Chapter 2.
I wake up with a start as I hear a knock on the door. Instinctively I groan and try to block out the light with my arm. My efforts are only partially successful, and judging by how much of it manages to get through my eyelids I bet it's around midday. Even if I wanted to keep sleeping, the light gave me a pretty awful headache, and I should probably get up now anyway. To do what, I don't know; Anna didn't say yesterday if I have responsibilities or chores, but if I do, then I hope it's nothing exhausting. Losing your memory is bad enough even if you don't have constant headaches that remind you of that very fact.
"Miss Elsa?" A female voice is heard from outside my door as the knocking continues. "Are you awake? I brought you breakfast." I'm about to tell her I'm not feeling well and ask her to leave when my stomach growls. Starving won't exactly make me feel better, so I decide to tell her to come in.
"I… I'm awake." I manage to say, still a bit sleepy. Instantly, an older woman with a kind face pushes the door open and enters carrying a tray. The delicious smell invades my nose making my stomach growl once more.
"Hello, dear. I hope you found the room to your liking." She says as she closes the door and approaches, smiling at me.
"Yeah… actually I don't doubt it's the best room I've ever slept in." I answer honestly (the bed is so comfy!).
"Oh, that's right! You have memory loss. Queen Anna mentioned something like that." She says with a pitying look in her eyes as she places the tray across my lap. "You remember something now?"
"Nothing." I sigh, running my fingers through my bangs in a defeated gesture. "And on top of that, I have a horrible headache."
"Oh, poor thing!" She exclaims compassionately. "Do you want me to prepare some tea for that?" The tone she uses when she says it… it's so motherly I feel some kind of ache in my heart. It's like a certain longing for something, or rather someone, that I can't remember.
"Why are you so nice to me?" I ask trying to distract myself from those strange sensations I can't explain. "Everyone else has treated me with fear and contempt… well, except An- Queen Anna."
"I'm sorry to hear that." She sighs. "But… I'm not surprised. Ice wielders have been frowned upon by many ever since the first ones appeared, and of course it only became worse once a group of them killed the late king."
"I… understand why they distrust us." I say, looking down at my tray of still untouched food. "When I first realized I have powers, I felt a little afraid of them too." I remember the frozen arm of that man that wanted to kill me and then the circle of ice spikes that raised around me without me consciously wanting them to, and I shudder. I can't really control my powers, I need practice… but I doubt even Anna would allow me to do that.
"Come on, eat your food." She prompts me, clearly having no idea of what to say about what I just admitted. "I'll go get your tea and be back in a minute."
I start eating just as she leaves the room. Breakfast is simple enough: eggs, bread and coffee, but it's quite delicious, and so I devour it before the maid comes back. It even lessened my headache a bit.
"Someone was hungry." The woman teases me as she enters and sees the empty and tray. I blush. "It's okay. After all, it's almost midday." She assures me. "I brought you some tea."
"Thank you…" I answer taking the mug from her hands, but I pause realizing I don't know her name.
"Gerda." She says with a kind smile.
"Thank you, Gerda." I say, before noticing the tea is too hot, so I cool it a bit with my powers and take a sip. It doesn't taste good, but at least it's relaxing, and so I keep drinking it.
"Easy there. It works better if you drink it slowly." The woman comments and so I tear the mug from my lips and blow a little on it before taking a small sip again. "Now, you asked me why I was being so nice to you."
"Oh! That's right." I exclaim realizing she hasn't answered my question.
"Well, that's because I'm tired of so many people who just assume the worst of ice wielders even before knowing them." She says, but sensing there's more, I nod to encourage her to continue. "You see, before the ice wielders were sent to the Northern Lands, there was a little girl in the palace, daughter of one of the maids. She was a funny girl and everyone liked her, even if she was always making mischief." During her narration, her eyes had brightened up with the warmth of pleasant memories, but at her next words they turned cold and sad. "However, one day, she showed up with blonde hair and grey eyes. She had gained ice powers."
"Wait." I interrupt her. "Aren't ice wielders born with their magic?"
"No, of course not, whatever gave you that idea?" She asks eying me with a funny expression, like trying to decipher why I said something like that. I try to remember what gave me that impression, but the memory that triggered it has banished again behind the wall of nothing that keeps my memories hidden.
"I-I'm sorry. I just had that impression. No one has ever explained it to me." I answer instead.
"It's fine." She brushes it off. "Well, now, where was I? Oh, yes! Little Margaret became an ice wielder, and almost instantly people started treating her differently. They wouldn't look at her anymore unless they really had to. Some would treat her condescendingly like she was victim of a horrible sickness, and others feared her like she was some wild animal that could go mad and kill us all at any moment." She pauses, her gaze darkening and becoming angrier. "Then the king died and some of the more deranged men said that it was probably Maggie who let the killers in. Of course, not even crown prince Agdar believed that, but…" She sighs. "That didn't stop them from killing her."
I let out a gasp, not expecting this story to have such a dark ending, and then I see Gerda wipe some tears from her eyes. Truth to be told, I think I may cry too, but knowing it'd only increase my headache (which by the way now is a little better), I contain myself.
"I'm sorry. This story always makes me emotional." She sniffs.
"I understand." I say, my voice wavering slightly because of how much it shook me. "And I'm sorry about what happened, but it's nice to know not everyone sees us as the enemy." I cast her a thankful smile.
"Oh, don't worry dear, I'm sure with given time, people will stop fearing your kind. " She assures me, wiping her tears. "Mostly since the newer generations hasn't had any ice wielders."
"Really?" I ask in disbelief.
"Yes, though the reason is still unknown."
"That's… weird. Are you sure?" I ask her, not believing her words. Not because I think she's lying, but because for some reason it seems illogical to me.
"I am. If one had appeared in the past few years, they would have been brought to the palace." She answers with such confidence that I'm sure she's telling the truth.
"I see…" I frown, trying hard to decipher why it seems so unbelievable to me, but, just when I think I'm getting close, a knock sounds at the door.
"Oh! That must be Kristoff. He will be your protector for now." Gerda explains as she gathers the dishes and rushes to the door.
"Kristoff?" I groan, remembering how he treated me with distrust yesterday.
"He can be a bit rude, but I assure you, he's quite honorable and trustworthy." She says, trying to ease my fears. "He'll guide you around the palace at first, so you don't get lost if you want to explore it yourself." She explains.
"Okay." I sigh resigned. "Tell him I'll come out in a bit."
I am walking through the royal gardens with Kristoff. Ever since he went to collect me he hasn't said anything, except telling me to shut up when I ask questions and naming the places we pass. I can sense he doesn't like me, but that's ridiculous! He doesn't even know me! Though it was to be expected; I am a Northerner after all. Still, it bothers me, and his constant glares are making me uncomfortable, plus I'm tired and my head still hurts a bit so… I think I'll sit here for a while.
"Hey, what are you doing?" He asks when he sees me sitting down under a tree.
"I'm resting." I answer shrugging.
"But we need to get going; I don't want to be babysitting you all day!" He protests, like it really is a huge burden to show me around.
"Aren't you my guard now? You'd still be with me all day anyways." I point out. "But, if it makes you feel better, I don't like to be with you either and I'd too wished this day was over."
"You don't understand. I don't want to show you around, I don't trust you." He says crossing his arms in a threatening way and looming over me. But he doesn't scare me, I know he won't kill me because Anna wouldn't forgive him.
"And why exactly don't you trust me?" I ask him, crossing my arms upset at his words.
"Because you are a Northerner!" He snaps. "And I don't believe your little amnesia act one bit. I don't know why you're here or what you're up to, but whatever it is, I'll stop you." He practically growls at me.
"It's not an act, and I'm not planning anything except regaining my memories." I retort, glaring at him.
"Right." He chuckles bitterly. "Anna may have believed you, but that's because she's too naïve for her own good. Even if she's the queen, she lacks experience dealing with con artists like you Northerners. But I don't; I've seen what your kind can do, and I will never forgive you for that."
"And what exactly have you seen?" I ask, more upset than before because of the things he's saying.
"I've seen how the escaped Northerners murdered people with powerful blasts of ice!" He yells at me with fury. "How they destroyed houses like they were nothing, and how they don't take mercy on anyone, not even children. I only escaped because I had Sven."
Sven? Is that his friend or something?
As much as I don't like Kristoff, I have to admit that his story seems pretty… traumatic. I'd probably feel the same about the Northerners if I had lived something like that, but… still. I have done nothing to him, he doesn't have to be so hostile.
"Look, I'm sorry about what happened to you, but that doesn't mean you should keep treating me like I'm some kind of dangerous criminal you need to keep an eye on. I don't plan on hurting anyone, much less Anna. And it's only been a day, but I'm already tired of your unjustified distrust and rage towards me." I glare at him threateningly, but he doesn't even flinch.
"First of all, you don't get to call her Anna; it's Her Majesty to you." He answers. "Second of, my distrust and rage are fully justified. I remember you hurt a man when they found you, and created a full circle of ice-spikes without even moving one finger. You're powerful and, therefore, dangerous, and swear I'll find out what you're planning."
"I told you I'm not planning anything!" I yell, exasperated at his attitude.
"Right." He says, unbelieving and then turns around, walks away a few paces and looks back at me briefly as if telling me to follow him. I don't want to, but I can't just stay here all day, and without his help I'm sure I won't be able to return to my room. So I reluctantly get up and start walking behind him with a resigned expression.
"So, how was your day, dear?" Gerda asks me when she comes in to bring me dinner. I actually was supposed to meet Anna in the dining room half an hour ago, but she sent a servant to tell me she wouldn't be able to attend because of her queenly duties. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement; I was really looking forward to seeing the kind and beautiful redhead again… but I understand. Being queen surely isn't easy at all.
"Terrible." I answer honestly, as I drop myself on one of the chairs.
"And why is that?"
"Kristoff." I groan, but she chuckles.
"He's been giving you a hard time, hasn't he?" She says amused.
"A pretty hard time." I retort, running my fingers through my bangs.
"You have to be patient. Life hasn't exactly been easy for him, you know?" She says as she sits across me.
"I know. He told me he saw Northerners murder people." I sigh. "That doesn't give him the right to treat me so rudely though." I take a sip of my tea.
"Oh, he didn't just see them murder people. He saw them murder his parents."
"What?!" I exclaim shocked after spitting the tea out at the new revelation, and stare at Gerda with wide eyes before quickly wiping my mouth and blushing at my actions.
"Yes, it's a very tragic story." She answers with sad eyes, cleaning the liquid that I spewed on the table. "He was just seven when that happened. Fortunately, the King, after taking care of the murderers, allowed him to stay at the palace as a stable boy. Then he trained as a knight and now he's Anna's personal guard. So at least his life isn't as bad as it could have been, but he still has trust issues."
"Who wouldn't?" I comment, feeling bad for judging him so quickly. "He lost his entire family because of some merciless ice-wielders. I-I… I think I get it now. I'd have to be more patient with him." I take a bite of my bread.
"It may take a while though. When you lose your family, it's quite difficult to forget." The way she says it… it's so sad, so pained… it's like she's also experienced that.
"You've… lost family?" I ask cautiously.
"Yes, I told you this morning." She looks at me and it takes me like three seconds to get what she's trying to tell me.
"T-the girl?!" I almost shout in shock.
"Maggie." She nods as tears form in her eyes. "Another one of the victims of this stupid war between Arendellians and Northerners. Just like Kristoff's family."
"I-I wasn't aware there was a war."
"Not officially, but ever since ice-wielders appeared, there had been fights between them and Arendellians. And murders. And though the wall has mostly kept them from this kingdom and there hasn't been any trespassing in the last thirteen years, it's only a matter of time before something else happens. The question now is, who will make the first move?"
I shudder. I don't like the sound of that; a war wouldn't be good for anyone. Why can't humans and ice-wielders just be friendly with each other? With Anna on the throne I bet there could even be a truce, or a peace agreement between Arendelle and the Northern Lands, or maybe even an alliance… but if the queen is really as evil as they say, then it would be unlikely. Oh, how I wish I could fix all of this!
"Stop worrying yourself about that." Gerda snaps me out of my thoughts. "It won't do you any good."
"I'm sorry." I sigh. "I can't help it, I feel like I should do something. Stop the violence and hate there is between Arendellians and Northerners, you know?"
"You sound like Anna." She says with a fond expression. "So determined, wanting to do it all." I look down, embarrassed but grateful at her words. "But, as I've said to her many times, you can't fix the world by yourself. No matter how powerful you are."
"You're probably right." I sigh. "I just wish I could."
