Chapter 16: Dragon's Flight

Meren sat on a thin straw mattress in the dark of his cell, the silence of his cell exaggerated the pale light from the bared window, the only source of illumination. Of course his sight was far greater than that of any Arendellian, his kind could see, smell and generally hear better than any human could ever hope to. Still the dark bothered him, despite having spent so much time in it he never really favored it, when they came to this land he was actually quiet relieved to see the bright sunlight, rolling hills and green forests. Though he knew that his superior who was asleep on the other side of the room felt much differently.

They had both been stripped of their armor and now wore prisoner's rags. While Dane couldn't be unhappier about their situation, Meren couldn't really find much reason complain, they were fed well enough and they weren't mistreated in any way by their guard. Which unfortunately was a change from the ranks of his own people, strength is valued above all other things by his race and many saw him as weak. Meren could fight, he simply believed in a difference between strength... and cruelty, few of the soldiers under his command understood this, but most didn't care to.

Even Dane, while not cruel to him, more tolerated him than respected him. This was more than likely due to the 'accidents' that came upon those who dared to torment him in his earlier years. His sister Venereth was always fiercely protective of him, even as children during their lowborn beginnings in Amal Nanmag: The Naga Ai capital city located in lands unknown to most of the world. None of his oppressors then ever lost their life then, but now...now really no punishment was off the table when Venereth decided someone should pay.

It was unfortunately her pension for violence and her natural talent in sorcery that brought them up in the Naga Ai hierarchy. Her abilities had caught the attention of one of the witch knights, soon after he brought her before the Witch King himself. He'd heard that Amicus was pleased enough in the combat and magical trials but what had really impressed him was when she blatantly demanded that her brother would be brought with her into the army ranks. Rather than having General Tarn tear her limb from limb on the spot for her impudence... he was humored by her boldness and granted her demand, she'd told him that Amicus actually laughed which as he understood didn't happen often...if ever.

Meren by no means wished to leave his parents, they were good to them despite not having much...or really having any standing in their homeland. But if it led their children to a better life, their parents approved of it and Venereth convinced him that it was for the best that they leave for a new existence. He was eight years old when they left their home, Meren would train as a soldier in the army while Venereth would learn the dark arts of sorcery and Witch Knight's blade, though she was never far away and he was able to see her often.

His parents...he missed them every day since they left Amal Nanmag, they'd had no form of communication with them since they parted. The only memento he had of them was a necklace that his mother had given to him the day he'd left. It was in the image of the horned viper of lord Amicus, shaped from cold, black steel with two small red tyranite gems fixed in the eye sockets.

His mother never said how she had acquired such a pretty thing, she only told him that, 'This will give you strength to fight your battles my son.' To this day he was still trying to understand what his mother meant by 'your' battles, he looked down at the bauble and chuckled to himself. It was funny to him that in the everyday life of most naga, Amicus was the kind of person you either dreamed or dreaded of meeting, he'd never have imagined then that he'd end up serving in his army.

But right now the only thing he was missing about the army was Venereth, his sister who he knew was doing everything in her power to get him back. And she likely wasn't letting general Tarn hear the end of it. No doubt her plan for rescuing him would be something messy...he didn't look forward to that, he truly bared no ill will to the people or soldiers of Arendelle what he did look forward to was being with his sister again whom he loved above all other things and who he knew loved him enough to kill everything that stood in her way, not the way he wished she'd show it but still it was good to be loved by someone.

Besides, the Witch King is going places and they are fortunate enough to be along for the journey. After all Amicus was their direct line to their God: Malignus and the architect of the great purpose they are meant to carry through for him. If he could live through these wars to stand by his sister when their great purpose was fulfilled surely everything they have endured, all the blood that had been spilled will have been worth it...wouldn't it...

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard footsteps down the hallway growing louder as they drew closer to his cell. They'd already been fed their breakfast, so he didn't know yet why anyone would come this way. He put the necklace away under his shirt and cautiously awaited whoever would enter his cell.

The harsh sound of an iron key twisting in the wooden door preceded three lightly armored figures entering the room, Dane was awoken from his slumber by the sounds. The two flanking guards wore the now standard Arendellian armor, but the third's armor was black save for the fiery orange standard of a flaming crow on the shoulders. The shadows of their cell combined with the dark armor made recognizing the face difficult, even for his eyes...Even so the crimson color of their own eyes was unmistakable...

The leader spoke to the soldiers, "Get him on his feet."

The guards unhooked his cuffs from the chain attached to the wall, hooking under his arms and walking him out of the cell. Dane pulled against his chains shouting at the leader, "Where are you taking him!?"

"To a holding cell."

"Why?"

Without another word the leader ushered the guards to continue forward, dragging Meren from the room with the black armored one following suit, Dane growled angrily as they left.

Deeper into the corridors of the dungeon he was forced to walk until they stopped in front of another wooden door with iron bars. The guards opened the door and, once inside, they released his arms. One shoved him too hard in the back nearly causing him to fall, whipping back around he hissed threateningly at them but before either could react the leader spoke, "Leave us." he ordered.

The guards nodded, closing the door behind them as they left. The dark armored man walked to a table on the opposite side of the room and Meren could see now that his interrogator carried a large book with a maroon cover under his arm. He could now see everything more clearly in the light of the approaching noon. The interrogator pulled out a chair on one side of the table and set the large book on the table's surface in front of him, he then extended a hand towards one of the unlit torches on a support beam close to them. What Meren saw next he had never seen before; to his disbelief an orange flame snaked from his new jailer's palm to the torch, setting it ablaze and now providing a more substantial source of light.

Meren was now feeling less confident, in fact if he wasn't trapped in a dungeon cell he might simply flee for his life. It seemed a perfectly reasonable reaction in this situation: having his arms frozen was one thing, burning alive was an entirely other kind of pain. The nordling's eyes now focused directly on him, the torch light enhancing the sharp crimson glow of his iris'. He gestured to the chair opposite of where he was sitting, "Please, sit." he said.

Meren was not inclined to get any closer to an elemental than he had to, though he suspected he wasn't being offered much of a choice. The man chuckled as he opened the book and began flipping through the pages, "If I wanted to kill you, I would have already detached your head from your body. You're safe in my presence as long as you are unarmed and non-hostile...Sit." he said more firmly this time.

That confirmed his theory, the man placed his hands together on the table and continued speaking as Meren hesitantly made his way over. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced, Meren is it? My name is Aldren Embercrow, I am Queen Elsa's Master of War."

Meren sat in the chair but did not pull himself up to the table, "You're an elemental...like the queen?"

"I suppose I am... does that frighten you?"

"When you arrived in the palace...Dane grew impatient and thought it easy enough to kill you along with the queen and her guard...I wouldn't have taken that chance, I would have waited for you to leave and strike down the quarry we already knew we could. Be that as it may...we attacked all the same and you cut down Sorvec's assassins like they were amateurs, you all but defeated Dane: considered by my kind as one of our strongest warriors and now...you shoot fire from your hands. Yes, it frightens me and from what I understand you've trained the soldiers of Arendelle to fight like you."

"Not like me, but certainly better that they did before."

"I imagine that if we had attempted our mission while Arendelle is in its current state, we would not be graced with an easy skirmish."

"No...you would not." After a brief moment of silence Aldren began flipping through the pages of the book, "Do you have a family?"

Meren was caught off guard by the question and considered how to answer, "Yes... a sister."

"Younger or older?"

"Older-by three minutes we're twins but...I do not believe that you came here to discuss family with the queen's attempted assassin."

"And why not? I came to learn about my enemy after all."

"Is that what you want to know? Why I did it?" he asked sarcastically.

"I know why you did it: you were commanded to...I want to know more about who gave you the order."

The Arendelle commander pushed the book aside and leaned forward, "After your first attempt on the queen's life in the throne room, she and I were attacked by another, larger force in the palace gardens. Leading them was a large...giant rather, naga in heavy, near impervious armor. We managed to defeat him but not finish him off, he and some of his warriors escaped...who is he?"

Meren's blue, reptilian eyes widened when the word 'defeat' was mentioned in tandem with the person he described in the same sentence, "General Tarn, you defeated him...How?"

"I 'shot fire from my hands'...Though he certainly didn't make it an easy endeavor, I very well could have lost my head in that conflict...but I didn't." Aldren sighed, "So General Tarn, I assume he has respective command of all the Naga Ai forces we expect to face on the field. And who does General Tarn answer to?"

The naga prisoner, looked away and shifted uncomfortably in his chair and considered which lies to tell or how to mislead-

"Amicus?"

Meren's head snapped back towards Aldren, he then inwardly chastised himself for giving such an easy tell...not that he ever was the best liar. The northman smiled slightly flipping the large book around towards Meren, pushing it towards him to see. The illustration was a spitting image of the Witch King; the likeness was great enough to send a chill down his own spine as if he were here rather than the Arendelle Master of War.

Aldren leaned in once again, the wood of the table creaking quietly as he did, "I've been reading up on him when I've had spare time, what I've gleamed is that your 'king' wants to 'reclaim' Arendelle or rather...something in Arendelle. Which leads me to question why the Witch King declared war on the north, why Arendelle...why now?"

Meren sighed heavily before standing and walking towards the barred window of the holding cell, he reached up and grasped the metal bars and looked out into the faded winter sky with conflicted eyes. "All I can tell you is that Amicus wants your land, for what precisely I cannot say, only that it is related to a great purpose our race is meant to carry out in the name of our god, Malignus. That the great crimson legions will fight; whether out of fear or to satisfy their warmongering, trampling every blade of grass in this beautiful country under the weight of thousands of metal boots. That no cost will be too high, no deed too cruel and that he will not stop until he has crushed resistance across all of Althgarr...does that answer your question?"

"It will suffice...for now."

Aldren rose from his seat and began speaking as he walked over to Meren, standing just a few paces away from him. "I have just one more question to ask you Meren: What drives The Witch King's army, what pushes your kind to wage war against mine?" Meren turned to face him, the Arendellian commander's crimson iris's stared right onto his, "What do the Naga Ai fear?"

Meren chuckled, "You mean besides Amicus?"

The Arendellian's expression remained the same, signaling that he would not be humored in this matter. Meren's expression dropped, he did not have to think long before answering, "In the many years the Naga Ai has existed in this age we have marched to many battles, completed countless missions in the name of Malignus and not once in our 'glorious' history have we ever failed ...This is the largest campaign our forces have ever been committed to, my brothers and sisters will do anything to keep from admitting failure...they will never accept defeat."

"There's a first time for everything."

Aldren then walked away from Meren, first gathering the book and heading towards the door, "I'm afraid we are out of time to continue this discussion further. Gather your strength my friend, and enjoy your last day in this dungeon."

Meren's heart began racing as he turned towards the elemental, "Why?" he asked shakily.

His interrogator spoke as he opened the cell door and turned back towards him, "Tomorrow our army marches to retake Hammerhel from your naga brethren, you will be coming with us. Her majesty and I may yet have more questions for you."

And with that the black armored warrior left the room, closing the door behind him, he could hear the footsteps of the guards approaching to take him back to his cell. He turned back towards the barred window, letting his head rest against the metal.

He whispered harshly under his breath, "Cac!"

OoO

Elsa stood in front of the mirror in her room, her full battle dress encased her slender form, only her hands and face were exposed to the rest of the world. If she said that she didn't recognize herself it would be a lie, wearing this suit of armor was not unlike the armor she wore to conceal her powers and her true self not so long ago. But this was different than that, the weight of that armor had been of shame and fear and it was to protect against a false enemy that she overcame in the most unlikely way. This armor's weight was physical and it was to protect from swords and spears: a very real set of threats. Unfortunately love alone would not give her victory over these threats...but neither would fear and she intended to face her enemy with every ounce of will, for her sake, for her family's sake and for her people's sake.

Her thoughts drifted to her parents, it was they who first donned her with the armor of concealment to hide her powers from the rest of the world. Even after their death, she had resented their decision to let the stone troll leader alter her sister's memories...but now she knew the truth. Her sister was rather...expressive and if the truth hadn't been concealed in every way possible, they more than likely would not have made it this far, she wouldn't be wearing this armor and she wouldn't have been able to use her gift to defend her kingdom. Because of her parent's decision she was able to rekindle her relationship with her sister, she earned a brother, a reindeer, a few snowmen-well more than a few...and a friend who she perhaps thought of as something more than that. But the time for such things was still far off and there was still much to learn about Aldren and his past.

Her attention refocused on her reflection, she'd like to imagine that her parents would be surprised by the strong woman she had become despite completely going against their, 'Conceal don't feel' motto for some time now. But more than anything she'd like to imagine that they would be proud of how far their daughters had come...and how very far they were willing to go.

Reaching behind her back she grasped the shaft of her spear, she held it out in front in its shortened form. In the other hand her blue ice magic snaked between her fingers as she twiddled them in thought. She then softly touched the surface of one of the blades, it glowed a soft blue hue as if recognizing or rather had been awaiting her touch...she had decided a name.

Using her index finger she delicately, slowly drew it against the surface of the forward blade, the steel gave way to her power as minute flecks broke away like icy sparks as she carved away metal. She finished etching and against the surface now was a rune. Unlike the curved and elegant elven runes on Black Autumn this rune was angular and simple...but simple did not mean it was any less meaningful. She then added a different rune to the opposite blade, once she finished she felt a strange jolt through her body that nearly knocked her off her feet. Steadying herself and catching her breath she held the spear gently in both hands observing her work and... feeling complete: The weapon was now a true extension of herself, it's allegiance bound to her until the time of her death. She smiled and in her mind read the runes: Drage Flygning...Dragon's Flight.

Inhaling deeply, she felt a new sense of great determination wash over her, slinging her spear onto her back she exited her room and made her way out of the castle to the palace courtyard. Whatever test Aldren had devised for her and her sister, they were ready...and they would pass...they had to.

OoO

Anna was locked in her room, sitting on the edge of her bed, she wore the armor that Aldren had presented to her earlier that morning. It was made mostly of hardened leather with light steel plates reinforcing the chest, shoulders, forearms and shins. The cloth of the skirting was light spring green with pink flower's sown into it, it wouldn't exactly intimidate enemies but it fit who she was. The steel helm aesthetically curved in the back with multiple thorny vine engravings along its surface all leading from the Crocus sigil in the center of the forehead.

Her expression was dark and lost in brooding thought, she hadn't slept much for weeks, every day she could only think about freeing Kristoff, Olaf and Sven and bringing them back home where they belonged. She loved them, she loved Kristoff as much as she loved her sister and she couldn't hardly think of the idea that he was dead without nearly collapsing on the floor in tears. There was no one close by to blame for their captivity and she struggled with that, she tried to blame Aldren for advising Elsa to wait and gather their strength. She tried to blame Elsa for listening to him, but she couldn't...they were thinking about everyone in the kingdom. Trying to blame them was selfish and she'd always liked to think of herself as empathetic and unselfish but it was hard...hard to think like a leader of others, a ruler even. Someone who thought in terms of 'community', 'city' and 'country'; not only about the people she loved the most. She wouldn't let that feeling overcome her, Elsa, Aldren and Kristoff would be ashamed of her...her parents would be ashamed of her.

She looked down the sword she held in her hands, the rounded guard and pommel, shaped in the image of a crocus, was an ivory gold tint. She gripped the blade, which was thinner than most others, with her right hand, an archers glove covering her index and middle finger. The sword was given to her along with the armor and she would use it, to fight, to free her family...even if she had to cut a bloody path through ever naga in her way! She jolted slightly, shocked at what she was thinking in that moment, never having been in this position before...this hate that she couldn't help but feel towards them and the gravity of the situation as a whole was weighing on her...her left hand covered her mouth-she didn't want to think about it anymore. She looked down at her right hand, she hadn't realized how tightly she'd been gripping her sword, releasing her grip she saw she'd left a cut across part of her palm.

Sighing heavily, she placed the handle of her sword in her wounded hand and gripped it tightly, ignoring the pain. Rising from the bed she stood in her fighting stance giving the weapon a few diagonal and horizontal swings, ending with a powerful thrust that ended up going through her door. Putting a hand over her mouth and quickly dislodging the tip of her sword. Quietly she crouched down and looked through the door to make sure no one had been there...and that Kai or Gerda had not seen what she did.

She put a palm against her head and laughed quietly to herself, even after spending weeks learning how to properly wield a sword she still managed to-...She was still herself, there was comfort in that thought. No matter how long this war endured, no matter what may happen, she never wanted to lose who she was.

Putting these thoughts away for now she stood and sheathed the sword in the scabbard on her back and her empty quiver along with it. Shaking out her chills she opened the door of her room, carefully checking down both ends of the hallway for Kai and Gerda before exiting. She made her way to the palace courtyard, to face her final test, and for the sake of her family...She would pass...no matter what.

OoO

A calm wind swept across the land of Arendelle, snow drifting peacefully through the air under a cloudy sky. Elsa stood in the palace courtyard with her hands behind her back, her eyes closed, thoughts in meditation; mentally preparing for what lay ahead in the weeks to come. The only sounds to be heard was the flapping of her armor's skirting in the wind and the footsteps of soldiers on their usual patrol routes, though there was no activity otherwise. They had no more training, Aldren had taught them everything he could to prepare them...the rest, experience would have to teach.

A new sound could be heard now: footsteps closing in her direction, she opened her eyes, turning to see Anna approaching. Also dressed in her armor, Anna suddenly seemed much older and more serious than the 'little sister princess' that fell head-over-heels with the first man she met. She smiled as she approached and Elsa returned her smile, relieved to see some of those years fade away and her baby sister appear again. Elsa gently grasped Anna's hands when she was close enough, "Good morning Anna...how are you?"

Anna sighed heavily, "The same as I have been Elsa."

Elsa frowned and looked down at their hands, rubbing a thumb over her sister's, she changed the subject, "Are you ready?"

"I think so."

Elsa squeezed her hand. "You are, whatever Aldren's final test is; we will overcome it." she released her grip from her hands.

Anna nodded, "What do you suppose it is?"

"A most valid question, princess."

They turned surprised to see Aldren standing only a few feet away from them with his hands behind his back, he'd somehow managed to sneak up on them while they were talking. He wore his Embercrow armor, the plates, tunic, pants and skirting were all solid black save for the orange/red sigil on the the right shoulder which was slightly larger and more angular than the left. His armor lacked engravings for the most part save for the the crow's head and wings that protruded from the forehead of the helm and curved upward from the sides. The left shoulder plate and the series of smaller plates running down his left sleeve which were made like a bird's feathers in appearance while the rest of the armor was more angular like that of the other Arendellian soldiers.

Elsa had always found him physically appealing from the start: His features were exotic compared to most natives of Arendelle and his crimson eyes were almost certainly one of a kind. But when he wore his armor, an air of pride emanated from him of a true son of Arendelle. Standing before her as he was now he was like...well a genuine knight in shining armor, though Arendelle did not grant knighthoods like other kingdoms. Though that might not be how he saw himself and yet that is what made him truly attractive to her: he was humble, honest, brave and selfless. She would have very much liked to see him in that armor without the helmet that hid most of his face but this was neither the time or place for such things...and she was patient.

Anna looked at him with slight confusion, not having seen the armor yet or knowing what the Embercrow was...nor heard the story behind it. "Hey Aldren, nice...armor, what's with the crow?"

Elsa was about to say something but Aldren beat her to it, "A story for a later time Anna, however to answer your previous question: your final challenge is quite simple, but do not mistake simplicity for ease." He stepped forward a few more paces, "The both of you together...will be fighting me."

Their eyes widened in surprise and a small amount of fear. He smiled reassuringly, "However there are a few rules to this engagement...first: Anna you will be using these instead of real arrows."

From behind his back he revealed a bow and a set of arrows whose heads had been replaced with cork so they were not lethal. "They won't fly as well as pointed, steel tips but this way you won't kill me."

He handed them off to her and she slipped the bow over her shoulder and the arrows inside her empty quiver. Next he spoke to Elsa, "There won't be a restriction on the use of your powers in this trial, though once more I cannot stress enough; 'please do-not-kill-me', if at all possible."

She smiled, putting a hand on her hip, "As long as you don't give us a reason to." she replied coyly.

He chuckled, "I've instructed any soldiers to keep the courtyard as clear as possible so no one is caught in the crossfire and finally I will not be using my own powers as they are too volatile for this smaller space. I'll be relying solely on my martial prowess."

Elsa nodded and Anna breathed a quiet sigh of relief, Aldren then looked at the spear on Elsa's back, he held out a hand, "May I?"

Smiling she drew it from her back and placed it in his hand, he whipped it outward to extend its length. He observed the runes on either blade, "Drage Flygning...Dragon's Flight." he squinted when he saw that his finger had been cut, "With the sharp bite of such a beast." he offered it back to her, "A worthy name; it will serve you well." Taking her weapon back she nodded her thanks.

Anna who started feeling like a third wheel knew that she would be asking a lot of questions after this final test was over.

After a brief silence he spoke again, "If there is any other way you think you can prepare...this is your last chance."

The two sister's looked at each other, in agreement they both nodded to him that they were ready. Aldren's expression became more stern, "Let us begin."

He took several steps away, slowly drawing Black Autumn from his back and holding it out towards them with one hand, the pristine blade ringing in the air. Elsa was at first taken aback by his callous actions but she soon donned her own, crystal blue eyes narrowing down against his crimson ones, whipping Dragon's Flight out and extending it to its full length. She spun it in both hands then twirling it in one, she then let it rest under her arm, the forward blade dragging lightly against the cobblestone of the courtyard as she circled left.

Anna exhaled and followed suit, drawing her own sword from her back, holding the blade over her left arm and circling to the right. Aldren took his sword in both hands now and kept an eye on both of them as they closed in. What was mere seconds felt much longer, the tense prelude of battle thick in the air. Around them, any guards in the courtyard stopped, forming a small audience and watching from a safe distance.

Soon they were very close, he purposely shifted his foot against the ground, they both froze in place for but a split second and then...they struck. In unison their weapon came down on him, his blade held above his head met both of theirs, angling his sword so that Anna's slid off as it collided. Shoving Elsa's spear away he took the opportunity to jab his pommel into the side of Anna's helm, knocking her to the ground. He then began rapidly attacking Elsa, forcing her to back away as she initially struggled to block his attacks. Parrying the tip of his sword into the cobblestone she spun quickly, aiming for his head with the shaft of her spear, he ducked just in time as the weapon grazed the back of his helm.

Before he could strike at her leg her palm thrust towards his chest, wind pushing him backward, Anna who still lay on the ground threw a kick at his legs as he stumbled back. As he fell he rolled backward back onto his feet with his swords in both hands, Anna lunged upward from the ground, her smaller, lighter blade affording her more speed in simultaneous strikes. Smacking her blade away from his face he raised his sword to slash down at her but instead had to block Elsa's incoming strike as she rejoined the fray.

With one end she pressed hard against his sword, locking them into place and the other she thrust between his legs and swept him off his feet onto his back. She stabbed downward at his head, he redirected the blade with his own, the force behind the weapon impaling into the cobblestone. But he had little time to react as Anna struck down at him with sword in both hands, her strength nearly made his own blade collide with his chest, quickly he kicked the back of her leg causing her to fall again. With his other leg he kicked Elsa's ankle before she could recover, falling on her back Aldren rolled over and struck down at her while she was exposed.

She just managed to bring her spear up to block, her steel boot collided with his stomach forcing him back, spinning on one knee she swiped at his legs. He jumped over the spear as it passed by and immediately after had to lean backwards as the tip of her spear thrust at his face, just missing his nose...maybe she was trying to kill him after all.

He then was assaulted by Anna once again, she held her sword backhanded and swung viciously at his weapon nearly knocking it from his hands. She pulled her bow from her back with her other hand and swung at him with both weapons in wide arcs. Locking blades with him she rammed her shoulder into his, forcing him backwards, and in one swift motion sheathed her sword behind her back, and drew two arrows, firing them from her bow at his chest. Both sisters were surprised to see him deflect one arrow at the ground and slice the other in half down the middle. In their momentary shock Aldren bounded for the palace, sheathing his sword he quickly climbed up the post leading to the shingled roof, once on top he drew his sword and with it he beckoned them to respond.

Elsa looked to her sister, whispering to her, "Anna, get a running start, I'll get you up there."

Anna nodded, backing up several paces, Aldren's eyebrow raised as he wondered what they were planning. His question was answered when the younger princess started running towards him as fast as she could, as she drew closer several columns of snow erected beneath each steps carrying higher and higher. Once in range she jumped high as she could, Elsa outstretched her hand and a wave of wind carried Anna the rest of the way.

Once she landed the princess began firing arrow after arrow in his direction, he deflected and cut through each and every one until she fired two at the same time. The first he blocked but the second struck his upper arm and he visibly winced, he then felt his right foot become very cold, looking down he saw that his foot was encased in ice. He barely saw Elsa swipe her hand to the right and the block of ice around his foot followed, taking him off the roof and landing hard on the cobblestone.

His sword was knocked from his grasp and slid away from him, regaining his sense he rolled out of the way as Anna leaped from the roof, firing more arrows at him as she fell, Elsa's power slowing her descent enough that she wouldn't break her legs. Rising to his feet he turned to face the princess as she landed a few paces from him, rolling to her feet she knocked another arrow. Before she could get it off Aldren charged her, grabbing her arm and pulling her off balance, spinning around her he grabbed the hilt of her sword and snatched it from her back.

As she turned to shoot him he swung and cut her bow in half, dropping the destroyed weapon she sidestepped to the left as he thrust at her. As he swung back at to hit her she simultaneously spun and ducked under his arm, as she rose up her spin carried into a fist to the side of his helm. His head turned, teeth clinched, ears ringing and eyes blurry momentarily. When his vision cleared he turned back only to see Elsa swing her spear upward at the sword in his hands, knocking it away from his grasp then ramming its length against his chest, knocking him back.

Anna caught her sword as it fell from the air and the siblings charged their opponent together. Luckily for Aldren he'd been knocked back towards Black Autumn, the snow queen leaped into the air, Dragon's Flight gripped in both hands to smash into him. He rolled out of the way as her weapon impacted the ground, grabbing his sword he spun on one knee swinging at the elder sister's waste. She slid back to avoid the blade and immediately charged back in, thrusting at his chest.

He moved, ramming his pommel into her back causing her to stumble forward, he raised his sword to strike her back. Before the blow could land another blade caught his in mid swing, Anna struggled at first but forced his sword upward and shoved him back. Both sister's swung their weapons at him once more, desiring a reprieve Aldren swung his sword overhead, swiping across both their helms, sparks flying from the collision.

He ran for one of the fountains in the courtyard and right through the water to the other side. Before he could, the water froze into ice and his back foot still in the fountain was held in place. As they closed in from either side he quickly hacked at the ice, breaking it apart and freed his foot. His defense became more desperate as they pressed their attack harder than before.

Attempting to create some distance, he swung wildly in both directions and down at Anna who dodged and then at Elsa with sword in both hands. Catching the tip of his blade on one end of her spear, Anna's sword collided into the upward edge towards his guard. He realized too late how they had trapped him, Elsa shoved upward while Anna pressed down, Black autumn was wretched from his grasp by the two opposing forces. As it fell to the ground in front of him the queen's spear shaft rammed into his stomach making him double over while Anna's foot struck the back of his knee causing him to fall to his hands.

Aldren quickly tried to lunge for his sword but he was stopped dead in motion when he felt Anna's sword at his throat and Elsa's spear poised towards the back of his neck. Their breathing slightly labored now that everything was finally still, their own air fogged in front of them in the winter air. Aldren slowly raised his hands, their weapons following him every inch as he rose to rest on his knees. He looked at both of them, their previously hardened eyes beginning to soften as their adrenaline fell. He then smiled and chuckled quietly, still breathing heavily, "I've never claimed to be the best, I have been bested once or twice before...but never quite in that fashion."

After hearing the words of his surrender, knowing that they had won, they drew their weapons away from his neck. Anna leaned on her knees while Elsa rested her weight on her spear, the both laughed breathlessly in triumph. Then they both offered a hand to their teacher which he graciously took and they lifted him onto his feet. Aldren looked at both of his pupils admiring how far they had come in so little time, part of him wanted to hug them both. This was the first time he'd felt a sense of pride like this before and he would greatly miss this moment as it passed...but for now he simply smiled and nodded, they smiling back, grateful for his lessons.

Not long after they noticed that the audience around them had grown, soldiers on the ground and servants on the balconies looked on in awe: Baldrek, Barec, Gillian, Kai and Gerda among them. Aldren signaled with his eyes towards Dragon's Flight, Elsa looked down at her spear and understood the message, turning towards the crowd she raised the spear over her head. A chorus of cheers and clapping was the response earned from her subjects.

Elsa felt a multitude of emotions in that moment: Pride in herself and her sister for what they had accomplished, a sense of power...but also weariness, she feared the ragged path that she and her people would soon tread. She saw their happiness, their pride, their faith in her and the ones standing beside her. What she feared more than anything was to watch that all be ripped away from them, they had suffered so much already...she would let them suffer no more at the hands of the Naga Ai. With whatever strength was in her she would ensure the future of Arendelle...by whatever means necessary.

The spear retraced to its shorter length as she lowered her arm and sheathed her weapon, she stepped forward so that she may address all, "My brothers...sisters...I am grateful for your praise but this is only a first step to a greater challenge that we all have yet to overcome. I do not know what all we may face... But I swear to you that as long as there is life in me I will not yield our lands to any invader who dares set foot in the north! I will fight to save those who belong to my family and I know that each and every one of you will fight with the same fervor to do the same! Tonight we rest, we prepare, we sharpen our blades and steady our hearts! For tomorrow we will drive the red serpent back to whatever black pit it slithered from, tomorrow...WE RETAKE OUR HOMELAND!"

The built up passion from her soldiers could no longer be contained: raised swords, spears and shields partnered with a roar of cheers, thumping of chests was soon followed by a rhythmic chanting from the soldiers, "Elsa! Anna! Elsa! Anna! Elsa! Anna! Elsa! Anna! Elsa! Anna!"

She held her fist up to emphasis her final words, a few moments of chanting later she raised her hand and slowly lowered it, signaling for her army to settle down, as the chanting and cheers subsided the crowds slowly began to disperse. Eventually the three leaders were for the most part alone, Elsa put a hand to her chest and exhaled deeply, her nerves still shaky from giving her speech. Aldren and Anna joined her where she stood, Anna placing a hand on her shoulder, "Good speech sis, nice and short." she quipped.

The queen chuckled "It didn't feel short when I was giving it."

"You did well Elsa." Aldren chimed in, "You have raised the hearts of your people, soon the message you delivered to them will resonate throughout the whole city and eventually the whole kingdom."

Elsa looked at him with some doubt in her eyes, "But then speeches are not what win wars are they... my friend."

He smiled empathetically, "They go a long way, farther than you might think."

She sighed, and looked on into the sky where Trolgon glided back and forth along the winds, "I only hope we have enough to do what I claimed we would."

"We number just over three thousand spears, neither Hammerhel or Riverview could hold more than four or five hundred soldiers. Hadenville is larger but not a great deal more, only Ashla's Pike could hold a force capable of matching our numbers...and that is yet far off from now. Our concern for now is getting past the gates of the first three strongholds."

Anna cocked her head towards Aldren, "How do you know all of this Aldren, you only just started living here after so many years?"

"I have been studying, reading, a most useful trade. One which you may consider taking up in your spare time from here on out."

Anna clenched her fists, despite the fact she was smiling, "I can always kick your butt a second time...friend."

Elsa couldn't help but smile momentarily before her brooding expression returned, "Aldren, Anna...Are you with me?"

Both were caught off guard by the question, Anna was first to respond, "You're more than just my queen Elsa, you're my sister and there isn't any danger I wouldn't face with you...it wouldn't be the first time after all.

The queen smiled, nodded to her sister and turned to Aldren. He knew the words he spoke next could make or break the confidence of this woman who had a tremendous weight upon her. "You are my queen Elsa." He began, "I pledged to serve you and I intend to honor that pledge. With surety I will follow you to whatever end you lead."

Her attention was drawn back to the sky at the sound of thunder, lighting flashing in the dark clouds on the horizon. She closed her eyes, whispering under her breath, "To whatever end..."