Chapter 27: Happiness
The sun was shining brightly on the Arendelle port as fifteen large longships were docked, the ships were being modified and prepared for the assault on Ashla's Pike. Gillian's smiths and craftsman fitted each vessel with a scorpion on either side while troops were being loaded onto them, each capable of carrying around two hundred soldiers or evacuees. Baldrek and Krar largely oversaw the troop preparations: cross bolts, munitions for bow men, spears, swords, axes and shield were all being loaded for the final battle. Both Barec and Anna had disappeared from public eye, it had been noticed they had both grown especially anxious about the coming siege, it was understandable considering what was at stake for both of them.
Amidst all this, Elsa and Aldren walked along the cobblestone of the port while they discussed multiple things. Elsa put her hands behind her back as she spoke, "So you and Anna faced off with a troll that had been corrupted by this 'tyranite'?"
"Yes, but not like the stone trolls you are familiar with: this was not a sentient beast, but still it was a crime against nature. And I've been told you fought a pack of 'cat-like' creatures set upon you by the naga that bore a similar affliction?"
She looked ahead of her, brow furrowed, "The crystals in their hides were unmistakable...the men have taken to calling them Tatzelwurms."
"Hmm, charming...I have seen these atrocities committed before, by the Caldarian Empire: I've seen beasts, even humans and Alfar subjected to this horror. Tyranite is an essential part of the imperial war machine, as it seems to be with the Naga Ai."
Elsa stopped their stride and turned to him, "You believe Caldaria and the Naga Ai are connected somehow..."
"I do..."
She gripped her chin in thought, "Maybe...the empire shared this technology with the Witch King?"
He folded his arms, "Or perhaps he taught it to them..." She cocked her head slightly as he elaborated, "Looking back on my days in Eradis, the empire never appeared truly capable of having invented their own weaponry and technology, more likely it was passed to them by a much older, wiser evil. For as we suspect, Amicus may be much older than the world as we know it today, he has likely had many years to plan a worldwide conquest and we are only the start."
Elsa put her hands on her hips and shook her head, "But why Arendelle...What is so important to them here...besides you and I, I mean."
Aldren pursed his lips a moment before answering, "As you know, I have continued to read through and translate your father's book. And there is indeed a section pertaining to the naga race. But what was interesting was the subtitles written in ancient Arendellian...Dokkalfar and Svartalfar."
Her eyes widened "Dark Elves..."
"Our ancient ancestors named them the sinister 'dark elves' that we know from our ancient folklore of today. They most likely used this moniker after they met the true elves and used it to distinguish the two races. With little doubt I can say that the fates of men, elves and naga are all inextricably linked to this land."
Elsa walked away from him, pressing a finger to her temple in frustration, "But what does that have to do with why Arendelle is so important to them now." She turned back to him as she went on, "I love my homeland, it is beautiful-but, we don't have any significant resources, were not very large and it's not as if we were ever a threat to anyone before all this..."
He walked towards her, "It could be many things, I can't speak for ancient history and what their motivations were then...but consider what we know so far; Caldaria has control over most all of Eradis, the only major resistance to their campaign is Anoroth and if the empire is indeed a tool of the Naga Ai, they may have decided to let their pawns in the west finish off the elves while they continued onward with their greater plan." he pointed in multiple directions as he explained the next part of his theory, "To our south east are the Southern Isles, directly to the south is Zaria, Chatho to the east and Corona to the west. We are at the center of all of it...If Amicus wants to begin conquest of all Althgarr, then Arendelle is the perfect place to begin."
"Positioning...if he took control of Arendelle, he could stage attacks against all the neighboring kingdoms and nations with ease..." the revelation set in, her face almost horrified.
"Exactly." he stood beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, "I have no doubts that Caldaria and the Naga Ai are allies against us, but conflict with the empire is far off from now...and it is at the Northern Gate that we will halt the Witch King's dark dream, like our fathers before us against Erik Ramdon."
She grasped his hand on her shoulder, looking back at him and smiling appreciatively. "Thank you, Aldren."
He nodded, "Your grace."
She released his hand, walking away from him slightly, drawing Dragon's Flight from her back and turning back to him as it slowly extended to full length. "During our attack on Hadenville I dueled with Decicus and during the fight I lost my hold on Dragon's Flight...after the witch knight was defeated...I don't know, it was strange but...I was able to 'call' my spear back to me..."
Aldren's eyes widened momentarily before smiling, "Incredible, it took me years...years to master that ability." he drew Black Autumn and flung it into the air, as he extended his hand the sword changed direction and flew back into his hand. He turned back to her, "May I see you do the same?"
She grinned, throwing her spear straight into the air, doing the same as Aldren, Dragon's Flight indeed flew back to her grasp. He nodded, grinning widely, "You truly are something special Elsa."
She blushed at his remark, he realized what he had said and his face went slightly flush, he cleared his throat, "Well-uh...perhaps there is something else I can teach you about our powers."
She raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
He held his sword up, the blade slowly growing into a bright orange as it heated up, "As you may have noticed, in battle I heat up my blade. But it is more than that, it's more like I... 'imbue' the weapon with my power."
She looked over her own weapon, "And... you think I could do the same?"
"You already did once before."
She blinked, trying to remember. "The throne room...when I used Black Autumn against Dane!"
"Yes, a surprise then for me as well and-"
"And at Hadenville! ...but I only used it to light up Starlon keep when I first entered it...sorry." she grinned sheepishly, realizing she had interrupted him.
He smiled, "It's alright your grace...well in that case, let's see you demonstrate it for me."
She held Dragon's Flight ahead of her, both spear tips glowed a soft teal/blue. She then slowly swung and rotated her weapon, speeding up until the ends of her weapon were a blue blur.
He held his hand up, caution in his voice, "Keep in mind that while this ability is useful it is also very-"
Her spear struck the cobblestone, a small jagged line of ice ripped upward for several feet and split the stones apart, some Arendelle soldiers stopped momentarily in shock but continued about their business.
"Dangerous..." Aldren finished.
Elsa rubbed her arm, retracting Dragon's Flight and sheathing it. "Yeah, that would definitely...do some damage. Can we do that with any object?"
"In my experience? No. Black Autumn and Dragon's Flight are the only weapons that I can do this without them melting, even other elven swords can't withstand it. But that may not be the case for you, your power is very different than mine."
"And what about when we deflect tyranite bolts, how does that happen?"
"As Elementals our reflexes and reactions are quicker than most others, allowing us to anticipate the trajectory of projectiles, especially those of magical nature such as tyranite. Combined with training and finesse, I believe this ability is essential to the way we fight."
"Do these...abilities have names?"
"No."
"No?"
"No one ever taught me how to us them, I figured it out myself, just as you have...just as i hoped you would."
"I see, but why do they come so easily for me?"
"Speaking plainly your grace...I don't truly know, but I might argue that your power is far beyond my own, perhaps you simply have more potential as an elemental than myself. But these are questions for greater minds than my own, and it is a blessing I'd prefer not to question...at least for now."
She shrugged, "Maybe you're right..."
They both looked out towards the horizon, Aldren sheathed his sword and changed the subject, "Soon we'll be ready to leave and we can free Arendelle once and for all from the Naga Ai's grip."
She nodded slowly, "Yes..." She looked over to him, "Anna mentioned that you had a 'encounter'...with Venereth."
"I did, she was bested in the end and either way, if not for Anna...I wouldn't be standing here with you now."
"But that's not the whole story...is it." she said as a statement, not a question.
Had he truly become so transparent to her in the short time he'd served her, he sighed, "At the height of the battle Anna had been cast aside and the witch knight's blade was but a few inches from my heart, therefore...I had to rely on my powers to beat her. but...I almost lost control..." He closed his eyes and hung his head, "I could have killed everyone...including Anna if I-" He turned to her, shame in his eyes, "Forgive me your grace, I was angry...and afraid."
She placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled, "There's nothing to forgive Aldren. Anna is fine, you're both fine. Whatever else may have happened, you kept each other safe and that's what's important to me." He nodded though he still hung his head, she leaned down to look at his face, "Anna also told me how you rescued that little girl at Riverview."
"I did what was necessary, I suppose it was a step forward for me...followed by taking two steps back later on." he added begrudgingly.
"No. Progress is progress, what you did was noble and I am proud of you.
"It is good to feel I can make progress on my own...thank you, your grace."
She nodded, removing her hand from his shoulder and staying silent for a few moments before speaking again, "Do you think about what will happen after we've won?"
He looked on into the sea thoughtfully, "Sometimes, I know that even after we defeat our enemy, Arendelle should still always be battle ready so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated and-"
He was stopped when he felt her petite hand grasp his, he turned to her in surprise. She looked into his eyes, stepping towards him, "Have you...thought about us?" she asked softly.
His mouth was slightly agape as he struggled for an answer momentarily, "I suppose...from time to time..."
She laughed quietly, grabbing his other hand and pulling him closer, "Only time to time?"
He smiled and rolled his eyes, "Well Maybe more, are you...sure you'd want all the trouble that comes with me?" he asked, truly unsure if she would.
She released his hands, removed his helm from his head and dropped it on the ground. Then reaching up she brushed a strand of hair from his face, while her other hand rested on his chest plate. "I've managed it so far haven't I?" she said with a grin.
His heart quickened, his eyes cutting from side to side, trying not to lose himself in those enchanting, crystal blue orbs. She then placed her palm against his face, her thumb moved up and down from his cheek, he was unable to suppress a small shiver from her touch. Her hand recoiled slightly at his reaction, "Aldren, you're shaking..."
He swallowed the lump in his throat, "I-forgive me Elsa, I'm-...I'm still...afraid."
"I don't want you to be afraid...I don't want you to be angry." she whispered, her smile returning as her hand touched his skin once more. "I want you to be happy and when this is all over, we'll have the chance to be happy...together."
He could see the hope and affection in her beautiful face as she began to lean forward, her eyes closing and he wanted so badly to believe her too. But someone once spoke similar words to him before during a time of war...and he buried her broken body in the forests of the Eldoron. It would not be her this time, he loved her, enough to die for her...he might, even if they won the battle...he might just.
He closed his eyes and turned away from her as she drew closer, her eyes opened in shock and surprise. Opening his own eyes, he saw the heartbreak and sadness in her gaze that made him want to die, but he held his cold, neutral expression, "I do hope so your grace." he grasped her hand on his face and withdrew it from his cheek, softly planting a kiss on her knuckle. "I certainly hope so..." Releasing her hand, he reached down and recovered his helm, stepping away from her and donning it, "I should aid in the siege preparations, your grace."
She nodded quickly, the wound to her emotions still apparent in her eyes, "Yes...Very well, lord...lord Embercrow."
He bowed to her, turning heel and walking towards one of the docked war ships without another word.
OoO
Elsa watched him leave, a painful aching in her chest assaulting her heart. She traced her thumb over the spot on her hand he had kissed, her eyes wrenched shut, biting her tongue to suppress a sob in her throat. Opening her eyes again he had walked up to the deck of one of their ships and was discussing something with some soldiers. She knew why he had refused her affections again...but it didn't make it hurt any less. She had longed for a moment where they would admit how they felt, she had thought this would be the moment...it was not. But if there was a possibility that one or both of them might not come back, shouldn't two people who love each other admit these things...since they may not ever have another chance...
She exhaled, steeling herself in her belief that they would win this war, making Arendelle and their future safe. She focused on the battle ahead, she would need a clear mind if she was to ensure victory for her army. She was still hurting though, she decided that she needed some time alone, then she would be ready. As she made her way back to the palace she turned back one last time and uttered a sentence in the quietest of whispers, "I love you, Aldren Embercrow..." saying it more for herself, making sure she meant it...she did.
OoO
Aldren looked over to Elsa as she walked towards the palace and breathed a heavy sigh. He felt horrid for how he refused her but it was for the best, at least for now. He had known war all his life and it had taken the people he loved from him at every turn...why would now be any different? He could not afford to be distracted, he looked out toward the calm sea, he saw the battle plan in his mind and he would do everything in his power to make sure it succeeded. For Elsa, for Anna, for Arendelle; he would do anything to secure their future, fight any foe, make any sacrifice...the ultimate one if he had to...
I genuinely felt bad proof reading this chapter, poor kids...
