AN: Okay, I lied, I do that. Also this story has passed 100k words, was not expecting it to get this long. I'd say we have roughly 30k more words left of this arc. Thank you for the reviews, don't forget to tip your favorite snowflake on the way out!
"What do you mean, she's not here?" Naismith bit out, in a quiet but sharp tone that under any other circumstances would have sent chills down Anna's spine. Now, she was just trying to concentrate on continuing to breathe through the sudden tightness in her chest.
Elsa.
"Then, where is she?"
Another barked question from the Admiral brought Anna back to herself, and to the present. She cursed herself for losing focus and missing part of the conversation.
"I don't know, sir," the officer said. He was pale and wide-eyed, knowing that he was facing a group of people who wanted much better, thorough answers. "I have men scouring the camp. We managed to capture one of the Sirma leaders. He surrendered without a fight."
Anna's gaze snapped toward the officer before shifting to the tent behind him. "Erik," she breathed. She pushed past the group and forced her way into the Sirma command tent, ignoring their shouts to stop. To wait.
Elsa wasn't here. There was no waiting.
Once inside, Anna sent her gaze on a quick circuit of the interior. The cot Elsa had slept on was empty, and a chain was pooled at the base of the pole next to it. In the center of the tent was Erik, on his knees with his arms bound behind him and two Arendellian soldiers flanking him.
She quickly covered the space between them, and the soldiers snapped to attention at her approach. "Erik, where is Elsa?"
He looked up at her with a surprisingly calm expression and held her gaze for a moment before looking over her shoulder. He snorted. "I knew you weren't one of mine."
Anna followed his gaze and saw that Alarik had entered the tent and was standing behind her. "Erik," she snapped as she turned back to the man, doing her best to imitate her sister's commanding tone. "Where is my sister?"
Erik likewise slid his gaze back to her. His expression remained steely. "Not here. She's with Tyr."
"And where is that?" she asked through gritted teeth, attempting to keep her temper in check.
Erik opened his mouth, but as the others entered the tent to join Alarik, he snapped it shut with a thoughtful look. After a moment, he said, "I will tell you, but only if you promise not to hurt my brother."
"You can't be serious." Alarik scoffed. "After what he did to the Queen? The Princess? I think his being brought back mostly alive is the best you can request. And even that's pushing it."
"Then I bid you good luck in finding her."
"Your Highness," the Admiral said in a loud voice, "Let my men have five minutes alone with him. I will get the information."
Anna turned to Naismith with a frown. It took her a moment to realize that he was asking for her permission. It struck her with painful clarity that with Elsa absent, she was charge. Suddenly, the weight of what Naismith was asking landed on her shoulders, and Anna found that she couldn't bring herself to give the okay to torture a man for information. She shook her head. "No," she said. "Give us a few minutes."
"Your Highness - "
"Alone," Anna said firmly, giving the command. She tilted her head and then added, "Alarik can stay."
"Anna?"
She turned to Kristoff, who looked stung. Part of her wanted him to be by her side so she could take comfort in his presence, but Kristoff was too invested in her wellbeing and safety. Anna didn't want him to know the things that might come up in the ensuing conversation. Alarik had already witnessed some of what had happened to her and had seen the aftermath of the rest. He was also a soldier, and she knew as such his priority would always be the current ruler of Arendelle, no matter who it was. "I'll be okay," she told Kristoff with a small smile. "I promise."
Naismith pressed his lips into a thin line but nodded. He gestured to the two soldiers standing guard to clear out. "They will be just outside the tent if you need anything," he said before following them out.
Kristoff paused at the tent's flap to give her one last look, then also ducked out.
Anna waited a moment, collecting herself, then knelt in front of Erik. "If you knew Alarik wasn't Sirma, why didn't you say anything?"
"I had my suspicions," he said. "But I can't possibly know the face of every soldier."
"Still," Anna pressed. "Why didn't you question Alarik? Or say something to Tyr?"
"If I had said something to my brother," Erik replied evenly, "if he thought there was even the slightest chance of an attack coming, he would have killed Queen Elsa without a second thought." His gaze softened. "I didn't want to risk that on a chance."
Anna frowned, confused by the man in front of her. Erik seemed to disagree with what his brother had done to them, but still followed him without hesitation. She had to know. "After everything he has done, why do you still protect him?"
Erik lifted a shoulder. "He's my brother," he said simply. "What would you do for your sister?"
Anything. Everything. "That's different," Anna said. "My sister isn't forcing people to fight a war for her."
"He is risking the lives of two people. How many people were put in danger when Queen Elsa froze her kingdom?"
Anna recoiled. "That was an accident."
"You think that makes it better?" Erik shook his head. "At least what Tyr is doing he does knowingly and in full control. Your sister nearly destroyed her kingdom in the midst of a panic attack."
"So, you think my sister's mistakes justify your brother's actions?" Anna spat. "What he did to her? What he almost did to me?"
"When Queen Elsa froze her kingdom, people thought she was a monster. That she should be treated as one." Erik narrowed his gaze. "But you didn't. All you saw was your sister who was scared and struggling with something she couldn't control. You had faith in her, Anna. After everything that happened, you still believed in her. How is what I want any different?"
"Because Tyr is a monster."
"From an outsider's perspective. You see a monster, but all I see is my brother. My brother who is trying to do right by his people and is doing it the only way he knows how."
Anna sat back on her heels, at a loss for words. She didn't want to believe what Erik was saying, refusing to acknowledge that Tyr and Elsa were anything alike. But maybe she and Erik weren't so different. They both wanted the same thing, didn't they? To protect the only family they had left.
She sighed. "Fine. I promise my men won't hurt your brother. But," she added, "if he resists and fights back, or threatens Elsa, they will be forced to respond in kind."
Erik considered her words. "Okay," he said with a nod. "I'll tell you."
"Thank you," she said, though it felt weird thanking her pervious captor for disclosing the location of her sister. Anna turned to Alarik and gestured for him to bring the others back in. Naismith and Kristoff filed inside, joined by Captain Jogeir, who had a bandage spotted with red wrapped around his upper arm.
"Your Highness," he greeted, dipping his chin.
She offered him a tight, stressed smile, then turned back to Erik. "Where are they?" she asked again.
"We got information this afternoon," Erik said, rolling his shoulders. "from one of our scouts, that the Vindarr were moving their supply line. The path they were on would lead them through a gorge about a half a day's ride from here."
"How many soldiers does he have with him?" Naismith asked, arms folded over his broad chest.
Erik shook his head. "Not many. I think he took four, and the Queen. He wanted to break their supply line, use the Queen's magic to trap them in the gorge. A hit and run, he said. Travel light, get out fast. Based on the time they left, they should be reaching the gorge shortly."
"Where is the gorge?" the Admiral asked.
Erik looked toward the table on the right side of the tent, where Anna knew a map was. She turned to one of the guards. "Let him up. You can untie him, too."
"Your highness—"
"He is a room full of military officers," Anna interrupted, silencing Naismith. "He won't try anything." She looked back to Erik, raising an eyebrow.
"On my honor," Erik replied.
Alarik snorted but made no other comment, choosing to escort the man himself over to the table.
Erik leaned over the map, studying it for a moment before pointing to a specific mark. "This is the gorge. There's a small stream that runs through it, though it's usually frozen this time of year." His fingertip shifted to a different spot on the map, trailing along a faint line. "This is the trail they'll take, and the pass here is the only way to the gorge right now."
Anna looked down at the map, chewing her lip and wondering where on it her sister was at this moment. If she was still riding. If they had arrived at their destination. She couldn't help but feel relieved from the knowledge that Elsa wasn't riding into another battle. It would only be her, four Sirma soldiers, and Tyr. Depending on when they arrived, the cuffs might even already be deactivated.
"All right, Alarik," Naismith said, "You're with me. Gather ten men and enough horses for everyone. I want to get out there as fast as possible."
"I'm coming," Anna stated as firmly as possible, squaring her shoulders.
"Your Highness," Jogeir implored. "I beg you not to. It's not safe."
"My sister is out there," she pressed. "I'm going. It's not up for discussion." Once more, Anna strived to channel her sister.
The Captain pursed his lips, and Anna counted it as a victory.
"Allow me to come, as well," Erik said, his gaze on Anna. "Tyr isn't going to surrender. I know him. He'll try to fight, and he isn't above fighting dirty. As you know. But if I can talk to him, maybe I can get him to back down without any more bloodshed."
Anna considered his words carefully. There was a chance he would try something, but despite everything that had happened, she oddly found herself trusting the man. At least, enough to know Erik just wanted to protect his brother and his people.
Anna watched as sunlight broke and crawled across the horizon, soft light framing the mountains in the distance. A layer of snow covered the ground and the edges of the stream running along the side of the trail were lined with ice crystals, the water rushing past just below. Anna pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, trying to retain some warmth. It was a crisp fall morning, the kind her sister loved. At least, that's what Elsa had told her once, when they were drinking hot cocoa late one night in front of the fire in Anna's room. She'd not had the chance to witness her sister enjoying such a day; this was their first Autumn together in thirteen years. She wondered what Elsa would think of the view, if she'd have the look of childlike awe she used to have when they were younger, or if she'd take it all in with that quiet, reserved grace she did everything with these days.
Anna's heart skipped to think that she might find out in just a few hours.
She, Alarik, Admiral Naismith, and Kristoff were riding out to the gorge along with Erik and another ten soldiers. It might be overkill, but the Admiral hoped they would be able to overwhelm Tyr with their numbers and entice him to surrender Elsa without a fight. Assuming Erik was telling the truth when he said his brother had taken only four men with him.
Of course, if Elsa had use of her magic then it would be a moot point. Her sister would be able to wipe the floor with Tyr, and after everything he'd done, Anna doubt the woman would hesitate. She might be reluctant to kill him, but maiming was a whole different story. One Anna fully supported.
They had started out riding hard and fast, making good time across the open plains. Once they hit the rocky trails, the one that would lead into the mountain pass and eventually take them along the top of the gorge where Tyr had been heading, they were forced to slow down. The trail was too narrow and the ground to unsteady for the horses to traverse quickly, so they moved two by two, at a brisk walk. It had been a mostly quiet ride, each person's thoughts occupied by various things.
Anna fidgeted. Tugged at her oversized gloves, pulled her cloak even tighter around her.
"You cold?"
Anna offered Kristoff a soft smile. "A little, but I'm okay. Times like this, I can't help but be jealous of Elsa's inability to feel the cold."
"You mean her indifference to it?"
"What?"
"She can feel the cold," Kristoff said in a low voice, trying to keep the discussion private despite the many people around them. "She knows when it's cold, but it doesn't bother her. Like going outside on a crisp morning." The last part he said like he was reciting something he'd been told.
Anna blinked. "How do you know that?"
"She told me," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "A few days before you both left, I was out in the stable getting Sven ready to go into the mountains. Some ropes I had left out had a layer of ice over them. She must have heard my . . . uh, cursing. She melted the ice and then helped me untangle the rope. We started talking, got on the subject of ice and the coming winter, and it . . . came up."
He shrugged as if it were no big deal, but Anna knew better. It was a very big deal, for both her sister and for Kristoff. Her favorite two people, the two people in her life who were painfully slow about letting people in. She wanted to make a big deal out of it, but she knew Kristoff, and she knew Elsa, and she knew that making any kind of thing out of this exchange would only cause the two of them to shy away from each other. So, Anna contained her excitement.
They fell back into a comfortable silence and rode for another hour before the pass opened. The left side of the trail dropped off, a sheer twenty-foot cliff taking its place. This was the gorge, where Elsa and Tyr were supposed to be. The quiet stillness of the area was unsettling. Anna had expected more noise, sounds and signs of life. But there was . . . nothing, and it left a coldness in Anna's stomach that had nothing to do with the chilly fall morning.
The Admiral and Alarik were riding at the front of the group, followed by Erik and another soldier, then Kristoff and herself, the rest of the soldiers bringing up their rear.
Alarik twisted in his saddle, looking back to Erik. "This the place?"
Erik nodded. "He wouldn't have gone too far down, we should be appro—" Erik suddenly stiffened.
Anna stretched her neck, trying to see what he was looking at, but couldn't see the path ahead of them, and she was boxed in by the cliff on the left and the thick woods to the right. "What's wrong?" she asked, struggling to keep the concern from her voice.
Alarik faced forward in his saddle. "Shit." He drew his horse to a halt, twisting back around to the soldiers behind them. "Dismount and approach with caution."
"Alarik," Anna snapped. "What's going on?"
Alarik didn't respond. He and the Admiral dismounted and pulled their horses to the side of the trail, finally giving Anna a view of the area ahead of them. She could see multiple bodies, soldiers, laying on the ground, the snow around them stained red. Her heart slammed into her throat and she all but jumped off her horse. She hurried past the group, toward the carnage.
"Anna, wait!" Kristoff called after her.
She ignored him, her gaze jumping from one figure to another as she searched for the one person that she both hoped to find and prayed wasn't among those laying here. She counted six bodies, all men. "What happened here?" she breathed. Anna felt sick to her stomach. There was so much blood.
"Check for survivors," someone called.
She couldn't place the voice, not around the odd buzzing in her ears. Anna found herself unable to think about anything but the sheer amount of blood staining the snow, the unnatural twist of limbs. It didn't matter that these men were her enemies. They were people; they had lives, and homes. Families.
A hand wrapped around her arm and yanked her backward, turning her away from the gruesome scene.
"Anna." Kristoff cupped her face in his large hands. "Hey, you with me?"
It took her another moment before she could focus, then she nodded against his hands. "I'm okay," she said. "We have to find Elsa."
"We will," he assured her.
Despite the confidence in Kristoff's tone, Anna didn't feel comforted. It felt like the world was determined to keep her away from her sister. But she knew she couldn't lose hope. They would find Elsa. Alive, and well. There was no other option.
She wrapped her hands around Kristoff's and pulled away. She turned back to the scene, breathing deeply, trying to settle her stomach.
"Sir!" One of the guards called to either Alarik or Admiral, or perhaps both.
Anna followed them, wanting to see what had caught his attention. It was a jut of ice, sticking straight up from the ground and reaching to her hip. The top was jagged, like something had slammed through it. Behind it, snow and dirt mixed, the earth looking like it had been ripped up from the ground.
"Are we sure that's the Queen's ice?" Naismith asked, his face creasing.
Kristoff stepped close to the wall, studying it. Anna already knew it was; she could feel it in her bones but waited to see what Kristoff would say.
"It's hers," he said. "Natural ice isn't this flawless, nor does it form this way."
Alarik straightened, casting his gaze around the area. Aside from the bodies, there was no one around. Everything was quiet. "Fan out, look for any tracks or footprints. Anything that might tell us where they went."
Anna wrung her hands in front of her as she stared down at the men in the snow. She wasn't a soldier or a tracker, and she didn't know how to tell animal tracks from humans beyond the obvious. She figured she could still be useful; it was doubtful any of the soldiers were still alive, but someone needed to check. She walked to the nearest man and knelt next to the body. She pulled off one of her gloves and pressed her fingers against the man's throat, looking for any sign of life. There was none, though she hadn't expected there to be.
Hands trembling faintly, she moved to the next fallen soldier, and then the next. Each result was the same as the last, and as she moved through the line, she realized they were all dressed similarly. Anna stood and sought out Erik. She noticed that he had done the same thing as her, at a much slower pace.
Of course, she realized. These were his people. Maybe even his friends. Anna wanted to give him some privacy, but neither Tyr nor Elsa were among the fallen, which meant her sister was somewhere, and there had clearly been a confrontation here. Elsa had obviously been a part of it, had fought someone. There was upturned earth and shattered ice all around the area. Time for private grieving wasn't something they had.
"Erik," she called across the way, waiting until she had his attention. "Are they all Sirma?" He told them that Tyr took four men along, but there were six bodies here.
Erik looked down at each of the fallen. He shook his head. "No. Two of them are Vindarr." He walked over to one of the bodies that was separated from the group. Anna followed, and as she drew near, she saw that there was a layer of ice spread across the man's chest, radiating out from a spot just below his sternum. She squinted and stepped closer, noting that at the center point of the ice was what looked like a crystal, one hanging from a leather cord around the man's neck.
The crystal itself seemed unremarkable, but it appeared to be shattered, splinters of crystal ripped and stuck within the explosion of ice. The cord it hung from was frayed where the ice had cut into it. Anna felt drawn to the crystal, wanting to get a closer look at it. Of course, with the way it was caught in the ice, she would have to dig it out from the dead man's collapsed chest, and that wasn't something she was jumping to do.
She was about to give up and move on, but Erik sucked in a sharp breath as he dropped to one knee on the opposite side.
"What," she asked, a sudden worry filling her gut.
Erik dragged a hand down his face, which had paled considerably. "There's something you don't know," he said. "About the Sirma, and the Vindarr."
