Heeeeeeeyyyyyyyyy...I'm not dead...hooray?
Seriously though, I'm super sorry that it took me so long to put this chapter up. it was due to a number of
factors including Game of Thrones disaster of a series finale that honestly kinda broke my spirit for a while,
a weird influx of hours at my job and simply that I really wanted to take my time with this chapter as it is
important to me and the story.
Also I am incredibly grateful for the continued support and nice things you've said in your reviews despite the
fact that I've been hiatus for some time. In particularly to the unnamed reviewer who claimed their English
wasn't very good but honestly if you hadn't said anything I wouldn't have even known, I understood you
perfectly. :)
Well I won't bore you all any longer with my rubbish, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 43: Phantoms and Shades
Barec's gaze was fixed on the palace as he rode at a steady pace through the city, leading his scouting party of weary men, glad to return after three nights with no roof to sleep under. He and his nord brethren had forgone their steal armor in favor of lighter leather, but he still wore his wolf's head sash around his waist. As they neared the castle and rode through the open gates he noticed the war council gathering. His party dismounted and he made his way towards the table but as he approached he couldn't help but notice queen Elsa and lord Aldren were not present...and neither was-
"RAAHH!" he was suddenly tackled from the side by someone very large whose hearty laugh could belong to only one person. He looked from the crushing embrace to see the grinning face of captain Baldrek who tussled his hair, "My little wolf."
He wormed his way out of the ginger's grasp and chuckled, "Alright-alright you big dolt."
They stood before each other and smiled, "I was starting to think we lost you...lieutenant." he added with a light punch to his shoulder.
"Hmph...almost." he lifted his sleeve showing a set of scratches along his upper arm.
Baldrek's eyes narrowed at the wound but softened as he looked back up, "Tatzelwurms?
He rolled down his sleeve, "Caught our scent when we were up in the Glister lands."
Baldrek nodded, "What else did you see out there?"
Before their conversation could carry on any longer the doors of the palace opened and they saw the Queen and lord Aldren enter the courtyard. Barec looked back to his friend, "You'll find out soon enough."
With that, they moved to take their places...
OoO
The war council had reconvened but before Barec would give his report, Elsa and Aldren informed them all of Mane's condition and the circumstances that led to his injuries. While it seemed that the conflict in Chatho was an isolated incident, this meant that their message never reached their ally...no help would come from the east. They now turned their attention to the lieutenant who directed them to the map as he gave his report, "Naga troops are pouring in from the north and gathering around Hadenville, we counted seven thousand before their Tatzelwurms smelled us out."
"Only seven thousand?" lady Sol asked.
"Yes my lady...but their number grows with each passing moment."
Aldren folded his arms, "Then we still don't have an exact number."
"But if they're still gathering, then this could be an opportunity to divide their forces." Captain Andris commented.
Many chattered in agreement but Elsa and Aldren remained silent, the queen looked to Barec, "Whom did you see heading the encampment?"
Barec was silent for a brief moment, "I did not see the Witch King your grace...But General Tarn was present, along with the witch knight Venereth."
Anna shrugged, "A deadly duo..."
"What sort of units are they fielding?" Aldren asked.
"All the horrors we have seen before my lord; war trolls, cannons and artillery -but they've brought horses along too, lines of cavalry for the open field."
Aldren's brow furrowed and gripped his chin as a realization came to him, "He expects us to meet him in the field..."
"Then we should answer his challenge!" Sir Brandon said with a raised fist.
"We thought the same when we faced them before...and we paid dearly for our haste." Aldren quickly replied.
Silence fell on them all once again before Elsa spoke again as she studied the map, "If they're bringing in artillery and war trolls...they'll be moving slow, too slow to react to a sudden attack."
"Making them an easy target in the open, if we can catch them unaware." Karl said with a smile.
"And what of Hammerhel? Do the naga take residence there as well?" Aldren asked, changing the subject.
"They've reinforced it but the garrison seems no bigger than before."
"And who commands it."
The archer sighed, "Sorvec."
"A sadist, I believe you described him as before." Sir Gallen commented, "Easy to taunt I imagine?"
Anna scoffed, "That one eyed freak would probably do anything to get back at Elsa."
"Get back?"
Anna looked slightly embarrassed, having perhaps given more away than she should have. Prince Karl cocked his head, "You took his eye, didn't you?"
Elsa nodded, "During our battle at the Pike, the naga commander challenged me to single combat." She turned her face and put two of her fingers to her cheek, "Our duel earned me this scar." She turned back, "Yes. He owes his missing eye to me...and he is owed much more than that." she finished, fist clenching.
Karl nodded, "If that is all true, then if he saw you it might drive him into a frenzy; something else we could take advantage of."
"If he will be tempted." Aldren pointed out, "Fear of his master may keep him leashed within Hammerhel. Frankly, I'm surprised he's even still alive...from what we know, Amicus does not tolerate failure from his subordinates."
"Then he must still have his uses..." Cassandra noted.
"Agreed."
Another silence, another collecting of thoughts...until the queen turned to her Master of War with questioning eyes, "You are still in favor of a siege?"
Aldren met her gaze, "No help is coming from the east my queen, without more information I still do not believe that is worth the risk to face them head on."
Elsa's eyes cut to the ground briefly, "I am sorry we do not agree on that." she turned to the council and spoke aloud, "It is time we decide which course of action we will take; a siege...or direct assault."
Aldren spoke next, "As we go around the table, speak your piece and cast your vote." he turned to his old friend, "General Zyon."
Though he was at first silent, the small smile on the Zarian's face told that he had already decided, "We were brothers on the battlefield not so long before now, and you know that I am always eager for the fight...be that as it may; I would be remiss in my duties as a general if I did not heed your caution. Seeing as you are Master of War here, we of Zaria choose to follow your lead...a siege."
Aldren smiled and nodded to the general, Elsa then looked to the islanders, "Prince Karl?"
The Islander prince folded his arms, "While I will not deny that the information gathered is limited, if we sit and wait we will lose the tactical advantage of a sudden attack. I side with you queen Elsa; to strike the enemy before they can gather full strength...direct assault." he said with an affirming nod.
Aldren was not surprised by the prince's answer, he turned to the Coronans next, "Captain Andris, lady Cassandra."
The father and daughter looked between each other before the elder spoke, "We have the numbers and we have the element of surprise-and you and her majesty. Corona votes for direct assault." The captain and his daughter seemed confident in their decision while Eugene did not seem as convinced-likely outvoted among the three of them.
Elsa was feeling emboldened by her own decision while Aldren was growing less hopeful, "Lieutenant."
"Assault, march on the invaders...and crush the snakes under our boots." Barec said, slamming his fist into his palm.
Elsa looked to her captain, "Captain Baldrek?"
The ginger seemed hesitant to answer as he looked between the two elementals before giving an answer, "I'm with lord Aldren, your majesty. We should hold our ground, let them come to us."
"And before you ask..." They looked to Sol-who naturally spoke out of turn, "I'm with my cousin; we make our stand here and let the devils impale themselves on our spears." she said with smile.
Aldren was surprised by his cousin-but grateful that she supported him, he smiled and nodded in thanks. Elsa's face betrayed some disappointment that they had chose to side with Aldren but she did not try to dissuade them. The vote was even, only one remained...all eyes turned to princess Anna. No one said anything while the young princess stared down at the map in silence for some time before she looked up to her elder sister, "I'm with you Elsa, we take the fight to them-" The princess looked to the rest of the council, "and finish what we started...assault."
Anna looked back to Elsa who smiled gratefully to her younger sister, approving nods came from those who voted for attack while everyone else remained silent including Aldren. The queen turned to her Master of War who nodded to her and then turned to the council. "It is decided. Today we will ready the city defenses and tomorrow we begin mobilizing our armies for the march to Hammerhel...to war."
All the members of the council nodded and began dispersing to fulfill their roles, eventually only Aldren and the two sisters remained. The ruling sisters of Arendelle joined hands and shared a triumphant smile. Elsa looked over to Aldren who looked on into the distance with a blank/thoughtful expression, her smile faded slightly but she did not let his disagreement get to her. His fears were warranted but she was resolute in the course they had elected to follow, and in any case; she knew her beloved well enough that he would come around...
OoO
Night had settled over Arendelle and the city defenses were all but in place while mobilization for battle were already underway. Aldren had spent the better part of the day overseeing the armies; making sure that everyone cooperated despite any disagreements from the previous council meeting. As the night dragged on, he found that his eyes were getting heavier and his patience wore thinner, his cousin noticed these things and offered to take over while he got some much needed sleep.
He'd normally refuse her in such circumstances, but even he had to admit that he was no use to them if he could not keep his eyes open. Conceding to Sol's offer he allowed her to occupy the mantle of Master of War until he returned, he delivered this news personally to Captain Andris, General Zyon and Prince Karl...who to his surprise had nothing to say about that. Aldren wasn't going to question it tonight, he was simply too tired for another verbal sparring with the islander royal. On his way back to the palace he carefully observed the city defenses that they had discussed with prince Eugene and captain Baldrek and he was thankful to see all was well.
Once in the palace courtyard he let nothing distract him from the double doors leading into the castle. The guards opened them as he approached and closed them as he entered, for a brief moment he remained stiff as he ever had...and with a lengthy exhale his body relaxed and he stretched from left to right with an exasperated groan. Once that was done he moved to ascend the stairs to the upper levels of the palace, but before he would allow himself to retire there was one last thing he wanted to check. He stopped before one of the rooms of the castle that was slightly ajar, peaking in he could see Mane reading-naturally. Despite likely being told numerous times by his sister and the others to rest and recover the young lord of house Starlon was awake, if there was one muscle that never stopped working; it was his brain. Aldren smiled and shook his head, he didn't bother entering and telling him to go to bed...it wouldn't do any good. Without saying anything he left the door as it was and continued towards his own quarters, thinking of nothing but sleep-
"Aldren?"
He was brought from his tired thoughts by a voice as soft as the winter breeze, he turned to see his queen standing down the hall a few meters away. She wore a simple nightgown of her own design and a small smile on her face as she walked towards him, "Are you angry with me?"
"No." he answered, simply.
"No? You seem to have avoided me after the council..." she said, stopping in front of him.
He cocked his head, "Are you angry with me?"
She shook her head, "No, not angry..." She gently grasped his arm, "But I was hoping we could talk."
After a second of silence he nodded, "We can talk."
"Good." she moved her hand down to grasp his hand, "Then come to bed."
She gently pulled him along, past his own room towards hers until his pace matched with her's, "You did say you would stay with me tonight..."
A pang of shame stabbed Aldren's heart for his forgetfulness as he nodded guiltily, "Yes, I did..."
"I've never known you to break a promise."
"Th-...that was not my intent-"
She stopped and turned to him with a small laugh, "I know love, I'm toying with you...I know you're tired." her hands found their way to the sides of his his helm and leaned up for a gentle kiss. It didn't take long for him to return as his own hands met her cheeks and his head tilted. When they broke apart he smirked at her, "Well that's rather rude of you."
She smirked back, fluttering her eyes, "Couldn't help myself." she took his hand once more and pulled him into her room, "Now come."
Once in and the door was shut behind them, before he could begin removing his armor she first unclasped his right vambrace and pauldron. He watched in slight surprise as she easily removed the steel shell around his body, a sad thought for him; that she had become accustomed to the motions many times since the war had began. After his arms and chest were set aside, he saw to the lower half and now he was only left in his undershirt, pants and armored boots. Sitting down on the edge of the bed to take off his boots, slipping them both off he sighed with some relief-allowing his feet to finally breathe. His attention was brought back to Elsa when she stood in front of him and her hands reached up towards his helm but he got their first and smiled at her as he removed it.
She smiled back, then moved around to sit on the bed, wrapping her arms around him and leaning her forehead against his neck. His own arm found it's way across her back while his other rested across her legs, they both exhaled with eyes shut-finally able to bask in privacy together.
Having enjoyed each other for a few moments, Elsa began the next part of their dialogue with a weighted sigh, "I know you don't agree with me..." she pulled away, lifting a hand to his face to turn him towards her, "But I hope that doesn't affect this; you and I..."
He placed his hand over hers, "You're right; I don't agree...but it's no longer my decision to make and such a petty thing would never make me stop loving you. And...while there are those who may say it's too early to tell; I don't see a way I could ever stop."
Her face became alight with affection, he smiled back and brought her hand down to kiss her palm before returning it to his cheek. "But let's not speak of these things-at least not tonight, I am very tired and I don't have long to sleep."
"You'll have as long as needed." she stated with a confident smirk, "I am the queen and your needs are very important to me."
He returned with a smirk of his own, "And I am the Master of War and my presence is very important. As well I don't think the other delegates would look kindly on my absence on the field being due to time spent with the queen...in bed." he countered with a raised eyebrow.
She sighed begrudgingly, looking down, "I suppose you're right...that being said; there is one other thing I'd like to...go over." She traced her thumbs gently over his skin before looking up to him and he could see by the expectant look on her face what she was asking. He looked down at her hands beneath his...he didn't like that she hadn't gloved them in ice yet.
"Go ahead." she said softly.
He looked back to the smile in her crystalline blue eyes, uncertainty in the murky crimson of his own...but she trusted him and he her. A small flame sparked to life in the center of his palm, the orange and red snapping back and forth as unpredictably as ever. They both sat there for some time watching the fire as it remained steady in it's place, the snow queen looked back to him again, "Now...dissipate it."
He reached his other hand over, she swiftly grasped his wrist and shot him a scolding look, "I said dissipate...not smother." she said, firmly but not unkindly.
He looked back hesitantly to the fire, she squeezed the edges of his hand, "I'm right here." she reminded him.
"That's what worries me...I don't want-"
"You won't."
He breathed in and out slowly before concentrating on the flame, he did so for several seconds before his anxiety got the better of him, his breath quickened and the fire began to grow, "Elsa, I can't-!"
She turned his face to look at her-away from the flame, to lock eyes with her, "Look at me Aldren...focus-on-me." Her right hand remained on the side of his face while her left continued to hold his hand, her bare thumb dangerously close to the angry flame.
Her hand gently massaged his skin, the cool of her fingers dancing against his heat and as he stared into the calm sea of her eyes...he found himself becoming more relaxed, his breath slowing and his fear fading. He wasn't aware of it yet; but the fire in his palm began to diminish, slowly shrinking in size and as they both looked down to see it was now as small as a candle flame. With a proud smile she dragged her palm across his palm to finish off the all but extinguished flame, her hand then moving to join with his as they looked back to one another, "You're so close darling...closer than you realize."
Without a second thought he was sent forward into a impassioned kiss that caught her by surprise at first, her arms wrapped around his neck while his around her waist. After a few moments he broke the contact, their foreheads leaning against one another as he sighed happily, "Elsa..."
"Yeah?"
He shook his head for a moment, as if unsure what to say before smiling, "I love you."
She smiled back, planting a sweet kiss on his head before pulling him in for a hug, "And I love you Aldren." It wasn't the first time they had ever said that to one another, but it felt every bit as wonderful as it had the night on the fjord nearly a month ago.
He pulled her in tighter, his lips pressed to the crook of her bare neck as he simply breathed her in. "Now let's get you that sleep you keep complaining about."
"Very well."
She shrieked slightly when he suddenly lifted her up and fell with both of them onto the bed, as they hit the mattress they laughed in joy. Though the blanket wasn't necessary for either of them; it was another layer between them and the world, where they were alone. As he wrapped his arms around her, Elsa tucked herself as close to him as possible, his shirt balled in her hands, burying her face in his chest and sighing contently. With a final kiss to the top of her head they both settled in and drifted into sleep together for the first time in forever...
OoO
Whilst most of Arendelle's skies would be alight with the dancing beauty of the Auroras; the expanse above Ashla's Pike was starless veil of night, silent, still and seemingly endless. The snow that fell steadily from the heavens seemed more akin to ash in the lightless sky, the air around...may as well be choked by it. The raider's hall was the focal point of the evil that enveloped the north, within the even greater darkness of this place there was only one source of light; a small orb of flowing crimson that hovered above the center of a large, angular iron table.
Gathered around that table were the foremost military leaders of the Naga Ai, the blue and yellow glow of their eyes all fixed on the faint light of the shifting mass. From the rear of the room the sound of metal boots preceded the black helm of the Witch King peering out from the curtain of shadow as he took his place with General Tarn and Venereth at either side where he stood. He looked to no one as his hand reached out towards the orb, the blood flattened vertically into a rectangular window as it had before. As his fingers neared, his foul power crackled and snapped faintly against the red, his helm tilted downward as he lowered his gaze, "Now...the real war begins."
His hand seized forward into the red, his steel claws tearing into the thin sheet of liquid like needles into cloth. A swell of power all but erupted from the center that forced those around the table to brace themselves. The window warped and writhed as if in pain, the full might of the spell; a swirling, teeming miniature vortex of red, violet and black was seemingly contained only by Amicus' grip on it. Several moments passed and the reaction increased as he turned his hand within the sheet, like turning the handle of a door; bolts of energy crackled upwards at the ceiling and the floor around them. He pushed his arm further into the window, though his hand did not appear on the other side, his other hand balled into a fist as he began his search...
OoO
Aldren Embercrow was in perhaps the deepest rest he had ever known, his queen-his love in the bed next to him; her head resting against his chest as she clung to him. They both breathed deeply and calmly with eyes shut, neither of them stirring from their sleep together. But suddenly Aldren became very restless; his brow furrowing, his head shifting from side to side and his breath quickening. The rapid rising of his chest upset Elsa's sleep and her eyes flutter open as she raised her head in annoyance.
But when she saw the state he was in her eyes widened, she assumed he was in a nightmare and grasped his shoulders to try and awaken him, "Aldren, Aldren wake up... Aldren?"
His only response was a sharp groan of pain as his hands seized his own head and his teeth clenched tight. His agony seemed to grow as his grip on his head tightened as his groans started to become quiet cries of suffering. She knew something was terribly wrong, her face and voice became fear as she cradled the sides of his neck and tried to call out to him, "Aldren! Aldren please wake-up! Aldren WAKE UP!"
OoO
Aldren's eyes shot open as his breath cut short, sitting up quickly he found that he was blinded by a bright light. Shielding his eyes while they adjusted, he could eventually see that the light...was the sun; the sun in a clear blue sky. He looked around to see that he was sitting in a field of yellow grass that swayed lightly in the breeze, further more he saw that he was dressed in a cloth shirt and pants with plain boots. He pushed himself up to stand and could see he was on top of a hill in the middle of grassland that seemed to stretch on forever to his right that was flanked by a forest to the left. The landscape was simple yet serene and beautiful, but he could not recognize it as any region of the world he'd ever spent time in.
While scanning the horizon something caught his attention ahead of him, a figure standing in the distance; while the rest of this dream was clear, the person in the distance was somehow blurred to him. But he could tell enough to see that it was a woman; her loose white dress billowed in the calm wind along with her hair that was...he couldn't tell what color it was-that or his mind wasn't letting him.
Just as he thought he might venture a little closer, a smaller blur broke off from the one before him. But the blur moving through the field towards quickly became clear unlike the former...it was a little girl, wearing a similar dress to the older woman. The child's black hair whipped behind her as she ran towards him revealing fair skin, pointed ears and a bright smile upon her laughing face. But it was the girl's hauntingly green eyes that caused his breath to hitch...they were her mother's eyes...
He took a few hesitant steps down the hill that soon became a jog-then a run, before he knew it he was sprinting through the field. As they closed the distance he slid into a kneeling stance in front of the girl, gently grasping her shoulders. He breathed heavily from the run, his heart feeling like it might explode from the surge of emotions he was feeling. He just stared at the child for some time, causing her to laugh as her small hands grasped his forearms and she swayed her shoulders side to side; she evidently thought he was acting very silly.
Her laugh, her smile, her bright green orbs gazing happily at him eventually caused him to smile as widely as he could, tears brimming at his eyes. The girl broke free from his grasp, her hands reaching forward to touch his face; the sensation of her hands nearly made him break down-but not for one moment did he intend to take his eyes off of her. Now finally brave enough his own hands reached up to touch her, his thumb gently caressing her soft cheeks, she leaned into his touch and hummed happily.
They looked back at one another for a moment longer and slowly their eyes closed and foreheads leaned together. Aldren did nothing, nothing but savor the feeling of the girl's presence against his, nothing else mattered in the moment but his child...he was with his daughter, he was with his little Analia.
"Charming fantasy..."
Aldren's eyes shot open and he clutched his daughter close to his chest to protect her, Analia gasped and clung tight to her father in fear. He had never heard the voice before but it filled him with instant dread, he looked down at his child, stroking her black locks to comfort her as she buried her face in his chest. He looked back up at the sky to see that the blue had now been suffocated by dark clouds that blotted out the sun, thunder boomed menacingly as the wind's grew harsher.
"But not what I'm looking for." the voice went on.
Before he could search for the origin of the voice he suddenly felt his daughter's presence vanish, looking down he saw only ashes falling from his hands to the ground and dancing through the air. His mouth was agape in horror that only increased when the ashes all blew away from him in the wind, he chased after them for a brief moment before falling to his knees his arms outstretched in vain as the ashes vanished into the sky, "My-...my baby...my Analia."
He fell to his hands, wanting to vomit-wanting to die as he began to choke on his despair...but he did not have long to mourn before another child's voice caught his attention, "Help me!...Help!" the pitiful, wailing voice of a young boy cried.
As he looked up, he saw the burnt remains of a large building that was only a few yards away. He stood shakily and traveled towards the ruin, wading through the carpet of ash around the structure and into the remains...
OoO
Aldren's back arched as his soft cries had suddenly exploded into screaming sobs, Elsa failed to catch him as he rolled off the bed and onto the floor. She jumped down and knelt beside his writhing body, grasping his shoulders, trying to steady his body to keep him from hurting himself. His hand clawed at the floor and small flames ignited against the carpet, Elsa gasped in shock, quickly smothering the flames with snow. More of the flames sparked up from the floor around them, her panic was made worse when the door of her room flew open and Anna and Kristoff rushed in, "Elsa, What's going on!?"
"STAY-BACK!" Elsa barked with a raised hand towards them.
The snow queen used her powers to create a blanket of frost over the whole floor, then creating a circular barrier around her and Aldren to trap any other flames that cropped up. The queen turned her attention back to her man as he managed to make it onto his knees, continuing to claw at his own skull, his eyes still shut as he threw his head back in another agonized scream. Anna and Kristoff could only look on in horror at Aldren's pain and Elsa's attempt to relieve him.
"Aldren! Look at me, open your eyes! Look at me!" She shouted, shaking his shoulders.
His eyes did open, but he wasn't looking at her...in fact she couldn't tell if he was looking at anything-his eyes...his eyes were completely black. Tears began to leak from the black marbles that were now his eyes, his breaths shaky and pained, "P-Please...help me..." was all that he could seem to utter.
Elsa was at a loss for words as he uttered the words again, her mouth agape, tears brimming at her own eyes. The child-like sadness and pain in his voice tore at all their hearts, and there was seemingly nothing they could do...
"Please-please...help..."
OoO
Aldren stared on as he crossed the river of powdery black to the source of the sorrowful cries. Sitting alone in the center of the destruction, his hair and skin caked with ash as he wept...was the boy who failed his family, the boy who could not control his power, the boy who burned his own house to the ground. Tears poured from his crimson eyes as he continued to quietly call out for help...a call that was never answered because deep down Aldren knew that he could never accept his people's help after what he had done.
His initial impulse was to spit on the child or kick ash in his face - how dare he call for help-how dare he think himself worthy of his people's aid, after what he did! But that did not last long, he became ashamed soon after for such a thought. What would Elsa and Anna or Lilaria...what would any of his family think of him; that terrified boy had once been him, that boy needed forgiveness...he needed to forgive himself.
Aldren stepped forward to the boy; helpless, alone...crying out for hope. He knelt before him and reached out to grasp his shoulder, but just as his hand would have touched him a sudden and powerful wind threw him aside and the scene bent and swirled away like smoke over the river. When he finally stopped he coughed hard and pushed himself to his feet. He shook off the fall and put a hand to his head but his eyes went wide when he felt cold steel instead of his hair. Feeling out the helm upon his head and realizing he was in full battle dress even with Black Autumn in it's scabbard upon his back.
When he looked at the ground he saw blades of wilted winter grass poking up from the snow and he was once again in a field. This one he recognized...this was Arendelle; the grasslands of the Glister lands specifically. The dark skies of his previous visions remained the same though and a sense of dread came with them.
He stood at the sound of marching footsteps coming from the distance behind him and turned to face the sound, his hand finding it's way to his sword's handle. He drew his blade and waited, his eyes narrowing as he saw the tips of many spears poke over the wide stretch of hills. But he was soon both relieved and dumbfounded when he saw the soldiers appearing over the rise were his countrymen, their battle lines were soon joined on either side by those of Corona, Zaria and the Isles.
As he lowered his blade and walked forward to meet them he saw something that made him stop; he saw his queen and her sister on horseback, stationary as the army passed by-but stranger still was that he saw himself with them...reminding him that this was a dream or...a nightmare. Arendellian soldiers passed by taking no notice, he was clearly not visible to them. The sound of several thunderous discharge made him turn back and they all looked up to see giant tyranite shards arching high in the sky and descending down. They struck hard into the lines, throwing his screaming kinsman in every direction-decimating their formations.
One bolt struck hard near where he stood, and he shielded himself out of reflex. He remained unaffected, unlike all the soldiers that had been near. Giving way to instinct he ran through the smoke, past the wounded soldiers to see what had attacked them. Running forward until he cleared the haze Aldren collided with the enemy's full might. Naga cavalry on heavy horses came charging with spears pointed forward closing the distance fast, Aldren raised his sword-drawing back to cut the nearest rider from his horse once they were close enough. Before he got that chance several islander horses charged out from behind him, he only got a brief glance at them before they met the naga in a sudden, violent clash that sent riders, horses and splintered wood tumbling and spinning back and forth. He was there in the middle, turning back and forth with weapon raised-unsure if he should attack or defend-everything seemed like a near miss for him; a horse that nearly trampled him, a spear that could run him through or a sword that almost tasted his throat. It all seemed like it was so close, but none of it touched him, it all felt so real...yet none of it was.
The sky above rumbled and a bolt of lighting arched across the sky, it's blinding light forcing Aldren to shield his eyes once again. He began to lower his arm but was forced to raise his sword in defense when a naga warrior moved in his direction. The enemy came close and raised his weapon to strike but before they could clash another blade carried through past Aldren and into the naga's neck. He had only a fleeting glance of the blade and caught no sight of the wielder before they both seemed to vanish but he knew the gleaming curve well; it was an alfar Cosaint's blade.
~Then...all around him the figures fighting became like shadow's and then they were replaced. His kin remained BUT they were different, no longer the staunch disciplined soldiers he had trained. These were the rowdy axe wielding warriors of old. ~
The next change he saw was massive in a literal sense and he struggled to grasp what was before him. The ground shook with each stride of the mighty frost giants, like those that Elsa had created before, their icy fists sweeping back and forth amidst the battle.
What remained constant in both visions was the enemy but not just that, in both visions the Alfar, the Men and the Giants fought the Naga together. A violent brawl of steel, iron and ice that spanned every direction Aldren could see. He knew soon after that he was no longer in the Glisterlands, he recognized the sheer rock cliffs that would stand behind Arendelle city...if it was there. He was in the past-he knew as much; among the northmen before they called themselves Arendellians, in his homeland before it was a kingdom, by the Nordsoen before there was a castle...but how, how was he seeing this?
He pondered an answer and tried to absorb this precarious place between dream and history but he would not have but a moment to wonder as just then a giant shock-wave nearly knocked him to the ground. It came, not from a giant's footstep but from the cliff face , sending rubble and debris outward into the battlefield. Aldren strained to see the cliffs and what had caused this violent explosion but when he finally could it made no sense. There, still halfway buried in the rock, was a metallic structure of colossal proportions. He moved to get a closer look when, as if willed to life by an outside force, the structure shrugged it's bulk out from the stone. Man and animal alike fled from under it and braced for it's landing on the field but it never came. Instead the behemoth, in it's entirety, hovered above the earth without legs or wings! They could see a series of interweaving rings varying in size joined to one another by massive chains. The whole beast surrounded and powered by wisps of crimson/violet energy burning like ardent flames. Nearly every inch of the monolith was littered with naga runes and iconography but it was impossible to read as the rings began to rotate faster.
As they spun the rings began to rise higher into the air above the field and separate so they descended from largest to smallest. The snakelike chains rattled and shook before shooting down from the structure and impaling the ground with their harpoon like tips, anchoring itself to the soil. With a sudden and violent jerk, followed by a metallic thud that echoed over the sound of the battle, it's movement halted. Then, the great engine began again but this time synchronized as every other ring alternated in direction and the violet energy came away from the rings to form a sphere in the center void. It's energy extended downward, plummeting into the ground as a focused beam. From his position amidst the two warring armies Aldren could not see what effect the beam was having on the ground but it was safe to assume that it wasn't good.
Aldren's attention was drawn away from the structure to a tall figure in the distance. Straight ahead of him he saw the dark armored form of none other than the Witch King himself, but he was walking away from him. Counting on the enemy being oblivious to his presence Aldren made his way forward and from this angle he was eventually able to see Amicus' intended target. There he saw a man wearing ancient Arendellian armor, his stark white hair and beard a striking contrast to the backdrop of darker colors. He was on one knee, clutching a tall spear for support with one hand, while the other clutched his wounded chest.
The uniqueness of his armor gave away his identity, this was Asger Horn-Helm; the first king of Arendelle or as he was known in the tales; Ashla the King of Winter. He would have guessed Ashla was an elder-regarding his white hair, but as he neared the scene he could see the shining azure of his iris's; he was maybe only a few years Aldren's senior, tall and strong and then it dawned on him...he was like Elsa, Ashla was an ice elemental!
On cue the wounded king shakily raised a weak hand towards the approaching foe and fired a blurring bolt of ice that Amicus simply batted out of the air with a cruel looking sword. Ashla's hand returned to his chest in defeat though he glared defiantly towards his soon to be killer. Aldren's instinct was to run and aid his kinsman, but this was an illusion-he was certain of that much or was it...a memory.
"Yes..." The disembodied voice spoke again, drawing his attention back to the sky, "As it was before, so shall it be again."
"Again?" Aldren spoke quietly to himself.
"But this time; none of you will stand in my way!"
The vision began to change once more, this time returning to the original battle with those he knew in the present. His attention snapped back to Amicus and Ashla and what he saw made his heart stop, the scene he had previously beheld was nearly identical save for one detail; Ashla was no longer wounded on his knees...it was Elsa.
A horrible realization began to dawn on him, what he had seen before had been memories, his and the Witch King's-but this was the future or a possible future...
It was as he had feared; Amicus would wait for them to make the march towards Hadenville and when they were at their most vulnerable the many-faced viper would lunge forward and squeeze the life from them all in one fell swoop. Worst of all, this was where he would kill Elsa the same way he had killed Ashla before her.
His queen held her side and leaned against her spear the same as the ancient king, the pain was obvious in her face and the defiance in her eyes even more so but none of that would stop the naga king from fulfilling his goal. Aldren forced himself to think, this was Amicus' twisted vision of the future-Not-His! With eyes narrowed and a tight grip around Black Autumn he propelled himself forward with everything he had, his whole energy for one goal, and even more focus than his first attempt to kill Amicus at The Pike.
He reached them just as the Witch King's sword raised in the air above Elsa's head, Aldren's shout full of wrath as he swung his blade into the naga leader's shoulders. Spark's flew out from his armored back followed by a pained roar lined with hatred as he stumbled forward. Aldren held his blade forehand as the witch king whipped back around in shock, "Impossible!" he hissed past the fangs of his metal mask.
Aldren didn't give him long to be shocked as he bared his teeth and struck again, this time the witch king brought his own weapon up to block the attack and locked blades with him. Aldren did not waste his enemy's moment of imbalance and with all his own strength shoved upward, forcing both blades to collide into Amicus' face plate, the rending sound of metal and pained cries from either party was followed by a bright flash that overtook them both and melted the vision away...
OoO
In the real world Aldren's suffering had grown to the point that his screams were heard throughout the upper hall but the staff were held back by captain Baldrek and men from the royal guard. Elsa herself felt as if she might scream in fear as all her attempts to bring him from his waking nightmare had failed. Then suddenly and apparently without reason Aldren stopped, his eyes closed and he fell. Elsa managed to soften his fall by going to the floor with him and she cradled his limp body in her arms as Anna and Kristoff rushed to them. Everyone was grateful he no longer seemed in pain but other thoughts crept into the minds of those standing by as after a few seconds there was no movement at all.
Elsa gently shook his body, speaking in a whisper, "Aldren? Aldren wake up...speak to me, please."
She brought her hand to his face and they all held their breath; waiting for something-anything, a sign of life. Prayers were answered when a sharp gasp for air came as his chest heaved and his eyes started to blink open. Elsa turned him towards her as he raised groggily up to his knees and coughed lightly, "Aldren, look at me."
His eyes struggled to focus at first but eventually their focus rested on her concerned face, the true crimson color of his eyes had returned...his eyes. Breathing a heavy sigh she held his face in both her hands and Anna gently placed her own hand on his shoulder. He looked to his sister and smiled weakly grasping her arm.
"What...what happened?" Kristoff asked.
Aldren held a hand to his head, "I'm...not sure, but-"
He was stopped when Elsa quietly shushed him, pulling him in close and squeezing him, "It's OK, you're back now." she said thankfully.
"No Elsa, listen." he said pushing away from her, somewhat to her dismay. He grasped her shoulders and looked her dead in the face, "You need to call the council to meeting."
Everyone else looked between one another in confusion, "Why?" Anna asked.
Aldren looked to her and then back to Elsa grimly, "Because the Witch King knows our plan..."
OoO
Amicus leaned against the metal table with one hand and with the other he held his wound, his body heaved somewhat as smoke from singed metal leaked out from between his armored fingers. The blood, and the spell that had bound it, had been completely obliterated and the room was now almost completely dark. Soldiers and advisers alike dared not speak or move...some held their breath.
Several moments passed and still no sound came from their leader. A brave lieutenant took a few hesitant steps towards his king, "My liege-"
In an instant the back of the Witch King's fist sailed upward into the lieutenant's jaw sending his body spinning into the ceiling before landing onto the floor with a sickening crunch.
"Leave."
Everyone except for General Tarn and Venereth gave a hurried bow and quickly left the room while pair of guards dragged the lieutenant's corpse away with them. The two highest ranking subordinates looked between one another briefly before back to their king, his fists clenched so tight that the metal of his gloves began to groan...eventually they loosened, "Our strategy must change."
Slowly he turned and they could see the orange glow of a jagged hot slash now decorating his mask. Venereth studied the wound as the color eventually faded and her master lowered his gaze, his voice now low and cold, "Aldren Embercrow knows my plan."
I'm already at work on the next chapter
and I'm gonna try and spam you guys if possible because I'd like to try and have the story finished before the
new film releases.
As always be sure to Fav, Follow and Review and I will see you in the next chapter, Bye Bye!
