Chapter 21: Warrior Queen
Elsa's eyes slowly fluttered open and the dimness of Embercrow hall came slowly into focus. She was slumped in the ornate chair that overlooked the entryway with her head resting in her hand. She groaned slightly rubbing her head, at present she did not remember how she got here and she also noticed she was still wearing her dress from the night before. Against her better judgment she had allowed Anna to convince her to have an extra glass or two of the celebratory wine.
She soon realized she was not alone: looking down she saw her other hand rested on the head of her Trolgon. His entire bulk was stretched around the desk while his large head rested on her lap, sleeping peacefully. Smiling down at the dragon she massaged the scaly hide behind his horns. His eyes slowly blinked open and he opened his mouth in a long guttural yawn, revealing his rows of sharp teeth. Her joy was then overshadowed by fear as she looked upon him, she had come to adore him as much as she did Olaf who she missed and feared for greatly.
As she continued to love on her bestial companion she thought long and hard about what she would do next. On the desk in front of her was the helm of a Witch Knight: more specifically from the unique markings she had studied, it was the one that belonged to sir Grima who was chained now in Hammerhel's jail house. She could tell by the minimal lighting from the windows that it was early morning: the sun only just starting to rise. Anna would be dead asleep in her room upstairs while Aldren was most likely already wide awake, making sure they'd remained safe through the night. She looked down at Trolgon and affectionately held his hand in her hands, lifting his chin so he was looking at her. "Good morning Trolgon. I need to do something important...will you help me?"
He responded with a compliant warble as he lifted his head from her lap, she laughed and stood, kissing the top of his head "Thank you sweetheart...come now." she took the helm in one hand and walked past him, stepping over his tail. He rose and followed her as she led him towards the double doors, his tail knocking over several chairs as he did. Opening the doors and walking outside she saw that the sky was dark and cloudy, light snowfall peppering Hammerhel in the windless air. The streets were bare letting her know she was one of the only people awake, in the distance she could see Aldren, Baldrek and Krar: most likely organizing the wagon train or discussing what points they'd bring to the war council later in the day.
She would not make herself known to them, the mission she set off for was one she appointed to herself, she motioned for Trolgon who barely fit through the entry way. They made their way to a large stable house that was offset from the jailhouse, two guards stationed at the doors stood at attention as she approached. Without looking at either of them she spoke, "Leave us." They both nodded, leaving her and Trolgon alone at the stable entrance, grasping the handles she pulled the doors open...
OoO
Chained to a post inside was Meren, he had been kept here rather than jailhouse so that he might be interviewed alone and to protect his life from the possible wrath of his fellow naga. He quickly tucked something inside his shirt when he saw her open the door, she saw the cord around his neck and narrowed her eyes slightly. His face gave no tells of emotion and neither did hers as she walked into the stable house to stand in front of him. Trolgon sat behind her, his tail flicking back and forth just a foot or so from Meren's feet whilst growling softly, his crimson eyes staring the naga down. Meren grew increasingly nervous under the dragon's gaze...just as she had hoped.
She took a few steps towards him, he looked up at her and sighed, "Here to talk?"
She nodded and he shrugged.
"What about?" he questioned.
"What the Witch King has planned for the rest of my people? I would have them all safe after I have defeated the Naga Ai."
He laughed almost mockingly, "Defeat? I think you overestimate your chances."
She responded by holding up the Witch Knight helm and dropping in front of him, Meren blinked and gasped slightly at the sight of the helm. From his reaction she could see he recognized who it had belonged to and that he assumed she had killed them, which worked in her favor. "I like our chances just fine."
He looked up at her, less emboldened than before as she continued, "I took this off a Witch Knight who called himself Grima. Are you familiar with the name?"
He nodded and swallowed, "And his fellow knight, Decicus?"
"He escaped...barely."
He looked away momentarily, then back to her, "What do you want to know?"
She started pacing back and forth as she went on, "While I am confident we will have little difficulty taking back Riverview and Hadenville...It is the lives of my people I am concerned about. Why does Amicus hold my people prisoner...why not just kill them all?"
Meren smiled coyly, "Maybe to taunt you, maybe to lure you in... or maybe he just enjoys their company."
Her eyes narrowed, "I'm not in a mood to be humored, give me a straight answer about their fate!"
He raised an eyebrow, "Oh...there's someone in particular you fear for, isn't there? A friend...family perhaps?"
Elsa clenched her fist, her other hand resting on her spear as the air in the room grew colder, "Choose your next words carefully naga..."
He frowned, "I once told you that 'I fear the ones I serve more than you'...that still stands, even now..."
She sighed and shook her head, "Here's the thing Meren..." she snapped her fingers and Trolgon growled, rising and walking to her side, she gently gripped the frills at the base of his neck. "I value family more than anything, more than your life and all of Arendelle's people are my family. And I will protect my family...by whatever means necessary...tell me what I want to know..."
His breathing quickened but his face remained neutral, "I will not..."
"Then you have outlived your usefulness." she released her grip on Trolgon and turned to walk away. The dragon slowly crept towards Meren, hissing and baring his teeth as he drew closer and closer to his head.
Meren turned away from the beast's icy breath that stung his eyes and face, he gritted his teeth and shouted his final words in defiance, "You say that you will protect your family by whatever means necessary! SO WILL I! And death by your beast will not change that!" Meren's eyes winced at the bright blue glow emanating from the dragon's throat, he prepared for what he hoped would be a quick death...
He slowly opened his eyes when the glow died down and the dragon backed away, Elsa crouched in front of him, one hand resting on Trolgon's neck, her expression softer than before, "Oh...?"
He panted breathlessly, reeling from near death, "It is not for any loyalty to Amicus that I keep his plots secret...nor is it to safeguard my own life. My-"
"Sister." she said softly, finishing for him. He blinked at her, she smiled, "Lord Aldren told me you had a sister, what is her name?"
"Venereth." he said without thinking.
She nodded, "Why do you fear for her life when you would be the one at fault, would not you receive the punishment?"
He shook his head, speaking with more emotion in his voice, "Venereth is the most loyal of the Witch Knights, if I were ever deemed a traitor she would undoubtedly be the one sent to take my head...But I know my sister...she would refuse and in doing so ultimately pay the price for my betrayal. She would die and I would survive...with nothing left to live for..." his head hung low as he said these last words.
Elsa nodded, "I understand. But I ask you this: If you do not believe in the Witch King's cause, in the end...shouldn't your sister's loyalty remain with you and not with Amicus?"
He looked up at her, his eyes showing the conflict in his heart. She gently placed her hand on his shoulder, "Will you at least tell me how likely it is that I will find more Arendellians at Riverview and Hadenville?"
He looked to the side and pursed his lips in thought, "It is possible...but unlikely. It is most likely the only reason you found any of your people here is due to the 'rebellion' the one you call Krar staged that likely hindered their progress. If not for him, my kin would have already taken yours up north."
She furrowed her brow, wondering how he knew about that. He guessed her inner question and smiled, "Your guards talk and we naga hear, see and smell much more than humans can."
"I will keep that in mind..."
She stood and walked towards the door with Trolgon following, stopping in the entry way to turn back to him, "I hope that I will meet more of your kind with your point of view. If Venereth is anything like you, I pray for the day that our two peoples could be at peace with one another... and that day will come when I have won. But know I stand by these words; should your sister and I cross paths on the battlefield...I will not hesitate."
He nodded, speaking quietly, "Neither will she...But I hope that is not the case and... I hope you do win this war..."
She smiled at him before leaving the stable house with her dragon in tow. He finished his sentence in a sad whisper as she left, "But you won't..."
OoO
Elsa closed the doors of the stable and motioned for the guards to return to their post. "Perhaps we should limit our discussions about the campaign when guarding prisoners...?"
They looked at each other confused for a moment but nodded, "Yes your grace."
She nodded back and walked back to Embercrow keep, satisfied that she had achieved her goal. While learning the answers to the question she had started with would have been a plus...it was not her true aim, she had chipped away at Meren's concealment and learned more about who he was, perhaps even earning his trust on some small level, which would undoubtedly prove an asset in the future. And now she knew of another threat to be vigilant of: Venereth, one of the Witch King's most loyal warriors and perhaps one of his deadliest. She had no wish to fight her, but whether or not that be the case would be in her hands.
In truth she never wished to see anyone harmed, no matter if they were human or naga but the enemy forced her hand, their aggression sparked the violence she was now striving to end. If that meant she would have to fight her way through an entire army on her own and drive her spear into the Witch King's heart herself, then so be it. She led Trolgon back to Embercrow keep where she would don her armor once more and ready herself to meet with her war council. And so the war would continue...
OoO
It was midday and Hammerhel was no longer aloft with the sounds of Christmas joy, the familiar sound of grind stones, smith hammers and soldiers boot steps filled the air. The army of Arendelle prepared for their next battle with the Naga Ai. The wagon convoy had departed for the capital relieving them of the burden of the Lars' silver and gold.
Elsa, Aldren, Anna, Baldrek, Krar, Barec and Gillian stood around the lead desk in Embercrow keep. On the desk was a map of Arendelle they were using to discuss their strategy to assault Riverview to their northwest and Hadenville farther to their northeast. Aldren pointed to both holds as he explained their stratagem. "Her majesty and I have agreed that the best approach to retaking these holds in the south is to divide our forces: I will take five hundred men to move through the Troll's Pine woods, our smaller numbers will allow us to catch them by surprise as Riverview is smaller and less well defended. Anna, you and Barec will accompany me, you are both light on your feet and skilled at ranged combat which will come in handy."
They both nodded, Elsa then pointed to Hadenville, "At the same time I will lead the two thousand to assault Hadenville. It is the largest fortress we will have encountered so far though it not as heavily fortified as Hammerhel. Captain Baldrek, lieutenant Krar you will come with me: I will have need of...'heavier hitters' so to speak."
Baldrek chuckled, hefting Traitor's Bane onto his shoulder, "That's my specialty, your majesty."
Aldren gestured to the map as whole, "In this way we deny either position the ability reinforce one when the other falls. Any survivors that escape us will be cut off from support and will either be forced to flee north or be trapped here in the south."
Krar pointed to the road leading from the north to Riverview, "Scouts report the naga moving wagons carrying large containers into Riverview. They described them as cages of some sort, it could be they mean to use it to move Arendellian prisoners they are holding there up north to the Pike."
Elsa nodded thoughtfully, "It is a possibility..." She looked to Aldren, "Investigate the container only after you have dealt with the naga forces there."
"Yes your grace."
Gillian folded his arms, "Where would you like me, your grace?"
"We will be leaving behind the rest of our army to watch over Hammerhel in our absence, it is important we keep our hold here firm. I want you to remain, assume command of the forces here and watch over the Crow's Nest as well as the prisoners here."
"As you command."
Elsa looked down at the map and leaned her hands against the table, "If we capture and control these positions we will be at our strongest, then we will lay siege to the Pike with all the might of Arendelle. It is imperative we break our enemy's hold as quickly as possible, every day that passes puts our people's lives in greater danger...We know what we must do."
Aldren put his hands on his hips, "We hold the south..."
"Then take the north." Anna finished.
Elsa nodded, rising up, "If there are any suggestions to the plan, now is the time." No one spoke, "Let us make ready then."
They all nodded and began to disperse. Baldrek turned to Elsa, "I'll let the men know were moving out soon." She nodded and he bowed, leaving the hall along with Krar, Gillian and Barec.
OoO
Barec assisted Baldrek and Krar as they prepared the armies for the march to Riverview and Hadenville. He tightened the ropes over a scorpion the queen's army would be taking with them to the Hadenville assault. Baldrek walked over to him, clapping him on the shoulder nearly making him hit his head, "Night to remember last night, eh?"
Barec groaned, nursing a slight hangover, "Or to not remember at all..." he finished his work and turned to his friend with a smile, "Though I do remember you arm wrestling three men to the ground without breaking a sweat, safe to say I'll never forget that one Baldrek-or Captain Baldrek I should say, sir." He added a sarcastic bow.
Baldrek shrugged and scoffed, "Captain, never thought anyone would call me that...takes some getting used to."
"I don't envy you."
"Bet you envy this hammer!" He grinned tossing it like a stick to Barec who managed to catch it but nearly fall backwards.
"Maybe if I were a great ginger beast like you..." The one eyed man strained momentarily to lift the weapons and steady himself, "Not really my style this thing, I'll leave the heavy lifting and the giving orders bit to you."
He handed it back to the north man who grasped it in one hand easily, "Suppose I have a knack for it..." He said this with some hesitance as he looked down at the hammer doubtfully.
Barec noticed this and punched him in the shoulder, "Hey, if the queen and lord Aldren think you're right for the job then you're right for it. And if it means anything to you, I think you're the best choice."
"You think so huh?"
"Well I definitely prefer you to my last superior, that's for damn sure." Baldrek nodded slightly, his doubt less than it was before.
"So any battle advice from the new 'captain of Arendelle'?"
The captain smirked, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder, "Don't get shot again."
He rolled his eyes, "Thanks..."
"And if you die, die well...I want to tell a good story about it after all!" He winked, laughing and lightly punching Barec's shoulder.
Baldrek then left, shouting to the other soldiers in the area, "Come on now! These men are ready to fight!"
The captain's statement was followed by triumphant shouts as Barec winced and rubbed his shoulder, he knew the north man likely forgot about his wounded shoulder...or maybe he didn't. "What is he made of?" He murmured to himself.
"Barec."
He looked behind him and saw lord Aldren and princess Anna approaching him, he turned to them and bowed, "Your grace, lord Aldren...what can I do for you?"
"As I recall, you and your brother hailed from Riverview."
"That's right..."
"I understand if you are anticipating finding your brother, I ask... that you don't get your hopes up too much. I need you to follow my orders to the letter during the battle. The three of us must all work as a unit if we are to win, then and only then will we look for your brother, do you understand?"
"I won't get distracted my lord, and I will find my brother. But...the three of us?" He looked back up confused.
"Yes, you've proven that you are capable on the battlefield. I am giving you the acting rank of sergeant, you will serve as Princess Anna and I's second during the Riverview siege."
Barec was about to open his mouth to object but no words came out, he knew better than to speak against the Master of War's word and the look from lord Aldren told him that he was very serious about this. He breathed in, "Yes my lord."
Princess Anna smiled and punched his shoulder, "You'll be great Barec, I know it."
He nodded and smiled back. Lord Aldren and Princess Anna then turned to leave, Barec returned to his work wincing and again rubbing shoulder, "Why does everyone keeping hitting the same damn shoulder!" He exclaimed in an exasperated whisper.
OoO
Aldren sighed as he left with the princess, he looked to her with a smile as they walked, "And how are you fairing Anna?"
She rubbed her temple and shook her head, "I'm just ready to get Riverview done with and get to Ashla's Pike...Get the rest of my family back and make those naga wish they never came to Arendelle."
"It won't be long now but the Northern Gate will be a hard fight, we must be at full strength to take back the Island city."
"Do you think...Barec will find his brother at Riverview? Do you think we'll find more people there in general?"
Aldren tapped his fingers together, "I think it is unlikely...If what Elsa learned from Meren is to be believed, they most likely have already been moved up north."
Anna halted her step and narrowed her eyes in the direction of the stable house where the naga prisoner was kept and cracked her knuckles, "Maybe I should have a chat with Meren, I bet I could learn a few things..."
Aldren chuckled, "I don't think that is a good idea."
"Why not?"
He saw that she was very serious about her statement, which made him worry as he frowned, "Anna, you cannot let your prejudice dictate your actions and you cannot make winning your only goal-"
"But isn't that what matters? Winning?"
"NO, it's not all that matters!" He nearly yelled, seeing her shock, he realized he had been too harsh. He sighed and took her hand in both of his, "I understand your anger, better than anyone else can...But Meren, besides being a prisoner is-not-evil.
She looked at him truly confused, "But...how do I know that?"
"You won't know at first glance; you have to know them for longer than the span of a day before passing judgment...did not you learn that lesson with your 'Prince Hans'?"
She sighed and nodded as he continued. "We must always remember that the naga are individuals just like us, the Witch King is evil, the cause he leads is evil but they cannot all be judged by their leader alone. When this war is over you must remember to be patient, observant and tolerant with every being, be they human, naga or otherwise."
"How does that help us now...why would it even matter after the war?"
He smiled, "Anna, if one act of violence can throw an entire kingdom into war...imagine what one act of tolerance can do for an entire race. Arendelle will never be the same as it was, much will have changed and you must face those changes being the best person you can."
She nodded slowly, "I-I'll try..."
"Mm... that is all I can ask of you...But more than anything: your sister and I want you to be who you are always, not the terrible thing war and violence can make you into...as it did me." his eyes became lost in a distant memory. She looked at him, wondering what exactly he meant by that.
"Now, we should prepare ourselves for the road ahead." She nodded, as he released her hand she tightened her grip, "Aldren."
He turned back, she smiled, "Thank you...for helping me stay...me"
"And thank you Anna, for being you." she released him and he departed, as he left she was filled with questions. She knew what Elsa had told her about his past and what had been taken from him, she wanted to talk to him about it in more depth but she hadn't felt like it was the right time. He said that war changed him, made him into something...terrible. The last thing anybody thought of him was terrible but what did he mean by that...As she eventually followed him she hoped that maybe along their journey she could learn more...
OoO
A few hours had past and Aldren had prepared the Riverview war party for departure in the Hammerhel courtyard, all that remained was Queen Elsa's word. As the last few soldiers arrived he was approached by Krar who now carried a black Arendellian shield and helm, "Leaving soon my lord?"
"Indeed Krar, I leave on her majesty's order."
Krar nodded and observed his small army, "No horses?"
"Horses will make too much noise, we'll leave on foot and we'll travel light, the naga will be expecting a full force attack as we did here...we'll catch them unaware."
The elder man chuckled, "Not really how I prefer to settle things but all the same; I wish I could come with you."
"It will do Queen Elsa and Baldrek good to have a veteran to advise them, I suspect the naga will not let Hadenville fall as easily as Hammerhel and Riverview."
Krar noticed Queen Elsa and Princess Anna walking towards them, he offered his arm to his lord, "'Hearts of fire...'"
Aldren smiled and grasped his arm, "'Wills of iron.'" he finished, both giving a firm shake, "And good luck...old friend."
Krar grinned, "Embercrows don't need luck."
Elsa and Anna walked towards Aldren as Krar released his arm and left his side. He noticed them, turned and bowed. Anna looked between him and Krar curiously, "What was that?"
"A sort of...motto, shared between house Embercrow and its warriors: 'Hearts of fire, Wills of iron.'"
"Well can house Floran share your motto?"
"I suppose anyone who fits that description can share it so, yes I believe that is just fine princess."
She grinned, "Nice of you to say."
He smiled and looked to Elsa whose expression was neutral and was being uncharacteristically quiet. "Your grace, with your word, we are ready to leave for Riverview."
"It is given, lord Aldren...good luck and be safe, the both of you."
The two sisters embraced and said their own farewells and Anna smiled at Aldren as she walked past. He looked upon Elsa and began to recall how far she had come since the day he met them.
He nodded but hesitated to leave, "Elsa..."
"Yes?"
"I-I just wanted to say that...I'm proud of you..."
Her eyes lit up slightly as he continued, "You not only learned quickly and learned well from me how to fight but you are already growing into a learned military leader and a powerful warrior. And yet...you are still the noble, kind and patient woman I met in that throne room over a month ago. A warrior-...a man can ask for no greater honor than this." he ended with a proud smile.
She smiled widely, her teeth showing as she put her arms around him. A lapse in etiquette perhaps to do such a thing in the public eye but she didn't seem to really care. "And I am proud to have you as a teacher." She pulled away holding him at arm's length, "Though I wish both of you could be fighting beside me now...But what I want cannot be my focus."
"Baldrek and Krar will serve you well in our absence. We will send word to you when we have reclaimed Riverview."
She nodded, moving a hand up to the side of his helm, "And I shall do the same when I've liberated Hadenville. Keep Anna safe...and make sure you come back in one piece." she said in a hushed tone.
He chuckled, "I suppose half a lord wouldn't be much use to you..."
She shook her head and laughed, "He would still be welcome in my court."
He nodded to her and turned to leave. Anna grinned and nudged Aldren as he passed her, she then walked back to Elsa, "Don't worry sis, I'll keep him safe, as long as you do the same for yourself."
"And you, don't do anything reckless."
"No promises..."
Elsa playfully punched Anna in the shoulder and the young princess went to join Aldren together with Barec, leading five hundred, assembled in the courtyard, out of the main gates. Elsa felt her concern and worry intensify with ever step they took further from her side, the two people she cared for most in the world would not be there for her to protect...but then she knew they didn't need her protection. In a few more hours she with Captain Baldrek lieutenant Krar would lead the two thousand to Hadenville. She sighed, putting her worry out of her mind...stepping back into the skin of the leader her people needed...The warrior queen...
