The Next Unknown

9 – Here for a Reason

OoOoO

"Good afternoon, Your Highness."

The prince glanced sideways. He was taller than Belland, but twice as thin. Standing erect in his bespoke suit, not a wrinkle of excess fabric in sight, he gave Belland the impression of a long needle. He wondered if the prince was just as sharp.

"Iver Belland, sir. I sit on the queen's privy council. Her Majesty sent me to convey her appreciation for your patience. She was occupied with state affairs and is on her way now."

"Hm." Prince Niklas turned back to the painting. "A kingdom this size, I wonder what there is to be occupied with."

"Arendelle may be small, but our queen prefers to oversee most matters personally."

"Noble of her" was the drawled response.

Belland also faced the painting, planting his cane before him. "Have you visited Arendelle in the past, Prince Niklas?"

"No. Interesting kingdom. Over a decade of closed gates, and out of the blue there is talk of eternal winters and magical queens."

"Just the one magical queen, though she is no longer sovereign of Arendelle."

"So it's true, then. About the ice and snow." A pause. "There are rumours she is now capable of more. Something about so-called 'spirits of nature'. Might that be related to her sudden abdication?"

"Your Highness' interest surprises me. It is humbling that a nation as great as Blavenia considers our kingdom's affairs worthy of its attention."

There was a moment of silence as they both studied the painting.

"You did not answer my question, Councillor Belland."

"Why, I simply did not understand the nature of it, Prince Niklas. Would you care to elaborate?"

The guards snapped to attention as the doors opened. The portly steward stepped in to announce, "Queen Anna of Arendelle!"

Belland joined the prince at the centre of the hall, head bowed as the queen made her entrance.

And what an entrance it was.

When Belland had last seen the queen that morning, she had left on patrol with General Mattias in travel clothes and a messy braid. Now, she entered with hair bound in an immaculate bun, her signature pine-green dress complemented with a vivid Northuldran sash at her waist. Yet it was the trim black jacket, with its sleeves accentuated by golden wheat motifs, that caught Belland's eye. With heeled boots beating out the staccato of a purposeful stride, she suddenly appeared more commander than queen.

As Queen Anna reached them, Belland realised her appearance was not the only thing that had changed. "Prince Niklas. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Her voice was smooth as glass. No—ice.

The prince's face was no longer a mask of disinterest. He regarded the queen for a moment, then placed a gloved hand over his chest and inclined his head. "Queen Anna. The apologies are all mine for arriving unannounced. Thank you for finding time in your busy schedule."

"Of course." She gave him a gracious smile and then turned to Belland. "A word, Councillor?" Then she turned and continued towards the throne, clearly expecting that the prince would wait, and that Belland would follow.

He did. "There is something you should know. Prince Niklas is—"

"The sixth son to our dearly departed King Johan? Yeah, a little bird told me. Thanks for stalling him, by the way. Do I look the part?"

Belland knew she was asking about more than her appearance. "I barely recognise you, ma'am," he murmured. "I'm slightly impressed."

"Just slightly?" she whispered back. "I practiced Elsa's Snow Queen voice in front of the mirror and everything. My god, these shoes are so uncomfortable. Lend me your arm so I don't trip."

Belland's lips curved as he complied. Up close, he hear the queen trying to catch her breath; she had definitely sprinted to meet the prince. "I was told to keep Prince Niklas entertained in your absence, but now I believe Your Majesty had ulterior motives."

"Who, me? No way." She smiled back innocently. "I just don't trust him, that's all."

"Yet you trust me?"

"Elsa does. She trusted you with me, and that's kind of a big deal."

"A favour I have not yet agreed to fulfil. It was shrewd of you to send Prince Kristoff with Erling, but you have yet to unpack the root of his behaviour."

"I'll work on that. In the meantime, there's a weird prince right behind us and I'm short my sister, husband, and minister of foreign relations. Which means no one is around to make sure I don't mess up."

"Do you intend to?"

"If I do, are you planning to stand and watch?"

They had reached the steps. Belland turned to face the queen. She was young. She was impulsive. She was the biggest work in progress he'd seen in his career.

"That sounds like a test, Your Majesty."

She released his arm, meeting his eyes with a roguish twinkle. "Even if it was, you'd be a hypocrite to call me out on it. Just saying."

Belland couldn't remember the last time he'd struggled so hard to suppress a laugh.

Finally, he thought as he watched the queen take her place on the throne. Runeard had been too forceful; his son too capable; his eldest granddaughter too responsible. They had all needed him; but though he had risen to each of their challenges, none of them had properly met his.

Finally, someone had figured out how to use him.

OoOoO

At least their voices were different.

"Gifts?" Councillor Belland was saying.

"Yes. Sent by my father-in-law, King Gustav, for missing Her Majesty's coronation."

He was skinnier, too. Freakishly so. Like a scarecrow.

"I only hope Her Majesty did not take offence at our absence."

Focus, Anna. Shifting on the uncomfortable throne—this was why she never used it—she met Niklas's eyes with a prim smile. "Not at all. It was a last-minute arrangement. A lot of other nations didn't attend."

Niklas's lips thinned as he smiled back. Aside from the auburn hair (too light) and moss green eyes (too dark), he looked nothing like his brother. If Oskar hadn't warned her, Anna didn't think she would have made the connection. He'd dragged her aside as soon as she'd returned to the castle. That Blavenian ship in the harbour, he'd hissed, shooting wary looks at her guards. There's a… one of the thirteen chocolates is here.

"I hope I haven't offended you by keeping you waiting so long." Talk slower. Don't ramble. Use big words. Full sentences. "Your arrival was—" No 'um's. "—unanticipated."

From the corner of her eye, she saw Belland's eyebrows shoot up.

Tamping down a grimace—don't let him read you—Anna plowed on. "It's been months since my coronation so it's a surprise to see you—a pleasant one, of course."

"The apologies are all mine," Niklas replied, and Anna wondered how Elsa had said 'I don't dance' with a straight face when being queen was clearly one long, wordy waltz. Back and forth, daggers and spears. "Several vexing matters have fallen on my plate. When I finally found the time to take this trip, I was so keen to make good time that it slipped my mind to send word ahead."

Of course it did. "Totally understandable. It must be challenging for you with all that's happened in the Southern Isles. I'm so sorry about your father."

There. The slightest tick in Niklas's sharp jaw—the look of someone who had lost the element of surprise.

"I had the honour of crossing paths with King Johan in my youth," Belland said solemnly. "He was a formidable man. It was a shock to learn of his passing."

Niklas cleared his throat, putting his hands behind his back. "Thank you. I am still coming to terms with it myself. Never in a million years would I have thought Caleb would murder our father when he was already in line to inherit the throne."

"Wait, what—I mean, I'm confused. I thought it was…"

"Yes?" Niklas prompted.

Anna settled back into the throne. "Sorry, the Southern Isles seems to be in chaos right now and there are just so many rumours. Some say King Johan fell sick; others claim it was an assassination by rivals… gosh, I can't even keep them straight. If you know the truth, Prince Niklas, I would love to hear it—if it's not too painful for you."

Niklas watched her for a moment too long. "Yes, of course. I was there when it happened. It was supposed to be a family hunting trip. At some point, we split up. My silly hound couldn't find the game I had shot down, so I was rooting around for it when I came across Caleb and our father standing by a cliff. My father had his eyes on a pheasant. He took the shot just as Caleb pushed him over the edge." A melancholic smile. "You know what haunts me? That my father actually hit that bird. It plummeted with him."

And Anna knew. She knew that Elsa thought she was a horrible liar because Anna really was dreadful at lying to her sister—but she used to be brilliant at lying for her. Back when they used to play for so long that Elsa sometimes forgot to do her homework, Anna would leave her panicking sister and skip down to the library. She'd tug on their tutor's hand and remorsefully describe how she had seen a kitten on the stable roof and rushed back to draw it so she could show Papa, except she'd been so excited that she hadn't realised she had actually scribbled all over Elsa's homework, and Elsa was too nice to be mad at her but if she didn't have all those weird number problems finished today, it was all Anna's fault and she was very, very sorry.

So Anna knew that it was all in the details. And she didn't know if Niklas knew that it had actually been the twins, Rudi and Runo, or if he cared for justice at all—she only knew, plastering a sympathetic smile on her face, that he was lying.

But he didn't know what she knew.

Eyes widening, Anna filled her voice with horror. "That's… I can't imagine what it must have been like, seeing something so dreadful. But it makes sense now. I don't know if you've heard, but we received a terrible letter from Caleb. With the Isles in civil war, he basically threatened to march on Arendelle if I didn't help to defend his claim to the throne. I haven't—of course I haven't—but it's still quite frightening."

Niklas nodded a little too keenly. "I've heard he's sent similar threats across the continent. It's truly embarrassing. Caleb has a brilliant mind, but he's always been a bully and now it seems he's lost his senses altogether. Our kingdom descended into chaos as soon as he took over; I barely made it back to Blavenia."

"If I may ask," Belland said, "what does King Gustav make of this?"

"When Estelle and I wed, he saw how much I cared for my people and allowed us to settle in the Isles. Our nations have always been close, so to see the Isles lost in its own war is devastating for my father-in-law. In fact, King Gustav believes that Caleb is a loose cannon and should be dealt with. Do you agree, Your Majesty?"

Don't falter. But she did. "He's your brother, though."

"Unfortunately. That is why I feel a moral duty to rid the world of his tyranny."

"But… shouldn't you try to help him? You could talk to him. Show him how to be someone better. Isn't that what brothers do?"

Niklas shook his head. "Our father was not the only one Caleb murdered. If any of us could be considered close, then it would have been Caleb and Aksel. But Aksel's dead, too. The rest of us fled. If I were to approach Caleb expecting a joyful family reunion, Your Majesty, I'm afraid your optimism won't keep my head from rolling. No; there is no redeeming Caleb. We must stop him."

Anna didn't like the way Niklas looked straight at her when he said 'we'.

"Does King Gustav intend to send forces to take the Southern Isles off of Caleb?" Belland questioned.

"There is talk of it, yes. But no matter the numbers, the Southern Isles's army is a monolith. My father made sure if it. It would not be an easy campaign."

"Apparently one of your other brothers is fighting Caleb right now," Anna said hopefully. "It could be another rumour, but if you were to join forces—"

"With Gregory?" Niklas chuckled. "The fool's tangled himself in a doomed siege. No matter how good he is, the castle is impregnable and he simply doesn't have the men. He won't last long enough for our reinforcements. At least we can count on him to weaken Caleb's army for us. Even then, Blavenian soldiers will die. That is why King Gustav is still undecided."

There was something about his bitterness in that final statement. Something that niggled at Anna. The gifts. The timing. The Southern Isles prince standing before her. The family tree Elsa had drawn all those nights ago.

"Who would rule?" she asked curiously.

"I beg your pardon?"

Decorum fell away as Anna cast her mind back to that night in the study. Chocolates, paper, tactics. Oskar splattering ink over Elsa's flawless handwriting as he crossed out name after name. "You're King Johan's sixth son," she recited slowly. "Aksel was second. Lars has run off and apparently doesn't want any trouble. Gregory is fifth and could probably name himself king if he wins, but no one seems to think he will. And I'm assuming you wouldn't want Caleb's heir wearing the crown." She followed the string, tugged at the buried question. "So if Blavenia knocks Caleb off the throne, who would rule the Southern Isles? Who was fourth in line?"

The look Niklas gave her was both impressed and jagged. "I see Hans told you a fair bit about our family."

"My sister did the research. Didn't two of you marry into the Blavenian royal family?" She tapped her temple. "Was it Sigurd? No, something shorter… hmm… Franz?"

Another twitch in the jaw.

Anna snapped her fingers. "It's Franz, isn't it? If Gregory loses and Lars doesn't want the throne, Franz is next in line."

"If Blavenia liberates the Isles, King Gustav would have a say in that."

"Ah," Belland said suddenly, nodding. "I recall now. King Gustav is blessed with three capable children. The prince is his rightful heir, but I hear the king dotes on his youngest daughter. Princess Margit has a place on his council and is among his most trusted of advisors. Perhaps she would also have an opinion on the future ruler of the Southern Isles."

"Then that's perfect," Anna chimed in. "She'd have lots of wonderful things to say about Franz. He's the one she married, right?"

"None of that makes Franz the natural choice!" Niklas snapped.

His words echoed down the cavernous hall.

Anna leaned forward. "Prince Niklas? Your gifts are for my coronation, aren't they?"

He took a moment to adjust his jacket. "Of course, Your Majesty." His voice now sounded hollow.

Anna looked at Belland to find him already watching her. He nodded ever so slightly. Was she on the right track? "So they're definitely not, say, a bribe?"

"Whatever would I be bribing you for?"

"I mean, Caleb wants Arendelle's support to defend himself; you want it so you can go back to King Gustav and prove yourself more useful than Franz. Blackmail or bribery, you're both after the same thing. Does that sound about right?"

Niklas's smile didn't reach his eyes, but it did broaden to reveal teeth. "I resent that Your Majesty would compare me to Caleb. He is careless and didn't do his research. Arendelle is a… quaint kingdom, to say the least, and Blavenia's ties run strong among closer, more powerful nations. Hypothetically speaking, it wouldn't make sense for me to travel so far to recruit a measly few hundred men, would it?"

He looked at her then. And Anna hated that she understood.

She shot to her feet, fists clenched. "No."

Niklas shrugged, his composure returning with a predator's gleam. "She has the power to end wars. Save lives. Change lives. Did you really think the world would not come looking? From your reaction, I must be the first. But I won't be the last. Those who come after me might not ask at all."

It's fine, she's not here, she's safe, I won't let anything happen to her. "My sister is not a weapon."

Niklas shook his head. And, in a tone so patient it was almost gentle—"Hans said you were naive."

It snatched the air and words from her lips. Curtains snapped shut. Fire snuffed out. The door—

The doors burst open.

"Anna!"

OoOoO

"Elsa?" Her sister stood in front of the throne, eyes wide, mouth agape. Face pale. "What are you doing here?"

Elsa nearly sank to the ground. She's okay.

She'd seen the ships in the harbour and almost ridden Kjekk straight into the castle. Kai had rushed out to meet her with a jumble of words—unannounced, Blavenia, gifts. But only one had properly registered: Westergaard.

"Ah, perfect timing. It's an honour to finally meet you, Princess Elsa." He bowed to her with the same hand over his chest, the same beguiling smile, in the same hall where she had once tried to keep his youngest brother from marrying her sister. "Prince Niklas of Blavenia."

Ingrained etiquette had Elsa bowing back. Her eyes darted to his waist as she straightened. No sword. She was still short on breath, but she knew how to conceal. "You've come a long way, Prince Niklas. To what do we owe this pleasure?"

He opened his mouth, but Anna rushed down from the podium, blurting, "He was just leaving!"

Elsa didn't have the chance to properly admire Anna's new attire before her sister planted herself between her and Niklas. Anna discreetly reached back with one hand and, taking it, Elsa couldn't tell who squeezed back the hardest.

It's alright, I'm here now, she's safe, I won't let anything happen to her.

"I'm sorry you didn't get what you came for," Anna told Niklas in an unexpectedly hard voice. "Thank you for the gifts, though."

"Actually, I'm afraid I must leave with them. Along with the favours Blavenia would have promised Arendelle had our discussion been more… fruitful."

"That's fine, you can take—"

"You will leave them, Prince Niklas."

Elsa hadn't noticed Councillor Belland. Now, he stepped forward, his cane striking the floor. It felt a lifetime had passed since she had knocked on his door, when she'd left Arendelle not knowing if he would help Anna. But as he respectfully inclined his head towards her, Elsa hoped he could read the gratitude in her eyes.

Drawing level with Niklas, Belland offered a cursory smile. "Please correct me if I'm wrong, Your Highness, but King Gustav is quite the believer in fanfare, is he not?"

Niklas's face pinched. "And what is the relevance here, exactly?"

"You see, we were only so under-prepared for your arrival because you arrived on humble merchant ships. We thought it was merely an unscheduled shipment, but when you sought an audience with Queen Anna, declaring that you had brought gifts… well. I could not help thinking it was uncharacteristic of good King Gustav to send an envoy with anything less than a longboat positively billowing in Blavenia's colours. Not to mention that Her Majesty had already received a letter from the king at the time of her coronation, where there were no comments of further congratulations. Now I doubt his hand in this amateur's gamble at all."

Belland folded his hands over the top of his cane and calmly regarded Niklas. "You are here without the king's approval, aren't you?"

The silence dragged out.

"What difference does it make to you?" Niklas's narrowed gaze knifed towards Elsa. "The facts remain the same."

"So does my answer," Anna replied, gripping Elsa's hand even tighter.

Belland chuckled. "My dear prince, you misunderstand me. It makes no difference to us at all. We are but a quaint kingdom, after all. As such, it would be terribly insincere to accept such a generous donation of Blavenian goods without paying our respects to the king. Isn't that so, Your Majesty?"

Elsa saw Anna blink. Then her face lit up with understanding. "Oh, absolutely! I must write a letter of thanks to King Gustav. Don't worry, Prince Niklas, I'll make sure to mention how charmed I was by your revolutionary ideas and—"

"No need," Niklas interrupted acerbically, rage simmering behind his eyes. "I understand. I'll tell the crew to unload the goods."

Anna nodded enthusiastically. "And I'll tell my general to dismiss the perimeter. I didn't want to risk accidental damage to your ships. Or any of your people getting lost in town."

Elsa didn't understand the conversation, but the look Niklas shot Anna made her fingers twitch with magic. She was glad to see him stalk towards the exit.

Before he reached it though, Niklas spun back on his heels. His gaze strafed across the hall. "Snow Queen."

She had grown used to hearing it from the children, laughing and singing rhymes Kristoff had helped them compose on his lute. Coming from Niklas Westergaard's mouth, it sounded like a challenge. "Yes?"

"I've heard a lot about you. Since I'm apparently leaving empty-handed, I wonder if this trip might be salvaged with a demonstration of your… talents."

Anna tugged her hand urgently. "Elsa, don't. Please, just let it go."

Now she was certain: he had threatened Anna.

"Please," the prince said. "Humour me."

Protect her.

"It's alright, Anna."

"Elsa."

She strode forward, leaving her sister's hissed pleas behind.

Niklas's lips twitched. "They say you are stronger than a hundred men."

"And how many women?" Elsa asked idly.

Niklas blinked. And let out a surprised shout as ice cascaded beneath his feet, spilling across the hardwood floor.

The doors blasted open at the end of the hall.

"Will that suffice, Prince Niklas?" Elsa asked politely.

Lying stunned on his backside, Niklas stared at her. He ignored her extended hand and struggled to his feet, slipping and sliding, until Elsa thawed the ice with a tap of her foot.

"Don't forget," he told Anna as he brusquely brushed himself off. "One day, the world will not ask."

Then he was gone.

Anna crashed into her from behind. "Elsa! Oh, thank goodness. Are you okay?"

At last, the icy claws around her heart retracted. Elsa turned so she could wrap her arms around Anna. "I'm fine. What about you? Are you okay?" A bridge untethered. "You're not hurt? Anywhere? What was Niklas talking about?"

"Oh my god, that reminds me." Anna pulled back, gripping Elsa's arms with a stern look. "What were you thinking? I thought he was going to, I dunno, take you hostage and drag you away with him!"

"Why would he… why would you meet with someone like that? You knew he was a Westergaard. With all that's happening, he couldn't have come for anything good."

"What are you doing back already? It was the worst timing—"

"I was scared something would happen. Pabbie showed me a vision—"

"—and then you let him bait you into using your powers—"

"—there were ships and you were hurt—"

"—so you really need to leave, like, right now—"

Elsa stopped, chest heaving. "I'm sorry, what?"

Anna was also breathing hard, her face painted with desperation. "You need to go back to the Enchanted Forest. At least while Niklas is still here—no, longer than that. Until we're sure no one else is coming. It's not safe here."

"Not safe? Then why didn't you break the bracelet? I said I'd come for you—"

"He came for you!" Anna shouted exasperatedly. "He wants to use your magic to become king of the Southern Isles. And if not Niklas, then some other jerk will come along. People know about your powers, Elsa. They've been watching, and now the next time a war breaks out somewhere—when they run out of swords and soldiers—they will think of you. And I can't protect you from the entire world, but the spirits can, so—"

"So you want me to hide?" Elsa said incredulously. "Anna, that solves nothing. Don't you see? Father and Mother tried. I've tried. For thirteen years."

"I know that. But it's different now because—God, the world is so big. Why didn't we think of this? We should've been more careful with your magic. Of course the news would spread. Of course people are greedy. Of course they wouldn't let us just be."

"Anna—"

"I know you just got back and Kjekk must be tired, so you can take Sven and the wagon. Kristoff won't need them—long story. We'll ask Gale to keep—"

"Anna, I'm not leaving."

Her sister frowned. "Yes, you are. Didn't you hear what I said? If anyone comes for you again, I can't protect you here."

"Don't you remember Caleb's threats? He sent them in spite of my powers. Fear of my magic already isn't enough to hold the world back, and if lust for it puts the kingdom in danger, then I absolutely cannot leave. It doesn't matter where I run, Anna. I've thought about this."

"No, you haven't. Not properly. Look, for now we can—"

"Anna, I've thought about this." Elsa reached for her sister's hands and stared down at their entwined fingers. "Three years ago, and every day since. I know running doesn't work."

"Hey, look at me." Anna ducked into her view, her expression soft but resolute. "I'll say it as many times as you need. You're not a curse, okay? You're the Fifth Spirit and you're in control now; of both your power and your identity."

"I know. It's not the storm I can't outrun."

"Then what is it? What's scaring you so badly that you can't think about your own safety?"

"Anna, please."

"No, seriously, sis. This is important stuff. I need to know."

"You do know."

"Do I?"

"Don't you?" Elsa looked at Anna's clueless expression and sighed. "You do, but you keep forgetting. Whoever comes, whatever reason they have, wherever I run… I'll never be able to stay away from Arendelle. Because if trouble can't find me, it will go looking for you, Anna."

"Oh," Anna said. Then, softly, "I'm still your weakness."

Elsa released her breath, long and slow. Anna stepped back into the embrace, and Elsa let herself relax into it. "It will always be you, silly," she murmured. "So please stop running into fire."

"I run into fire? Before we start on the fact that you ran into literal fire and the freaking sea, I had nothing to do with Niklas coming here."

"I'm not saying you did. But you're also not the most careful person in the world. I just want you to be safe."

They stood in silence for a while, rocking absently on the spot because that was how hugs worked with Anna.

Blinking at the sunlight streaming through the windows, Elsa felt the exhaustion settle in. Her eyes burned from riding through the night to reach the trolls, then racing against the wind. With her cheek resting atop Anna's head, her mind drifted towards thoughts of a hot bath…

"What about what I want?" Anna mumbled. "You knew, too. And you can't say you forgot, because I reminded you at every turn. You knew, you promised, and you still did it anyway."

"Did what?"

Anna drew back. It startled Elsa to see that her sister's eyes were now rimmed with red. "Left me behind."

There it is. It had finally caught up with them.

"I'm sorry." There was a lump in her throat. She could say it a hundred, thousand times, and still choke on it. "I'm sorry, Anna."

"You died, Elsa."

"If you had tried to cross the Dark Sea with me, you would have died, too." Like Father and Mother. "I couldn't risk that."

"Why do you have to be the one taking all the risks? Why can't I send you back to the Forest, even if it's just temporary, to protect you from people like Niklas? I'm even asking."

"That's not the same."

"Why not? Why do your fears always matter more than mine?"

"They don't; of course they don't. The situation is entirely different. I can't protect you if you're trying to protect me."

"See? You're doing it again!"

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are!"

They were facing each other now, voices rising.

"Ugh! You're being so—so selfish!"

Elsa gawked. "Excuse me? You're the one being unreasonable."

"I'm unreasonable? You pushed me away without saying goodbye!"

"Because you wouldn't have let me go!"

"Then maybe you shouldn't have gone!"

"That's not fair, Anna."

"You know what isn't fair? That even after all this, I know you'd do it again. You're still doing it now. You're sorry about hurting me but I bet you're not the slightest bit sorry about ignoring my warnings and getting yourself killed."

Elsa's jaw clenched. "Do you think I went to Ahtohallan looking for a death wish? I was seeking the truth to save our kingdom, so yes, I would do it again. Because it was the only way and whatever the consequences, it was the right thing to do."

"For you, sure! I ended up wet and lost in a cave. I watched Olaf flurry away, knowing you had gone to a place I couldn't find… that I could knock on your door forever and it would never open again. Do you know how that—"

"Feels?" Elsa looked wearily at her sister. "Of course I do, Anna."

Anna's mouth snapped shut.

The silence filled with snow.

OoOoO

"You're running out of time." Crunch.

"I know what I'm doing."

"No, you don't. You're in over your head, as always." Crunch. "But I guess you were on the verge of losing your head altogether. Did you think you'd get away with it? We knew you were hiding down here the whole time. If you hadn't done such a silly thing, he might have forgotten all about you."

"Let's not pretend you care, Hendrick."

"Oh no, I definitely don't." A pause. "But you didn't see what happened to Aksel."

He ran his finger down the page, tracking words and symbols that swam before his eyes. "Did you? See it happen?"

"Yeah."

"Karoline and the children?"

"Fine. But Karoline's not all there anymore, if you catch my drift. Christian's tearing apart all his toys. That stupid bear he takes everywhere? Dismembered. You didn't think to get them out, did you?"

"Don't act all high and mighty. You could have done it. Oh wait, that would have required you to peel your lips from Caleb's shoes. My mistake."

An apple core spattered onto the book. "And where were you, hm? Nose stuck in Lars' books, chasing after myths and fables. Filching vodka and butchering goats. Blubbering for your life. Who was kissing Caleb's shoes then?"

"Shut up, Hendrick."

"'I've been hearing this voice,' he squealed. 'I can be useful to you! I'll do anything you want! Just please don't carve up my pretty little face—'"

"I said, shut up!"

Clang!

Their eyes darted towards the end of the dark crypt. Neither of them spoke until the metallic clamour had settled back down into resentful rattling.

"What were you saying about myths and fables?" he muttered.

"I'm sorry, did you want a pat on the head? Congratulations for pissing off an indestructible force that might kill us all if you can't control it? You're playing with fire, you fool."

No. Not fire.

Footsteps descended the stone stairs.

"Told you," his brother hissed. "You're out of time."

The king walked into the light. His cool gaze roved over the two of them, then landed on the plate sitting on the floor. "You haven't touched your dinner, little brother. I thought that was your favourite dish."

"I'm allergic to shellfish, Your Majesty."

"Are you now? Would it kill you?" The king crouched down and lifted the apple core from the tome's ancient pages, dangling it by its stem between their shadowed faces. "You understand what else could end your life, yes?"

"I'm working on it. I just need more time. I'm getting close to the answer, I know it."

"You know who else is getting closer? Gregory. I don't appreciate being besieged in my own castle by my own brother, while being continuously disappointed by another. You are here for a reason. Just one."

"Let Gregory have the Isles. I can promise you the continent—"

"You promised me more than that."

His throat bobbed. "Yes."

Tossing the core over his shoulder, the king reached for the last bottle of vodka and stood. "Walk with me, little brother."

Hendrick refused to meet his eyes as they passed him.

The king uncapped the bottle and took a swig. "I was thinking about your… let's call it a recipe. Three drops of blood, a dash of brännvin, and…?"

"A black animal. We just need to find the right one. Goats and cats must be too trivial. If I could hunt down—"

"Perhaps we should try sheep."

"… Sheep?"

They had reached it—the candles, the scattered rosary beads, the circle. And the battered basin at its centre. Iron. Had to be iron.

The rattling intensified as they reached the circle's edge, singing off of the black stone walls. Yet the basin didn't topple off the pedestal. No sound of liquid sloshing. Not a single drop displaced.

The king passed him the bottle and tugged off his gloves, letting them fall to the ground like lifeless doves. Then he stepped into the circle.

The basin immediately stilled. Neither of their faces reflected on the water's surface. Pitch black. No ripples.

The king drew out a dagger.

"C-Caleb? What are you…"

The king held his hand over the basin and dragged the blade across his palm. "Three drops of blood. A dash of brännvin."

It was a command. Vodka drizzled into the basin.

"And a black sheep."

"I don't understand… sir."

The king looked expectantly at him.

It sank in.

A nervous laugh. "Aha! I get it. That's a good one. I couldn't possibly…"

The blade danced with candlelight, its fine edge rippled with scarlet. Not a command this time: a choice.

One hesitant step forward.

A powerful hand seized the back of his head and slammed it into the basin.

It was bottomless.

Dive down deep, the voice whispered over the distant storm of hooves.

He clawed at the king's arm, nails raking over skin.

Deeper.

His chest burned.

Now, swim.

Hans' eyes snapped open—

—and the water glared back.

A/N: They're (kind of) back together! We finally leave the struggle highway behind.

I drew some inspiration from Scandinavian mythology since we have the Nokk in Frozen 2 and the Huldrefolk from the Forest of Shadows book. If you want to know where the 'recipe' came from, it's from the 'Neck (water spirit)' wikipedia page because we only use reliable sources in this house.

P.S. I didn't forget about Belland but there wasn't a right time to write him leaving so, uh, he's probably still standing there. While they fight. Awkwardly.

P.P.S. Yes, Anna is wearing her new outfit from the cover of the Explore the North picture book! The one with her in That Jacket everyone, including me, is fawning over.