A/N Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out, life gets in the way sometimes.
This chapter I have to say is quite depressing, but it's necessary. The remaining chapter's after this will be rather Elsa centric.
Warnings: Minor language.
Chapter Four.
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
Even before her ascension to the throne, Elsa realized that as queen there would always be difficult decisions to make. It was never easy raising taxes or choosing whether or not to cut trade with certain partners, but she had singlehandedly shouldered the responsibility. She had always strived to follow in her father's footsteps — to be a fair and just ruler and every resolution she hoped had improved the quality of life and the betterment of her people.
Now, however there was a massive weight on her shoulders, one that she could never have foreseen. She was having to make a decision whether or not to put her trust — her faith in this man, a stranger...a criminal even in order to save her sister's life.
After her conversation with Balimor and once she had fled the confines of the dungeon, Elsa had gone straight to the throne room. She remembered how her father would spend a great deal of time in there presiding over matters relating to the kingdom. It was the one room in the entire castle where she felt the closest to him. Not only did it give her much comfort, it was also quiet and peaceful and the carefully placed lanterns cast a warm and cozy hue over her dedicated space.
At first she had stood staring into the dying embers of the once crackling fire, but then she had whirled around and approached the large portrait that hung on the wall. She drew a breath. Fear, panic and anger mixing together. Two bright lanterns flickered, casting shadows across her pallid features. She looked up, conflicted. "Mother, father, what do I do now?"
Of course they couldn't provide her with an answer. This was her burden to bear and hers alone. She was about to say something further when there was a hesitant knock at the door. She stalked over and flung it open to find Kristoff standing there. Her breath hitched and her heart almost stopped.
"Elsa, there you are. We were beginning to worry. You've been gone for hours."
"Is everything okay, is Anna alright?" she blurted out. That was the only thing she needed to know right now.
"Anna's fine. Gerda's with her. She's been asking for you though."
"Then I must go to her," Elsa said, somewhat relieved.
As she breezed swiftly past him, Kristoff absentmindedly grabbed her arm. "Wait?! Aren't you going to tell me what happened with Balimor? I mean was it him? Was he the one who hurt Anna?"
Elsa nodded curtly. "Yes it was."
"That bastard!" he cursed, louder then anticipated. He didn't apologize though, instead he pressed her for further information. "Well did he say whether or not he had an antidote?"
Elsa's posture stiffened and her gaze dropped to the floor. "He didn't exactly say," she replied truthfully.
"Well what did he say?!" Kristoff demanded, growing even more frustrated.
Although slightly unnerved by his uncharacteristically aggressive behavior, Elsa continued, "He said there might be a way to save Anna."
"Well that's great. What is it?"
He wants me to let him go first," she exclaimed softly.
If the situation wasn't so serious he would have laughed hysterically. "Well that's certainly not going to happen. Tell me that's not going to happen!" He squeezed her arm tighter.
"I'll do whatever is necessary to save Anna," she hissed with steely resolve. "Now please unhand me!"
His grip on her slackened, yet he continued to protest. "There has to be some other way. Perhaps there is a healer...or I could go and see the trolls. They know all sorts of magic. They might know what do."
"Kristoff, I appreciate your willingness to put your faith in the trolls, but I'm afraid that no act of true love is going to save Anna this time. Besides, there is no time. Balimor has already declared that Anna only has three days before..." she trailed off. She just couldn't bring herself to say the word die. "What if this is the only chance I have to save her?"
"And what if the moment you set him free he flees the kingdom and we never see or hear from him ever again? What happens to Anna then?"
Elsa realized it was a gamble and she perished the thought that if that were to happen, Anna's fate would certainly almost be sealed. "I have to try," she shot back, whilst sounding entirely unsure of herself. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to see Anna," she concluded, her features turning into a soft, tired expression.
The ice master followed her down the hall, concern written all over his face. "But you don't even know what he wants you to do."
"It doesn't matter. Anna is the most precious thing to me in the world. I'd do anything for her." She let out an unexpected yawn as sheer exhaustion rapidly set in.
He could see it now, her hair was tousled, wispy strands escaping her usual neat braid and dark circles were forming under her eyes. "You know, Elsa, perhaps you should get some rest. I can stay with Anna." He hoped he didn't sound too out of line.
She waved him a dismissive hand. "Thank you for your concern, Kristoff, but rest is the last thing on my mind right now."
A mix of relief and trepidation surged within her as she entered her sister's room once again. Anna looked weaker now, her face absent of any color. "Anna," she whispered. Receiving no response, she gently shook her. "Anna?"
The princess opened her eyes and took a sharp intake of breath. "Elsa, you came. Wow, you look terrible," she noted. "You could really use some rest."
Elsa offered her a faint smile, before lowering her head. "I'll have time to rest when you're all better."
"Did you speak with Balimor?"
"Yes I did."
"Is he the one who's made me sick?"
"Yes," Elsa replied bluntly.
The redhead seemed puzzled, her mind suddenly foggy. "Why would he do that?"
Suddenly, Elsa felt a pang of guilt. "I did something to him. I'm not sure what, but when I froze the kingdom, somehow I caused him a great deal of suffering." Her voice cracked. The revelation was still devastating to her.
"Accidentally froze the kingdom," Anna corrected.
"Accidentally or not. I still did it," she admitted, a slight tremble in her voice. "This is my punishment. This is the price to be paid for what I did."
"No one blames you for what happened," Anna said, offering her sister what little comfort she could.
Well Balimor does. It's my fault he did this to you. I'm the one responsible...me!"
"Stop it!" Anna scolded. "I don't blame you. You are not responsible for his choices, Elsa."
Elsa shook her head, eyes full of anguish. "No, but I chose to use my powers to curse the kingdom. That was my choice and mine alone."
Anna responded with a groan and a few small coughs. She placed a hand over her mouth and when she took it away, Elsa noticed flecks of blood on her palm and also more of the crimson liquid trickling out of the corner of her mouth.
"Anna!" Elsa shrieked as she leapt to her feet, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'll go fetch the doctor."
The princess gasped for air as the coughing intensified. "I'm d-dying aren't I?"
"No, don't say that."
Anna's breathing was even more labored and ragged then before. "You don't need to lie to me, sis. I'm a big girl now. What's happening to me? The truth, Elsa?"
"Balimor poisoned you." There she had said it.
There was a moment of shocked silence before a choked sob escaped Anna's lips. "B-Balimor p-poisoned me?"
"Don't worry. He said there is a way to save you. All I have to do is to let him go free." Elsa said this with as much confidence as she could muster.
Anna turned to her abruptly, eyes wide. "No, Elsa, absolutely not! It doesn't matter what happens to me you cannot let that bastard go."
"Anna, it absolutely does matter what happens to you. You are my sister and my best friend. I need you, Kristoff needs you. This kingdom needs you. If anything were to happen to me then you are next in line to the throne."
"I'm just the spare," she murmured, before coughing violently again. She turned to the side, reaching for the pitcher on the nightstand. "Could you fetch me some water, please?"
Elsa poured some fresh water and brought it to Anna's lips. She drank, sputtering, but she seemed barely lucid now, skirting the edge of unconsciousness as her eyes fluttered shut.
The room fell still, the silence only broken by Elsa's panic-stricken cry. She scrambled from the room where she summoned the doctor right away.
Dr Hambly came as swiftly as he could, demanding everyone stay outside and he would update them as soon as possible. The wait wasn't too long. Upon his exit from the princess's bedchambers, the physician frowned. Suddenly he looked solemn and immensely tired and Elsa could already sense it wasn't good news. "The poison is working much faster then I first anticipated. It is beginning to irritate her airways that is the reason she has been coughing up blood. This is not a good sign I'm afraid. I fear she doesn't have much time. You should prepare for the worst."
A wave of dizziness struck the queen and she sank down in a nearby chair where she buried her head in her hands. "He lied. Balimor said she had at least three days."
"I could give her something, something that will help relieve the pain and help her to sleep," the doctor suggested. "Beyond that I'm afraid — "
Elsa rose from the chair, the decision she had been wrestling with had now been made. "Kai, have the prisoner brought to the throne room, immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Elsa shifted uncomfortably as Balimor was ushered inside the throne room. Once he was positioned before the queen, the guards, devoid of any sympathy forced him down harshly onto his knees. He seemed lost in thought for a moment before he quickly turned his attention to the young ruler. He looked smug. "I'm rather disappointed it took you so long to—"
"Enough— " she began. Elsa stared at him with a blend of terror and contempt. "You said there was a way to save Anna. What is it?" Instead of an answer though, she was met with an infuriating silence.
Her expression remained stoic. "I asked what is it?!" she repeated vehemently, her icy blue eyes never breaking eye contact.
After yanking on the shackles, Balimor answered petulantly, "You know the deal, Your Majesty. Once you let me go, then I'll tell you."
Elsa's mind was abruptly clouded with rage, whilst desperate anger bubbled up inside of her. She would have liked nothing more then to plunge an icicle into his heart for what he had done. Instead she took a deep, calm breath. "That's not how this works. I'm the queen. I make the rules, not you! Now tell me what I must do to help my sister."
Balimor lifted his chin imperiously. "Very well. There is a cabin — abandoned now just beyond the North Mountain Ridge. Meet me there by sunset tomorrow. You will come alone. No guards, no mountain man trying to play hero. No sneaky parlor tricks. Do you understand?"
"Yes." There was however still the small matter of whether or not he could be trusted. She gave him a disdainful look. "How can I be assured that this isn't some kind of trick. That you'll keep your word?"
His face twisted for a moment. He almost laughed. "Trust. Such a powerful word and a risky feeling to give." After a short pause he smirked. "I guess you'll just have to trust me which is more then I can say about a queen who betrayed the trust of her entire kingdom. But if it'll make you feel better then I swear an oath of fealty to you, Queen Elsa."
Her cerulean blue eyes flickered over him. Her jaw clenched. "Return the prisoner to his cell whilst I begin to make arrangements."
As the guards carelessly dragged him to his feet, he resisted the urge to protest. After all, it wasn't like he was going to have to put up with that dingy cell for too much longer anyway.
Once she was alone, Elsa paced wildly for several long minutes, nausea curling up in her throat. The thought of Balimor playing her intensified. Her rampant thoughts however were interrupted when Kristoff and Kai strode in. She offered them a seat and they listened intently as she explained her plan to them.
"The North Mountain Ridge? But that area is extremely dangerous. The path through the mountains is treacherous and fraught with danger," Kristoff warned her.
Kai nodded. "I'm afraid I'm in agreement with Master Bjorgman here, Your Majesty. You are the queen and therefore you simply cannot put yourself at such significant risk like this."
"I know, but I have my powers to protect me," Elsa reassured them both.
"This is crazy. No! I can't...I won't let you do this." Kristoff didn't care whether he sounded like the, well hopefully one day overprotective brother-in-law. He was well aware that if anything happened to Elsa, Anna would be completely devastated. Therefore he felt an obligation to look after her wellbeing.
The queen was less then amused. "Neither of you have the power to stop me," she roared as she stomped towards the doorway, overcome with anger and resentment. "So don't try!"
Kristoff stared at her incredulously before flinging his arms up in exasperation. "You know what, Elsa. You're absolutely right! We may not have the power to stop you, but do you think Anna would want to lose her only sister."
Elsa was reeling. "Don't you see. It's Anna I'm doing this for. Everything I'm doing is for Anna!"
Kai, realizing that their acts of persuasion were fruitless, instead made a suggestion. "At least allow a small group of guards to accompany you then."
"I can't. Balimor's instructions were very specific. I am to go alone."
Kristoff exhaled through his teeth. "Then at least take my sled and Sven. There's no objection to that, is there? But it's only to borrow. I'd like it back in one piece. Anna and I have had some very fond memories in that sled."
Something like a grimace flicked over her features, but was gone in an instant. "Thankyou, Kristoff. That seems to be an offer I can accept."
In the darkened room, Elsa peered down at her sister, now paler than ever. She knew her condition was worsening, but she would put on a brave face regardless. She took her hand, it was cold like death. "Anna? Anna can you hear me?"
Anna's eyes snapped open, although her vision was slightly blurred. "Mama?"
The queen gasped lightly. "No, it's me."
"An angel? You look like an angel," Anna mumbled. "You just need a white dress and wings."
"Don't forget the halo," Elsa added, smoothing her sister's bangs away.
For a brief moment, Anna's mind went blissfully quiet. "You're going to him aren't you?" she finally questioned, staring up at Elsa with half-lidded eyes.
"I have to," Elsa whispered, her voice on the verge of cracking. "I can't lose you, Anna."
If she wasn't feeling so frail right now, she would have berated her, perhaps even slapped her for being so foolish. Instead she mustered up the strength to offer a curt reply. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"Me too," Elsa replied, trying to sound convincing. "Now, I'm warning you, dear sister, you had better be alive when I return, do you hear?"
"I'll sure try," Anna rasped.
That wasn't a good enough of an answer. "I'm being serious here. Promise me, promise you'll hold on for me."
"I promise."
Elsa reached out and softly stroked her cheek. "You're so brave and strong. I knew you'd never give up that easily."
Anna gazed lovingly into Elsa's crystalline eyes. She was her big sister, her protector and she had never been more proud of her, especially after everything she had endured over the years. "Elsa, can you promise me something in return?" she then asked, not quite hiding the weariness in her voice.
Elsa replied promptly, "Anything."
"Promise you'll come back to me safely. Whatever happens, I don't want you dying. If you ever have to make a choice between saving your own life or mine... then I want you to choose you."
The queen shook her head, denying her sister's words. How could she possibly promise something like that. "Anna I..."
"Promise me, Elsa." Her voice was weak and dwindling.
Elsa suddenly felt lightheaded, her stomach tightened with anxiety and dread. "I'm not sure I can promise that."
Sensing her reluctance and discomfort, Anna clutched her sister's hand more tightly. "Promise me!" she repeated with more assertiveness. "Please? Think of it as my last dying wish."
Elsa closed her eyes, then opened them again before exhaling shakily. "I promise."
A/N More to come...
