Again this chapter rewritten Hope you all enjoy it and As always
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Chapter 3: Life in…Captivity?
When coming to learn just who her captors are Elsa had not expected the treatmeant they had given since then. Thinking that once coming to learn the truth, the respectful façade would break and these merry band of cutthroats and thieves would show their true colors. That was two weeks ago and the only thing that's changed at all really was that El the woman who had greeted her in the tent would be her personal guard, aside from Lyra whose in fact become something akin to a friend despite the situation.
"You're learning quickly your majesty. I have no doubt that given the choice you would have made a great cook and an impressive seamstress." Humming at the compliment Elsa stirred the large bowl of chicken she and Lyra were working on for supper. It was a slow process but Lyra had shown her that letting it slow cook would allow the spices and seasoning to soak into the meat. Having learned a lot from Lyra mostly because she hadn't much to do around here aside from petitioning for bettering treatment of Holden her guard. It was only when realizing that his treatment worsened when opening his mouth and declaring treason and threats did Elsa urge for him to swallow his pride. They held no sway here and it was waiting game at this point especially as neither knew where they were exactly. Moving daily didn't help either because a lot of ground was covered.
"There are many choices I wish I had, some I wish I never had to make…and few I know I can not deny no matter how much I want to." She replied and though vague, still true.
"You sound alot like someone else I know…" Lyra grumbled cleaning here hands with a small worn towel. "In my time I've come to learn that there is always a choice." She paused glancing past the young Queen for only a moment, then back to her. "It's how we go about them that would define whether or not it was the right one."
"Always so hopeful Ly." Came El's voice and Elsa turned to the woman. "I've come to relieve you of your guard duty."
Lyra scoffed shaking her head, "We both know it's babysitting though I see no need for it. I highly doubt the Queen is dumb enough to run from our camp with out even knowing where she is, aside from her leaving her guard."
"Guards are nothing but tools their monarchs see fit to sacrifice." El said coldly.
"Not all." Elsa was quick to interject. Learning quickly that El had the greatest hate towards those of royal blood and the Queen coud only guess it was because the woman was wronged by one personally. How that was she dare not try to imagine.
"What makes you any different?"
"I wasn't referring to myself, I'm only stating that not all are cruel and Tyrantical."
El who has butted heads with the young Queen could not deny the points always given, and yes maybe her out look on those born into such families is bias, the vengeful fire she carries in her heart will not go out until her vow is completed. Still she could not deny the ironic fire of passion hidden away in those ice blue pools, that shone only when they argued…sighing in aquiescence replied, "Would you care for a walk?"
The platinum blonde merely looked to Lyra who scoffed rolling her eyes and waving her hand in a shooing motion. "Just have her back before dark, it could be dangerous even for you El."
Ignoring her El motioned for the Queen to lead the way, mostly because this had become routine. They would walk about silently until it was time for Lyra to take over her duty for staying with Elsa again. Though it seemed that today the walk might be a bit short, she was not much in the mood for arguing.
As the pair made their way Elsa started mindlessly creating swirls of flakes at first, only for the forms she made to be a little more complex. She did this often when coming for these walks and El showed no fear or digust when seeing her display a bit of her talent. Then again after the first day she tried to escape she was sure this woman had no fear of magic…at least she never anything about it until now, "It's a beautiful thing…your magic."
The words were spoke softly and with a gentleness that Elsa's breath hitched at the sincerity in them. No one but her sister really spoke of her magic with such honesty. Though there was Kai and Gerda Elsa knew that they hid their quiet fear of it well. Evidently not well enough because she knows and yet this woman whom she hardly even knows would say this and mean it. Even more surprisingly that she believes her…It took but a second to gather her bearings as the compliment caught her unexpectedly.. "I..Thank you...you're the only other person who seems to think so." She replied focusing on the small gust of blue ice flakes twirling in her palm.
"I don't think it is…I know it is. Magic isn't something to be ashamed of."
"But it also isn't something I should let rule me and dictate the way I am."
"You still think your magic just a curse." It wasn't a question and Elsa turned to look at the other woman who only looked ahead.
"I've done more harm then good with my magic."
At this El chuckled softly, "Because you couldn't control it yes I know. I've heard the story. But you did what most would not." El paused then turned to face the blonde stopping in her steps, "You made amends and did all you could to show your people that you are more then it. Most with a gift such as yours would become a tyrant and demand to be worshiped. A mistake was made yes but no one can fault you for doing what you did because no matter how you look at it you did what you thought was best not only for your sister but for your people as well….and you've continued to do so in your reign."
"No…" Elsa said softly as her eyes drifted to the ground, "Had it not been for my sister I would have continued to run like the coward I am. I just wish it hadn't cost me almost killing her….When we were younger…just girls….she would sneak into my room and wake me up and we would both go into the ballroom and we would play in the snow I conjured. One night we did what we always did but there was an accident….i conjured piles of snow the next one getting bigger and taller then the one before and Anna was jumping to each one." Elsa smiled at the memory, "But she was moving too fast for me and I told her to slow down…she was already in the air when I slipped…when I turned and reached out for her….my magic shot out and hit her in the head…I called for our parents…..they took us to the rock trolls that same night…..when Anna was healed they took her memory of my magic…"
"Ah they sound friendly enough. The trolls I run into ususally try to kill me." El teased. Again Elsa was caught by surprise but shook her head at the tease, "Laugh all you want but it's true."
"I'm not saying it's not." El sighed shaking her head. "After they took her memory you hid yourself ever since then…afraid you'd hurt her again." El finished softly. Elsa nodded silently and turned to hide the single tear that slipped. She had no idea why she told the other woman this but felt it was good to do so. Even though Anna said that it was ok and all was forgiven Elsa couldn't forgive herself for not only hurting her sister more then she had but also having caused her people to suffer the cold for so long while she was in her self exile.
Flinching slightly at the touch of a warm hand followed by a strange but not uncomfortably warm, a tingling feeling, Elsa turned quickly to find El with a look of understanding, the other woman removed her hand and Elsa felt at a loss from the touch. The rogue had touched her without fear or rebuke. Her tongue snuck out to moisten her lips and the blonde asked, "What magic have you seen to know that it is a gift as you say."
Blue eyes watched silently as the piercing silver of the other woman's shadowed as she answered, "I've seen more in my life then any my age should have…but had I not I would not know what I do now. Your majesty….magic is a double edge sword it can both be blessing and curse…..but ultimately its up to you to decide how to wield it. Magic is all around us in the air…and the trees….it flows within all of us...And those lucky enough to exude talents like yourself…..know this…magic is an extension of our selves. It's only limit are the ones you yourself have."
Again Elsa was stunned to hear such words fall from the other woman's mouth mostly because El seemed a woman of few words and yet…when she had something to say it was said with such conviction and truth lingering just beneath the surface…it made her wonder just what she'd gone through to find such understanding, and yet she was just as curious to know why she was not so silent as she normally is. "You…seem more talkative today then most."
"Change isn't always bad."
"No…I suppose not." Elsa replied softly, closing her hands around the glowing orb of magic. "But you've still haven't answered my question."
A small grin crossed the other womans face as she answered, "I didn't."
"No…but I would understand if you don't want to."
El paused, stopping to contemplate whether or not she should. But looking over at the Queen…well she felt she could tell her enough of the truth to sate the curiousity in those blue eyes. "I…my first encounter with magic was as a child. Where I come from…it is not shunned."
"Do others share the same trait your eyes do too?"
A pause before El answered, "They do. All sorts of colors in fact."
"Where do you hail from?" Elsa asked curiousness piqued, "I..that is if you want to tell."
El chuckled lightly, "I was born in a land west of the sea…Thinking of it now I can still feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. The smell of fresh spring flowers…grass as green and vibrant as the newly grown leaves of the trees. Open fields…clear blue water..it is a beauty of a land. Your Kingdom much reminds me of it."
"Colder then your own homeland.." Elsa teased a little and was met with a laugh in reply as El agreed, "Yes colder…but the cold has never bothered me."
Elsa said nothing more and the pair continued in their walking never noticing the small glances her companion gave..
When returning to camp the sun had already set and several large fires raged to give everyone warmth. El allowed the Queen to do as she pleased since once back and went back to her tent. Discarding her outerwear El went to start a fire to warm the inside of her tent. Winter was coming and from the chill of the autumn air she knows its going to be a cold one. Though she did not lie when telling Queen Elsa the cold was a bother, her blood ensured her survival in freezing winters but that did not mean it was such a simple thing to endure.
She smiled at the growing flames and stoked them until she was satisfied. "Back from your babysitting."
"More of a friendly walk." She answered back with ease settling on the fur covered floor.
"Still babysitting any way you look at it. Bet she holds a conversation better though."
El shook her head, "There a reason you decided to bug me Walt, usually in your free time you remind everyone who your woman is."
"Nothing wrong with that. Least I can say I have one." Walter boomed with a hearty laughter.
"You my friend are nothing short of a man whore. At least they get paid for it."
Walter paused in his laughing only to start up again, when he was finally done however the mirth on his face slowly became a little more serious then El would have liked, "Ajmal just received word from our mysterious contractor."
"Unless it's important I don't want to hear it." She snapped.
"El, I don't like this." Walter said harshly, "With the way our contractor has changed their plans and requirements I have no doubt they'll have us killed even before its over."
"It was always going to end like that."
"Damn it El there's more at stake here then the throne passing from one person to another." Walter argued, "When this is all over we'll be the ones to take the fall for it."
"We're doing the best we can-"
"It's not good enough!" He growled, "3 months already and the only thing that's changed is the fact that we've kidnapped a Queen and her country is in a state of disarray."
"No different then the many that surround her." El argued back, "I know what's at stake here Walter" She paused letting out a sigh with it the angry defense in her tone, "I know it's not easy, especially for you or Lyra but we're not giving up."
"What of the Queen? You know as well as I that our employer will want her dead before this deal is done."
"I'm not going to let that happen." She hissed.
"Aren't you? El-"
"I said I won't let that happen so I won't. Queen Elsa is…a good ruler at least from what we've seen and know. We'll do what we have to until then…we need you with us. I swear to you that I will not let you and Lyra go through the same thing I have. We can do this together." Walter let loose a sigh nodding in agreement. "I trust you El."
"I'm doing what I can so that everyone who matters can walk away from this."
"And the Queen?" He queried.
"I promise to send her back home alive to her sister."
The subject in talk was changed and before long Walter left leaving El to herself once more. Deciding it best to rest for tomorrow she soon found herself laying in her bed of furs staring up unable to sleep, when sleep did find her it was fitful.
Anna sighed when tilting her face up toward the sky and took the moment to calm herself. This had been the last place Elsa and her escort had been spotted but there had been no sign of them the very day Prince Nicolas had said he discovered this. Well that's not completely true there were signs of a scuffle and that was about it. Princess Anna tried not to think of what could have happened or be happening to her sister at this point. It's been months since her kidnapping and since she is the last Royal of their family line still present security had been bumped up to an almost ridiculous detail.
Anna was no longer free to wander the land as she loved to do especially with Kristoff whom she missed just as much as she did Elsa. The ice master was off during a trading expedition of sorts and it would be a little while longer before he would return.
"Your highness…" Anna turned from her thoughts acknowledging her personal guard who had actually been a gift from a cousin she and Elsa had yet to meet personally.
"Yes Marek…" Marek despite the name was a female guard who had yet to show her full face always keeping the top part of it covered along with her eyes most days if not she always almost wore a face mask or a hood…or sometimes both. The woman was the strong silent type she figured and was always on her guard no matter the situation it seemed. But Anna swore to herself she'd break through that tough exterior wondering what kind of person her guard was. The only other thing she knew of Marek really was that she was married and that was about it.
"A messenger from the council has been sent. They request your attendance immediately." The Princess sighed, since Elsa's 'disappearance' as they were now calling it the Council has been a pain in the ass for her. Especially Lord Lucien, the man was very adamant that the Queen has simply run away again not wanting to deal with the pressure of what it meant to be royalty and that the duty has fallen to her. That her relationship with the ice master should be no more and that she should try for one with Prince Nicolas…or at the very least one, with one of the single lords of Arrendelle. But Anna wasn't a fool a klutz at times and may a bit absentminded as her mind tended to wander, but not a fool she had learned from her mistake with Hans and doesn't intend to make the same mistake twice. She could see right through him and the thought of the man brought forth her anger and irritation, However Prince Nicolas was a different story though Anna felt something off with him as well as constantly questioning his very convenient appearance when her sister was kidnapped….none of it sat well with her but the prince had yet to show any ill intent but that wasn't keeping her from keeping up her guard.
"It did not take long as you predicted Princess. I would advise caution during the council meeting…it was no doubt lord Lucien's calling of it."
"The mans a pompous ass.." The red head grumbled,"He should be worried for his Queen like the rest of her kingdom is instead of trying to advance his status."
Marek grunted at the statement,"He is a man of greed and ambition highness, the only thing in his sights especially now is the fact that the Throne absent of it's Queen and the only heir has denied ascension to it."
"This is probably the most I've heard you speak Marek.." The Princess teased, and Anna was sure she saw a hint of a smirk on the other woman's lips before she turned back to the messenger…Anna took one last glance at the spot she was told her sister was last seen..be strong Elsa I will find you..I won't lose you either…not again..
The next morning Elsa found herself with El pressed to her back as they rode on to their destination. Holden pulled along side walking on foot grumbling every so often, his grumblings were not taken well by many who rode in this band of Vagabonds. Many laughed when the rope wrapping his wrists was pulled so that he fell face first into the mud.
"Is it necessary to treat him so?" The blond asked quietly.
"He would treat us just the same were the roles reversed." El replied.
"He is too honorable."
"Ay and many an honorable men wouldn't dare do such a thing would they?" Bernard other wise known as Bear to his comrades, retorted as he trotted past them. Elsa knew what he meant by that. Though her kingdom peaceful and prosperous, she was not ignorant of the world and its working. Under the tutalige of her parents she was taught early on, how things were. Her mother though a kind and gentle woman underneath…Elsa had seen the other side of her mother only in the privacy of the lower chambers of the castle…
"Just like many wonder what a Scottish man is doing so far north." El quipped teasingly. It did not go unnoticed by the Queen. Noting it as a discrete change of subject. "Turn wrong on the sea when I shoulda turned right!" Bear threw his head back laughing at his own joke.
"Don't question it, We learned long ago he'll say what he wants even if it doesn't make sense."
Elsa didn't reply, her eyes lingering on her faithful guard who was roughly pulled to his feet and given a bowl to drink from. It seemed it was one of their few stops to allow the horses rest and food as well as give everyone else the chance to stretch their legs. The horse below her trotted forward away from the sight of her guard.
"He is…a good kid." El said quietly noticing the lingering gaze of the Queen.
"He's Anna's age." The platinum blonde replied softly. "One of the youngest of his class when he signed up."
"You don't like it?"
"I'm proud to have him part of my personal guard, especially now but…there are other things he could have chosen and I wonder why he chose the path he did. If he had chosen differently he wouldn't be here…treated like some sort of criminal."
El opened her mouth to reply only to turn at the sound of treading feet flanking their left. Looking to the hills she whistled sharply as she guided her horse back torward the throng of her men. It was merely a moment before an array of arrows came down in a scattered rain. Elsa saw the first arrow come down to peirce the eye of a man not far from her, he fell to the ground yelling in pain, everything around her shifted in an instance. Turning to see who would attack suck a large group such as this blue eyes widened at the sight coming from the other side of the hills.
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