I'm not Dead! Yay!

But seriously, I am so sorry that it's taken me almost two months to update. I've been going through a very stressful time trying to sell our house and move so I've had to find time where I can to do this. But as always thanks go to those who have continued to support me through these times. What's important however is that I have it for you now so I hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 35: Anna's Departure

Two days had passed since queen Elsa had left Arendelle with Trolgon and Olaf. Aldren walked along the cobblestone near the docks of the palace as the midday sun managed to break through the winter clouds, watching men load crates of supplies onto the two ships; one that would carry lord Mane to Chatho while the other with princess Anna to the Southern Isles. Fifty men would accompany each to their separate destinations, he would've preferred to send more...but they couldn't, not with how vulnerable they would be while most of their leaders were away.

His stride ended as he came to stand by captain Baldrek, donned in full armor and leaning forward against his hammer, Aldren also noticed the addition of a two-handed sword on his back to make up for the loss of his ice ax. Baldrek saw him coming and straightened himself, Aldren smiled, "At ease, captain. Ready to depart then?"

The northman relaxed (sort of), "Yes, my lord and...I will make sure the princess is kept safe."

"I know you will...Remember; no one ordered me to give you the hammer, I gave it to you because you are worthy of it."

Baldrek sighed halfheartedly, "I know, my lord."

"Mm...Do you?" Baldrek seemed stunned by the question, the Embercrow stepped forward, "You have the skill, you have the will and the courage, but do you have the confidence? Power of this weapon-any weapon comes only when in truly confident hands. No one has ever doubted you my friend and...I am sorry if you thought I ever did, but it is you who doubts yourself. If you can overcome it, this will become your most powerful weapon." He pressed a finger to Baldrek's chest plate above his heart

Baldrek cracked a small smile, "Thank you."

"Hmm, you're even stronger than you realize my friend and I have no doubt you'd be more than a match for any Southern Isles knight who tried his luck with you."

The captain laughed a little, "If they were smart; they wouldn't try their luck." Aldren laughed too, patting him on the shoulder "We'll find out won't we."

Their attention was drawn to the sight of Anna, Kristoff and Sven approaching, all three carried luggage but Kristoff was holding significantly more and struggling somewhat with it. The young princess eventually stood before the two men, greeting them with a pleasant but anxious smile while Kristoff and Sven lagged behind slightly. Setting down her luggage, she bounced on her toes for moment before letting her arms fall to her side, "So...I guess...I guess this is it."

Aldren smiled, "You make it sound as though we'll never see each other again...You won't be gone for long I imagine."

"Well...it feels like I'm going away for a long time..." Her face dropped slightly as she trailed off and hugged herself tightly.

She hid it well but Aldren could see behind her eyes that she was...terrified. He looked to Kristoff who shared a similar concerned expression, the ice harvester gestured with his head to her; signaling that though she did not say it aloud...she needed another voice of reason to calm her. He nodded back, putting an arm around Anna's shoulders and bidding her to follow him to the side. Once they were a short distance away he spoke to her in a low, calm voice, "Having second thoughts?"

"Been having them..."

"But judging by the amount of accessories you're bringing along...I take it that you're staying the course."

She nodded silently, he sighed as he looked down at the ground momentarily before placing a hand on her shoulder, "You don't have to do this."

She looked at him surprised, "Wait-What?"

"It's just...you aren't the only one who has had a foul run in with the island princes. I know what they are like and I just-...I don't want you to go if you don't feel prepared-"

She smiled, grasping his hand on her shoulder, "Aldren I...I didn't realize you were so worried about this."

"My fear for you has never been any less than your sister's or Kristoff's...especially now."

She squeezed his hand, "I know that...but no, no I need to do this."

"Why?"

She thought for a moment, "I've done a lot of things these past months I never thought I would; I learned to swing a sword, shoot a bow, I fought in a war, even if it was a losing one. I don't think I could live with myself, if I can do all that but not find the courage to do this. Why?...because it's one of the best and only chances we have at taking back our home...and because I want to look all those Southern Isles jerks in the eye and let them know that I-am-not-afraid of them."

Aldren's smile returned, "Then you are far braver and wiser than I was at your age...I'd prefer to just decapitate them all." he shrugged.

She smacked him on the shoulder, "Don't talk like that, it's definitely the end times if I'm the diplomatic one." she scolded jokingly.

They shared a brief chuckle before Aldren asked one last question, "Is there...anything I can do for you now?"

She folded her arms and bit her lip, "You could...come with me." she said half serious as she smiled anxiously up at him, "I wish any of the three of you could have come with me..." the anxiety on her face returned.

He shook his head with a fond smile on his face, stepping forward and grasping both her shoulders as he spoke to her softly, "Beyond Elsa, Kristoff or myself there are few people I would ever trust with your safety...Baldrek is one of those people."

She quickly shook her head, "It's not that I don't trust him, I'm just...not as familiar...any advice?"

"Hmm, I think you will find the captain is...short on words, he's not exactly a sparkling conversationalist." She laughed slightly as he continued, "But he takes his duty no less seriously than I do and whatever you ask of him he will do. Just remember, when you stand before Reidrich to...bounce off each other so to speak."

She tilted her head, "Bounce...off?"

"Play off each other's strengths." he gestured, "He brings a strong physical presence-that much is clear while you are not afraid to speak your mind...but you both lack confidence at times, therefore the best thing you can do for one another is be each other's confidence. If you can do that; you will have no issue matching King Reidrich and any of his son's."

"Oh-Right, I think I can do that." She nodded confidently.

He nodded back, releasing her shoulder, "Then let us say our farewells to the others."

As they walked back to the docking area Aldren nodded to Baldrek who looped his hammer into the metal ring on his back and proceeded to relieve Kristoff of Anna's luggage, which he carried down with little effort. While the captain ferried Anna's suitcases to the attendants on the boat, Aldren returned the princess to Kristoff, nodding to the ice harvester before moving to assist Baldrek.

OoO

The young pair watched Aldren for a brief moment as he walked towards the ship, then turned to each other. Despite their love and deep friendship there was an uncomfortable silence that lingered between them; the pain of a moment where neither was sure what more to say or if the time to say goodbye had come. Breaking the silence Anna seized Kristoff's face in both hands and pressed her lips to his. Without a second thought Kristoff surrendered to the moment, grasping her forearms and pulling her closer. The kiss ended and with eyes closed they leaned their foreheads together and took a few deep breaths.

"Be safe..." He whispered.

"Who rescued who now?" she whispered back with a grin on her face.

He chuckled, "Yeah, yeah I know...I love you."

She pulled him closer into their embrace, "I love you too." She felt a nudge at her hip and looked down to see Sven looking up at her pitifully, she smiled and reached down to pet his head, "Yes Sven, I love you too."

She held them both close, for what would be the last time for some weeks...just a little longer, before she had to leave.

OoO

As the last of Anna's (somewhat extensive) possessions had been transferred, Aldren glanced briefly at the younger couple before beckoning the captain over, speaking to him in a low voice, "What of our...reptilian friend?"

"He's secured below my lord."

"Good."

"What are your orders for if he gives us any trouble?"

Aldren pursed his lips, "It would be preferable if he reached the Isles alive; in all honesty it is imperative that Reidrich lay eyes on him, it may be the only way we truly convince him of the severity of this threat."

"But..."

Aldren folded his arms, "If you perceive even a slight threat to her safety...kill him."

"Yes my lord." both of their gazes turned towards the pair on land, "Does she know?"

"She doesn't know which one I've sent and she didn't ask...I don't want her to have any more on her mind until you're on your way." The northman nodded, they then turned and grasped each other's forearm and gave a firm shake, "Travel well captain, I don't envy the smog you venture into."

"I don't envy the heat you're sailing to."

"Oh, well it may be warm...but it is a beautiful sight to behold, certainly more beautiful than the Isles."

He shrugged, "Never seen either, all I know is I wouldn't survive the desert."

The Master of War chuckled, "Goodbye my friend." he said as he released the captain's arm and left down the ramp to say his final farewell to Anna. As he reached the bottom the princess parted from Kristoff with one last kiss and a passing hand across his arm and Sven's head. She met Aldren at the bottom of the ramp, with a smile they gently grasped each other's arms. He sighed, "Go with the tide Anna, and fair winds to you."

She nodded before walking forward and hugging him, "I love you my brother."

He laughed quietly and hugged her back, "And I, you...sister."

He pulled back from her and brushed a knuckle along her cheek, "Come back to us safely...that is the most important thing."

She nodded back, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before ascending the ramp. Captain Baldrek bowed to her once she reached the top, she nodded to him before he left to give the command to set sail. She stood by the edge of the ship and looked back at her family's faces; Kristoff's nervous grin but obviously concerned expression, Sven's big, sad eyes that looked up at her from below his antlers and Aldren's smile of confidence...but even behind his crimson gaze she could still see his worry.

She smiled back to them all as her ship began to pull away from the port and slowly her smile faded as her home faded from sight...until it was a shadow in the winter mist and then...gone. She failed to contain a frightened gasp from her mouth, she covered her mouth with one hand while the other grasped the ship's siding tightly. Her eyes wrenched shut as tears began to well, she breathed in deeply and steadied herself.

"Your majesty?"

She sniffed and quickly wiped her eyes as she turned to see who was talking; it was Baldrek who stood with his head cocked in concern. She nodded quickly, "I'm fine, I just...need some rest."

"Yes your majesty."

She quickly made her way to her cabin on the ship and shut the door behind herself, sinking down to the against the wood a great weight hit her once again...home already felt very far away.

Who would be the best voice for Aldren: Nikolai Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Benedict Cumberbatch (Khan) or Patrick Wilson (King Orm)

Who would be the best voice for Baldrek: Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane), Brendan Gleeson (Hamish Campbell) or Gerard Butler (Stoic the Vast)