I'm gonna keep this brief; I'm sorry this chapter has to be so short after such a long wait but it's been rough
lately and that's all I'm gonna say.
Please enjoy.
Chapter 44: Utfordringsrett (Rite of Challenge)
Again the council found itself gathered together, this time in a large upper room of the palace. The surprise summons came before most of them were awake and a few yawns could be heard around the table as weak morning light leaked in. The council sat as Aldren stood with his back to them, watching out the window as if waiting for something. Elsa stood close by for support because what she saw him go through during the night had her concerned. She concentrated on looking "thoughtful" and not worried as she listened to him recount the...'vision' with the witch king. She greatly suspected he held back at least a small part and hoped he would choose to tell her in private later. Most everyone listened with curiosity and concern, except for prince Karl who pinched the bridge of his nose in apparent exasperation before looking up with a sigh. "You're asking us to completely change our battle plan...because of a dream you had?" he said, a little to loudly.
"Not a dream!" Aldren snapped, whipping around, "I don't know how to describe it other than some kind of "link" between the Witch King and I."
"And you believe he used this link to...infiltrate your mind?" Captain Andris asked.
"Yes, it was clear that through me he had learned our plan to attack Hadenville and intended to defeat us in the field."
Elsa stepped closer to him, "But how can that be if we have the greater numbers?"
"We never had the greater numbers..." he said more softly.
"What?" Elsa said in disbelief.
Aldren sighed heavily, putting a hand to his temple, "I can't-I can't see the number...but it's more than we have, many more...Amicus has all he needs to crush us and he knows it."
"But if he used this to learn our plan once, whose to say he wouldn't do it again-with any of us?" Eugene added.
Aldren shook his head, "No, I don't think so."
"And why is that?" Karl asked irritatedly.
"Whatever it was" Aldren said, paying no heed to the prince. "...the link...the spell.. it was taking a great deal of effort on his part. So much so that evidently he wasn't able to shield himself entirely from me, we were strangely fortunate in this regard as it was the only way I was able to catch on and sever the connection. Whatever I did when I struck him was NOT supposed to happen."
Zyon stepped around the table, "And you found out what it is he wants here in Arendelle..."
"Yes." Aldren moved back to the window pointing out towards the sheer rock face behind the upper levels of the city, "Whatever that 'thing' was or...is, it's his endgame. I don't know what it's purpose is other than some kind of weapon...and that Amicus will use it to reshape the face of the world." He turned back to the council, "Which is why we can't leave the city undefended, it's even more reason to hold here and defend the capital."
Karl folded his arms, "Well what a convenient melodrama for you."
Both of Aldren's fists slammed down on the table making it shake and shocking everyone in the room, including the islander prince though he continued to sneer at him. The Master of War lowered his gaze at this walking, talking thorn in his side. "Unless you know what it's like to have someone reach their hand inside your head and page thru your memories like a book, exploring your pain until they find what their looking for then I suggest that you not vex me at this time! There will be no melodramas here, your majesty" he said, removing his fists from the table and revealing two dark scorch marks "Just the living...and the dead, before this war is over."
"Aldren." he turned to his queen who gave him a warning look, "I think you've made your point."
He stepped back slowly from the table, "Yes, your grace."
There was a moment of silence as everyone considered this new information.
"I saw what happened to you Aldren" a voice said. Everyone turned to Anna who was looking up at the man she considered a brother "and even if I hadn't, I would never doubt you. And I'm with you now; we protect the city." she said with a smile.
The next to speak was captain Andris, "I second the motion. Considering the new information presented here today, I revoke my favor in direct assault and move to carry out lord Aldren's plan to reinforce the city."
"You can't be serious?" Karl blurted disbelievingly at the captain.
"The facts stand here before us prince Karl, our strategy must change."
"I thought you to be a man of reason."
"Mind how you speak to my father!" Cassandra stood, pointing at the prince.
"Cassandra." The captain stood, placing a hand on her shoulder he bayed her to sit again. His eyes settled back on Karl, speaking in a measured tone, "We've had our own experiences with magic in Corona, having been witness to far less believable things your highness and that being said...you're not in charge here." The islander prince could only lean back in his chair begrudgingly.
"You all know where I stand." Sol stated.
"I as well." Zyon followed with Baldrek only giving a short nod and grunt while Barec remained silent.
"I agree..." Queen Elsa's soft voice broke the silence before it could begin, "Even if we had the numbers, leaving Arendelle city undefended risks this weapon falling into the naga's hands...and that is something we cannot let happen. It will-not happen." She finished, looking back to Aldren who breathed in and out slowly with some relief.
"Well then..." Their attention was brought back to prince Karl who pushed himself away from the table as he stood, his chair scarping the floor, "It appears I am out-voted. I hope for all our sakes you are right about this...I've yet to be convinced!" he said, scowling towards the pair, with a distinct lack of respect he quickly left with his knights before anyone could say another word.
As the islander's footsteps faded Sol walked around the table and spat on the spot where he had stood, muttering something foul in old Arendellian. The next to stand was Andris, "I'll inform my men of the change in strategy and await your next orders."
Elsa nodded, "Thank you captain."
He gave a short bow to her and left the room with Cassandra and Eugene who did the same and the rest of the war council followed soon after. Eventually the only ones left were the two elementals and Anna, who still sat in her chair. The queen looked over to her Master of War as he continued to stare out the window, towards the cliffs. The sisters glanced between each other and him with a fair amount of concern in the lengthening silence before Elsa approached him. Slowly she reached up to grasp his arm and the moment her hand touched him he gasped and turned to her as though she had disturbed him from a day dream.
The concern on their faces was obvious as he looked between them before lowering his head and breathing out shakily, "I suppose...you've already guessed there's more to that vision than what I've let on..."
"I don't believe the weapon you describe is what has you shaken up." Elsa replied.
"We both know you better than that." Anna chastised with a small smile.
He emitted a small laugh, "Yeah...guess I did that to myself." his hand reached up to grasp her arm back, "I was compromised." he sighed, "My deepest pains were exposed to me once again and I was...forced to relive them."
She frowned, her other hand moving to touch his face. She was simultaneously saddened by his pain and frustrated that there wasn't anything she could have done to stop it, "Aldren...I'm so sorry."
He smiled halfheartedly and shook his head, "It's over now Elsa...I'm fine-and anyway there's something more important you need to know."
Neither were convinced he was in any way 'fine' but they didn't linger on it now. Anna leaned forward, "What is it?"
He stepped away from Elsa, running a hand through his hair, "When I saw the weapon I saw something-or rather someone else. I believe it was the ancient founder of this Kingdom, Asger 'Horn Helm' and I believe I now know why they call him The King of Winter..." He turned back to face Elsa, "He was like you Elsa. Just like-you."
She cocked her head, eyes wide in shock, "An Elemental..."
Anna stood, "Well this it good news! That there was someone else like Elsa all that time ago-maybe he was her ancestor and-"
"Amicus killed him." Aldren said flatly.
That stopped them both in thought and Elsa stepped forward, "Are you sure?"
He nodded solemnly, "I saw it as if I were there. I saw it as that demon's memory...and what I saw next was worse." He looked dead on at his queen, "That's when the vision changed, it was no longer Ashla bleeding out on his knees..." he breathed out shakily, "It was you."
Dread became apparent on all their faces, "No..." Anna whispered more to herself.
Elsa's eyes met the window as he continued, "What I saw before were memories-his and my own but this, this was his want...it's all he's thought about since he came to Arendelle, beyond claiming the weapon, killing you is his singular desire and he'll stop at nothing until he does." he took another deep breath and walked towards her, "I felt his evil in that moment, I felt his anger when I struck him...but I also felt his fear."
He gently took her hand and she turned back to him, "You're more powerful than Ashla was, that much I gleamed from his black thoughts...it is far more than should be asked of you, but you may just be our best shot at defeating him." his eyes met the ground a moment before he looked back up, "You know-...you know that I would die if anything ever happened to you-"
She grasped his hand tighter and locked eyes with him, "It is never too much for a queen to protect her kingdom. And no-one is going to kill me or any of us." she said with a determined tone.
Anna moved to stand beside them both, "So, there's hope."
Aldren placed a hand on her shoulder, "There is always hope."
Elsa did the same on Anna's other shoulder, "And when that moment comes we'll be ready...and we will face it together."
"As we have from the beginning." Aldren added.
Anna put her hands on either of their arms and smiled, "Like we always have."
OoO
In the castle library Sir Gallen was busy flipping through the pages of different books related to customs, traditions and...rites of war. The higher ranking officials (excluding prince Hans) had all been granted access to most of the castles recreational facilities so there was little to no suspicion of the task that prince Karl had set him on.
Most of what he had turned up wasn't of any use but there was one book titled 'ceremony of war' that yielded something...useful. Checking his surroundings briefly he slipped the book into his pack and made to leave the room, having care to seem as inconspicuous as possible. Fortunately he didn't see either the queen or lord Aldren on his way out of the castle courtyard, any others he encountered were engaged enough elsewhere that he wasn't stopped.
Once at the prince's tent he walked past the guard inside where Karl and sir Brandon stood over their war map. The two elder's turned towards the knight as he approached and held the book out to Karl, "Your majesty, you'll want to see this."
The prince took the book and opened it, the younger knight flipped to the right page and pointed before stepping back. Karl was silent as he read, raising an eyebrow by the end and then holding the book out to sir Brandon, "What do you think?"
The older knight read over the same section, he raised an eyebrow and nodded before looking up, "This could work...but will he take the bait."
Karl clasped his hands behind his back and turned back to the war map, "His honor won't allow him not to...nor will his grievances with me."
"What about the queen?"
"I suspect regardless of her opinion the Embercrow will convince her to allow this, she puts a great deal of trust in his judgment...too much. We ride for the palace..."
OoO
In the castle forges Kristoff stood straight with his arms out as Gillian took final measurements and fastened the clasps of the leather armor that the ice harvester had chosen. The restlessness in Kristoff's expression was apparent, he winced when the elder smith pulled one of the belts, "Does it need to be so tight?"
"Only if you want to keep all your innards...'in'." the old man replied curtly.
"I harvested ice all my life and I never needed armor for protection."
"The elements were never 'trying' to kill you." Aldren replied from his place over a grindstone on the other side of the room.
"You underestimate the elements."
The elemental only smiled as he continued sharpening a hand axe with his back to them.
"You should be wearing steel Kristoff, I use a bow and even my armor has metal! Aldren tell him!" Anna exclaimed as she paced side to side.
Aldren took up the axe and examined the edge, "Steel is better protection but leather can be suitable substitute-provided you are fast enough to dodge most attacks." he said as he walked over to them. "That being said...you should still be wearing a helmet." he lectured, jabbing him in the chest with the pommel of the axe.
He grinned and rolled his eyes, "I've told you guys I'll be fine, I've got a thick skull."
"So you've said, though I doubt it's thicker than steel..."
Gillian finally stepped away and nodded, Kristoff turned to Anna and held his arms out, "Well how bout it, think it'll keep me alive."
She smirked and cocked her head before suddenly jabbing him hard in the stomach, making him double over slightly. She laughed as he rose back up frowning at her, she grasped the sides of the breast plate and gave it a firm tug before resting her palms against it, "You've survived me..."
He smiled, "It's not that hard...it's worth it."
Before their moment could go on any longer Aldren tapped the ice master on the shoulder with the axe. Their was a second of hesitation as he grasped the handle of the weapon before he looked it over, seeing a symbol on the blade in the shape of a reindeer's head.
Aldren grasped his shoulder, "That way you can't lose it." he said with a slight smirk.
Kristoff chuckled before slipping the weapon into the loop at his side beside a knife on his back. Aldren nodded to Gillian before turning away to leave the forge with the couple following close behind into the light snowfall outside.
Aldren looked around as they exited, "Where is Olaf? He's been rather quiet of late."
Anna exhaled, "Yeah...I'm kinda worried about him..."
Kristoff put his hand on her back, "I'm sure he's fine, Olaf's tougher than any of us..."
"Even your skull." Aldren quipped.
The ice master chuckled, "So...where do you want me when the siege begins?"
"Right where we're standing; the palace."
Kristoff looked at him disbelievingly, "Oh Come on! You've been training me all this time just to sit in the castle?"
"I've been training you to keep yourself alive and those around you; we're going to be displacing all those living in the lower city for their own protection, the upper city is going to be crowded. Too crowded to fit everyone and those left over will have to take refuge within the palace walls. You will be helping to protect them should the naga find anyway to breach the palace-"
"I should be with you guys out there-" Kristoff lamented.
"Anna has battle experience, you do not."
"Yeah but-"
Aldren raised his hand, "It's not my decision to make."
"It's mine." a voice they all recognized said.
They all turned back to see Trolgon gripping to the side of the castle with head towards the ground and Elsa sat forward in the saddle as the dragon climbed down to the ground. The snow queen dismounted and walked towards them as her dragon made his way to the northern wall for a nap.
"And my decision is for your own good..and it's final." she finished.
"Elsa-" Kristoff began.
"You're family to me Kristoff and I hope one day I can call you my 'brother in law', but I am still your queen." she stated firmly.
He sighed and muttered to himself as Anna rubbed his back and gave him a reassuring smile.
Elsa then turned to her Master of War, "How are the siege preparations coming along?"
"Very well in all areas but one. I've gotten word that the islander forces have been lagging behind since the last council meeting. Sol should be returning soon with word as to what the issue might be-"
He was cut off when his cousin rode into the courtyard, "That was fast." he commented.
They moved to meet her as she dismounted, "So what does prince Karl have to say for his forces absence of vigor?" Elsa asked.
Sol shook her head, "I couldn't find him or his knights, no one in their camp would even talk to me!" The others looked between each other, somewhat disturbed by this news.
"What about Hans?" Kristoff asked.
"He's where he should be...though I confess; I didn't bother asking him."
"There wouldn't be a point; Karl wouldn't leave that kind of information with his brother." Elsa responded.
The sound of more horses brought their attention back to the gate's to see none other than the islander prince and his two knights accompanied by a escort of soldiers. Trolgon's head reared towards the commotion and a small growl rumbled from his throat as he rose and followed alongside the approaching islander's from a distance. The Arendellian soldiers in the courtyard also took the cue to stand by their own leaders at the sight of the prince's hefty escort.
"Speak of the devil." Kristoff remarked.
"Devils; with an S..." Anna followed under her breath.
The prince dismounted with the rest of his entourage and held his sword in it's scabbard causing the two elementals to share a cautious look. As they neared Elsa stepped forward, "I assume you've come to explain your army's lack luster performance since this morning."
He stopped before her, "I have not. And with all due respect your majesty..." he turned towards Aldren as he went on, "I have not come to speak with you."
The prince drew his sword, Trolgon snarled and whipped his tail while Elsa, Sol and the rest of the guard prepared to drop him. His approach was swift but Aldren didn't move or even flinch as the prince then impaled his sword into the cobblestone before his feet.
Aldren looked down at the sword and back to the prince, "Is this a challenge?"
The prince smiled, "I claim... Utfordringsrett. My pronunciation may be off but I think you-"
"I know the words of my ancestors...You make claim on the ancient rite to challenge the war chief of an Arendellian army."
"An old claim yes but...one I believe still has some merit to one such as yourself, even from an outsider like me."
Anna stepped forward and scoffed, "You? Ha! This has gotta be a joke."
"I'm being very serious..." he said not turning his gaze from Aldren's.
"On what grounds do you make this claim?" Sol demanded.
Karl looked to Elsa now, "It should be enough that you'd trust an alliance of this magnitude to the hands of a former mercenary-but also one who clearly has too much of your ear."
Elsa fist's clenched at her sides, But Aldren replied in a measured tone, "You believe me unfit to lead this army alongside her majesty?"
Karl snapped back to Aldren, "More than unfit. Further more the belief in these visions that you've had are the sort of thing most would call the delusions of mad man! And if mad you are...you're not fit to lead any army."
Sir Brandon stepped forward, "Do you accept the challenge...or would you rather concede here and now?" he said with a sneering grin.
Aldren eye's narrowed and he began to take a step forward but before he could Elsa put a hand on his shoulder and gave Brandon a hard shove to the chest he wasn't quite expecting to make him stagger back, then pointed to the prince, "You tread on dangerous ground to make this claim; you disrespect my authority and that of every general under our command! This is my kingdom you're in Karl; not the Isles!...and I will sanction no such challenge on my Master of War's honor!"
"Your grace."
Elsa was initially taken aback at the calmness in Aldren's voice as she turned back to face him, "A word please." She leaned in close to hear him, "With your permission; I would accept his majesty's challenge."
Everyone behind them looked between each other in shock, Elsa most of all, with some fury she grasped his arm and pulled him away from the islanders as she spoke in a hushed tone, "Aldren what are you thinking! Were on the brink of a battle, this isn't the time to engage in some-...some childish game of pride?"
"It's not about pride, please Elsa..." he grasped her arm back and spoke softly, "Trust me."
Though she didn't want to relent to the prince's arrogant claim, she did trust him and with a worried smile she breathed out, "Always."
She glanced with less kind eyes towards the islanders before nodding to Aldren who bowed his head to her. He turned to walk back towards the prince and drew his own sword as he stood before the prince's in the ground between them, "Prince Karl. I recognize your challenge to my authority as Master of War...and I accept." He impaled Black Autumn's tip into the cobblestone beside Karl's sword.
He gripped the handle tight as he lowered his gaze at his eventual opponent, "As the challenged I choose this courtyard as the arena...tomorrow; we will decide who is the greater warrior in a contest of blade and fist."
The prince gripped the handle of his own weapon with a small smile, "Blade and fist...I trust you know that means without your powers."
"As I said."
"Good."
With precise unison both men removed their sword tips from the ground and sheathed their weapons, without another word the prince turned heal and moved to leave the courtyard with his underlings, a threatening snap from Trolgon made sir Brandon flinch as they passed by. The air among them finally began to settle as the islander's passed from sight, Sol walked to her cousin's side, "Aldren?"
"I must prepare for tomorrow." he quickly said without looking at any of them and started walking away.
Anna caught up to him before he got very far, "Whoa Aldren, come on! We've seen you make mince meat of guys twice his size, he doesn't stand a chance!"
He turned back to her, "Yes. I've fought in many battles and slain many foes... but on a battlefield." Everyone but Sol flinched at the forcefulness in his words, he went on in a deathly serious tone, "Karl has won more single combat matches than any man alive on the continent; my victory is not assured..." he seemed to say more to himself, he then looked to Elsa with some sadness that she shared, "You will not see me until it is time."
She nodded begrudgingly and he returned the gesture before turning towards the palace, most of the group was left dumbfounded by his grim attitude and sudden need to distance himself. She looked on for several moments after he had disappeared before raising her head, her expression resolute as she spoke in a commanding tone, "Lady Starlon."
Sol approached and stiffened, "Yes your majesty?"
"I want a tightened perimeter around prince Karl's camp; I want to know what he's doing, where he goes and who he speaks to until this 'trial' tomorrow."
She nodded, "At once."
They all watched as Sol left the courtyard before looking back in the direction Aldren had gone. With only her family around her Elsa frowned and hung her head as she breathed out heavily. Anna saw her sadness and held her sister's hand while Trolgon came from behind and gingerly snaked his head under his mother's opposing arm. The queen squeezed her sister's hand while her other rested on her dragon's head; she knew Aldren was a great warrior...yet he did not feel victory was guaranteed. She dreaded the idea of having to rely on the islander prince as her second and the strain it would put on her relationship with Aldren...but even more so she feared how this would impact the defense of her home...
In response to a review; No, the duke of weaseltown will not be making an appearance.
I hope you all enjoyed this latest chapter, don't forget to follow, Fav and review and as always I will see you
in the next chapter, Bye Bye! :)
