~Chapter 24~

Anna

I had to be quick and discreet. Arendelle was well stocked with guards and palace officers. Kristoff, while capable of great strength and force, would not things easier due to his size and the sound of his stomping paws. If my master was right, Elsa's future self protected her before and I'd find her at the palace now. She would not get away a second time.

I had Kristoff wait for me and hide out in an abandoned cabin up on the hill out of town. Not sure why I remembered this fact, I wondered if she in my head was messing with me. I retraced my steps from my memories as I escorted him up there. It was private and away from the public eye. The roof was caving in a bit, so the sunlight of summer beamed down into the place. Not good for a bear to be overheated, what use would he be to me then? I grabbed a large linen cloth that was thrown in the corner collecting dust and threw it into the rafters to block the sun. The bear looked at me with his beady eyes blinking a few times almost as if to say 'thank you'. I shut the door that was practically falling off its hinges and headed for the palace.

This was my or rather her home and I kept my hood up because the last thing I needed was to be recognized. I avoided main streets and any people. A cat in an alleyway startled me as its black fur blended in the shadows. Annoyed, I pushed it along and away from me. Many people moved in and out of the baker's shop nearby that was next to a portrait studio. Memories flashed in my head of bringing out a cake from the baker and having portraits done with Kristoff and a babbling snowman. My head was beginning to ache as I stuffed these thoughts. She was trying to mess with me. My resolve would not be swayed. Now came the tricky part. From town, a single bridge led to the palace and it was all in the open. Though I saw my opportunity leaving the bakery, a cart full of bags of flour and other food supplies all piled on the back of a man's cart. He was leading a horse attached at the front, so if I jumped in the back, I don't think I'd be seen. I took a few deep breaths and ran out from my hiding place in the alley tucking and leaping onto the back of the cart. I moved some bags of flour to hide even more from onlookers as I felt the cobblestones of the bridge reverberate beneath me. The cart didn't stop and soon I was through the palace gates. I ducked out of the cart and hid behind bushes once I was in the courtyard. Guards patrolled left and right and I definitely had my work cut out for me. I had to get to the vents as those connected to every room in the palace. Not knowing where Elsa was, this would take time. I climbed some ivy on the side of the east wall to get to the next floor up. I looked in the windows where I saw my bedroom. The door to get inside was of course locked, but I remembered a loose window pane that I could wiggle free to reach inside and unlock the door. Once inside, I stood in my room for less than a minute. This was a strangers room and I hated being here. I spotted the vent door on wall next to the fireplace. I pulled at the grate as it was naturally bolted shut. I lit my finger on fire and melted the four bolts yanking off the grate. I heard footsteps and voices nearby, so I quickly got inside the vent. Through the vent, I saw Brigitta and Gerda come in the room carrying some laundered sheets and begin to strip off the old sheets on my bed. They were talking amongst themselves and I had to wait to crawl through the vent as I didn't want them to hear me.

"I hope their majesties are alright. The fjords waves and storms have been quite problematic these past years. Where were they going again?" Brigitta muttered as she began fitting the bedsheets.

"Ahtoholly-something or other. I truly don't think they'll be gone long considering the prince and princess already miss them so."

Prince and princess? I thought. I was the only other…then it hit me. I had been imprisoned for a few years after all. Niklas and Elsa were parents now. The realization had an immediate reaction from her inside my head. Her joy was apparent that seemed to outweigh my disgust. Though apparently, Elsa wasn't even here.

"Exactly, she's not here," She echoed in my head, "So why don't you leave?"

"Doesn't work like that," I told her, "I think Elsa and Niklas will be horrified to return and discover their children missing."

"Don't you hurt them! You don't want to do this!" She cried.

I ignored her pleas and began to climb through the vents. Not knowing where I was going, but the kids probably had a bedroom upstairs just like everyone else. Now it was a process of elimination. Each room had a vent grate and I had to check every room. It was three empty rooms down before I started feeling frustrated.

"Find the descendants, Siren." I heard Rasmus press. His tone cold and irritated. I was disobeying him at this point, not that he could do anything about it. Her kids were the ticket to bringing Elsa right to me. After checking another room, I soon heard the sound of laughter echoing through the vents several feet away. As I followed the sound, I came to a new bedroom and there I saw a boy and girl playing together in this room. I didn't have to even second guess considering they were the only children in the vicinity and the fact they looked so much like my sister.

"My sister," She corrected in my head, "Leave them alone! You don't have to do this!"

"Oh I do and I'm gonna enjoy it," I said.

I melted the bolts of the vent and opened the vent as it screeched. My entrance was noticed as I rolled into their room climbing onto my feet. The children looked at me blankly.

"Uh, hi kids, you don't know me, but-"

Before I could say anything else they launched themselves at me each taking a leg given their height and hugged me. I stiffened surprised by the greeting. These brats were gonna be trouble, but they were a means to an end.

"Auntie Anna," The little girl said,

I knelt down at their level cocking my head curiously.

"You know who I am?"

"Yep," The little boy replied.

"Mama and papa told us." The little girl answered.

I asked their names and when I heard the name Lillian, my heart leapt in recognition. My memory recalled it being my mother's middle name.

"Classic Elsa, honoring mother like that," She echoed in my head.

"Mama has been looking for you," Lillian said.

"I've been away, but I'm here now to take you guys to your mama and papa, would you like that?" I asked.

"Yeah!" They chimed together.

I told them to wait out on the outdoor balcony outside for me. I had to leave behind a message, so that message would get to Elsa so they would act appropriately. There were no papers or anything to write on in a three year olds room naturally, so I got creative. I burned a message into the wall by the door that read: If you want to see them again, meet me on the north shore of the fjord. I was about to burn my name when a knock came at the door before Hans opened the door locking eyes with me. His jaw practically hit the floor in surprise.

"A-Anna?"

I sneered before I ran toward the balcony door and blasted a line of fire between Hans and I separating us and to make sure he wouldn't dare come after me.

"What are you doing?" He yelled over the blaze.

"Don't come after me unless you wanna get burned," I snapped as I opened the door to the outside balcony. I threw up my hood again as I told the kids to follow me. I heard yelling coming from behind us. Either Hans already alerted the guards or the guards saw a stranger with the kids. I had to act quickly.

"You won't get far with Alex and Lily in tow," She mocked in my head.

"Watch me," I growled.

Stairs descended from the balcony so we made it to ground level easy enough, but we needed to disappear now that the guards were on high alert. I ran us toward the fjord shore and stopped a few feet from the water telling the kids to get behind me. I wish I would have knocked them out or something, but if they were afraid of me, nothing would get done. I blasted the surface of the water causing an immediate steam screen of cover. A dozen guards were marching down toward us wielding swords and crossbows. I told the kids to run to a small outcrop of trees nearby and wait for me. They obeyed and I turned around and began to blast the guards with fireballs. Arrows whizzed by me from the steam and I just thickened the steam cover by blasting the water of the fjord more. Suddenly something hit me in the shoulder and I yelped in pain. A crossbow bolt came from the steam, but I think it was merely a lucky shot. I sucked in a pained breath and lit them all up with quick blasts of fire from my hands. Their cries of agony echoed behind me as I caught up with the kids. I was struggling with the wound to my shoulder and Lillian noticed the blood soaking my cloak right away.

"Auntie Anna, are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm okay," I said, hiding my pain, "Quickly, this way,"

I couldn't return to the cabin where Kristoff was waiting the same way. We went the long way around going under the bridge and hiking up the terrain to the cabin. It was hard on a pair of three-year-olds and they were complaining toward the end. Though once the cabin was in sight, I was relieved. I threw open the door as the bear rose on all fours staring at us. The kids clung to me nervously before I told them Kristoff was a friendly bear. They still were unnerved and kept their distance. The bolt was stuck in my shoulder at an angle I couldn't quite reach, so I'd be in this much pain until Kristoff turned back into a man. I had to distract myself in the meantime just to stay sane. This dilapidated cabin wasn't prepared for not only two more people, but most especially young children. By the time we got to the cabin they were hungry and whined about it since arriving. Lily wanted her mother desperately and I didn't know how to stop the whining. I didn't have to deal with these brats for long. My message was out, Hans saw me, so hopefully, Elsa would meet me on the north shore of the fjord within a day or two. I opted to go hunt to get these kids off my back, soon they wouldn't be my problem anymore. There were a few rabbits I blasted with fire right near the cabin. Three of them had to be enough for now. Before going inside, I skinned the hides off and roasted the meat myself. I wasn't even gone a half-hour and when I returned the kids were rubbing Kristoff's bulky furry head.

"Looks like you're not scared anymore," I said to them.

"We don't get scared," Alex replied proudly.

"Yeah," Lily agreed.

As the day progressed, I distracted the kids however I could with stupid games that would get them to be silent for a time before they would want to do something else. My shoulder hadn't grown numb by any means. I could feel the blood sliding down my arm throughout the day hidden from view beneath my cloak. The kids ate bites of food throughout the evening and finally they fell asleep. The cabin had an old, broken-down twin-sized mattress that worked for them. They were good sleepers too not even stirring for anything. There was no blanket since this cabin had been long abandoned. Lily shook from cold in her sleep even being so near her brother to stay warm. Kristoff snorted at me as I looked back at the kids and I lit my hand ablaze. Keeping it close to them, so they could stay warm. It was amazing Lily would feel so cold in the middle of summer. I tried to set my focus on other things as I stood there, but I couldn't help looking back at their faces. So much of Elsa was in them, that was apparent. Though Alex also resembled Niklas as well. There was a pain in my chest that ached and it wasn't coming from my shoulder. I doused my fire bringing a hand to my head. She was using them to make me weaken my resolve. Kristoff watched me carefully as I told him to stay put. This place was stifling and I went outside to clear my head. The moon was high in the sky probably nearing midnight, but the pain in my arm was going to keep me up anyway, so I opted to walk. I heard owls in the distance notably their yellow eyes staring at me in the darkness. My head was bothering me as I turned around back to the cabin. I needed to rest my body and not venture far. Sitting outside the cabin, I just breathed deeply trying to ignore the pain in my shoulder. I gazed up at the stars and it wasn't long before I heard my master's voice.

"Siren, abandon this vendetta. Get the horn and awaken me,"

I heard her in my head again trying to reject him. My head was beating like a drum as ache lingered in my heart. It was nauseating. Eventually, I removed my cloak off my shoulders and folded it into a makeshift pillow to lay down on my good shoulder. I didn't sleep, but I still rested my eyes and that was good enough. The past three years came to the forefront of my mind. It was equally a blur and a slog of time that was wasted. My older self didn't take any chances with whatever she put in my system to knock me out, so I would be powerless. Though it always bothered me how she managed to drain me so. It made me curious if I could learn such a thing. Three wasted years that I could have set my master free. I couldn't let him down now.

A while later I heard the cabin door screech open with the rusted hinges.

"Go back to sleep, kids." I groaned without turning to see who had come out.

"I don't think I can pretend to be that," Kristoff replied.

I sat up in surprise glancing up at the sky. It wasn't anywhere near daybreak yet.

"Why aren't you a polar bear?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," He shrugged, "Not that I'm complaining,"

I looked around to search for some rope or something to keep him out of trouble. I didn't trust him not to run off. Not that it mattered, he wouldn't be long without fur. As I looked, my shoulder was on fire and I knew it wasn't my power. I sucked in a pained breath as I clutched my shoulder.

"Anna? What's wrong?"

"I'm fine," I said, biting my lip, "It's nothing."

I curved my body at such an angle that it hid my injury. I didn't want him to use it against me. I wasn't weak like I had been the past three years. Though with all my moving and hiding, I struggled to breathe it hurt so much. Kristoff grabbed me by my good shoulder that was closest for him to grab as he spun me toward him. His eyes widened as he looked upon my injury.

"Anna, when did this happen?"

Blood had soaked into my shirt and the thought of making any movements to remove the bolt made me cringe.

"This morning, I'm fine. I just have to deal with it. I could lose more blood if I remove it." I muttered, pushing him away.

He ignored my dismissive behavior grabbing my arm and I looked at him stunned.

"You are either really brave or stupid," I growled.

"So I've been told. Burn your sleeve off now, Anna. It could be infected especially if an injury like this has been exposed to the elements this long."

I didn't trust him as I narrowed my gaze. Why did he care? I glanced at my sleeve and took a single finger along the seam and my sleeve slid off except where the crossbow bolt had pierced through. Kristoff examined it carefully before glancing at me with a serious expression.

"I have to get this out and Anna, it will hurt."

"Fine, do it," I nodded.

With one hand he gripped my shoulder and with the other, he took the bolt and yanked it out of my shoulder. I howled in pain as I lit my hands on fire furiously trying to breathe. Blood gushed down my arm and it probably was amped by the rate of my heart pumping at this point. There were no bandages around as I ignored Kristoff's concerned expression. I wasn't his responsibility. He had one job to do as a polar bear and it was to protect me. As a human, I could care less what he did. I took some time to breathe slowing my heartbeat before dousing my fire to engulf three fingers. I took three more quick breaths to pump myself up before placing those fingers on my wound. I had to cauterize it, I had no choice. A scream left my lips as I clapped a hand over my mouth not wanting to disturb the kids. Not that I cared they got less sleep, more so that they wouldn't be awake to bug me. My shoulder was a blistered pink, but at least the hole was sealed and there was no sign of infection.

"Was that necessary?" Kristoff asked.

"Yes," I said simply looking out on the horizon trying to distract myself from my pain. How I wished I could ice my shoulder at this moment to soothe the heat. Kristoff took my hand in his surprising me.

"I'm sorry you're in pain, I should have been the one shot with the arrow. I'm supposed to protect you." He whispered.

My heartbeat quickened again as I didn't pull away. His touch was warm and soft and I couldn't deny that it helped me feel safe.

"Don't talk nonsense, it was my decision for the stealthy approach, and leaving you behind was necessary."

He locked his gaze with mine and I swear I could feel my heartbeat in my throat as I swallowed trying to ignore it. Rasmus was waiting, I had a job to do. Suddenly a jolt of pain rushed to my head as she fought me. She grabbed Kristoff holding onto him.

"I'm here, Kristoff." She said, through my lips.

He held me as she pulled away locking his eyes with mine.

"Anna," He whispered.

His kindness and sincerity constantly were a surprise. He suddenly closed the gap between us pressing his lips to mine. She tried to control me, but in the end, I won. I pulled away from him striking him across the cheek.

"Know your place," I snapped.

My anger was a front as my heart was racing inside me. I hated that he made me feel like this.

"Your fiancee is gone."

"You and I both know that's a lie." He said.

Silence fell between us again as I looked on the horizon. It was slowly nearing daybreak. Finally and Kristoff would return to his bear form and no longer be a pest to me.

"I have to go somewhere," I told him, "You'll be a bear by the time I'm back."

"You're going to leave a bear with the kids alone?" He asked incredulously.

"My orders are such. When they wake, take them to the north shore. I must find Elsa and the best way of doing that is with her kids." I said, with a solemn voice.

Kristoff's face fell and I knew it was all he could do not to argue with me.

"Anna, you don't want to do this," He pleaded.

My hands balled into fists as I grabbed Kristoff by the front of his shirt pulling him right into my face.

"Don't tell me what I do and don't want. You don't know me." I growled.

I released him even though I wanted to slap him again, but she was fighting me this whole time. I grew sick of this game, so I opted to walk away.

"Do as I say, Kristoff, or there will be severe consequences when I get to the north shore," I called out before I made my way down the hill. I had to get away, not only to break the seal for my master, but Kristoff was driving me insane and there was nothing I could do about it. I wanted to hurt him, but I couldn't and that was infuriating. Her influence fought back even against my every thought. For now, I would move through the forest beyond Arendelle. Retracing her steps back to that private glen where that one tree stump stood. Once below ground, I followed the path inward and began to sing. A line of people came toward me in moments and I took the horn from my belt and brought it to my lips and blew.