Hello people, and welcome back to Frozen: Lords of Storm and Stone. I haven't forgotten about this story ladies and gents; my schedule has been whooping my ass recently, but now, here I am, once again. The moment I've been waiting for too long to write is here, and you'll see why I was waiting for it soon enough. Hint: it's not the beginning of this chapter...somehow, or even what comes directly after. O.k. I'll shut up now...
At the edge of a forest, and overlooking a meadow, a living statue, ten feet in height, and bulkier than any human being marched out to look over the environment, with analytical eyes. It then marched out to see to the rocky side of a small, nearby hill, and started collecting rocks to use later. It then noticed some rocks were moving several yards away and went to investigate.
"Fear not friend of stone and metal. Help has come for you." The statue said, and it didn't uncover more than a handful of rocks when a fiery explosion from within knocked it down. Then a man walked out of the pile of melting rocks. He had pitch-black, shoulder-length hair, wore studded, dark red and black leather armor from red to toe, and his body was blazing with the same fire his furious eyes had. He then flew several feet into the air using jets of fire from his feet.
"I am no friend. I am Dietrich...I am destruction...I am doom!" Dietrich yelled before hurling a fireball at the statue, who punched the ground to make a wall of earth burst out of the ground to block the fireball. It then punched the partially-melted wall, sending debris at Dietrich who flew out of the way, and kept dodging rocks the statue continued launching at him...even when the rocks were called back by the statue's magic to hit Dietrich from behind him. He then yelled in fury as he unleashed a wave of fire that melted the rocks in one burst, and drenched him in lava that did no damage to his skin, or his armor. He then flew in circles to create small tornadoes out of fire, which made the statue retreat.
Dietrich then absorbed the tornadoes into his hands and feet, then flew after the statue hurling one fireball after after at it while the statue launched rocks out of the ground to stop Dietrich's fireballs, or make him stop pursuing it. Dietrich then landed several yards from the statue and took a moment to catch his breath before the statue hurled another chunk of rock at Dietrich, who used fire jets to fly along the ground to dodge the rock. He then continued doing so as he returned the favor by furiously throwing fireballs at the statue, all of which were stopped by a floating rock shield the statue was controlling.
Dietrich then landed after the statue's assault ended, glared at it. However, before Dietrich could do anything...a woman engaged the statue from behind. She was wearing the same outfit he wore, had the same black hair that went past her shoulders, as well as a buxom hourglass figure. She then spewed a torrent of fire out of her mouth and knocked it to the ground with a mass of lava drenching it's once-durable armor.
"What are you doing Adrianna!?" Dietrich snapped.
"Don't like it? Feel free to complain to Lord Absalom." Adrianna said as she shoved past Dietrich who growled at her. "Relax Red Wolf, our lord's plan involves ample destruction...enough even for you."
"If this keeps up, the destruction will never end. We destroy this soldier, Sigmund will simply create another one." Dietrich said while crossing his arms and Adrianna crouched over the remains of the statue she burned, and smirked.
"Then we'll destroy that one too..." She said simply before charging up a fireball and slamming it into the statue.
Meanwhile, Anna and Kristoff got themselves ready for the trip up north, while Elsa and a few others braced Kristoff's sled for the trip itself. Anna got her old winter outfit in case things got too clod, but wore the outfit she wore during their time in the Enchanted Forest, braided her hair the same way too. She also sheathed the sword she was now formally trained in using as well. Kristoff's case was exactly the same as hers, and he also had his sword with him, as well as his ice pick for when he needed it; one could never be too prepared afterall.
"Begging your pardon Your Majesty, but a message arrived for you and your family." Kai said.
"Thank you very much." Anna said before taking the message, reading it, and widening her eyes.
"Is there a problem?" Kai asked.
"Not at all, in fact...now we know how to get where we're going, and who we're dealing with." Anna said.
Elsa meanwhile was looking over the items they were bringing for their trek: food and drinks? Check. Map of Scandinavia? Check. Washcloths? containers in case they ran into anything they could use? Check. Next thing she knew however, her two family members were on their way.
"Elsa, guess what?" Anna said.
"What?" Elsa asked and Anna showed the letter.
"We got a message that tells exactly where we need to be: it's called Steindalen, the Valley of Stone, and the lord of the place is named Sigmund." Anna said.
"Sigmund? Could he be that earth magic user the trolls showed us?" Elsa asked.
"No idea, he didn't say...then again, why would he?" Anna asked.
"Well we're lucky Grandpabbie gave us that anti-magic charm." Kristsoff said.
"Why didn't he give it to us before we went to the Enchanted Forest?" Anna asked.
"Either he didn't know the charm, or he just now mastered it." Kristoff said.
"Really?" Anna asked.
"Anna...I've known him for most of my life; there is no way he would let us go on a life-threatening journey without that charm if he knew it at the time." Kristoff said.
"Good point." Anna said.
"If he knew it before...I hit you in the head that one time, we'd probably have a different history." Elsa said seriously.
"I thought we were past that." Anna said.
"We are, but the idea speaks for itself." Elsa said.
"That's also a good point." Anna said.
"Well...shall we go see Lord Sigmund?" Kristsoff asked, and Sven groaned.
With that, Sven dragged the sled down the road, with the group in it, winding around the hills, crossing bridges, and even passing Elsa's old ice palace.
"Hey Olaf, how about some trivia?" Elsa asked.
"Oh! I've got plenty of trivia!" Olaf exclaimed before the palace came into view.
"Did you know the sun is actually a star?" Olaf asked.
"Get out." Kristoff said, and Elsa stopped Olaf before he jumped out of the cart.
"Not literally." She said.
"Oh, sorry..." Olaf said.
"Maybe...I shouldn't say that anymore..." Kristoff trailed off.
"Did you only female mosquitoes bite people? Which leaves me to wonder what males bite...?" Olaf asked as they went through another windy road.
"Good question..." Anna trailed off.
"Did you know that oak trees need to be 50 years old to have acorns? I know!" Olaf asked as they passed several mountains.
"What about the 49-year-olds?" Anna asked.
"No idea..." Olaf said.
"Did you know that Turkey isn't named after the animal? Or is it...?" Olaf asked, and everyone's heads raised and their eyebrows lowered.
"Did you know that metal is also earth?" Kristoff asked as the sun started to go down over a plain.
"That's ridiculous." Olaf said.
"No, it's true." Kristoff said.
"Did you know you're a hundred times more likely to get stung by a jellyfish than bitten by a shark?" Olaf said.
"Did you know that honey doesn't spoil?" Olaf asked.
"What?" Anna asked.
"Yep, honey itself doesn't rot." Kristoff said.
The sleight then stopped for the night, and they covered the sleigh with a large blanket as they slept together, with Anna cuddling with Kristoff and Elsa snuggling with Olaf. In the morning, they continued their trek, and then took in the scenery. Vast forests in all directions, hills, and grasslands the distance, with mountains overlooking them, and of course, a blue sky with various amounts of clouding over their heads, with the rising sun illuminating the entire spectacle. Unsurprisingly, Olaf rushed around the cart beaming as he took in the sights.
"According to this map, the Valley of Stone should be through that narrow pass up ahead." Kristoff said.
"Finally...we've been stuck in this cart for days now..." Anna said.
"What do you think this Sigmund guy is like?" Kristoff asked.
"Who knows?" Elsa said.
"I'll bet he'll be someone who really likes rocks." Olaf said.
"Well...he controls rocks, so I'd hope so." Anna said.
"Do you like ice Elsa?" Olaf asked.
"I got to make you didn't I? So of course I like ice." Elsa said softly.
"Maybe Sigmund makes rockmen." Olaf said.
"Interesting thought..." Anna trailed off.
"You mean like the Earth Spirits that nearly crushed us?" Kristoff asked.
"I seriously doubt there are others; I would have sensed them by now." Elsa said.
"Maybe he made his own?" Anna said.
"That however...might have happened..." Elsa said.
"Well, let's go through that pass, and see if you're right-" Kristoff stopped talking, and stopped the sled when they went over a hill...and everyone stared at the scene before them.
"What happened here...?" Anna whispered as she stared at the scene. Scorched earth all around, burnt plants and even craters were scattered around the entire field before them.
"What could have done this?" Kristoff asked.
"And why?" Anna asked, and Elsa got out of the sled and looked around. The others looked at each other and Kristoff coaxed Sven to stay put as Elsa surveyed the area.
"Magic did this...and not just any magic." Elsa said.
"Fire magic." Anna said seriously.
"Grandpabbie did show us a vision of two fire magic users...but to think they did all of this..." Kristoff trailed off.
"No...only one of them did this." Elsa said seriously.
"One?!" Anna exclaimed.
"Yes. There's two different energies, but one outclasses the other by too great a margin. One of them caused this, and the other finished it." Elsa said.
"But why did they do this in the first place?" Anna asked.
"There! That rock over there looks different from the others." Kristoff said as he pointed to a large rock with ripples in it. Elsa then went over to examine it...and then gasped.
"What?" Anna asked.
"Olaf was right; this was a rockman...and it's been melted." Elsa said.
"Melted?" Anna asked.
"Oh! More trivia! Did you know it takes roughly 2,400 Fahrenheit, or 1,300 Celsius, to melt rock and turn it into lava, and that most flames don't burn hotter than that?" Olaf asked and the whole group stared at him. "But it would also take alot of fire, and alot of power to get it to melt all at one time; far much more than can be produced anyhow. Also, I really don't think it's safe to play with that much fire..."
"No it's not, and whoever did this...was not looking to make friends." Elsa said.
"Good thing we have our charms, and you have your powers." Anna said.
"I completely agree." Elsa said.
"Well, at least it's now official: Sigmund is in fact the earth magic user we're after." Kristoff said.
"But apparently someone else is after him...but why?" Elsa asked.
"And who are they?" Anna asked.
They then marched through the narrow passage, keeping an eye on the bends and swerves in the road...but they were not alone. On the top of a hill in the distance, Dietrich and Adrianna were with a middle-aged man in a black and dark purple suit of armor, with a cloak.
"Reinforcements..." The man whispered.
"Sigmund called for aid..." Dietrich said.
"Perhaps. Both of you, go to the quarry and prepare yourselves. When I tell you to, we will draw them out." The man said.
"But Lord Absalom, I've been waiting for this. I must fight them!" Dietrich exclaimed.
"No! All three of them, especially the woman in white stink of magic; you have no chance of winning if you fight them now. You will need aid." Absalom said, and Dietrich groaned. "Dietrich...this is about more than your revenge; you know I have great plans for this country and you have a chance to be part of them...unless you allow yourself to slip more than you have. Now go with Adrianna and await my command."
"Come on Red Wolf..." Adrianna said casually before taking Dietrich's hand, only to be shrugged off.
"Right..." He whispered before marching off as Adrianna followed him. Absalom then continued watching the sled of his would-be enemies continue traveling down the path. His hand then began sparking with lightning as he regarded Elsa in particular with razor sharp eyes..
Elsa and company continued through the pass, eyeballing the ridges over their heads, and the bumps in the head, mostly for Sven and their sled's sake. When they finally got outside the pass, they encountered a pair of status, each one with an axe and shield.
"Well...that's welcoming." Kristoff said.
"Do you think they can hear us...?" Olaf whispered.
"If they were going to attack us, they probably would have by now." Anna said.
"Do you think they thought about that idea, or got that idea just now, or that they should have that idea by now, but didn't, but then they got mad at themselves for not having the idea before, but now have the idea because you brought it up, and now that they-" Kristoff cuts Olaf off.
"Olaf! Calm down. See? They're not moving. We're going to be fine." He said.
"Oh...you're right Sven." Olaf said.
"I'm Kristoff." Kristoff deadpanned.
"Kristoff..." Olaf said.
"Come on, Sigmund is waiting for us." Elsa said seriously as they went past the statues.
When they got past the statues, they continued their trek through some scattered woods...and finally, they reached their destination.
"The Valley of Stone..." Elsa whispered as she analyzed the area. A valley, at least a mile in size, with hundreds upon hundreds of houses, a network of farms, and other miscellaneous buildings were everywhere they looked, with mountains encircling the area.
"Elsa...look." Anna said as she nudged Elsa and pointed at the furthest end of the valley, and Elsa's eyes widened. There was a smaller mountain overlooking the city...with a fortress built into it. It was just as wide as Elsa's ice palace, but not even half as tall, with bastion towers on the sides, with a shorter one in the direct center, and the walls and the mountain itself looked like one was built into the other.
"Amazing..." Elsa whispered.
"It looks like your ice palace, only...different." Anna said.
"I'll bet you anything it was made with magic, in other words..." Kristoff trailed off.
"By the Lord of Stone." Everyone said at the same time, as they looked at each other, and Sven snorted afterwards. They then looked back at the valley, and went down to meet the people.
When they reached the city, they heard excited voices in the distance as well as people fleeing to cover.
"Did...we do something?" Anna asked...and then she heard a slow drum melody, and then a strumming lute and a flute playing. The strumming came from a bard leaning against a wall, who slowly approached them.
Welcome weary travelers
Come to our merry home
Where everyone stays here
As if they're on a throne
Surrounded by mountains
That contain what we own
Which is a merry site
Run by the Lord of Stone
With that, dozens more people came out and the tune picked up, as danced moved and skipped in-sync with the music as the group watched in amusement and awe, especially Anna.
Here in this valley, you're bound to find some home
If not you'll find people, who'll give all that you're owed
A bounty of export, a place to make fine wine
And of course all the cuisine on which you can dine
But all of this comes with, anything sort of pain
We've been targeted by some villains to want our gain
Oh those cursed scoundrels
Come to take what we own
But though we may fear them
We fight with what we hone
But if we go and fail
With our flesh blood and bone
We know they're in his sight
They'll face the Lord of Stone
"Just who is the Lord of Stone?" Anna asked and the music stopped.
"Who's the Lord of Stone?" Everyone asked at once.
"Only the greatest warrior in the land." The bard said.
"He inspired us to make this band." A woman said.
"He keeps our homes from falling." A man said.
"He keeps our kids from bawling." A woman said.
"He makes the bad guys cry for their mommies." A child said.
"He gives them all the whammies!" Another child said.
"That doesn't rhyme." The first child said.
"Yes it does." The second child said.
"Kids please." A woman said, before the music picked up, and the entire town started moving. Even the group started moving. albeit to a lesser degree; they were logically affected, but they not only had not enough space in or on the cart, but this was the town's moment, and they were putting the show on specifically for them. A group of people even made a circle for a young woman to take center in. The light on her face, and the enthusiasm reminded Elsa of how Anna was as a princess, granted Anna was still Anna and she was seriously unlikely to change, but she did take more than one page out of Elsa's book over the years.
Meanwhile, all eyes were focused on the woman dancing her heart out. She certainly had the same effect on people Anna had, and even looked like her somewhat. Granted the woman had a figure that was more defined, her hair was brown instead of strawberry-blonde, and her face was different, but outside of that...she had the exact same impression. When she was done, the music and the town calmed down to an extent, and the bard took it home.
So hear you good travelers
You're in our merry home
Where you can still stay here
With all that we can hone
Now you can look round
At all we love and own
Or you can see the sight
Now face the Lord of Stone
With three final strums, the song ended and the people continued cheering, pumping their fists into the air, and throwing their hats around.
"So there you have it." The bard said.
"That was amazing!" Anna exclaimed.
"Why thank you very much milady. Oh, where are my manners; allow me to introduced myself. I am Askel." Askel said.
"We're Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff." Anna said, then Olaf burst out of the blanket he was hiding under, and Askel exclaimed and recoiled.
"Surprise! I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs!" He exclaimed.
"Eh...why do you...?" Askel trailed off.
"He's mine." Elsa said, and Askel looked her over.
"You're...you have magic as well! Maybe you can all help us!" Askel said.
"That's why we're here." Anna said.
"Lord Sigmund must see you at once. He lives in that fortress." Askel said seriously as he pointed at it.
"We figured as much." Kristoff said.
"The way to his fortress is on it's left side, down a trail, and there's a secret passage that'll lead you to the entrance. You can't miss it." Askel said.
"Thanks." Anna said.
"No...thank you. With a second magic-user, and of course her companions aiding His Lordship, our victory is assured." Askel said.
"May I ask where the stables are?" Kristoff asked.
"They should be on your way, don't worry." Askel said before the group went to the fortress...and put Sven in a safe place.
Askel's directions were solid, the group not only found the stables, but also found the secret entrance to Lord Sigmund's fortress...and saw more statues around the city. They went up a column of stairs, turned several corners, and went down several hallways with Elsa leading them. All the while, their way was lit by iron torches on the walls letting off green light.
"What's with these torches?" Anna asked.
"I don't know, but they're giving off the same energy Sigmund himself is giving off." Elsa said.
"What do you think he's like?" Olaf asked.
"He obviously cares about his people, why else would he asked us to come here?" Kristoff said.
"Good point Sv- Kristoff." Olaf said.
"Good catch Olaf." Elsa said.
"Thank you." Olaf said, and they continued down the hall, with Elsa continuing to lead them. Along the way ,they encountered more and more statues and torches, and Elsa picked up the pace.
"I sense him; we're getting closer..." She said seriously, and Anna and Kristoff shared a look as they followed Elsa. She then stopped before a large set of double doors, sucked in a breath and deflated.
"He's in there isn't he?" Kristoff asked.
"Yes...and he's even stronger than I thought." Elsa said.
"Olaf, you should probably wait here." Anna said.
"O.k...tell Sigmund I said hi!" Olaf said and both sisters smiled.
"O.k." Elsa said before pushing open the doors, and they looked around to see a long room lined with pillars and more torches, along with a handful of windows scattered around the perimeter. They then focused on the throne at the end of the room...and there he was: The Lord of Stone. Even though he was fast asleep, the intensity of his presence was unmistakable, and his look matched what Grandpabbie showed them. A stern yet soft face, a suit of armor that looked like it was made of iron, wavy, dark brown hair that went past his shoulders, a clean-shaven face with features as sharp as a sword, and a green cloak that covered most of his form.
"Should we wake him?" Anna whispered...but she at her own words as a small golem moved from the shadows and approached the throne.
"My Liege? We have visitors." It said, and Sigmund sucked in a deep breath and opened his eyes.
"Visitors...?" He breathed out as he tried focusing on the group before him, and Anna stepped forward.
"Yes, I am Queen Anna of Arendelle. This is my husband Kristoff, and my sister Elsa." She said.
"The royal family of Arendelle in my fortress...how fortunate can one man be?" Sigmund said, and his tone of voice matched that of one who valued both wisdom and fairness. Anna could tell right away that they were going to get along quite well.
"I'm sorry we interrupted your nap, but we received your letter and came as quickly as we could." Anna said.
"Your Majesty, if there is one thing I would gladly wake up to, it's the honor of having a queen in my home, and her family of course." Sigmund said.
"We're honored Lord Sigmund." Anna said.
"If you know who I am, then you know why I asked you to come here. May I ask how many soldiers you brought to aid my fiefdom?" Sigmund asked.
"We came on our own. But I assure you good lord, we are enough." Anna said...and Sigmund looked Elsa over.
"You there, you possess magic do you not?" He asked.
"Yes I do." Elsa asked.
"As much of an honor it is for the royal family to leave their home to aid me, I am more than a little curious as to how adept you are with your powers." Sigmund said.
"We would not come here if we didn't think we weren't able to help you." Elsa said.
"With all due respect, a group consisting of only three people is not very noteworthy at first glance. I require more information, and the best way I can think of to acquire it...is this." Sigmund said before clutching his fist and the pillars to either side of him shattered, and the pieces flew about in front of him.
"You...want to fight me?" Elsa asked.
"I want you to show me what you can do." Sigmund said seriously, and Elsa looked at Anna and Kristoff who retreated back to the door and hid behind a pillar.
"Alright..." Elsa said before sucking in a breath, and launching a burst of frost at Sigmund, who simply waved his hand and the fragments of the pillars moved to intercept the frost. Elsa then noticed that Sigmund left both flanks open when he did that, but he was clearly used to handling his powers; he knew both flanks were open himself, and moved the fragments back to their original places when the frost was deflected.
Elsa then launched more bursts of frost, only for Sigmund to intercept them at every turn. The whole time, her eyes and mind were working on figuring out how his defense worked, but Sigmund simply sat there on his throne unimpressed, or at least anticipating her to do something more serious. For all she knew, Sigmund could be having as hard a time Elsa was having, but was doing a better job at keeping himself under control. If nothing else, he was clearly not afraid of her, despite the lowering temperature of the room.
Eventually, Elsa threw smaller but rapid bursts of frost at him, and Sigmund's defense didn't change...but Elsa's strategy did. She concentrated her strikes on the sides and the center in equal spades, but alternated between the targets. Sigmund could do nothing but watch as the fragments were picked off one by one, despite how quickly he was moving them. What really got his attention was how Elsa launched so much ice his way, but wasn't even having trouble breathing.
In the end, Sigmund looked over the fragments of frozen stones litering his throne room with his face continuing to lack any emotion.
"So...you figured it out. You got rid of my defenses piece by piece by timing your attacks so I would have to cover a few angles with more power, therefore leaving other angles vulnerable. Most impressive tactics." Sigmund said seriously.
"Thanks." Elsa said, before Sigmund clutched his fist, which forced the fragments to form together into a pillar that floated overhead...and aimed it at Elsa.
"How is your defense?" Sigmund asked before raising the pillar higher.
"Elsa!" Anna exclaimed, as Sigmund pointed his finger at Elsa, and then the pillar launched at her, but her response could not have been more obvious: she erected a wall of ice in front of her, with a layer of snow several feet thick behind it to cushion the impact even further. Once the pillar crashed into it, the ice wall was cracked from the center, to the edge, but still held fast.
"A double-layer wall of ice and snow? Also quite impressive." Sigmund said before using both hands to split the pillar into the two pillars it was originally, and reformed them into their original places.
"Have I showed enough?" Elsa asked.
"Not yet. It is clear you are used to your abilities, may I ask how long you've had them?" Sigmund asked.
"Since the day I was born." Elsa said.
"I see...that certainly explains why your movements were so fluid. Regardless, it is clear that if this were a real fight you would probably win...if it remained at a distance. Are are you up-close?" Sigmund asked, and Elsa rolled her eyes in thought.
"I...never tried..." Elsa trailed off, then Sigmund stood up and removed his cloak.
"Then let's find out...!" He breathed out, and the next thing she knew, Elsa was being charged at by Sigmund...who was gliding along the ground with a few inches of thin air below his feet! She had just enough time to side-step, but missed her chance to counter as Sigmund touched the ground and began throwing punches at her. He was too slow to land any, but it was quite likely that he was holding back; this was a demo afterall; he wasn't trying to injure her, let alone kill her. Regardless, Elsa was forced to move away from him or around him as he continued his onslaught.
Anna and Kristoff watched the entire thing from where they were. Both knew first-hand how strong Elsa was, and Sigmund as able to keep up with her, despite having just woken up from a nap. Nevermind how much each one was holding back, Sigmund's ability to use his powers and skills to this degree even though most people would probably struggle just standing up straight after this kind of exertion was...pretty thought-provoking to say the least. The fact that he was wearing heavy plate armor from neck-to-toe made things even more serious; Heaven forbid he fights them with killer intent...
Eventually, Elsa blasted Sigmund with frost, which his armor protected him from, but he violently shivered from the cold itself after getting his bearings, and then straightened himself out. He then floated across the ground again, and dashed backwards before grabbing a pillar, ripping it out of it's place, and Elsa put up another ice wall to keep herself from being crushed by the pillar that was being magically slammed into her defense until it cracked apart. Sigmund's eyes furrowed at the number of times he had to strike Elsa's defense; she was using some remarkably resilient ice...
He then moved from one side to another over and over, making Elsa struggle to keep track of him, and then blasted a chunk of a pillar he tossed at her. They repeated the process several more times, before Sigmund punched another pillar, making it topple over...but it was just a diversion. Sigmund grabbed a wall, ran along it, jumped off of it, then sprung a small earth wall out of the ground to his side as Elsa shot a burst of frost at him. He then punched the wall, making the fragments fly towards her, then Elsa ducked the rocks launched at her. She then opened her eyes to see Sigmund's fist in her face...but then he looked down to see an ice spike poking his breastplate.
The speed at which Sigmund's metal-covered fist was coming her way would have caved in her skull, but Elsa's ice spike would have impaled him, with or without armor. The duel was a stalement...
"I...I'm sorry..." Elsa said before Sigmund backed down.
"Don't be. I had a sense backing you into a corner would come back to haunt me. At least we know what your limit is. But this demonstration is over; I have seen everything I needed to." He said seriously.
"I would hope so! Seriously, you two nearly killed each other already!" Anna exclaimed.
"I need to know everything I am dealing with, and unless I want my opponent dead, they will survive." Sigmund said simply...and his even tone of voice was somewhat alarming. How much time in combat did he see, and why was he so nonchalant about ending lives?
"Lord Sigmund...?" Elsa asked.
"Before we continue, I do apologize for scaring all of you; war, by it's very nature can be...demanding, but all-things-considered, this was a resounding success, and I can see why you came here yourselves. The people sing my praises quite often, and I can humbly claim that their praise is both earned, and completely truthful. Now, if you would please follow me." Sigmund said, before waving his hand and the room put itself back together, and the ground watched the entire display of power from the Lord of Stone, whose title was being put to the test before their eyes as they followed him to the left side of his throne.
When they got down the short hallway, they arrived at a war room, with a large map on the table, with landmarks named, and sometimes highlighted. There were also cabinets full of books and scrolls lining a wall, and a window that led to a balcony. Someone has been busy...
"This is one impressive fortress." Kristoff said.
"Thank you very much. By my count, this is the sixth one I've created." Sigmund said.
"Sixth? What happened to the other five?" Anna asked.
"They were either destroyed, or I was forced to abandon them." Sigmund said.
"We actually meant to ask you about that. You said that you needed help with an invasion. Do you know who is attacking you?" Elsa asked.
"I know exactly who is attacking me..." Sigmund said seriously, and then grabbed a book, and placed a photograph of Absalom on the table.
"Who is that?" Kristoff asked.
"His name is Absalom, also known as the Lord of Storm." Sigmund said.
"Storm? Wait a minute..." Elsa trailed off and remembered the storm that stopped her from reaching the Enchanted Forest.
"I am aware of the storms appearing over Scandinavia, but...I have no idea how he is connected to them. I encountered him several times, and I have never seen him do any such thing as create a storm directly." Sigmund said.
"He must be behind them somehow." Elsa said.
"Of that, I have no doubt..." Sigmund said before walking away from the table and facing away from the group.
"What is he after?" Anna asked.
"I...have multiple assumptions..." Sigmund said.
"Which are?" Kristoff asked.
"This fortress, my power, Scandinavia, the world itself...there is no telling what his ultimate goals are." Sigmund said before facing the group again.
"Why am I surprised...?" Anna trailed off.
"Could my presence be more of a problem than a solution?" Elsa asked seriously.
"No, I myself fought Absalom several times, and each time he has sorely tested my skill and power." Sigmund said.
"He almost killed you?" Anna asked seriously.
"Yes...many times." Sigmund breathed out.
"That's...kind of scary..." Anna said, before Sigmund turned to them.
"Yes...it is, but I am quite relieved I will no longer fight him alone, or his armies for that matter. With a second magic-user, things should go alot smoother. As for the two of you...well, I do not expect much from you, but nevertheless it would be unwise, and unfair of me to consider you both useless." He said.
"We have been through things like this before you know." Anna said.
"All the better, you can do things behind the frontlines, one way or another, which as I should know from experience, can be vital to success." Sigmund said.
"We have also been given charms to resist magic, so we can be on the frontlines, if we have to be." Kristoff said.
"Charms that resist magic? I have never heard of such a thing..." Sigmund said.
"Apparently they're a thing only recently." Anna said.
"Wait, you asked me about my powers, what about your own?" Elsa asked.
"I can tell you I was not born with magic; I was deemed worthy of my powers, and I became as used to my powers as I am through training and experience, rather than natural talent or instinct." Sigmund said.
"What do you mean? How did you get your powers?" Elsa asked.
"I am sorry, but I have already said too much. Curiosity bested me before, but it will not again. I actually have a bounty of things I swore to not reveal, but I am willing to share them with all of you, if I feel comfortable enough doing so." Sigmund said.
"Fair enough. We also have a bounty of secrets, as you said." Elsa said.
"Should the relationship between all of us improve enough, I will happily share my secrets, and listen to your own, but until then, I would appreciate if you respect my privacy as much as I respect your own." Sigmund said.
"That is not a problem good lord." Anna said.
"Very good. Now, for the war itself, I can give you some intel right now if you'd like." Sigmund said.
"Might as well." Anna said.
"Luckily, over the last month, things have been quite calm, but I have a sense that this calm is unironically, that which comes before a storm, and if I'm correct...none of you arrived a moment too soon. I may have taken it it upon myself to defend these people, but even with those statues and others aiding me...I am only one man." Sigmund said.
"We meant to ask about those statues. What are they?" Kristoff asked.
"And why are there so many?" Elsa asked.
"In order: They're the guardians I created to oversee my fiefdom, and they're so numerous because I need that many to do the task I assigned them." Sigmund said.
"Then why don't they move?" Anna asked.
"Because they're...how should I say this? They're asleep, but at the same time, fully-alert; they're physically asleep, but they're as awake as all of us are, all the time as well." Sigmund said.
"That doesn't make alot of sense." Kristoff said.
"That's the best way I know how to explain it, and I told you no lie before, and I have no intention of starting now." Sigmund said.
"O.k..." Kristoff said.
"Anyway, I myself go out on skirmishes with Absalom's forces every now and then. In fact, I recently returned from one, which is why I was napping just now." Sigmund said.
"Speaking of which, on our way here, we encountered a place that was blown apart, and had scorch marks everywhere." Elsa said and Sigmund sighed.
"Adrianna..." He said.
"Who?" Anna asked.
"Absalom's daughter. Whether she's his daughter by blood or adoption, I do not know, but she is a fire magic user that delights in the destruction she causes." Sigmund said.
"I...don't like the sound of that..." Kristoff trailed off.
"What does she look like?" Elsa asked.
"For starters, she wears a red and black suit that hugs her body, has long black hair, green eyes which are cold enough to put your ice to shame, and..to be quite honest, if she wasn't evil, I might call her beautiful." Sigmund said.
"What about the other one?" Elsa asked.
"Other one? She's the only one I'm aware of. Why do you ask?" Sigmund asked.
"I..have reason to believe that she ended the fight, not started it, and she destroyed one of your stone soldiers." Elsa said and Sigmund sighed.
"We're sorry." Anna said softly.
"No...she is a formidable and incredibly cagey foe, without or without help, and those soldiers know the risks as much as my people do." Sigmund said.
"Is...there any way we can help you now?" Kristoff asked.
"No, but there is plenty of room for you in my fortress if you desire, as well as a bounty of recreational options. My collections, some art pieces, literature, even music." Sigmund said.
"Music?" Kristoff asked.
"Yes. Askel is not the only one who is versed in music. In fact, I often play to myself before and after a battle, to keep myself level-headed, and believe me, it works like a charm." Sigmund said.
"It would be nice to hear that, but it can wait for now." Anna said.
"As you wish." Sigmund said.
"What about those books and scrolls?" Kristoff asked.
"Oh these? Most of them are pieces of information I picked up over the last few months, on my own, or thanks to my troops." Sigmund said.
"Really?" Kristoff asked.
"Yes. Some are my own writings, others are the work of others, especially when it comes to the supernatural, like our magic, and what it could be used for. While others are more miscellaneous." Sigmund said as he motioned to the shelves surrounding them.
"You have...quite the collection..." Elsa said.
"I do nothing that is not necessary. As the Lord of Stone, I am bound to my service to those people down there. As such, I must be the best in as many ways as I can, for as long as I can. If not...we die." Sigmund said.
"Yeesh, I'd hate to be under that kind of pressure..." Kristoff said.
"I have a plethora of people helping me, not just those stone soldiers, but stone scouts that survey the outskirts of the valley, and sometimes further beyond. In fact, most of these writings are scout reports, some of which are weeks or months old." Sigmund said.
"Really?" Anna asked.
"The more information I have, the more likely I am to make the right decision, even if the information is no longer up-to-date, I must recall what has been before." Sigmund said.
"Smart." Anna said, then Olaf showed up.
"Hi! I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs!" He exclaimed, and Sigmund eyeballed him.
"Hello...Olaf..." He said.
"You must be the Lord of Stone. Funny...you don't look like you're made of stone." Olaf said.
"I'm not, this is steel armor. My title comes from my ability to control stone, but in truth, any kind of earth is under my control. Stone, steel, glass, sand, crystal, even lava." Sigmund said.
"Lava?" Kristoff asked.
"Oh more trivia time! Did you know lava is actually melted rock-" Anna cuts Olaf off.
"Yes, Olaf. We all get it." She said.
"Anyway, there's plenty of things for you to do in the village as well, some of which I believe you've already seen. We even have operations in the mountains. Quarrying, mining, ice harvesting-" Kristoff cuts Sigmund off.
"Wait, ice harvesting?" He asked.
"Yes. Why?" Sigmund asked.
"He's an ice harvester by trade." Elsa said.
"Is he now? Quite interesting that an ice harvester is now Prince Consort of Arendelle." Sigmund said while folding his arms.
"I can tell that story! It began...with two sisters-" Anna cuts Olaf off.
"Not now Olaf!" She exclaimed, and then chuckled as Sigmund stared at them.
"I'd ask what that was about, but I don't want to know..." He said.
"So...where's this ice harvesting business?" Kristoff asked, and Sigmund grabbed another map, put it on the table, and pointed to the spot in the mountains.
"Here. Through the woods to the east, then up a trail and through a small pass. Luckily, I was able to make a lift so getting down shouldn't be a problem. And no we can't use the lift to get up, not without possibly delaying the harvesters anyway." Sigmund said.
"Eh, who cares? We'll get to see the sights in the meantime." Kristoff said.
"That is very true." Sigmund said.
"Well, let's go get our stuff from the sled, and set ourselves up here." Anna said.
"We'll be back Lord Sigmund." Elsa said.
"By all means." Sigmund said with a bow as the royal family left.
Sheesh, Frozen 2 references out the butt this chapter, not that it's not fitting. Anyway...hell of an introduction to the fabled Lord of Stone eh? Well, get used to it, because there's ALOT more of him to come...same goes for the 3 major antagonists I referenced. So how are things going to play out? Well, you'll just have to Rate, Review, and Share while I cook more things up, and I promise I'll be on top of this more often, so stay tuned.