Aphrodite of Arendelle… you never fail to amaze me. He turned and went on his own way.
If only he'd seen her stop and turn to look at him one last time and smile tenderly back.
Aphrodite smiled shyly a bit then her thoughts got distracted when she noticed how the sky was grey.
Looks like a storm is coming.
Later that night…
The wind howled as rain battered the windows of the fort in the dead of the night. The cracking sound of the thunder was everywhere, and from the dark clouds lightning struck here and there, lighting up the nocturnal sky for a second before shying away and vanishing.
Everyone was asleep except for a few guild members that stayed up all night to guard the halls of the fort.
On the west wing, a young man, Dave, was charged to stay on watch for any intruders. He was nervous and on full guard. He had never liked thunder when he was a child and never would. He paced the halls back and forth, completely lost in his own thoughts.
I can't believe I finally got charged to watch over the west wing!
Excited as he was, he kept himself on full alert.
Lightning flashes provided the only dim light on the somber hall that Dave strolled. He jumped in his place as the explosion of thunder echoed.
Stupid storm… Looks like summer's over.
He put his hands in his pocket, hoping that he would keep them warm, and then continued walking next to the wall.
He felt uneasy and uncomfortable all of a sudden, feeling that he was being watched by some dark presence. That's very… creepy. He looked around just to make sure but no one was there.
"Hmph…" He shrugged his shoulders and continued walking.
Suddenly… a whisper.
Startled, Dave quickly turned, his eyes wide and his sword unsheathed. "Hello?!... Who's there?"
"No Hope." A cold and heartless voice said.
Dave groaned in irritation, "Show yourself!"
He could see that there was someone hiding in the shadows.
"No Love." The voice was enigmatic and dark, deprived from any happiness or joy. Just… Empty.
So empty, it sent shivers down his spine.
"I said show yourself!" He pointed his now shaky sword towards the corner where the figure stood.
After a moment, the figure stepped out and lightning struck, revealing its identity.
"O-Oh!" Dave blushed, "it's you…" He smiled shyly, but the person in front of him stayed neutral; eyes closed.
"I-I'm sorry about the sword…" He started putting his sword back in his sheath and didn't notice the person approaching him slowly.
"I just thought it was some intruder or something." He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
The person stopped three meters away from him.
"You know it's quite the honor—"
The person's eyelids lifted quickly.
"H-Holy… s-s-shit!" Dave cried out and staggered backwards, stumbling and falling down on his back.
"No light."
"Y-Your… Your eyes!" He pointed at the intruder's face with a shaky finger. "They're… t-they're shining!"
The invader looked down at its victim with lifeless eyes, betraying no emotion.
"No joy."
All of a sudden Dave's eyes shot wide and he quickly clutched his stomach and started squirming on the ground in pain. "Ahhh! W-What… What have you done to m—" His sentence was stolen from his mouth when all of a sudden he started vomiting blood.
The person simply stood watching, unshaken by the horrific scene and strangely… just standing!
Dark . . . Magic! Dave thought.
Dave could feel an unbelievable agony eat away his insides. He collapsed to the ground, choking for air, liquid of the color of death leaking from the corner of his mouth. "H-… H-Help…" He barely managed to whisper, trying to crawl towards his enemy… This monstrosity. "AHHH!" Another more torturous pain hit his heart and he couldn't help but shriek aloud and thrash violently on the ground, trying to ease his torture. He felt as if his inners were being ripped to shreds and his body turning cold. He tried to snatch at the person's leg but he couldn't reach it.
The storm outside raged and raged, the mischievous thunder laughing at him and giving him no chance to be heard.
"No justice."
Please . . . I have. . . to warn them!. . . They have . . . to know! Everyone . . . He gasped for air. Is in danger!
He stared at his trembling hand and realized that his vision was getting blurry. They have to— He crawled and crawled and crawled, extending his hand forward to try and grab his opponent's leg but…
He felt a piercing pain in his heart again, almost as if the lightning itself outside hit him. He started screaming manically, black lines crawled over his neck like veins.
A lightning strike flashed, answering the man's shrieks with loud roars of low thunder and silencing his useless and desperate cries of help.
It's . . . Her . . . It's the—
The young man's body suddenly went limp… Silence following. The only sound heard was the angry needles of rain on the windows and the evil laughter of thunder.
A motionless male body decorated the floor like a rug, twitching in its place. His pale face was violently bare as his wide lifeless eyes stared out at nowhere, blood leaking from them and from his mouth, nose and ears, giving at least some color to his dead skin.
The picture of death.
Thunder roared and lightning flashed again, revealing a psychotic smirk on a pale woman's face, her bloodthirsty eyes with pinpoint pupils shining with the color of a tropical sea, and her clenched hands shook with excitement and pleasure. She stood above her prey, staring down in delight and licking her trembling grinning lips.
The picture of pure Evil.
"No mercy."
The picture of…
A monster.