~Chapter 28~
Kristoff
My head was swirling with confusion and disorientation. I sat up quickly noticing the campfire heat smouldering groaning as I rubbing my hand over the back of my head. Then I remembered, Anna knocked me out. I knew she was strong, but not that strong. It was still nighttime, but the moon was coming down, which meant daylight would soon be upon us. The curse of the bear on me had waned. I shouldn't be human now, but I wasn't complaining. Unsure of how much time I had, I needed to get these kids back to Arendelle palace before going after Anna. If this master she served saw her useless in any way, I didn't want to think of what he would do to her. My Anna was still in there and I think the corruption was fading given how less angry she had become. Maybe a warm hug from Olaf would do the trick. I went inside the cabin to wake up the kids and as my boots stepped inside, I splashed into a shallow puddle. The wood floor was covered in water. Both kids still sound asleep. I glanced at Alex whose hand hung over the bed as his fingers dripped a steady stream of water. Lily was breathing heavily and I could see frost among her breath. Considering who their mother was it wasn't surprising Elsa's kids inherited powers, but now was hardly the time for them to emerge. I never had siblings, so babysitting wasn't exactly my forte. Though I was good with kids for not really having much experience. Gently shaking them both awake, they looked at me in a sleep stupor rubbing their eyes.
"Who are you?' Alex asked.
"Where's Auntie Anna?" Lily added.
"My name is Kristoff and I hopefully will one day be your uncle. I'm taking you kids back home." I said, simply.
"What about mama and papa?" Alex asked.
"They'll be home before you know it." I reassured them, "Follow me." I urged.
The kids pushed off the blankets and put their feet down in the puddle that Alex had made.
"Ew, who wet the bed?" Lily complained.
"It's just water," I reassured them.
We left the cabin with both of them each taking one of my hands and I hurried us back to the palace. Arendelle guards stopped us at the bridge.
"Lord Kristoff has returned and he found the prince and princess," One guard announced.
Escorted across the bridge, we met up with Isidora and Hans in the courtyard and as I got closer to my relief, I saw Pabbie waiting there with them. Lily and Alex ran toward them both as Isidora had Gerda take the kids inside.
"This morning they had some power begin to emerge, so just wanted you to be aware," I told Isidora.
"Kristoff," She nodded, "It's good to see you."
"It's good to be home, Isidora." I replied.
"Three years is a long time," Hans added.
"I swear, I'll explain what happened," I said, turning to glance on the horizon. It was nearly sunrise. There was no time. "Pabbie, I need your help. Come with me,"
He quickly followed me as I ran to the other side of the courtyard for privacy.
"Pabbie, I hope you can help me."
He took my hands as his brows furrowed as he then grabbed my head.
"You've been cursed?"
"It's a long story that I will explain, but can you free me? You undo curses all the time."
Pabbie frowned.
"You overestimate my abilities, my boy."
"Please Pabbie, try. I'm doomed to run around as a polar bear during the day if you don't."
Pabbie placed his hands on either side of my head closing his eyes.
"This is strange magic. Strong. This is beyond me, lad."
"So there's nothing to be done?" I questioned.
"I don't have the power to undo it." He replied, "But I might be able to seal it away permanently, so you don't turn."
I exhaled a sigh of relief.
"That'll work, Pabbie."
He kept my head firmly between his hands over the next minute as I heard him mumble something that I couldn't quite make out. My eyes opened as the rising morning sun shone on my face. I popped one eye open squinting in the light, but relief hit me as I began touching my face arms and hands. I was still human and it was sunrise.
"Pabbie, I don't know how to thank you,"
"Happy I could help protect you, lad."
"Alright, I'm going." I said, quickly.
"Where are you going?"
"Anna needs me, so I'm going to find her."
"Be careful," Pabbie replied.
Before parting ways, I warned him briefly to keep an eye out for Rasmus. There was now a name to this credible threat to everyone. I didn't know his motive, but I know he was powerful and sought power and why I was concerned with what he would do to Anna when she ceased to be useful to him.
"If need be, Arendelle should be evacuated." I told Pabbie once we finally parted. I had no idea where Anna went with the horn, but when I asked a few guards about recent disturbances around Arendelle, every man I questioned mentioned the fjord. It wasn't hard to find where to start looking.
The fjord water levels fell and revealed a once submerged structure on top of a rock outcrop. I got a rowboat and rowed out to the spot calling for Anna with every stroke of the oar. With each unanswered reply, I rowed quicker to the point of making my muscles sore. I ignored my pain and kept pushing until my rowboat run aground hitting the rocks. Climbing to the top, I went inside the structure following the path down a long set of stairs. I hated the feeling that crept down my spine the further I went into this place. It gave me the creeps as I kept calling her name. My heart was racing as I came to the bottom of the stairs and went inside a new room with a box sealed shut in the center. I saw scorch marks on the ground around the box, Anna had been here. Curiously, I yanked at the lid on the box. I looked down stunned to be staring at the face of my unconscious fiancee. She looked as if she could be asleep, but she wasn't moving and that was the most alarming fact of all. I grabbed her shoulders shaking her gently and she didn't stir.
"Anna," I beckoned softly.
Trying to remain calm, I got behind the box rather than the side and grabbed Anna from under her arms pulling her out of the box cradling her in my arms still trying to shake her awake. Nothing was working. I gently moved a loose strand of hair out of her face talking to her as if she was conscious.
"What did he do to you? I warned you not to go."
I swear I could hear her arguments in my head as if she was awake right now.
"Come on," I urged, "Wake up. You're Princess Anna of Arendelle and I bet your firepower rivals his own. You're stronger than this." I whispered to her.
Still nothing.
"Anna, we still have so many things to do together, our story isn't finished. Wake up now, I want to marry you, I need you in my life!"
I leaned down pressing my lips to hers gently. There was still warmth to her skin and with that knowledge I felt more relieved. Holding her close, I hoped my body heat would at least transfer to her as I didn't want her going cold. Moments later, I felt a surge of energy move through me as a light enveloped Anna as her eyes fluttered open. Unsure of what happened, I wondered if Pabbie's magic within me helped wake her.
"Anna, you're okay." I said, calmly.
She looked around disoriented until she fixed her gaze on me. Though I wasn't looking back into her familiar blue-eyed gaze. Her eyes were still purple.
"What happened?" She muttered.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I think Rasmus may have left you here for dead."
Anna blinked erratically a couple times before wiggling herself free from me and standing on her feet.
"What did you do?" She demanded, getting in my face.
"I found you here, Rasmus is gone."
Anna spun around nervously bringing her hands to her head.
"I don't understand. I did everything he asked." She muttered.
I stepped toward her wanting to calm her down as I could see smoke rising from her hands. This place wasn't already unstable. I didn't want her doing anything drastic out of fear or worry. Suddenly her hands completely ignited in flames as she turned toward me.
"Where are the kids?"
"That doesn't matter now,"
She started walking toward me closing the gap between us.
"Who are you to decide that they don't matter," She growled, "They are the ace in getting a hold on Elsa and you ruined it!"
She began crying and throwing fireballs in my direction though her aim was not on point. I didn't have to do much to dodge. Was she even trying to hit me? Though she did hit beams within this place as they caught fire and immediately the room swelled with heat. The fire grew quickly around the room fueled by Anna's emotion. Our exit was nearly blocked.
"Anna, we need to move," I urged.
She moved toward the exit first as I came behind. Smoke had filled the space as I began coughing before it even started to bother Anna. She wasn't immune to it, but it clearly wasn't an issue for her. The support beams started to crack as we got to the stairs and began to climb up and out. I couldn't even see the daylight coming from the top due to all the smoke. Though I did see, one beam right above Anna give way. She didn't seem to see it, so my instincts took over. I leapt from behind shoving her forward as the ceiling came down on top of me pinning me in the rubble. It hit me fast as the dust seemed to snuff out the fire, but I couldn't move. I hit my head on the way down, but I protected Anna, and that was enough. My eyes began to darken as I barely saw her silhouette fade from my view.
Anna
The ceiling caved in. There was hardly time for a reaction as I made my way out of the crypt. I knew Kristoff was behind me and I didn't care if he made it out of there. He was a thorn in my side, but the moment he shoved me out of the way and was pinned under the rubble, I lost it. Everything came back to me all at once like a freight train. It was if these last years have been a dream or rather a nightmare. I had done deplorable things that I wasn't sure I could ever atone for. If I thought about that weight too much it would crush me.
Kristoff never once gave up on me, even when I hurt him and he had every reason to give up, he didn't. He believed in me even in the darkness. Kristoff had pushed me up the stairs and as I turned around, I saw his arm sticking out from the rubble. Tears filled my eyes as my heart and mind finally reconnected. The man I loved was trapped. I screamed his name as I began pulling at rocks from the top. My firepower couldn't help me in this moment, I was relying on my own strength alone, which wasn't much. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I yanked and pulled as quick as I could getting rocks out of my way. I scraped up my hands a bit in my efforts as the intense stinging laced my senses in pain. I didn't care and kept moving. Once I made a dent in removing the rocks, I managed to get Kristoff's head and part of his shoulders out from the rubble. Dirt and mud caked hinm from what I could see. Blood smeared his forehead from the gash there from the ceiling collapse. I grabbed his arms pulling him gently not wanting to hurt him further. Luckily having removed enough rocks as I pulled Kristoff free. Tearing off a bit of cloth from my shirt, I wrapped his head to keep him from losing anymore blood. His chest was moving up and down barely. The shirt he was wearing was torn up in my efforts of getting him free, but it revealed worse injuries than I anticipated. His chest was a discolored, bruised mess and I worried the collapse might have punctured his lungs. I leaned close to his mouth getting my ear right next to him to check his breathing. It didn't sound strained to my relief. I didn't have the strength to drag him out of here, so I waited for him to come to and I didn't care how long it took.
Kristoff's eyes fluttered open before too long as he gasped in pain. I had laid him against my shoulder making sure to keep him warm. He looked up at me confused.
"Anna?" He muttered, looking me over for injuries, "You okay?"
"Look who's talking." I said bringing my hand to his cheek.
His eyes locked with me as he just stared for a few moments. Tears spilt from me as Kristoff cupped my face in his hands.
"It's you," He said.
I nodded, putting my hands on top of his.
"I'm free,"
He pressed his lips to mine before pulling away inhaling a sharp breath. I wish I could take his pain away and heal him. I would trade firepower for healing magic in a heartbeat.
"We have to get you back to Arendelle, you think you can walk?" I asked.
I carefully helped him rise to his feet and while nothing looked broken, he couldn't put much weight on his left leg.
"Here," I said offering my shoulder, "We do this together."
He put his arm around my shoulder as we carefully climbed up the stairs and out of the crypt. The fjord was in rare form today splashing high upon the rocks and grey clouds swarmed overhead. It was a process getting Kristoff back to the rowboat beneath the rock ledges. Though once we made it to the boat, I stuck my hand in the water and blasted fire propelling us forward to Arendelle in the distance. I knew I had to find my sister and help her however I could. Kristoff was first in getting him to safety, which I knew wouldn't be Arendelle long term. I slowed the boat as we skidded into the harbor. Hans was doing some patrols or something with a group of guards when I screamed for help. Kristoff passed out just before arriving and I couldn't carry him. Hans and the two guards rushed to help as Hans looked at me skeptically.
"Anna, what are you doing here?" He asked accusingly, "What did you do?"
"I swear, this is me. Look, there's no time. Is Pabbie by chance here? Maybe he can help Kristoff."
Hans' body language told me he didn't trust anything I said, but there wasn't time to convince him otherwise. He had every right to doubt. The guards helped get Kristoff off the boat and into the palace taking him to the nearest room to be laid down. Hans summoned for Pabbie to tend to Kristoff. I came in behind the guards as Aunt Isidora stepped in my way before I could go any further.
"What are you doing here?"
She splashed me with an onslaught of water she manipulated practically drowning me knocking me over on my back. I sat up on my elbows as I wiped my eyes.
"Look at me, my eyes, it's me."
Aunt Isidora's face softened when she realized that I spoke the truth and offered me a hand up, which I took.
"Sorry Anna, I didn't mean-"
"Yes you did, but it's okay. The other me would have deserved more than that." I nodded.
"So am I to know what happened?" Aunt Isidora urged.
"Let's get everyone together." I replied, "Are Royan and Aksel still here in Arendelle?"
"Yes, once the twins were- uh, missing, they stuck around to search."
I had so much to atone for and I remembered it all. Aunt Isidora gathered everyone upstairs in the hallway outside of Kristoff's room while Pabbie was tending to him. Pabbie had some healing capabilities, but I don't know if they were enough to help Kristoff. Aunt Isidora, my cousins Aksel and Royan, and Hans all were here in the hall along with Kai, Gerda, and Brigitta.
"There isn't much time, but I will explain what I can." I began, "When I wasn't myself, I was under the influence of a sorcerer named Rasmus. You might recognize the name Raevich which is more widely known. He got in my head and made me do unthinkable things. Though under his influence, I heard some of his wishes and thoughts. He has his eye fixed on Arendelle. He is drawn to power and seeks it no matter the cost. I need to find Elsa and Niklas and warn them."
"They're in Ahtohallan now," Aunt Isidora replied.
"Well then, I should get going." I said.
"What should we do in the meantime?" She asked.
"Arendelle isn't safe while Rasmus is around. We should evacuate."
Everyone fell silent. I know how it sounded and how difficult it would be, but I wasn't sure we had another option. The time for caution was over, we had to act against this threat. It was real and he was here.
"Anna!" A familiar voice called me to me as I looked up seeing Olaf run toward me from down the hall with Alex and Lily just behind him. He leapt into my arms as I gave him a tight warm hug.
"I missed you, Olaf!" I said.
"You too, Anna." He laughed.
I set him down gently as I got down to my knees looking at my niece and nephew. How much they resembled my sister and I felt guilty looking at their faces knowing my other self once wished them harm. I took both their hands in mine.
"I love you both and I'm sorry for what I tried to do."
They both blinked at me confused unsure of what I was referring to, but I wanted to say that to them nonetheless. The door to the guestroom opened as Pabbie came out.
"How is he?" I asked.
"Better, I was able to mend most of his injuries."
"Thank you, Pabbie."
Pabbie nodded before giving my hand a gentle pat.
"He's asking for you."
I smiled with a nod as everyone else began to disperse. Aunt Isidora began giving orders to the guards and making a plan for executing this evacuation. I creaked open the door as Kristoff was sitting up in the bed with his legs dangling over one side.
"You should lay down," I insisted walking over toward him.
"Pabbie healed me. I feel much better."
I wish his words matched what I saw. His skin tone was flushed as tired dark circles surrounded his eyes. Aunt Isidora get him a fresh change of clothes at least. He was alive and I was determined to protect him at all costs.
"So when do you want to leave to find your sister?" He asked, "I could hear you, ya know. You said all this right outside the door." He teased with a playful smirk.
"I'm leaving now-alone," I said with emphasis on the last word.
"Anna, no. We just got you back. I'm coming. I can help."
"You almost died, Kristoff!" I said raising my voice, "Because of me. You're staying where you're safe."
I turned to walk away when I heard a pair of feet hit the floor behind me as Kristoff grabbed my hand spinning me back toward him.
"And who's going to keep you safe and from making reckless decisions like going anywhere alone when a sorcerer is on the loose who is drawn to power, huh?"
I couldn't argue there. We were both stubborn to a fault, but I knew I couldn't convince him to stay put. He cupped my face in his hands wiping a single tear from my cheek with his thumb.
"We're a team, Anna. For better or worse." He whispered.
I bit my lip hugging him gently as we both rushed to the stables to take Sven and get to Ahtohallan. I hadn't seen my sister in three years and I wasn't sure how she would react to me after everything I had done.
~Niklas~
Rasmus gave me a concussion, of that I was certain, but Tsuna rode over getting me on my feet and back to Ahtohallan after Elsa. He could sense her magic power and if he knew she was a threat, he would eliminate her on the spot. I couldn't let that happen. Tsuna raced me through the glacier of Ahtohallan as far as he could go until I had him stop before descending further. I needed the element of surprise. I could hear my wife's voice echoing in these icy caverns and it was like she was having a conversation with herself, but certain things I heard didn't sound like her. Following her voice into the depths, I saw her just ahead with the body of Rasmus trailing behind her and suddenly stopped resting on the ground. She too stopped on a narrow ledge and stared down into the waters below. Elsa once told me what these waters were. A place to hold memories, but exploring them too deep could be fatal.
"I know what you're doing. You're insane. You'll kill yourself," I heard her say.
But a reply quickly came.
"Exactly, but I'll take you with me."
With one foot off the ledge, I leapt from my place and ran up the ledge snatching her arm before she hit the water.
"Elsa! I got you."
She looked up at me almost angry that I had caught her, but her face softened as she looked down at the watery depths hanging just twenty feet below her. I quickly realized she wasn't trying to hang on to me at all. It was my strength alone holding her up.
"Niklas," She muttered, glancing back up at me, "Let me go,"
Was she insane? If Rasmus got in her head, he must have gotten to her. Made her feel like she had to give up. Elsa started to kick her legs and swing making it hard to maintain my grip as I gritted my teeth trying to hang onto her.
"What are you doing?"
"This is the only way to protect everyone."
"By sacrificing your life?" I snapped.
She recoiled at my words.
"It's my responsibility as the Fifth Spirit."
I frowned frustrated that she would just throw away her life in this way before trying another solution. The stakes were real, but no other options were considered.
"What about your responsibility as a mother?" I countered, "Lily and Alex need you as do I."
Tears started streaming down her cheeks as she still tried to wiggle herself free of my grip.
"I have to do this, I'm sorry."
My ears perked up at the sound of crackling ice. I saw cracks branching out in the ice below me. The ledge was narrow, of course it couldn't hold this much weight. Elsa realized the same thing that I did in the moment as another louder crack was heard and the ledge began to fall along with Elsa and I. My wife wasted no time and blasted a thick icy ledge to catch us before we hit the frozen waters below. We dropped a few feet before we both hit the safety of her ledge. The fall, while brief, knocked the wind out of me, but once I snapped to attention, I rolled over to Elsa who was on her side unmoving. I shifted her to her back as she opened her eyes dazed and confused before glancing over at me bringing her hand to my cheek.
"You're okay, you're okay." She muttered, as if terrified and reassuring herself.
"I'm okay, so long as you are," I replied, pressing my lips to hers gently.
I pulled my wife close closing the gap between us and hugging her.
"He's gone. My mind is clear. He was so set on control." She muttered.
"I think self-preservation was a motivator. Your power wasn't worth losing his life again when he just got his freedom."
Elsa sighed heavily pulling away looking at me.
"I almost had him Niklas, it was so simple."
"Not at the cost of your life," I said, pulling her into my embrace again, "We'll find another way," I whispered in her ear.
Elsa built us a few more platforms climbing back up to the main path of the glacier from the depths. The body of Rasmus was gone confirming the theory that he did leave Elsa's body.
We climbed out of the depths of Ahtohallan reuniting with the four animal spirits in the main corridor. Bruni, Tsuna, Yura, and Exalos were all waiting for us. Tsuna approached first nudging Elsa with his snout as Elsa patted his head.
"I can sense turmoil within you," Tsuna said.
Elsa sighed heavily glancing at me as she stepped back taking my hand.
"I have to go home, I can't continue training right now."
"That's foolish," Exalos added, "The threat was here."
"And that is why I must go," Elsa replied, "I have half of the elements, fire and ice already."
"But fire isn't fully mastered," Bruni stepped toward me.
Yura stepped next to Bruni locking eyes with me and then at Elsa.
"We exist to aid the Fifth Spirit. If training must pause for now, then so be it."
Elsa squeezed my hand nervously as if she was wavering on her decision.
"I want to assist you however we can, but I know time is of the essence." Yura continued, "Training does take time, but if you tame me and Exalos we can aid you further even outside Ahtohallan."
I glanced back at Elsa as she was focused on Yura. I remembered what Iduna mentioned in the past. Taming these animal spirits meant they would try to harm her. Every instinct in me thought it was insane, but if these spirits could offer us more help, it might be worth the chance. I believed in my wife. Elsa was fierce and strong especially with her drive to protect those she loves.
"Elsa," I said turning toward her, "You should tame them. There is time."
"But Arendelle-Rasmus." She said, searching my eyes it was like she was waiting for me to shoot this idea down.
"Arendelle will benefit greatly from our additional help. You can do this." I said kissing her forehead desiring to support her with everything. I stepped back as Elsa approached Yura and Exalos.
"I accept the challenge."
Yura and Exalos exchanged looks and backed to the edge of the room. Elsa crossed to the other driving her feet against the ground to grip. Both sides charged as I held my breath focusing on my wife. Yura sent her high on a rock platform as Exalos swirled a vortex of wind around flipping upside down and right side up in quick succession. Elsa quickly blasted fire into the vortex of wind making the entire room swell with intense heat. The wind only fanned the flames now making a fire vortex. My hands clenched tight as I kept careful watch over Elsa. Exalos was flying overhead above her and dive-bombed Elsa extending her sharp talons. Elsa ducked and rolled out of the way nearly rolling into the edge of the firey wall of the vortex. Exalos circled around again though this time from behind. Elsa was coughing from all the smoke and swirled around as if she couldn't see Exalos. The talons hit Elsa in the shoulders and she screamed as Exalos lifted her off the ground. Blood dripped down her arms as I had to fight my urge to run in and help. Several feet of the ground, Elsa raised her arms with pain clear as day etched on her face. She shot ice on Exalos's wings sending them plummeting to the ground. Elsa yanked out the talons and blasted an ice platform to catch her. Exalos hit the ground as Elsa spun around for the next fight. This wasn't over. Yura charged her from behind. Her white tiger fur blended well with the ice glacier of Ahtohallan. Yura leapt on her back as Elsa rolled quickly knocking her off. As she shot to her feet again, Yura was already charging again. Elsa shot fireballs, which Yura quickly dodged with quick sidesteps. Elsa shot one final fireball as it hit Yura's tail as a growl escaped her jowls. Elsa wiped her nose on her arm as she took a breath between attacks. There was blood coming from her nose. She was expending too much power and needed to rest. Yura rolled around putting out her tail before circling around to launch at Elsa. It was hard to watch, but I wouldn't dare look away. My eyes fixated on my wife. Yura with claws out pinned Elsa by her shoulders as Elsa screamed in pain from the talon injury on her shoulders. Though Yura froze, stopping before she even dared to swipe her claw. I briefly glanced at Tsuna and Bruni who were also watching and I wish I could talk to them. What was happening? I stepped closer and saw why Yura stopped. Elsa had a sharp spike of ice pointed against Yura's gut. Elsa had won. Yura bowed her head nodding at Elsa.
"Well done,"
She hopped off Elsa as I ran over to help her up. Was that really it? I extended my hand to her helping her onto her feet as she groaned due to her injuries. Then a few claps were heard echoing behind us. Elsa and I looked up surprised to see Kristoff and Anna standing in the doorway.
