Hello people, and welcome back to Frozen: Lords of Storm and Stone. I hope those of you who celebrate Chinese New Year had a good time, as did those of you whom Valentine's Day and President's Day appeals to. There's also no less than 10 days until St. Patrick's Day...so remember to wear green if you don't want to get pinched. As for this story, I did say that I'll post more often, and I finally got a chance to do so. I appreciate your patience, and I hope you see the rest of this story as worth the wait. Now let's get it on...
In the kitchen, Dietrich was slowly but steadily taking bites out of a pork chop with potatoes and carrots on the side. Kristoff walked in, and got some stew...before the two noticed each other. Dietrich then stopped eating, and looked the larger man over as he started eating his stew. Eventually Kristoff stopped and locked eyes with Dietrich who then went back to his pork.
"Is something the matter?" Kristoff asked.
"Only that I dislike lumbering, two-meter oafs...!" Dietrich growled.
"O.k...that was uncalled for!" Kristoff snapped.
"You know what isn't? Me slamming a fireball into your heart!" Dietrich yelled, then Anna came in.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What's going on here?" She asked.
"What do you think is happening?!" Dietrich asked.
"Well whatever it is, knock it off, both of you! This place is too small for this nonsense, and we have enough to worry about at it is." Anna said.
"Well, I'm not shaking hands with either of you." Dietrich said.
"The feeling's mutual." Kristoff said.
"I said enough!" Anna snapped.
"No you didn't." Dietrich said dryly.
"Well I meant to, now both of you get a hold of yourself and let us finish eating in peace. Yes, I know I didn't get any food yet but...that's why I'm here." Anna said.
"Fine..." Dietrich groaned before getting back to his food.
"Where's Elsa?" Kristoff asked.
"She's with Sigmund going over what we do next." Anna said.
"What can you do next?" Dietrich asked.
"That's what they're going over, now...can we please eat in peace?" Anna asked, then Dietrich huffed before going back to his food.
In the war room, Sigmund was going over a series of maps, with Elsa watching.
"So...this ice harvesting operation, do you yourself make use of it?" She asked.
"Do you mean do I visit personally, or do I make use of the ice in personal ways?" Sigmund asked, and Elsa took a moment to think.
"Either." She said.
"A little of both; I do visit to harvest my ice personally, but I do not use it for recreation, at least not often." Sigmund said.
"May I ask what you do for recreation, I mean with the ice?" Elsa asked.
"I know what you meant, but to answer your question: I usually just smash the ice to amuse myself, but even then, I put the shards to use. I cool my drinks with them, I throw them onto a fire to make steam, I even let them melt in my mouth from time to time." Sigmund said.
"Interesting." Elsa said.
"You can count the times I did the last thing I said with the fingers on one hand, but still, it has happened. What about yourself?" Sigmund asked.
"I use ice for all kinds of things. I've decorated our castle, I've extinguished fires, and even made a pathway through a forest on Christmas once." Elsa said.
"And there's your famous ice castle..." Sigmund trailed off.
"Yes...is that a problem?" Elsa asked.
"Not necessarily but...I must admit I'm more than alittle jealous." Sigmund said.
"Why?" Elsa asked.
"It takes me hours to make a fortress of this scale; you have done so in a minute. That difference in power is...is..." Sigmund trailed off.
"Immense...?" Elsa breathed out, and Sigmund looked her over before sighing.
"Don't get me wrong, it will take more than you being stronger than me to earn my disfavor, alot more...but if I had your power, I probably would have been able to end this war earlier, and save countless lives in the process, or at the very least make this world a bit more peaceful in the long term." Sigmund said before walking to the balcony nearby.
"Sigmund..." Elsa trailed off.
"I'm not naive; I accepted the fact that hundreds of lives were ended at my hand a long time ago, but I cannot take every last ounce of the blame. Despite how many times I've had to remind myself of that...and I certainly do not pride myself on the number of battles I've won." Sigmund said, as Elsa joined him.
"You don't enjoy preventing all of this from being lost?" She asked.
"No, that much I will always take pride in, but Absalom throws countless foes at me, most of whom don't even know or at least don't truly believe in what they're doing, and their blood is poured over my hands, directly, or indirectly...and as the Lord of Stone, my place is in the middle of it all, which is precisely why I take every chance I get to enjoy myself, even if it only lasts a second, and why I leave this fortress to mingle among my people." Sigmund said.
"It sounds like they're as critical to protecting this place as you are." Elsa said.
"I could not have said that better myself. Actually, I take back my jealousy; the kind of wisdom you expressed, by both listening and even drawing a conclusion I myself never did...that makes up for everything." Sigmund said seriously, and Elsa smiled.
"I'm glad..." She said, and Sigmund's face softened despite his lack of a smile.
"Do you use earth for recreation?" He asked.
"Not nearly as much as ice, if at all. As for earth magic itself...well, during my run-in with the earth spirits, they tried to kill me, and my family." Elsa said.
"I must confess I'm more than a little curious about that." Sigmund said.
"The two conditions are not related, but that is still my only real encounter with earth magic...if you can call it that. But of course the spirits are peaceful now." Elsa said.
"I see..." Sigmund said.
"The earth spirits do make excellent guards for the Enchanted Forest." Elsa said.
"Fair enough, and even if they were to change their minds and come here to help us, I just hope they don't endanger my people." Sigmund said.
"No...they wouldn't." Elsa said, before they heard footsteps, and Ingmar showed up with a metal splatter with two pork chops, an array of vegetables, and a small loaf of bread.
"Begging your pardon My Liege, but I assume you will want to eat in solitude?" He asked.
"I would Ingmar, set it on the table and I'll get to it in a moment." Sigmund said.
"As you wish My Lord." Ingmar said before setting the platter down and leaving.
"As for you Elsa...well..." Sigmund trailed off.
"I'll get back to my family, and maybe keep Dietrich from blowing the place up." Elsa said, and Sigmund huffed.
"Which is a thought that's much more amusing than it should be." He said, and Elsa shook her head and walked out of the war room.
She then joined her family in the kitchen...with Dietrich no where in sight.
"...and then Anna came in and calmed things down...mostly." Kristoff said.
"And where is Dietrich now?" Elsa asked.
"He said he was going back to his cell, and for his sake, I hope he's not lying." Kristoff said.
"I don't think he was; he looked like he was just tired of being around us." Anna said.
"That sounds like him..." Elsa said before deflating.
"Is something wrong?" Anna asked.
"It's just...I don't get him; he accused Sigmund of destroying his home, or was it his home was destroyed because of him...but how? What does this war have to do with Dietrich's home, especially in Sweden of all places?" Elsa asked.
"Who knows, but something is clearly not right, not right at all." Anna said.
"Did Sigmund have any ideas for what do do next?" Kristoff asked.
"No, he and I didn't get that far; I think we're going to have to talk about it all together." Elsa said.
"Then what did you talk about?" Anna asked.
"Well...he shared his thoughts on what it's like to be the Lord of Stone, considering this war that's going on." Elsa said.
"Wait...not that it's not important, but why not go over that instead of what to do next?" Anna asked.
"Like I said, we never got around to it." Elsa said.
"I know, but...you'd think you'd talk about that before...whatever you talked about." Anna said.
"I was curious about something, but it...quickly turned into something serious." Elsa said.
"Well, what was it? I mean...what else was it?" Anna asked.
"For starters, he was jealous of how much stronger I am than him since...it took him hours to make something I can make without even trying, but he made it clear he doesn't hold it against me, and even took it back later on." Elsa said.
"Well, good on him." Anna said.
"I also talked to him a bit more about the spirits, the earth spirits actually, and asked him what he does with ice...which was nothing special." Elsa said.
"O.k." Anna said.
"He also gave his people credit for helping him keep a level head..." Elsa said.
"Oh...this war..." Anna trailed off.
"So...did you discuss what we're going to do in regards to the war, in any way?" Kristoff asked.
"Not really, he just shared what this war's effects on him personally are, and that's about it." Elsa said.
"Then again, he's been pretty open about what has been happening, except for his powers..." Anna said.
"He's even been open about his life's story...even though there's probably quite a bit he's not saying, but I don't know why he trusts me with his life's story." Elsa said.
"Maybe he can relate to you, or at least feels like he can." Kristoff said.
"Because we both have magic?" Elsa asked.
"Maybe...although, he could also just want someone to talk to about it." Kristoff said.
"That might very well be, although it might also be because I spend the most time with him." Elsa said.
"In that case, maybe me or Kristoff should talk to him some more." Anna said.
"Not a bad idea." Elsa said.
"Well, for now, let's finish our food." Kristoff said, and Elsa smirked.
"You could have waited for me you know." She said casually.
"We asked if you were hungry, and you said no, so..." Anna trailed off.
"Even still...although now that I think about it, I might be drawn to him because of the fact we have magic." Elsa said.
"Do you think he could also have something to do with the spirits, and he just isn't saying anything?" Anna asked.
"I doubt it; if I can't sense anything having to do with the spirits, I doubt he can either, and it would at least show in how he acts if that were the case." Elsa said.
"What about the storms?" Kristoff asked.
"What about them?" Elsa asked.
"What if one happens around here, and you both take a closer look?" Kristoff asked.
"Why would we both look at it?" Elsa asked.
"I don't know...maybe you could both want to compare notes or something, if you even get anything out of it." Kristoff said.
"Maybe, but the sake of all involved, I hope that never happens; one was violent enough to discourage me and the Nokk from returning to the Enchanted Forest." Elsa said.
"And with that, I will take back what I said about how I hope we get a closer look at one..." Kristoff said.
"Grandpabbie said that they have natural forces, as well as magical forces behind them, does that sound familiar?" Anna asked.
"I can't say it does; I didn't sense anything having to do with the spirits there." Elsa said.
"What about Sigmund or Dietrich?" Kristoff asked.
"I already told you there's nothing with either of them that has to do with the spirits." Elsa said.
"I mean what if either of them could tell us where they got their magic, and then it leads us to what causes these storms." Anna said.
"Well...even if we can get Dietrich to cooperate, I doubt he has anything to do with these storms, let alone know what their purpose is. As for Sigmund...well, earth magic has even less to do with storms than fire magic could by default, and Sigmund wouldn't even think of causing these storms...unless this Absalom did something with his powers without our knowledge." Elsa said.
"What could he do with earth magic?" Kristoff asked.
"Directly? Nothing, but indirectly...maybe he turned the earth magic into another type in some way." Elsa said.
"Wait...Sigmund said he wasn't born with magic, which means he got it from somewhere. Somewhere that Absalom must know about..." Anna trailed off.
"Or at least he's heard of it." Kristoff said.
"Either way, if Sigmund thinks it's important, we can run these ideas by him and see what he says." Elsa said, and then the group got back to their food, and then made their way back to Sigmund's war room to tell him what they thought about.
"Could Absalom have found out where you got your powers and did something with it?" Anna asked.
"No. Absalom knows very little about how I got my powers; he's actually spared my life because I was no use to him dead." Sigmund said.
"Right...you fought him before." Kristoff said.
"Technically, I observed him multiple times...but we have fought before." Sigmund said.
"I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but how did you survive fighting someone capable of using lightning magic?" Anna asked.
"Absalom was holding back for one thing, and for another...my armor was modified to help resist his magic." Sigmund said.
"Wait, I thought you said you never heard of charms that resist magic." Anna said.
"I haven't, but a dwarf woman shared with me the knowledge of what materials can be used to resist lightning." Sigmund said.
"You've met dwarves before?" Kristoff asked.
"Every now and then yes. In fact, my sword was made by the same dwarf woman, whose name unfortunately escapes me." Sigmund said.
"Is there anything special about your sword?" Elsa asked.
"Aside from how I had to indirectly use my powers to modify the handling? No." Sigmund said.
"I see..." Elsa trailed off.
"So, this dwarf you mentioned, where is she now?" Anna asked, and Sigmund sighed.
"She...she is no longer with us." He said.
"Oh...I'm sorry..." Anna said softly.
"Don't be; she died while using a trap she herself built to by time for dozens of my people to escape an ambush. As far as I'm concerned, she died the only way she could have: selflessly." Sigmund said seriously.
"Even still...you lost someone close to you.." Anna said.
"All the more reason to continue this damnable war until I am victorious." Sigmund said.
"Speaking of which...do you know what we should do next?" Kristoff asked.
"Until Dietrich somehow cooperates with us, what can we do?" Anna asked.
"Good point; up until now, I have been doing nothing but keeping Absalom's forces at bay, but sooner or later, we will need to take the fight to him. As distasteful as it may be...Dietrich is probably the key to Absalom's defeat, or my own." Sigmund said.
"Maybe we can take him with us around the fiefdom?" Elsa asked.
"That could work; he could have second thoughts about why he's fighting us." Anna said.
"Or he could get more information about what he could do to weaken me, at my people's expense." Sigmund said.
"Then we can just keep an eye on him." Kristoff said...and Sigmund stared at him.
"That's brilliant." Sigmund said...then Olaf reared his head.
"What's brilliant? Did you figure out why the sky is blue yet? Because I can-" Anna cuts Olaf off.
"No Olaf, we were just talking about what else to do." She said.
"We were going to take Dietrich down to the village." Sigmund said.
"That's nice...it always is to get fresh air, especially if you have lungs...unlike me..." Olaf said.
"Yes, yes, we all know you lack internal organs...questionable as that may be." Sigmund said.
"Anyway, let's go talk to Dietrich." Kristoff said, and Sigmund led the group to the dungeons.
When they got there, they saw Dietrich in his cell, sitting on a bench with his eyes closed,still as tense as ever. When he heard the group come in he glanced their way, then went back to how he was.
"Dietrich? Would you like to see the village?" Anna asked.
"No." Dietrich said simply.
"You might enjoy yours-" He cuts Anna off.
"I've seen enough of that mud pit to last a lifetime as it is." Dietrich said seriously.
"That mud pit is home to hundreds upon hundreds of innocent people, that you are helping to endanger." Sigmund said.
"Then why not just get rid of me and save everyone the trouble? Heaven knows the same would be done to you if our positions were reversed." Dietrich said.
"Heaven also knows that barbarism is an endangered species in this fiefdom, as you should have learned by now." Sigmund said.
"If Your Lordship says so..." Dietrich trailed off, and Sigmund sighed before motioning for the group to huddle up.
"That man just won't budge." Anna said.
"Anger isn't known for making someone cooperative." Elsa said.
"Well, we're just trying to help him...even though he tried to kill us." Anna said.
"Some would view that as foolish rather than morally impressive...and neither case is incorrect." Sigmund said.
"Maybe this has something to do with his home. I mean, maybe he's scared of being reminded of whatever he lost." Kristoff said.
"Possibly...but for now, we can't do anything but wait for him to think about this, and cooperate." Sigmund said.
"Here's hoping that despair also becomes an endangered species in this fiefdom..." Elsa trailed off, and Sigmund stared at her before leading the group out of the dungeon, leaving Dietrich to deflate.
"Fools...it would be far kinder if they just execute me..." He groaned.
"What does the fact that eggs are cute have to do with this? Wait...do you think eggs are cute? Because, I can see how someone could..." Olaf said.
"I'm not about to have a discussion with a glorified snowball...!" Dietrich groaned.
"Uh...technically I'm a snowman." Olaf said, and Dietrich pointed at the door.
"Get out!" He snapped, and Olaf recoiled, then waddled out of the dungeon.
When he rejoined the group, Sigmund was looking out the window at the village with the others around the table.
"Am I the only one who finds it odd that someone who tried to kill us is now someone we need help from?" Kristoff asked.
"Kristoff, we've been over this. What choice to we have?" Elsa asked.
"It's not more awkward than it would be asking Hans for help, that's for sure." Anna said.
"That is true." Elsa said.
"Who's Hans?" Sigmund asked.
"Oh just some prince I had a thing for, until I discovered he was just using me to steal Arendelle right out from under our noses." Anna said.
"Ah yes...the dark side of ambition..." Sigmund trailed off.
"Tell me about it. Needless to say, he's not allowed in our kingdom anymore." Anna said.
"I'm not surprised, but this does explain why you're more hesitant to kill Dietrich than I am: if someone who betrayed you is within your mercy, than a legitimate foe is most likely going to within your mercy as well...even without faith in whatever goodness he might still possess." Sigmund said.
"You've had a lot of time to think these kinds of things through haven't you?" Kristoff asked.
"If I didn't think these kinds of things through, I would have gone mad. Anyway, if we were to take him down to the village, then it would be clear as day he would need supervision, like you yourself said Kristoff. Elsa? You or myself would need to be the ones who escort him." Sigmund said.
"True." Elsa said and Ingmar approached.
"My Liege, Dietrich is on his way now." He said...then they heard footsteps.
"I think you mean, he's already here." Dietrich said dryly before leaning against the wall.
"We were just now talking about you." Elsa said.
"I know; I could hear you talking from down the hall." Dietrich said.
"How much did you hear?" Anna asked.
"Enough to know you still intend to keep me on a leash." Dietrich said.
"Don't forget the part where you need to show me you can be trusted." Sigmund said.
"Yes, yes, because I'm a threat...whatever the case may be, you're all wasting your time." Dietrich said.
"How so?" Sigmund asked.
"Do you really think Absalom is going to let this slide? You have one of his most powerful allies hostage; if I were in his shoes, I'd send every soldier under my command here right now." Dietrich said.
"You don't know much about Absalom do you? He's neither an honest nor a caring man. He either expects you to cause strife yourself on his behalf, or he washed his hands of you." Sigmund said.
"Either case changes nothing..." Dietrich trailed off.
"You still want revenge for something you have yet to enlighten us about?" Sigmund asked.
"I have no faith in the idea it will be worth enlightening any of you in the first place...so by that logic, who needs whose trust?" Dietrich asked.
"Is there anything you do have faith in?" Kristoff asked.
"I have faith in one thing, and one thing only: I don't have anything to lose or gain, and you...Lord Sigmund are pushing your luck every moment you keep me here." Dietrich said.
"And you are in no position to make threats or attempts to inspire pity." Sigmund said, and Dietrich glared at him.
"Look, this whole thing can be worked around if you would just come with us to the village, and maybe see something you like." Anna said, and Dietrich huffed.
"I sincerely doubt that...but I do grow bored in this place, so let us go see what the famous Lord of Stone has wrought." He said, and Sigmund left the room first, while keeping an eye on Dietrich, who returned the favor, and he followed everyone down the fortress's halls. He then set his hand on fire, looked it over, then glanced at Elsa...before sighing and extinguishing the fire engulfing his hand.
One step forward, one step back, then another step forward...progress ladies and gentlemen. Now, about what Sigmund said, there are ways to make metals electricity-resistant, and apparently one of them is increasing the carbon content. In fact, I read something that explains that very thing:
"The most effective conductor of electricity is pure gold, closely followed by pure copper and pure silver. The worst conductors of electricity among metals are carbonized steel, pure lead and stainless steel. The best insulators, or non-conductors, are covalent and ionic solids, which do not contain the free-flowing electrons found in metals."
Considering how famous dwarves are for their knowledge and skill with metallurgy in practically every work of fiction under and over the sun, His Lordship really drew the long straw meeting a dwarf. And with that, I will get to work on the next chapter right away, so please continue to Rate, Review, and Share, while the next chapter comes sooner than the others...for real this time. Stay tuned...
Speaking of Hans, it might come as no surprise, but Hans is a complete shoo-in for an Orange Lantern ring, because come on. Trying to take over a kingdom using underhanded methods, including taking advantage of someone's feelings and even cold-blooded murder are signs that someone values power over everything...which is a pretty extreme form of greed.