I guess as a trigger warning this chapter is going to get pretty intense, so I apologize in advance for that.
Chapter 10: Bang
"Okay, explain it to me one more time."
Kristoff timidly raised his hand. "And me too."
Elsa gave a small roll of her eyes, pursing her lips in frustration. They're my family and I love them. They're my family and I love them. She knelt down, waving her hands to create a small scale model of the two doors, the tunnels and the two Bernard's out of snow.
"Here's how it works. One of them is a liar, one of them always tells the truth, But they don't know which one is which." Anna looked at the small model with intent, fighting hard to understand it. Elsa pointed to one of them. "Let's say this one always tells the truth. If they ask him what the OTHER one says is the exit, he'll know the other one will lie, so he'll say the death door because the other one is lying."
"OH!" Anna screamed. "But wait, what if they asked the liar?"
"If they asked the liar he would have still pointed to the bad door because the one who tells the truth would say which one was the exit, but since he always lies—"
"—then he'll say the death door!" Kristoff finished.
"Yes," she flicked her wrist to vanish the model, "and so either way, they'd pick the opposite door."
"Which is what we did." The Arendellians greeted their champion with warm congratulatory smiles.
Anna pushed towards him and began to examine him, touching his arms, forehead and everywhere else she could touch. "Are you okay? Any broken bones? Are you still sick? You don't feel feverish? Being poisoned can make you feverish. Any pulled muscles?—"
Drake playfully smacked her hands away. "I'm fine. Dragon Knight remember, I heal faster than the average joe. How did you know I was poisoned down there?"
"Magic," said Elsa, "there are these small glowing orbs that show us everything that's going on in the tunnels and we get to see it on these screens in the arena."
He nodded with an "O" shape to his mouth. "That explains why Dirgelaff has a full arena even if no one sees us."
They laughed, Elsa in particular just happy that he was alive.
"Drake, my friend." Elsa noticed the Nigerian man from the tunnel approach them. Kwamie was it? Drake and he shook hands and Kwamie gestured to three other African natives that were with him, two young men and one older man. Each were draped in colorful, purple robes, and kente kufi hats, but only one of them, the one Kwamie motioned to, was adorned in gold jewelry, with necklaces earrings, and leopard furs. "This is my king. King Bongani."
King Bongani, bowed his head low and began speaking in his native language. "He thanks you for saving my life." Kwamie translated.
Drake bowed to the king. "You are welcome. Kwamie just as much saved us as we saved him." Kwamie translated Drake's words into their native tongue to his king. He responded with a kind smile and nod, before his eyes moved to Elsa, and he smiled again.
He bowed to her and spoke with Kwamie translating. "He says, 'it is a pleasure to meet you', uh, kankara mayya." Elsa was polite in smiling back, but her head tilted in confusion. She had trouble speaking with others that spoke different languages, but could do okay with French, Danish, and Swedish, but she had never heard this language before. Seeing her confusion, Kwamie clarified, "he means no offense, but it means, 'ice witch'."
She nodded in understanding and held up her hand. "No offense taken, but please call me Elsa."
After Kwamie translated the king began to move his mouth around the words. "Qu...een El...sa."
He spoke to Kwamie again. "My king would like to know if Arendelle would be interested in opening a trade route with our kingdom."
Elsa's heart began fluttering with excitement. This is why they had come to this island in the first place. "I would be delighted to discuss trade with your kingdom. Perhaps a walk around one of the gardens?"
King Bongani smiled a warm and gentle smile then gestured for her to follow them. Kwamie bid a farewell to the others and they departed the great hall. Before they had left Elsa cast a glance over her shoulder to Anna who was holding two large thumbs up and Drake. Meeting his eyes made her heart flutter again and She mouthed the words "thank you".
For the first time in a while, things were going their way.
—:0:—
Anna and Olaf both shrieked as loud as their throats would allow at the sound of thunder clapping against the sky. Kristoff and Elsa followed close behind, but nowhere near the same volume. Kristoff got up from his bed and opened the curtains to the window.
"Oh wow. Where did this come from?"
Joining him by the window, Elsa couldn't believe the maelstrom that had arrived seemingly out of nowhere.
Lighting struck, and thunder clapped forcing Anna to let out a small whimper and cling to Olaf even tighter.
Seeing the state of her sister, Elsa quickly got beside her in the bed, wrapped her arms around her and pulled her head into her shoulder.
She ran her hands through his sister's hair to soothe her. "It's okay Anna," she cooed, "it's just thunder."
Anna nodded, but kept her head buried in her sister's shoulder. Being separated for so long, Elsa had no idea Anna hated thunderstorms so much, and this only added to the list of things they had to make up for. Elsa cuddling her sister close during the storms.
Elsa felt another set of arms wrap around them and pulled. "It's okay Anna, we've got you." Kristoff kissed the top of her head, earning an approving smile from the snow queen.
"Don't worry Kristoff," she smiled, "I approved of you a long time ago."
The little family sat on the bed, huddled as close together as they could as the storm raged outside. Elsa had to strain her ears when she heard a knock coming from the door.
Wrapping a robe around herself she opened the door, surprised to see a Bernard standing on the other side.
"Apologies for the late intrusion, but Dirgelaff has requested everyone's presence at island six."
Elsa pinched her brows together, in almost angry confusion. "But It's the middle of the night? Surely whatever it is, It can wait until morning."
His face was blank as he spoke. "My master sympathizes, but he insists on everyone attending." He glanced passed her towards Anna and the others. "At least you must attend. They are allowed to stay."
Her eyes narrowed. "Attending what?"
Bernard's lips were a tight line, betraying nothing. "I cannot say. Please. You must come with me to island six." Without waiting he turned to his right and walked away leaving a confused Elsa behind.
"What was that?" Kristoff asked.
Elsa, annoyed and frustrated, shook her head. "I don't know, but I should probably do what he asked."
"Might as well," Anna poked her head out from beneath Kristoffs arms, "it's not like we'll be going to sleep anyways." She "Eep'd" as another bolt of lightning struck.
Elsa looked out the window at the storm, her annoyance only getting worse. "I suppose I should just get this over with then." She didn't need it, but she threw a light jacket with a fur hood on over her purple nightgown and went for the door. "Will you three be okay with me gone?"
Anna poked her head out again. "Yeah, but what about you?"
Elsa shrugged. "I'll ask Drake to escort me, hopefully he'll be allowed to come." With that, she bid goodbye to her friends and left the room. Casting a glance down the hall she noticed Drake, appearing tired and grumpy, coming towards her.
"I don't suppose you know what this is all about?" She asked.
Drake, dressed in a black overcoat, shook his head. "No idea. Just want to get this over with so I can get back to sleep."
She laughed. "My thoughts exactly." The thunder rumbled outside. "And I'm not looking forward to going out in that."
—:0:—
Elsa could feel a knot beginning to form in the pit of her stomach as they got closer to island six. Unlike the others, this island seemed to loom over them, a towering and forbidding islet that only worsened with the black storm clouds, heavy rain, and thunder and lightning. The bridge they were walking on was also made of rusted metal that creaked and moaned with each step they took. With the waves crashing against the rocks below, increased the tension that was building for the snow queen.
Once on the islet, they weren't surprised to see another arena, but rather than being in the style of a colosseum there were high walls with standing room only at the top. Once they had claimed their space, Elsa glanced over this new arena. There was only a single platform in the center, but something about the set up seemed disturbingly familiar. Maybe something she saw in a book? Whatever it was she felt the knot in her stomach tighten.
It was twenty minutes before anything had happened down below, and even then it wasn't anything Elsa would have expected.
Lightning struck the center of the arena and only when the smoke cleared was she able to see Dirgelaff and the original Bernard. The tempest slowed and Orbs floated around him and his face showed up on the magical glass screens in front of them. His face twisted into a furious scowl that made her cringe.
"Apologies for waking you this night, but there is something that needs to be made right. I have patience for many things in my games from those that compete, but one thing I will NOT tolerate are those that cheat." He motioned to Bernard and nodded. Bernard snapped his fingers and two more Bernard's came in from the north side of the arena, both pushing and dragging a man beside them.
Elsa's eyes widened with recognition. "I know him. Lord Jakub from Kongsberg?"
Drake looked at her then back at the screen. "Never met him, but if he's found a way to cheat, that's impressive."
She scoffed. "I'm not surprised. He's a pompous windbag who hates to lose. It's no wonder he was caught cheating."
The orbs that were showing them a close up of the ordeal got close to Jakub's furious face as he fought off the Bernard's. "Unhand me!" Jakub snarled through his grey mustache. Apparently the orbs could pick up perfect sound too. Jakub stared at Dirgelaff with malice in his eyes. "I demand to know what this is about!"
Dirgelaff appeared as if a vein was about to burst from his forehead, but kept whatever composure he had. He snapping his fingers at Bernard and his trusted servant reached into his coat and removed a small item. An orb floated closer so all could see the small coin he held in his fingertips.
"This magical coin acts as a listening device, allowing him to hear the competitors, to be precise. As your champion and his team struggled with my games, riddles and trials, you stood aside with answers, so don't bother with any denial. One of the champions in that game admitted your crimes, so don't waste my time with any of your lies."
Jakub snorted into his mustache, his beady eyes darting in all directions as if looking for a way out. Elsa remembered him to be a proud man, large in stature with short, but thick grey hair and chest decorated in medals. She was curious to see how he would handle being called out like this.
He held his chin high and his chest even higher. "Alright. I confess that I used that coin to hear my champion and his team, using my knowledge and whatever I could find in your libraries to help them win."
Dirgelaff waited a moment when Jakob went silent. "Is that all you have to say? No apologies coming my way?"
"As a connoisseur of games, you must understand the need to win by any means necessary." His hand went to the medals on his chest. "I have never lost, in battle or otherwise, and I intend not to lose in your games, even if I had to give my champion some help. The lad may be formidable, but his head is empty as a flower pot, I had to intervene to ensure my victory."
Dirgelaff flared his nostrils in a rage, until a small smirk itched the side of his lip. "I understand the need for opponents you must beat, but you must learn, I will not tolerate those that cheat." He snapped his fingers summoning a bolt of lighting from the heavens to strike the platform behind him. So blinding was the light Elsa and Drake had to look away until it faded, but when they looked back they were unable to believe their eyes.
Seated atop a roundabout carousel, like one would find at a children's playground, were six of the champions chained to metal bars. In front of the roundabout was a lever action rifle aimed at one of the champions and beside it was a red button with a spike sticking out of it. Chaos ensued as the stands erupted into confusion and bloodlust, the six champions like whys were struggling against their bonds in a panic.
"Oh god." Elsa heard Drake breathe. To their horror, one of the champions trapped in iron was Arabella.
"Jakub here has broken my rules!" Dirgelaff announced to the crowd, "now his punishment ensues." Dirgelaff motioned to the carousel. "In front of these champions is a rifle loaded to kill, but whichever ones will live will be up to your will. Four will die, two will live, but which ones, will the bullets you'll give? To stop this weapon the button will give the command, but not before showing you the blood that is on your hands. So choose quickly, as punishment for your sin, let me get out of your way so this game can begin."
Dirgelaff snapped his fingers vanishing from the arena and setting the carousel into motion.
—:0:—
Over the roar of the thunder and the pounding rain, Part of the crowd roared for blood, the other roared for action as Lord Jakub just stood there, possibly in too much shock to act. Elsa realized too late where she had seen this set up before. It was a combination of an arena, such as the colosseum in Rome, and an execution mound.
Her heart momentarily stopped beating as The carousel slowed, stopping on the red bearded brute she remembered was instigating Drake and Arabella's death in the first trial.
The orbs had gotten closer to the carousel, showing the fear and rage on the champions face, and allowing them to hear his pleads. "What are you doing?!" He screamed. "Push the button! Push the button you coward! Pu—"
Bang!
The crowd went silent as a graveyard. Elsa brought her hands to her mouth, unconsciously moving backwards until she backed into Drake. Any doubt of whether or not this was real had vanished when the brutes head slumped over. Dead.
Drake gently pushed her aside and began removing his coat. "What are you doing?" She asked shakily.
He growled. "I'm gonna stop this." Drake moved to leap off of the ledge before she could think to stop him, but was stopped by none other than the assistant to Hans, Landon.
"Rein it in hero." He scolded.
"Get out of my way," Drake snarled, but Landon was undeterred.
"This game is being played because of breaking the rules, what do you think would happen if you got in the way?"
"This isn't a game!" Drake screamed into his face. "This is an execution!"
Bang!
They all went to the screen to see another champion slump over. Bloodied and dead. Fortunately it wasn't Arabella, but she was close enough that the champion's blood splattered onto her face. Lord Jakub however was still standing in front of the button, still too stunned to stop it.
"Screw this," Drake pushed Landon out of the way and leapt off the ledge, only to vanish mid air and then reappear right behind them. His eyes darted side to side. "What the hell just happened?"
Landon chuckled. "Looks like Dirgelaff took precautions."
Elsa slapped him across the shoulder. "You think this is funny?!"
He shrugged. "In a dark sort of way, yes."
A sudden scream silenced the arena, gathering everyone around the screen. Jakub had finally leapt into action, slamming his hand onto the button and skewering it on the spike. The champion, someone dressed as a German soldier, was screaming and crying his thanks before the carousel began spinning again. Now there are only three left.
Drake bashed his hands against the ledge. "Elsa you need to leave. You shouldn't have to see this."
"I'm afraid that won't work," said Landon, "Dirgelaff has made it so no one leaves until this is finished. He wants everyone to see the consequences of breaking his rules. Though I agree."
As the two continued speaking, Elsa watched the spinning carousel on the screen. Could I possibly stop this? I could freeze this entire arena and stop this from happening. But what if Landon is right? What if getting involved only makes it worse for us?
"Elsa!" Drake put himself between her and the screen, his hand gently taking her arms to break her trance. "Don't watch this."
Bang!
With a small gasp, Elsa found herself clinging to the closest thing she could find. Normally it would have been Anna, as the two sisters sought comfort in each other. In this case she found herself buried in Drake's chest, her fingers clutching at his coat. Likewise, his hands drifted to her shoulders in an attempt to hold her close and shield her from the terror below.
"As adorable as you two are," Landon interrupted, "we're down to two champions, and one of them happens to be your girl."
They hurried to the screen, seeing Arabella and one other that hadn't already had their turn in front of the rifle.
"Bloody hell," Landon muttered to himself.
"What? What is it?"
Landon pushed passed them pointing to the screen and the young man on the carousel. "That boy, Aaron, not only is Jakub's champion, but also his son."
The absolute dread that statement implicated could only have meant one thing.
"She's gonna die!" Drake got on top of the ledge and jumped, but once again, vanished in mid air only to reappear back onto the ledge. He slammed his fists into the ground, cracking the stone beneath them. "Damn it!"
Elsa gasped as the carousel slowed, stopping to land on Arabella. She noted that while the others may have been begging for their lives, Arabella had remained silent, but Elsa could still see the fear in her eyes and the shaking of her entire body as she stared down the barrel of the gun. The remaining champion, Aaron breathed a sigh of relief as if he had already won.
The orbs floated around them, giving the arena the chance to hear what Aaron was saying.
"It's okay father. We can still win this. Don't let this upset—"
Jakub screamed as his hand went through the spike to press the button and stop the rifle from going off on Arabella. The crowd went silent once again, Drake and Elsa staring with mouths open at what they were witnessing. Landon meanwhile let out a slow breath of relief and started towards the stairs to leave.
"You're leaving?" Elsa asked. "Just like that?"
"The game is over," he called over his shoulder, "my champion lives so I don't see why else I have to be here." He paused when he heard Aaron on the screen screaming.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? I'M YOUR SON! ROSEMARY IS MY MOTHER! PLEASE! DO SOMETHING!"
Landon snorted a laugh. "Fun fact. Rosemary isn't the name of lord Jakub's wife."
Elsa and Drake turned back to the screen, watching as the carousel spun and Aaron screaming at the tops of his lungs and struggling against his bonds, but there was no more hope to be found. Lord Jakub turned away, the once proud man on his knees sobbing large tears into the earth, mixing with the literal blood on his hands.
There was a time that Elsa may have considered this a victory, seeing him on all fours like a dog, but she wouldn't wish this on anyone. Not even her worst enemies. Drake stood between her and the screen, his eyes pleading with her not to watch the final execution. Overcome with emotion she put her head back into his chest and pinched her eyes shut. This time it was his arms that held her close, not just his hands, and they remained that way until—
Bang!
—:0:—
Due to his immeasurable kindness, his words, Dirgelaff decided to cancel the trial for the day considering he now had to reimagine the trial for six instead of ten. Elsa and Drake were hardly paying attention, instead wanting to put as much distance between them and the islet they took off. The images Elsa had been forced to ingest buzzed around her skull like angry hornets. It was one thing to see them in textbooks, but it paled in comparison to the real thing, and it wasn't anything she was prepared for. A few times going back to their room, her knees buckled beneath her, thankfully Drake was there to catch her every time she fell.
Once back it didn't take long for Anna to realize something was seriously wrong with her sister. Inside, Drake helped Elsa into a chair before excusing himself. Where he was going they didn't know, but Anna's focus was on her sister. With Kristoff and Olaf getting Elsa some tea from the mobile serving tray, Elsa, shakily told them what she had just witnessed.
Anna and Kristoff were just as pale as she was as soon as she finished her story, with Olaf somewhat confused by the whole thing. Not wanting to upset Elsa any more, he didn't voice his concerns.
For once, Anna was at a loss for words. "I...I can't ….oh god…" her hands went over her mouth. "I need some tea." She took the prepared cup from Kristoff's hand and sipped.
"But that's Elsa's tea."
Anna looked from the cup to him and down to Elsa in her chair. "I'm just making sure it's not too hot." She handed the cup to her sister as Kristoff went to prepare another one for Anna.
Olaf shuffled beside Elsa, his twig hands rubbing her back gently. She smiled at the snowman. "Thanks Olaf." She sipped the tea that was surprisingly well prepared, but it would take a lot more tea to settle her nerves after tonight.
A knock echoed from the door, but instead of waiting, Drake pushed the door open, and with him, was Landon and Arabella. She was milk white, matching her hair color, struggling to stay on her feet as she was shaking all over and had a far off stare that was aimed at the floor.
Landon turned to Anna. "Anna, dear could you fill the tub with warm water for Arabella, please?"
Anna stared at him like a reindeer caught in torch lights. "Um, sorry, I… what?"
"Water. Warm. Bath. Come on, Quick march." He clapped his hands, causing her to blink a few times, but she finally registered what she was being asked and vanished into the washroom. Drake followed behind guiding Arabella inside.
Kristoff watched with worry as they disappeared into the washroom. "Is she okay?"
Landon took the hot tea out of his hands. "Thank you darling, and to answer your question. No. She is not okay." He took a seat on a nearby chair and crossed his legs. "Having your life flashing before your eyes tends to dampen one's spirits."
"Where's Hans?" Elsa was fiddling with her teacup, her eyes trained on the liquid swirling inside of it.
Landon took a sip of the tea, seemingly unconcerned with her question. "He assigned me to care for our champion's needs, so while I'm helping her with her trauma, He is soaking in a hot bath back in our suite. What he was made to endure was quite distressing after all."
Elsa's tea froze over, ice covering her chair and everything around her. Olaf moved back, asking if she was okay, but she ignored his questions. Right now her snow covered rage filled her senses.
"He's distressed? HE'S distressed?!" She got to her feet, icy tendrils creeping across the room. "Was he the one facing death? Was HE the one to examine his own mortality as you're spinning around on some children's toy? Was he the one who's life was treated as a game? Was HE—"
"Elsa!"
She took a sharp inhale, suddenly aware of the eyes now on her and the ice she had created. Anna and Drake had emerged from the washroom in the middle of Elsa's rant, Anna worriedly focused on her sister. Out of all of them, Landon was the least put off by her outburst as he seemed more fascinated than perturbed. Elsa released a long breath, flourished her hands to vanish the ice and headed for the door with a "sorry".
Anna headed for the closed door, but Landon stopped her with an offhanded, "I wouldn't do that."
Anna scowled at him. "She's my sister, I think I know what she needs."
Landon continued speaking with an apathetic demeanor. "This isn't just a bad day, or issues with her," his dark eyes fell on Olaf and he had to rethink his words, "womanhood. She witnessed an execution, and that is going to mess with her emotionally and mentally, which will then have an effect on her powers." He took another drink of his tea. "If anything I'd pick the dragon boy to talk to her."
"Why me?" Asked Drake.
"Your immune to her power, and vice versa. Plus you two are just so cute." He made a mockingly adorable face which only made Drake curl his lip in disgust, but listened to his advice and followed after her.
Anna was still scowling at Landon, but then noticed the tea in his hands. "Kristoff, where's my tea?"
Sputtering he waved his hands at Landon, the tray, and her, but finally sighed in defeat and went back to prepare one last cup.
Landon rolled his eyes at Anna. "Ugh. Men."
—:0:—
How could I let that happen? I haven't lost control like that since…. what's going on with me? Facing the wall she looked down at her hands that were frosting over and a familiar mantra began sounding in the recesses of her mind.
Conceal….don't feel.
She clasped her hands together and tucked them beneath her chin. "Conceal, don't feel. Conceal, don't feel. Conceal, don't feel."
"'Conceal don't feel'? Is that what they told you?" Elsa turned her back to him as he leaned against the wall.
"Sorry," she didn't know why she said it, but she felt she had to, "they're just a little out of control at the moment."
"I'm not surprised. What you saw was horrendous even for me."
She finally turned to face him. "How can you be so casual about this? We watched four people die, one of them was your friend. Well I guess she almost died," she shuffled her feet, "friend right? She's just your friend?" Why am I asking that now?
He chuckled. "Yes, we're very good friends, and I guess I'm more desensitized to it. I'm a knight, killing sort of comes with the title." She nodded her head. She could understand and respect that. "You can't bottle this up you know."
"I know, I know," she gestured with her hands, "I just...needs some time to myself is all."
Her pleading eyes met his, and he gave a small nod in understanding. "Well if you need anything, you have your family in there," he motioned to the door, "and you can always talk to me."
She smiled, for some reason feeling a great sense of relief when he said that. Before He left her to her thoughts he placed a gentle, reassuring hand on her arm, and as he moved away it slid down her arm till his hand met hers. Once again she wasn't sure why she was doing this, but her hand tightened around his, bringing him to a stop. She kept her head down, but didn't need to meet his stare to feel his confusion. Her movements were robotic, as if something otherworldly was in charge of her body, and pulled him towards her.
She hid her face in his chest, her hands coming up to grip his coat. She could sense his hesitation, but she just wanted to feel safe and warm and she could feel both right here. After what felt like an eternity his arms wrapped around her and she let out a breath when his warmth consumed her body in a comfortable soothing heat. She remembered it from the arena. There, in the rain and thunder, was the first time she had ever felt….
Warm.
"Elsa?" She "hm'd" into his chest, not really wanting to leave, but could tell he wanted to say something to her.
Her eyes began twitching beneath her eyelids when a light began to shine in her face. "Damn it, not now." Elsa took a step back, looking at his necklace while it began to glow blue. Two tendrils of magic slithered from the orb, crawling to his eyes and blanketing them in the same teal color. "You two have really crappy timing you know that?"
Elsa looked around, not seeing anyone besides themselves. "Who are you talking to?"
He sighed. "It's AL and Frankie." He looked up as if someone was talking to him but Elsa couldn't hear them. "What do you two turkeys want?...Well that's great." He looked back at Elsa, "they found out what's been poisoning your fjord."
Her heart lifted with excitement. I can use some good news. "Great! What is it?"
"What is it?" She assumed he asked the twins. He was quiet, listening intently before blurting out, "your KIDDING!"
Most of my readers know I love cliff hangers and they hate them. So if you know me really well you'll know, I don't care.
Muah hahahahahaha
What is in Arendelle's fjord and what will happen next. Stay tuned.
