Chapter 19: Lilaria

Aldren surveyed Hammerhel alongside Krar as various activity went on around them: soldiers escorted naga prisoners to the jailhouse while the citizens of Hammerhel reacquainted themselves with their societal roles. Aldren's gaze fell on the once great stone walls that were meant to protect the city, now in sad disrepair. He spoke to Krar about the deplorable state of his ancestral home, "Tell me, who thought it wise to tear down portions of the northern and southern walls and replace them with wooden ones?"

"That would be steward Lars Gul. He wished to...expand Hammerhel's walls to make room for storehouses."

Aldren narrowed his eyes, "For storage of what precisely?"

"He thought it more 'profitable' to halt the crafting of weapons and armaments and instead mine for other resources such as gold, silver and jewels..."

The leather around Aldren's gauntlets was strained as he clenched his fist at his side, "And where is Steward Gul now?"

Krar scoffed, "Probably still hiding in a barrel somewhere."

"I would have words with him once he comes out of hiding..."

"I look forward to that, my lord...It's good to have you back."

Aldren's expression softened and he chuckled, "You speak to me as if I were my father."

"Well...I miss him, we all do. But I always held hope that you might return to us, your gift making that so."

Aldren frowned, "My 'gift'...is the reason my family is dead Krar..."

The elder man put a hand on his shoulder, "I, like your family knew you had...difficulty controlling it. I knew what might have happened that night and no one could blame you for what happened."

"I could."

Krar removed his hand, "Well I hope you aren't anymore, what I do blame you for...is disappearing, what happened to you all this time?"

Aldren sighed, "After what I did...I just couldn't bring myself to look at the faces of my people knowing-feeling that I had murdered my family. I believed you'd all be better off without me...I was wrong. But how I got so far away however...that is a story that will require more time to tell."

Krar grinned, "And about ten pints of mead."

Aldren smiled, "If I partook."

"Huh, your father's son indeed. He never was much one for parties, in fact he could be quite a stiff honestly. Even a feast honoring his killing of that monster: Erik Ramdon couldn't make him drink. Ah those were the days and to think...we lost all that when 'king' Agnarr made us bury our warrior ways and appointed that fool Lars as steward of Hammerhel. After your father died, all of Arendelle lost its pride and dignity under Agnarr's craven rule-"

Aldren cut him off in a hushed tone, "I'd take great care how you speak of queen Elsa's father, Krar."

Krar frowned, "Don't tell me you believe he was right to do what he did?"

"No... but I believe he did so out of fear for his family and even the wisest make mistakes when they are afraid. The difference between Elsa and her father is that she does not let her fear rule her and she remembers to value all her people as family. Fear is not an evil thing; it is simply a flaw that may lead to evil..."

Krar nodded reluctantly, Aldren put a hand on his shoulder, "And no one is without their flaws, her father... and my own are no exceptions."

"I know...my lord."

Before they could continue the conversation further their attention was drawn to Queen Elsa and Princess Anna who approached them now. Krar smiled and nudged Aldren, "To think another just like you was within plain site this whole time...an ironic twist of fate wouldn't you say?

"Hmm, indeed..."

They both bowed as the monarchs approached, "Your graces."

Elsa smiled, "Lord Aldren, Captain Krar."

The veteran chuckled sheepishly, "Please your grace, just Krar if you would. I... I am no captain anymore."

"Nonsense, I will need experienced warriors for the fight ahead and if I have heard correctly; there is none more so in Hammerhel than you."

The old man nearly blushed, "Well I look forward to another fight, on a more even playing field this time."

Elsa nodded, then addressed Aldren, "How goes our reestablishment?"

"The last of the remaining naga who were detained or surrendered are being taken to the jailhouse. We had some issues subduing some of the larger, more aggressive warriors but Baldrek and myself made sure they grasped the'severity' of their situation."

"Your father would have killed them..." Krar commented

"That was my father's way, not mine...not ours."

Krar nodded and Aldren continued, "We have already begun repairing and reinforcing the outer walls, patrols are being organized throughout the region. As well we already have volunteers who wish to join our ranks for the campaign ahead."

Anna expression became concerned, "Are you sure that's a good idea, they haven't been trained like the rest of us."

"True, but some of them are veterans of the Ramdon Rebellion who have seen battle before and we will train those we can while we find other ways for them to contribute in the army. Once we have gained a strong foothold here in the Forge Lands, our primary goal will be to plan our strategy for assaulting Riverview and Hadenville."

Elsa nodded, "Good...if I may ask; what was it you two were discussing before we arrived?"

Aldren grimaced, reminded of the individual that made his skin crawl once already, "I imagine you noticed the most north and south walls are constructed of wood rather than the black stone that comprises the rest of the fortress."

"I did. I found it odd, considering you had referred to this fortress as nearly impenetrable."

"It would have been, if a certain 'Steward' Lars Gul hadn't sacrificed Hammerhel's defenses in favor of expanding commerce and his own enterprise."

The Snow Queen put her hands on her hips, "Oh? Then perhaps it is time we have a word with this 'Steward Gul'."

Krar sighed, "We have to find him first."

Anna broke off from the group and caught up with a passerby, "Excuse me, could you find a 'Steward Lars Gul' for us?"

They seemed irked by the very mention of his name but nodded, "Yes your grace." and they ran off to find him.

Anna turned back to the group and smiled proudly, Aldren nodded, then addressed the group as a whole "Let us wait for him inside."

OoO

Inside the doors of the keep, the halls were alight with only the dim rays from the windows. They approached the large desk and ornate chair at the front, passing by plain tables with benches with chairs around them. Once at the desk Anna leaned against it casually while Krar stood off to the side, hands behind his back. Elsa and Aldren stood just in front of the desk.

Elsa noticed Aldren's passion regarding his home, she put a hand on his shoulder, "Aldren." He turned to her as she continued, "Normally as queen, I would be expected to speak but I believe this pleasure belongs to the lord of Hammerhel. See to this as you deem best...lord Embercrow."

He smiled at her trust in him, "Thank you, your Grace."

They all turned to the sound of panting and rapid, hurried steps as a man approached from the entrance of the hall. A small, plump man with a bald head, blue eyes and a small almost non-existent nose. He wore dark blue pants, black knee high boots and a dark blue coat with silver trimmings. A gold pendant in the shape of an Embercrow on the outer collar of his outfit suggested a life of privilege and indulgence. A stark contrast to the plain attire of Hammerhel's skilled artisans and dutiful soldiers.

The man stopped a few feet away from them, stopping to catch his breath and straighten his outfit before he approached, "Forgive me your grace, I had a... urgent matter to attend to."

Aldren smirked, "Oh I imagine...step forward."

Lars did so with slight hesitation and appeared confused, almost offended that Aldren was speaking to him, "Forgive me...sir but I believe I was summoned by her majesty and was to speak to her if you don't-"

"While in most situations that would be true Steward Lars, your summons was called forth by the lord of Hammerhel: Aldren Embercrow whom you will answer to." Elsa explained.

Lars' eyes widened, "Oh...so it is true what they say then: the son of Aldric has returned to Arendelle."

Aldren nodded, "He has."

Lars smiled widely and bowed, cloaking himself in a visage of respect and praising: groveling at its finest. "Well then my lord, let me be the first to welcome you back. Perhaps I may take you on a tour of your ancestral home so that you may become familiar with it once again."

Aldren smiled pleasantly as he stepped towards Lars, "I will reacquaint myself with Embercrow keep in due time. For now, I'd very much like to hear about these...improvements you've made to Hammerhel that I've heard so much about."

"Ah yes, I'm so glad you asked. To increase the wealth of Hammerhel I personally oversaw the expansion of the outer walls so that we might have more space to store the forge land's plentiful resources. The productivity of Hammerhel's gold and silver mines has increased exponentially in the last five years, leading to profit for the kingdom and strengthened trade relations with other lands outside of Arendelle. Reestablishing an alliance with Weselton could even be possible and most advantageous for the realm."

Lars must have truly been a fool to suggest such a thing in Elsa's presence, he must also have been deaf not to hear the leather of her hand tighten as her fist clenched at the mention of Weselton. Even so, she along with Anna and Krar could not help but grin as they watched the greedy idiot fall deeper into Aldren's trap. The lord of Hammerhel folded his arms and responded as he slowly walked past the steward, "While that all sounds very lucrative, I'd like to hear more about how you've improved Hammerhel's defensive capabilities."

As Aldren stood with his back turned to him, the fat fool struggled to answer the question as he laughed nervously, "W-Well my lord I-with no... conflict in the kingdom I-I never really gave it any serious thought."

"No, I suppose you didn't give much thought when you tore down the north and south walls and replaced the strong stone with feeble wood. Of course then where would you store all the gold...?"

"W-well I... you see-"

"And the Iron mines: for the crafting of weapons and armor for our soldiers. No doubt you diverted resources and manpower to the gold and silver mines...Am I correct?" He narrowed his eyes, looking at the steward from the corner of his eye.

Lars pulled on his collar as sweat beaded on his forehead, "M-My lord...there hasn't been war in over twenty years, wha- how was I to know that-"

"You never know Lars, that is why you are always prepared for war when it comes...though perhaps I should explain in manner that will penetrate your soft head."

He turned and walked back towards the steward who fearfully backed away as he drew closer. Aldren was no longer smiling, his lips a grimace and his crimson iris's glowing like hot coals as he spoke in a low, cold voice, "If not for your idiocy: thinking only with your greed, Hammerhel would've held out against the invader for a fortnight, if not indefinitely! Its warriors would've been equipped and supplied to fight longer than they did in their current state but instead I find my home practically in ruin, defenseless, unprepared, it's people's lives put at risk BECAUSE-OF-YOU!"

Lars was practically on the ground as he was now trapped between Aldren who stood over him with a finger jabbing at him and Elsa and Anna at his back, his eyes widened in terror as he held his arm defensively in front of himself, "W-W-What do you want me to do?"

Aldren walked past Lars back to where he originally stood, "Go... go and do whatever it is that makes you useful here. You can start by assisting in the evaluation and transport of the resources you've stockpiled."

"Transport!?"

"The gold and silver will be taken back to the capital, so that the storehouses may be used to lodge Arendelle's soldiers...And you will answer to Krar from now on, he will oversee the completion of this task...as your superior." He said in a pitiless voice that only held contempt.

"But I-I-I..."

Anna interjected with a coy smile, "Your generous contribution to the kingdom's cause is most appreciated."

Aldren was about to turn away but turned back to pluck the gold/crow pendant from Lars' coat, "We'll start with this." then tossing it to Krar who caught it and smiled smugly at the fat man.

Lars turned to Elsa with desperation in his eyes that she might undo his decision, she only smiled, "Lord Embercrow's word is final Lars. You are relieved of your stewardship of Hammerhel, thank you for your time...you are dismissed." she said gesturing to the doors.

The former steward looked as though he might weep as he bowed and turned, leaving the hall with heavy, sad steps. Krar looked over the pendant and chuckled, "A worm...who thought himself an Embercrow."

Anna stood and shook her head, "I can't believe that's who our dad put in charge of this place."

Elsa frowned and walked up next to Aldren, "I can...but at least that is not the case now."

Aldren began walking out of the hall with the others following, "It does not change our situation: Hammerhel is not as well fortified as we hoped, we must make every effort to strengthen it and fast. Every moment we delay affords our enemy time to move against us."

Elsa nodded, "Perhaps I can do something to speed up the process of rebuilding the wall."

"I would not expect you to-"

"I expect it of myself Aldren, I will do what I feel is best to aid our efforts." She said firmly but kindly.

"Yes your grace."

Now outside Elsa folded her arms, "Now, what is next on the agenda my friend."

Aldren pursed his lips, "Well your grace, for me...I believe my family has waited long enough to see me again..."

Krar frowned, "Do you...know the way?"

"I do."

The elder man nodded, Elsa cleared her throat before hesitantly asking, "Might I Join you? I think it is time I met them too...if you are comfortable-"

Aldren smiled, "Of course...I was going to ask you to come."

She smiled back, then turned to Anna, "Would you help Krar while we are gone?"

Anna shrugged, "Sure sis."

Krar chuckled, "You can help me torment Lars some more, your grace."

She laughed, "I don't mind that."

Anna and Krar departed for the northern wall to begin exporting the resources while Elsa and Aldren walked together to the western gate to pay a visit to the late lord of Hammerhel, his wife and daughter...

OoO

Elsa followed Aldren as they left the stone walls of Hammerhel and now made their way across the sparse, rocky expanse beyond them. Eventually they came to area dotted by a few tall trees and other small vegetation where the ground was not as rocky and in the center of the clearing were three tall monuments. They were not unlike the ones that stood above the graves of her own parents, what separated them was that rather than being stone they appeared to be cast completely from iron. As they drew closer the greater detail was revealed: they were angular and simple but engraved with intricate Arendellian runes. Carved within the marker titled Reyna was the star sigil of house Starlon while above the names Aldric and Alandra were flaming crows.

She stayed a few feet behind while Aldren approached the center monument, kneeling before it, he took off his helm and sat it on the ground. Elsa noticed two crows circling above, one of them landing on the monument and watching them curiously. Aldren put a hand against the black, weathered surface and breathed deeply, "Most Arendellian nobility...and royalty, place stone above the fallen, we of house Embercrow chose to bury our honored dead beneath great iron monuments. Our resolve as strong as the cold metal, even in the next life."

He looked up at the crow who cawed at him, he then scooped a clump of gravel into his hand and sorted through it until he found a small, glinting fleck of iron. He picked out the fleck, letting the rest of the dirt fall to the ground as he stood, offering his other arm for the crow to land on. The bird descended and landed calmly eyeing the iron fleck as Aldren held it just out of its reach. "You see crows, they collect shiny bits of metal and glimmering gems...to bring to their mates, to impress them and win their favor."

He allowed the crow to pluck the fleck from his fingers and it took to the skies as the other followed it to wherever their nest might be. Aldren smiled, turning towards Elsa who smiled back, "They are also very fierce birds, they will chase away hawks and eagles to protect their families. Fierce, loyal, smart and also...very stubborn."

Elsa chuckled, "Mm...That sounds like someone I know."

He rolled his eyes and laughed for a moment, but soon his expression became a frown, "But an Embercrow cannot put out his own flame...not even to protect his own family."

At first she assumed he was referring to the family whose monument they stood before, but she sensed he was alluding to something else so she remained silent. He walked up to her and asked for her spear, she obliged and handed it to him. He looked upon the surface of the two shining blades, "This weapons former bearer...Lilaria..." He offered it back to her, she grasped it in both hands as she waited in suspense for him to continue. He looked up at her with eyes that were starting to tear up "My wife."

Elsa's mouth became agape, knowing that the spear choosing her meant only one thing; that Lilaria, his wife...was dead. He continued, "We were wed six years ago in Anoroth, the first union of Alfar and man in centuries, so I was told. Two years later she was pregnant...a girl..."

His tears still clung to the edge of his eyes as he smiled, recalling happier memories. Elsa stepped closer hesitantly, "A girl?" she asked with cautious but genuine curiosity.

His gaze became distant, lost in a memory, "Alfar mages are able to see these things...Lilaria...she always loved the thrill of battle. She was only a few weeks in, still fit for combat-in her mind...not that anyone could caution her otherwise. Stubborn, more stubborn than any Embercrow could have ever hoped to be and certainly more than a tinge unruly...I adored that about her." he turned away from her and looked back towards the monument, "We had caught word that an imperial force was escorting prince Edesious near our borders and she convinced me to seize the opportunity; we rode out against them with the warriors we had under our command. Needless to say, everything went...horribly wrong. During the chaos a stray tyranite bolt struck a munitions case...the explosion sent her through the window of nearby structure that had already been set ablaze during the battle...by me. I ran into the fire to find her, but when I did..."

He breathed in sharply and clutched his right shoulder, Elsa reached out to him but stopped herself from touching him. He breathed heavily, forcing himself to go on, "Shrapnel had pierced her chest, I did not despair yet for I knew that if I could get her back to Anoroth she could be saved...but while I could move through the flames unharmed, she could not. And since I could not extinguish the fire...I could do nothing but hold my wife in my arms as she was lost to me...forever. Her last words to me were...'Aldren my love, I want you to be happy...because I am happy..." He strained to speak the last words as they came out nearly inaudible, his tears finally falling to the ground.

Elsa struggled to keep her composure as he continued, "My Lilaria...My little Analia, she would've been my world...she would've been everything to me. I lost them both...because I could-not control my power, because it like my fear and rage...controlled me. I don't hate myself for what I destroyed...I hate myself for what I couldn't save." He put a hand over his eyes as he shook uncontrollably for a moment, then straightened and turned back to her; his eyes trembling, his voice a pained whisper, choked with sadness, "No husband should have to bury his wife, no father...should have to bury their child..."

She could no longer hold back her own tears as she gasped quietly, she could never imagine the kind of pain he'd had to endure. She could never truly understand that kind of loss and she hoped that she'd never have to. His heart was in anguish, and he blamed himself...she would do everything she could to help him. She would teach him to control his power, help him overcome his fears, be his rock like he had been hers, stand by him, be there for him...love him, whatever it took.

She started by throwing off her helmet, rushing forward and throwing her arms around him in a tight hug, he clutched her tightly, unable to keep his poise anymore as he sobbed into her shoulder. She stroked his hair soothingly, squeezing him tighter as she spoke to him, "It's not your fault. Aldren you must believe me, it-is-not your fault! I once told you that 'fire is meant to be free'...I stand by that, nothing will ever change that." She pulled away so that she could look at his face, he was still shaking as the tears dried on his face. She locked eyes with him, her voice steady, "Your story may not have a happy beginning...but that does not mean that it is over, it is still being told. You might have lost family, but now...you are part of my family, you always will be..."

Exhausted he began to collapse, she joined him and they sat on the ground together, putting an arm around his back while the other gripped his hand tightly. He sighed heavily, "I know Elsa...that's why I'm terrified...I don't want to lose you, any of you. I would-I would rather die than let that happen again."

She released his hand and placed hers on his face, "It won't Aldren…but you will not die either, you will live and you will be happy, for you, for me...for us."

He graced her with a small smile before closing his eyes momentarily and staring off into the distance, she joined him, taking his hand once again and leaning her head against his. For a while they just sat there together, appreciating each other's company and the new found freedom to share freely, to enjoy real truth without judgment. To take the past, and its pain, out of hiding so it loses its power. Aldren sighed, "I... I never thought I would tell anyone that."

She smiled, "I'm happy that it was me."

"So am I..."

"We should probably head back; they will be wondering where we are."

"If you don't mind, I think I'll spend a few more moments her with my parents...and my sister."

She nodded, "Alright...You know; Anna is starting to look up to you...I think she'd like to know more about you..."

He wiped his eyes, "I won't stop you from telling her and I do want her to know, I just...I don't want her to think ill of me."

"She won't." she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek, letting her lips linger against his warm skin a few seconds longer than she had intended. Pulling away she smiled, "Don't keep us waiting to long."

He smiled back as she put her helmet back on and stood, "I won't." She slowly turned to leave and he watched her go a moment longer before standing himself and walking back towards the monuments, closing his eyes and silently emptying himself to his family.

He breathed in and out slowly, feeling as a great weight had been lifted from his soul, he grabbed his helm, donning it once again. As he turned to leave he heard something scarping silently against the gravel, whipping around with one hand aflame and the other on the handle of Black Autumn. His keen eyes searched but saw nothing...nothing except a large boulder covered in moss that had not been there before. Slowly the boulder began to roll towards him, and slowly Aldren began to draw his sword. Against his expectation the boulder unfolded into a short, stout creature with stony skin, a large nose and ears, and green reed like hair atop it's head. It's tired eyes, slightly sunken face and humbled demeanor gave the impression of an elder of its kind. It wore a cloak of moss around it's shoulders as well several green crystals that were suspended from its tunic by small strings. Aldren recognized this being from old folk stories and from what Elsa and Anna had told him about Kristoff's upbringing: a stone troll.

The troll smiled up at him, speaking to him in a pleasant tone, "So, it is true... another elemental now lives in Arendelle?"

Aldren relaxed, releasing his grip on Black Autumn and smothering the flames on his other hand in the dirt, "Who is asking?"

"I am known by some as Grandpabbie...but you may call me Steinfar. And you are Aldren of house Embercrow son of Aldric Embercrow, lord of Hammerhel and Queen Elsa's Master of War."

Aldren folded his arms, "You seem to hear and see much...whilst remaining unseen."

Steinfar shrugged, "An easy thing for my people to do...do you know what I am?"

"A stone troll, like the ones that raised Kristoff...like the one that altered Anna's memories..." he said less pleasantly.

"Ah yes, Kristoff...I do hope the naga are treating him fairly, he is good lad. How is the young princess handling that?"

Though the troll seemed to be ignoring his previous remark he answered him, "Better than most would expect her to...better than I would have at her age. She is strong, she will endure."

The troll nodded while walking past him towards the monuments, "And how are you enduring? Quite the burden you relieved yourself of a few moments ago."

The Embercrow's eyes narrowed and fist clenched, "I do not enjoy being spied on, troll!"

Steinfar turned back to him with an apologetic look, "Please forgive me, that was not my intention...I simply happened to be in neighborhood, so to speak." He lessened his glare as the old troll spoke genuinely, "But as I said: a great weight has been lifted from you...but you are still holding back your emotion, are you not?"

Aldren turned away, "Perhaps I am, what of it?"

The troll sighed, "You know as well as I do, that you will-never be free...not until you admit to yourself how you feel, until you free yourself."

Aldren whipped back, "Is that what you told Elsa, to free herself?! Was she 'freeing herself' when you made her terrified of her power! When she shut herself away because she was afraid to hurt the people she loved!"

"That...was never my intention...I only told her what to be wary of: fear itself. But it was not her own fear that trapped her now was it?"

The elemental considered this, "Her father's..."

"Yes, but she did not let her father's mistakes or her own stop her from being able to love again...you must not let your mistakes keep you from that." The elder sighed, walking past Aldren again, back to the spot where he started from, "I will not say 'do not regret' nor would I force you to forget your pain, no one has the power to do that...not even one so ancient as myself. I would simply ask you to remember that even an Embercrow may have a frozen heart and 'only love can thaw a frozen heart'...That love, must be love for others...and for yourself."

Aldren sighed, turning and looking up at the monument as the elder troll's words sank in. He turned back and saw that the troll had disappeared and for some reason...that did not surprise him. He left the grave site and made his way back to Hammerhel. What the elder troll said was true, but it would be easier said than done. He knew that he loved his new family dearly... more than life, a life he had not cared about for years...he could not force himself to, he could only live day to day and try...

If I don't make you cry, then I haven't done my job right.

Also on a funny side note, ever since I found out that Grandpabbie is voiced by Ciaran Hinds I kept hearing Mance Rayder whenever I was writing his character here. :)