Hello again people, and welcome back to Frozen: Lords of Storm and Stone. I have one set of bad news and two sets of good news...
The bad news is that I had to get past a major case of mental fatigue, aka brain fog, and especially writer's block, and that's on top of everything else that distracted me in the past non-stop.
The first good news is that I gave the previous chapters a serious upgrade, especially in regards to how I phrased things/spelled things, and some minor but serious plot points needed to be addressed. It's embarrassing that I didn't catch my errors before, but I'm not too proud to admit I screwed some things up. I am a human being afterall, and I'm here to grow just like everyone else is.
On that note, I was going to post this chapter on the one-year anniversary of this story, because that would be QUITE fitting, but instead, I spent the anniversary giving this story the overhaul it needed...which isn't inappropriate either. Interesting way to celebrate it but whatever.
For those of you who are new and therefore don't know how it used it be, well...you're not missing anything to be perfectly honest.
The second good news, is that I have the next several chapters lined up. I have the entire story's plotline in mind, but the execution is pretty fickle even on a good day, on a bad day...all I can say is "ouch". Ironically, things I have in mind don't work out, and something better happens instead, which just so happens to be my luck in general.
Anyway, the man that ill fate couldn't hold down is back and better than ever. I thank you all for your patience, and now your just rewards can be served in full.
Also just a fair warning, I did say in the first chapter things will get pretty dark at some point, and that point is coming soon.
Review response: I might as well ignore those people since they ignored my question. As for you EcoSeeker...I do appreciate your input, and I hope you and everyone else who's stayed with this story thus far continue to enjoy the ride.
After Dietrich left, he went to the top floor of a bastion on the other side of the fortress. He went to the edge a large balcony overlooking the valley, and sat on one of the chairs there. He then looked at his hand which was currently on fire, and thought back to how he got where he is in the first place, from how he left to face Sigmund on his own, to his fight with the others in the woods...to the time he spent wandering the halls under constant monitoring by Ingmar, and the statue guards in Sigmund's fortress He then sighed and extinguished the fire before tightening his fist.
Before long, his recollection was interrupted when Anna walked in...
"Dietrich? Everyone is almost ready, are you?" She asked.
"As ready as I'm going to be..." Dietrich groaned.
"Alright then...also, may I ask what you were doing here?" Anna asked, then Dietrich side-glanced at her.
"What business is that of yours?" He asked.
"I'm just concerned about how bored you said you were. You've been here for quite a while and there isn't that much to do." Anna said, and Dietrich stood up quick enough to make Anna recoil.
"Leave me alone...!" Dietrich snapped before walking away, and leaving Anna behind to deflate, and return to the throne room.
Meanwhile, Elsa was with Sigmund in his war room standing by the window.
"Have you tried to use your ice as armor yet?" Sigmund asked.
"No, but I have given it some thought." Elsa said.
"Show me." Sigmund said, and Elsa took a moment to think...and look over Sigmund's armor.
"O.k...here it goes..." Elsa trailed off, and once again, particles of snow and ice swirled around and over Elsa's person as she altered her dress slowly but steadily. When she was done...her chest, her arms, and even her waist and legs were covered in plates made of ice, with a style similar to Sigmund's, but with less bulk to fit her slender frame.
Sigmund himself watched Elsa with all due attention until her outfit's transformation was completed, then she looked herself over before they heard the door open, and Anna came in.
"Are you two-?" She stopped talking, and her eyes widened at the sight of Elsa's new armor.
"Surprise..." Elsa said softly, and Anna continued staring at her older sister.
"You...you look different..." She breathed out.
"A good different?" Elsa teased.
"Uh...yeah! Wait...since when do you wear armor?" Anna asked.
"Just now. Me and Sigmund discussed how he used his magic to fly during our duel when we first met, and since his armor is the key...well, if he can do it, so can I." Elsa said.
"I suppose that makes sense..." Anna trailed off.
"May I ask if you tried using ice to fly before, with or without armor?" Sigmund asked.
"No...I haven't." Elsa said.
"Now would be a good time to try it." Sigmund said, then Elsa sucked in a breath before channeling her power through her armor. Sigmund then watched as Elsa rose off the ground and looked at herself as the ice surrounding her supported her entire body as she made it stay in mid-air. The entire time, she tried to remain steady as gravity continued to keep it's hold on her, and the ice around her. Eventually, she lowered herself to the ground, then sucked in a breath.
"That...is going to take some getting used to." She breathed off.
"It did for me as well, but the reward is well worth it, I assure you." Sigmund said.
"Is it really that hard?" Anna asked.
"No, but stopping yourself from being pulled to the ground, on top of the feeling of moving through the air instead of along the ground...well, like Elsa said, it takes getting used to." Sigmund said.
"O.k..." Anna said.
"How often do you use it?" Elsa asked.
"Not very, but the situation does call for it every now and then. At the very least it can save me or others trouble." Sigmund said.
"Like when you need to climb?" Elsa asked.
"That, and if I need to get somewhere quickly. The shortest path between where you are now, and where you want to go is a straight line afterall." Sigmund said while drawing a line in the air to emphasize his point.
"I see..." Elsa trailed off.
"Well, it was a pretty good start if you ask me." Anna said.
"And if your...other feats are anything to go by, then flight will be yet another tool in the box for you in no time at all." Sigmund said.
"May I ask how good you are at flying?" Anna asked, and Sigmund shrugged.
"How good is a dog at running?" He asked.
"Enough said..." Elsa said before dispelling her armor.
"Let me guess, you want to get used to the armor gradually?" Sigmund asked.
"At this point, yes." Elsa said.
"Well, I do suggest you wear it as often as possible. Armor does take getting used to, and the sooner the better." Sigmund said.
"I'll do so later." Elsa said.
"Well until then, shouldn't we get a move on with those ruins?" Anna asked.
"Not by ourselves you mean?" Sigmund asked seriously.
"Of course not." Anna said.
"Are you thinking of bringing Olaf?" Sigmund asked.
"Sure, why wouldn't we?" Anna asked, then Sigmund took a moment to think.
"Fair enough." He said.
"Sigmund?" Elsa asked.
"You've known him...far longer than I have. If you think he'll be helpful, who am I to argue?" Sigmund said.
"That's...good to hear..." Anna trailed off, then Sigmund looked at Elsa.
"In regards to your armor...may I ask how much you know about the strengths and weaknesses of each type?" He asked.
"I know about your plate armor, but that's where most of my knowledge ends." Elsa said.
"Well, if you ask me, scale armor would suit you the most. It offers similar protection to my plate armor, albeit not as much, but where it really shines is flexibility, and from what I understand, flexibility would suit you the most." Sigmund said.
"Really?" Elsa asked.
"The only reason I don't use scale armor...o.k. one of the two reasons, is that plate armor suits my taste more, but also plate armor is the most durable type." Sigmund said, then Elsa took a moment to think.
"I know..." She trailed off, before she enveloped herself in a cloud of frost that clung to her body after it got thick enough. Overtime, she materialized a breast plate on her torso that fit her as snugly as Sigmund's fit him, but still left enough space for movement. She then took it a step further by covering her arms and her entire lower body in scales. Anna watched her older sister's outfit transform until she was done, and was left in awe at Elsa's new look.
Sigmund even smiled at the results of Elsa's self-improvement.
"Perfect..." He whispered.
"Wow Elsa. You look like a totally different person...again." Anna said seriously, and Elsa returned their smiles.
"Thank you both." Elsa said softly.
"Where's Kristoff?" Sigmund asked.
"He went to check on Sven, and I don't think he's coming with us." Anna said.
"Why not?" Sigmund asked.
"Well, he feels that Sven isn't getting enough attention, especially since we're in territory he's not familiar with." Anna said.
"I see...well, while he's here, he should probably make the most of it on a personal level, like Elsa just did." Sigmund said.
"You mean you want Kristoff to get his own armor?" Elsa asked.
"It wouldn't hurt, and on another note...I do think it would be prudent if he, and by extension you Anna look into another weaponry for when the time comes, and it will come." Sigmund said seriously, and Anna sighed.
"I don't like this either, but...we're in the middle of a war, and Sigmund once said this is probably the calm before a storm." Elsa said.
"I know but...I never once saw myself taking another person's life. Even Hans didn't get to me like this." Anna said.
"It is a difficult thing to come to terms with, but there is no shame in doing something to keep yourself alive, and our foes do not have that excuse." Sigmund said.
"I guess..." Anna breathed out, then Elsa took her hands.
"If I had to end a life, would you think any less of me?" She asked.
"Of course not!" Anna said seriously.
"Then don't think less of yourself. I sure won't." Elsa said, then Anna sighed before hugging Elsa, as Sigmund watched...before he turned away to think, then looked back at the two ladies who pulled away from each other.
"Now, as critical as it is to be as ready as possible, it should be stressed that it will take more than exchanging one life for another to make you irredeemable. Alot more." He said.
"Right." Anna said, then Ingmar came in.
"Begging your pardon my lord and ladies, but Kristoff has recently departed." He said.
"Oh, then he's on his way to see Sven now...wait, I thought he left already?" Anna asked.
"Apparently he just did." Elsa said.
"Ingmar? Inform Kristoff that he should see Captain Lars about what armaments there are for him to use." Sigmund said.
"Very well then, a safe and productive journey to you all." Ingmar said.
"Thanks Ingmar." Anna said before Ingmar left, and once he did, Sigmund took a moment to think.
"Sigmund?" Elsa asked.
"I should probably take my helmet this time." Sigmund said before walking to the corner.
"You have a helmet?" Anna asked.
"I only use it on serious missions, but yes." Sigmund said before reaching to the top of a shelf, then pulled down a helmet with segmented plates at the base of the rear.
"That's an unusual helmet..." Elsa trailed off, and Sigmund sighed as he looked it over.
"It's called a sallet helmet, and this one is based on a German design." He said.
"Is your entire suit based on a German design?" Anna asked.
"Yes. I've studied German armor designs from centuries ago, and I had this armor made based on them." Sigmund said.
"Why German? Well...aside from that it's your original homeland?" Elsa asked.
"Just that. I may call Norway my home now, but I still have roots in Germany, at least at heart." Sigmund said.
"Alright." Elsa said.
"There is one trick I'm particularly fond of." Sigmund said before flattening his helmet and hanging it off of his breastplate, much to the ladies' amazement.
"What that...?" Anna breathed out.
"I'm not fond of wearing helmets, but nevertheless, I'm not above using them, and this one in particular is the perfect one for me, as you now know." Sigmund said.
"Apparently. Now you can have it on you in more ways than one." Anna said.
"Clever..." Sigmund deadpanned, and Anna smirked.
"I try..." She said.
"There are also a few...modifications I made to this armor." Sigmund said.
"Such as?" Elsa asked, and Sigmund raised his arm and pointed to his armpit.
"Look closely." He said, and the two sisters looked to see a series of small, interlocking plates between his arm and breastplate.
"O.k..." Anna said and Sigmund lowered his arm.
"Plate armor isn't flawless; there are gaps in the armor that can be exploited, and are covered by chainmail. Truth-be-told...I really don't like chainmail." Sigmund said.
"Why not?" Anna asked.
"Because...well, it's better than nothing, especially since chainmail is good at stopping cuts, but against thrusting blows, again it's better than nothing...but it's far from ideal. Plates however, are a different matter entirely." Sigmund said.
"Is it comfortable?" Anna asked.
"I do wear padding underneath my armor, which also helps given how much colder it's getting this time of year." Sigmund said.
"Your cloak also helps I'll bet." Anna said.
"And you'd win with flying colors." Sigmund said seriously.
"How did you pull that modification off?" Elsa asked.
"The same way my sword was made..." Sigmund said.
"Oh...your dwarf friend." Anna said softly.
"She didn't work alone either. She, her parents, and two younger brothers had a hand in it's construction, although I myself did some work on it." Sigmund said.
"Really?" Anna asked.
"Yes. I needed this armor made as quickly as possible, and at the time, I had little experience in forging. Unlike now where I can maintain my sword and armor with little to no difficulty." Sigmund said.
"So if your armor or sword get damaged..." Elsa trailed off.
"You can repair them yourself." Anna said.
"Exactly. It saved not only time, but also resources...and even lives oddly enough." Sigmund said.
"I take it you've done the same for others too?" Elsa asked.
"I have indeed." Sigmund said.
"What about your troops?" Anna asked.
"They don't have armor like mine, but it is still enough to protect them from all but the most determined of strikes. I couldn't make as much armor for them as I had too, but I could make simpler types, like scales and small plates." Sigmund said.
"I'd like to see that sometime." Anna said.
"If you'd like I could give you some. I have a sense you'll need it at some point." Sigmund said.
"Right." Anna said.
"Are those plates under your arm the only modification?" Elsa asked.
"No, I did the same thing with all my armor's weak spots, like the back of my knees." Sigmund said.
"Why didn't anyone else do it back then?" Anna asked.
"Good question, but then again...most people don't have dwarves to inspire them, or magic to aid them." Sigmund said.
"You said you made your sword harder before...what of your armor?" Elsa asked.
"The same applies yes." Sigmund said.
"Elsa also made an ice sword once...although it wasn't supposed to be used. Long story." Anna said.
"Are you sure it was useful? Ice isn't known for being used to make weapons for a good reason." Sigmund said seriously.
"I suppose it could be made to work." Elsa said before forming a copy of Sigmund's sword in her hand out of ice.
"Interesting..." Sigmund said before pulling his own sword, and they held the two blades together before looking them over.
"You're not going to fight again are you?" Anna asked.
"No, of course not." Elsa said. before lowering her sword, and Sigmund followed along.
"However, with it being a near-perfect replica...you should get the same results from it, which of course are more than adequate." He said before putting his sword away.
"It's just a question of how much damage it can take." Anna said.
"That shouldn't be a problem. Like I said, we can make it work." Elsa said before melting her sword...which got Sigmund's attention.
"And since you can make or destroy it on the spot, you don't need a scabbard...now that is intriguing..." He trailed off.
"Well, until then, shall we head to the ruins now?" Anna asked.
"What about Olaf?" Sigmund asked.
"He...should still be in my room." Elsa said.
"We'll go get him before we leave...although Dietrich didn't want to come with us when I checked on him earlier." Anna said, then they heard footsteps.
"I said no such thing." Dietrich said before crossing his arms.
"But..." Anna trailed off.
"As a matter of fact, I insist you take me with you." Dietrich said.
"That's awfully bold of you." Sigmund said.
"I could not care less about the position I'm in; it's unbearably dull in this fortress, and if you don't execute me with your sword, then I'll die of boredom." Dietrich said, and Sigmund stared at him.
"Alright." Sigmund said.
"I'll go get Olaf." Elsa said.
"You want to bring that glorified snowball with us?" Dietrich asked.
"That glorified snowball is a living tribute to the love me and Elsa have for each other." Anna said seriously.
"All the more reason to leave him out of danger..." Dietrich groaned.
"We'll try to keep him out of your presence..." Sigmund said, and Dietrich stared at him.
"Wise..." He breathed out.
"Well, let's go see some ruins then." Anna said.
"Now I'll go get Olaf." Elsa said as she left the room, and Dietrich watched her leave, before glancing at Sigmund, who returned the look without a hint of fear in his expression, as Anna took observed keenly.
Once the group exited through the tunnel that led to the inside of Sigmund's fortress, they ran into a surprise...
"Kristoff?" Anna asked as she looked to see Kristoff and Sven with the sled readied.
"Ingmar told me you were going to the ruins, so I got the sled ready for you." Kristoff said and Sven groaned and smiled.
"That should save some time..." Sigmund said simply, then they got into the sled, and Kristoff helped Anna into the space next to him.
"Sven? Take us away." Kristoff said casually, and Sven grunted before starting to pull the sled.
As they went down a road that led to the other side of the Valley of Stone. As they rode, they looked over the valley's sections. From the rolling farmlands, to the mass of houses, all of which were made of stone, and even resembled very small castles, some with towers or bastions, to the woodlands past the farms, and of course, the ring of mountains surrounding the valley.
Anna, Kristoff, and Elsa of course continued to marvel at how vast and developed the valley was. The Valley of Stone wasn't just a sight to behold to say the worst, but it clearly had more than enough space to accommodate the hundreds upon hundreds of people living there. Who could tell what the neighboring regions thought of it, but that was for another time...
"Are you comfortable back there?" Anna asked.
"Quite." Sigmund said.
"Do you use a sled very often?" Kristoff asked.
"I haven't been in a sled since I was little." Sigmund said seriously.
"Well...that answers that question..." Kristoff deadpanned, and Anna smiled, shook her head, and held Kristoff's hand, despite both his hands being on the reigns. Kristoff then returned her smile. Elsa couldn't help but smile with them; the love they shared was infectious to say the least. Even Sigmund looked on with a softened look on his face, despite his lack of a smile, Dietrich either didn't notice, or care as he was too busy looking at the valley.
"Sigmund?" Elsa asked.
"Yes?" Sigmund asked.
"You said you bring your helmet on serious missions..." Elsa trailed off.
"Those ruins are beyond my fiefdom's borders, which means there could be outlaws about...and not just a handful." Sigmund said.
"Askel's song mentioned the Valley of Stone was surrounded by outlaws." Anna said.
"Absalom isn't the only one who's been dogging my people over the past few months; countless vagabonds have been doing the same thing." Sigmund said.
"That explains the statue guards." Elsa said.
"Right. I do have a fair number of regular troops for obvious reasons, but who would be mad enough to attack a place guarded by giant soldiers made of stone?" Sigmund asked.
"Probably no one." Kristoff said seriously.
"Unless they had a great deal of firepower...like cannons." Dietrich said seriously.
"Not likely. We have captured every cannon we could find. Afterall...it's far better that we have them than our foes." Sigmund said.
"Can't argue with that." Kristoff said.
"Why haven't you dealt with those vermin?" Dietrich asked.
"We have Absalom to thank for that...and quite possibly you and Adrianna." Sigmund said seriously.
"Oh...?" Dietrich asked.
"My stone forces have been sorely lacking the numbers to go on the offense, since the two of you laid waste to any of them you find, so keeping the outlaws at bay was my only option." Sigmund said.
"I see..." Dietrich said.
"Have these outlaws caused too much trouble?" Elsa asked.
"Not too much, but I know that they have been flocking to the valley for at least the past few weeks. Given the chaotic times we live in, the Valley of Stone is too tempting to ignore." Sigmund said,
"And the ruins?" Anna asked.
"Also likely targets for them. People often left their treasures with them even in death, hence why some turn to robbing graves...despite how distasteful it is." Sigmund said.
"I'm alittle afraid to ask what would happen if those stone troops weren't there..." Anna trailed off.
"They'd certainly grow bolder...and possibly cost many more lives in the process of doing something rash." Sigmund said.
"Yeesh..." Anna trailed off.
"Either way, the statues in and around the valley not only protect my people, but also discourage criminals. Because of them, there's little to no crime, and any crimes that are committed, are quickly caught." Sigmund said.
"Captain Lars said that when we spoke to him." Anna said.
"I see..." Sigmund said.
"That's all he said though; he didn't mention everything else." Anna said.
"Luckily, the people are self-managed...mostly. Captain Lars oversees my troops, and I myself am there to make the bigger decisions, see what major developments need my attention, and of course, motivate those who require it." Sigmund said.
"O.k." Anna said.
"Of course Ingmar keeps me informed, along with all the other scouts in the valley. Thanks to them, nothing major happens in this fiefdom without my knowledge." Sigmund said.
"You don't keep an eye on everything do you?" Anna asked.
"Of course not; not only is that impossible, even for me, but it's also unethical. I may be the lord of this valley, but the people are entitled to their privacy." Sigmund said seriously.
"Right." Anna said.
"What about Arendelle?" Sigmund asked.
"Well, I can tell you Arendelle is far smaller, but it has plenty of neighboring regions that give it all the resources it required. Unlike the Valley of Stone because...look at it." Anna said.
"I see..." Sigmund said.
"Have you ever been to Arendelle?" Elsa asked.
"No, I haven't. What is it like?" Sigmund said.
"Oh you know, a big castle, alot of houses, a fjord with a handful of ships...a few mountains...nothing special really." Elsa said.
"A not-so-special place, with quite special people." Sigmund said, and Anna and Elsa shared a look.
"Well...that's one way to put it..." Anna said.
"On another note, would it be possible to send a message to Arendelle to ask for more troops?" Sigmund asked.
"Actually...we came on our own for two reasons. The first being that, to be honest...we thought we would be enough." Anna said.
"I see..." Sigmund said.
"Now, to be fair, we didn't see all of this coming, and like I told you before we do have quite a bit of know-how when it comes to magical mischief." Anna said.
"A worthy attitude I suppose." Sigmund said.
"The second reason is...well, Arendelle's army isn't much bigger than your own, and pulling troops out would leave it vulnerable." Anna said.
"Fair enough. I can't ask you to endanger your kingdom just to aid me, nor will I." Sigmund said.
"We would have come with help if we could." Anna said seriously.
"Well, you have done a fair bit in your time here as it is, and I'm confident that will get better when it has to." Sigmund said.
"All they did was capture me." Dietrich said.
"And a multitude of other things." Sigmund said.
"Besides...we just got here a few days ago." Anna said.
"Right..." Dietrich whispered.
"Wait...who's looking after Arendelle in your absence?" Sigmund asked seriously.
"The council can handle everyday business, and things been pretty calm lately. Besides...these storms are pretty serious." Anna said.
"And that's being modest..." Sigmund said, and Dietrich sighed.
"Olaf?" Elsa asked.
"Yes?" Olaf asked.
"Do you like what you see?" Elsa asked.
"I'm just excited that we're going to see some ruins! Wait, why don't we have any ruins at home?" Olaf asked.
"For your sake, I hope you never get any ruins at home..." Dietrich said.
"Why not?" Olaf asked.
"Ruins used to be buildings that got destroyed somehow." Anna said.
"They must've been hit pretty hard if they're made of rock...or metal." Olaf said.
"There are no metal buildings." Sigmund said.
"Really? There should be." Olaf said.
"Maybe..." Sigmund trailed off, and the group enjoyed the rest of the ride.
Eventually, they reached another forest on the other side of the valley, and they took a path through it that eventually led them up to a upward slope that lead up the side of a small mountain. As they traveled up the mountain, the forest became less and less dense until it was behind them completely. Eventually, after traveling down several bends and paths, they reached a cave, and Sven stopped in front of it, which got everyone's attention.
"That cave is too narrow for the sled." Kristoff said.
"Then it looks like we're walking from now on." Anna said as she and the others climbed out of the sled.
"No kidding..." Dietrich groaned, then Kristoff petted Sven.
"Please don't take too long." Kristoff said on Sven's behalf...earning him a raised eyebrow from Dietrich.
"I'll be back before you know it." Kristoff said normally, while petting him. Sven then groaned as Kristoff joined the rest of the group, and Dietrich just watched them with the same look of disbelief on his face. He then looked back at Sven who groaned and glanced at the group before looking back at Dietrich, who then looked at the group.
"Did you really talk for a reindeer...in a ridiculous voice no less?" Dietrich asked seriously.
"It's something we've done for years, and it's supposed to be goofy." Kristoff said, and Dietrich sighed deeply.
"And I thought that snowman was the world's biggest fool in my presence..." He whispered.
"We can hear you." Anna said seriously, and Dietrich huffed as he followed from the rear, and at a distance. When they reached the cave entrance Sigmund peeked inside...but thanks to the darkness, he saw nothing. Dietrich then sighed and lit his hand on fire, which illuminated the entire mouth of the cave.
"Better?" He asked.
"Much." Sigmund said, and he led the group into the cave, with Dietrich increasing the light, and heat from his flaming hand to compensate for the lack of sunlight. Elsa noticed Kristoff take Anna's hand, which made her smile, and squeeze his hand in return. She kept her eyes on the pair and immediately shared Anna's smile; Dietrich's fire wasn't the only warmth in the area.
When she looked at Sigmund, she saw that he kept the same rapid, intensely-disciplined stride he always had, and Dietrich in the back of their squad simply eyed the surrounding areas with either disinterest, or apathy. Despite Dietrich's fire lighting only most of the way, and it was being blocked by everyone between the two men, Sigmund kept going forward as steadily as ever. He's wasn't just called the Lord of Stone for his magic, that was for sure...
"Are we even going the right way?" Kristoff asked.
"This is the only way to the side of the valley we need to be in." Sigmund said, then Anna pointed at the wall.
"There's some sconces on the walls." She said, then Dietrich shot a burst of fire from his alternate hand's fingertip and they were immediately lit.
"That should make going back easier." He said simply.
"Why are they there in the first place?" Kristoff asked.
"Because quite a few miners came through here before...but not anymore." Sigmund said.
"Why not?" Anna asked.
"There was no point; most of the available resources were used up, and digging further to try and find more was...too costly." Sigmund said.
"O.k." Anna asked, then they continued down the cave in silence...except for Olaf's humming.
When they finally the exit, Dietrich extinguished his flame, and they looked around to see a small meadow, with a few trees scattered around the edge.
"Ah...the sun's out again." Olaf said.
"The sun was always out; we just couldn't see it in the cave." Sigmund said.
"Oh...right." Olaf said.
"Anyway, we're literally out of the woods now...hence the lack of trees." Sigmund said.
"Right." Kristoff said.
"But where are we then?" Anna asked.
"My mistake; this is the edge of the forest." Sigmund said, then they continued their trek through the meadow.
"How much further until we get to the ruins?" Elsa asked.
"I'm not sure." Sigmund said.
"Haven't you been here before?" Elsa asked.
"I don't know everything about the Valley of Stone, if I did, I would have told you about these ruins by now." Sigmund said.
"Good point..." Elsa said.
"Well...every step forward is one step in the right direction." Anna said, then Kristoff looked right at her.
"Was that supposed to be poetic? That doesn't even rhyme." He said.
"It doesn't have to." Anna said.
"Yes it does." Kristoff said simply.
"Poetry is supposed to make things flavorful; that doesn't mean it has to rhyme." Anna said.
"Not making it rhyme may not have to be part of the picture, but it doesn't make it less questionable." Kristoff said.
"Or make them less irritating..." Dietrich groaned.
"What's irritating?" Anna and Kristoff asked at the same time.
"Anyone who doesn't use magic apparently." Dietrich said.
"Well, you haven't been very easy to be around either." Anna said seriously.
"Enough. The ruins are in sight." Sigmund said before pointing up the mountain...and there was a large door, with a series of pillars and arches at the top of the mountain.
"Wow..." Anna whispered.
"This really is the smallest mountain I've ever seen." Kristoff said.
"You've seen alot of mountains I take it?" Sigmund asked.
"Oh yes...but like I said, this is the smallest, by far." Kristoff said.
"Well, we're nearing our destination, so let's waste no time." Sigmund said, and he led them through the rest of the meadow.
The group then went up a path leading to the ruins, with Sigmund clearing a boulder occasionally, and even having to restore a bridge that was clearing man-made. Sigmund even reinforced a particularly narrow part of the path that seemed ready to collapse at any point by widening it, and adding a stronger base to it. Luckily the rock formations over their heads were relatively stable, so no modification was needed on his part.
They eventually reached the door...with a massive ledge overlooking the valley itself.
"Hey...I can see the castle from here!" Olaf exclaimed.
"Technically it's a fortress, but...yes." Sigmund said..
"That is quite a view isn't it...?" Anna breathed out.
"Yes yes, there's a lovely view, there's also a lovely door here that need opening." Dietrich said.
"There's also something odd about it." Elsa said.
"What do you mean?" Anna asked as Elsa looked the door over.
"I think they're supposed to open under certain conditions." She said.
"Such as?" Anna asked as Elsa approached the doors, and everyone watched her. Elsa then analyzed the door and ran her hand over them, and then looked at the wall next to it. The others simply looked at each other, or in Sigmund's case kept his eyes on her with immense curiosity.
"There's no lock, but this door is extremely heavy." Elsa said.
"Well, how was it opened back when this place was being used?" Anna asked.
"It must have taken alot of people working together to open it." Elsa said.
"We can't go looking for help now..." Anna said.
"No...we can't..." Sigmund trailed off before reaching out with one hand, and as he moved it to the side, slowly but steadily, the door opened. The others looked on as Sigmund opened the six-inch-thick door, despite having spent a great deal of energy on the path they came from. Dietrich in particular seemed interested in how much power he had; if he were to fight Sigmund at some point, it would be tougher than he thought.
"Thank goodness for earth magic." Anna said casually.
"Well...enjoy yourselves." Kristoff said, and Anna looked right at him.
"You're not coming?" She asked.
"I can't. Sven needs me, and I did promise I wouldn't be long." Kristoff said.
"O.k...bye" Anna said softly, before hugging Kristoff, and he returned the gesture with a smile..
"I'll be back in a few hours." He said before pulling Anna in for a kiss, letting go of her, and walking away as Anna waved...and Dietrich looked at the other side of the area they were in and saw Olaf waving.
"Hey guys! There's another path we could have taken!" He exclaimed.
"Seriously...?" Dietrich asked.
"There's a good reason we didn't use that road: it leads right through the heart of outlaw territory..." Sigmund said seriously.
"Oh no..." Anna breathed out.
"Luckily I have the brunt of my stone soldiers overseeing the edge of their territory, but
"Me, Olaf, and Sigmund should check out the ruins." Elsa said.
"I agree." Sigmund said.
"What?" Anna and Dietrich asked at the same time.
"You Dietrich should keep an eye out to make sure no one follows us inside." Sigmund said.
"You want me to play guard dog with her?" Dietrich asked as he pointed to Anna with his thumb.
"Yes, and it's far more serious than you make it out to be." Sigmund said.
"Obviously..." Dietrich breathed out.
"As for you Anna...I would appreciate if you held onto this." Sigmund said as he removed his cloak and handed it to her.
"Not a problem." Anna said as she took it from Sigmund, and he made two chunks of earth come out of the ground.
"In case either of you want to sit down." He said.
"How generous..." Dietrich asked.
"Until we get back...well, do enjoy the view." Sigmund said casually, then actually smiled before Anna returned it. Elsa then hugged Anna before taking Olaf, and following Sigmund into the ruins, then he closed the door behind them. Dietrich then sighed and leaned against the wall crossing his arms.
"I cannot believe I'm stuck out here while they look over some old tomb." He groaned.
"You complain far too much." Anna said.
"Oh...I'm sorry, how can I not enjoy the bewitching company of the man who ruined my life, and the pack of dogs he summoned to his front door." Dietrich said.
"That pack of dogs is the royal family of Arendelle, and I happen to be the queen." Anna said seriously.
"Do forgive me if I don't bow..." Dietrich said, then Anna kept staring at him before sitting down.
After Elsa, Sigmund, and Olaf went through the door, they traveled through the hallway on the other side, with Elsa watching Olaf, who was looking around almost mindlessly, and humming all the while. While she wasn't making sure Olaf didn't wander off, she was observing Sigmund, who was keeping his eyes on the path ahead with his usual brand of vigilance. She also looked at the walls themselves, and aside from the erosion, she saw the occasional rune, or diagram.
"It's brighter in here than I thought it would be." Elsa said.
"There's likely to be an opening in the room ahead. The sun could be beaming its light in through there." Sigmund said.
"Really? That's awfully nice of the sun. We really should thank him...or her. Wait, is the sun a he, or a she? And why is he or she in the sky in the first place?" Olaf asked.
"Olaf..." Sigmund groaned.
"Yes?" Olaf asked.
"You can ask someone who might know those things later if you must, but for now, please focus." Sigmund said.
"O...k..." Olaf said.
"Thank you." Sigmund said, and Elsa noted Sigmund's mannerisms; it's clear he was annoyed by Olaf's lack of intelligence, but at least he had the decency to not disrespect Olaf because of it. She then recalled that Captain Lars said he never once saw Sigmund lose his temper...unlike Dietrich who lost his temper so often it was a wonder he ever finds it again. Elsa then sighed and looked back at the entrance; she left her little sister with the very person whom Sigmund was the antithesis of.
As they walked, Sigmund used his earth magic to make pieces of the walls, or pillars return to the parts they fell off of.
"You care about these ruins that much?" Elsa asked.
"These ruins were made by human hands; if there's one thing I can sympathize with, it's having something you built get ruined." Sigmund said.
"I see..." Elsa said as Sigmund continued waving his hand around slowly, which caused his work to continue until the hallway was restored entirely.
"Unfortunately, most of the damage here was caused by aging, so there's nothing I can do about that." Sigmund said.
"That is a shame." Elsa said.
"If only I knew what was originally here..." Sigmund said.
"Did you know that water has memory of everything it was a part of before, and that some people have memories that are better than other? In fact, some people have eidetic memories, which means they can't forget anything at all." Olaf said, and Sigmund stared at him as Elsa observed.
"Fascinating..." Sigmund deadpanned before turning around and continuing.
"I wonder what that's like, not being able to forget anything..." Olaf said.
"For some people...it would likely be torture." Sigmund said, and Elsa sighed before calling her years of isolation.
"I agree." Elsa breathed out, before looking back.
"Is something bothering you?" Sigmund asked.
"Sigmund? Do you trust Dietrich?" Elsa asked, and Sigmund stopped and looked at her.
"I trust Anna, and the rest of you for that matter." He said.
"Alright." Elsa said.
"you're concerned for Anna aren't you?" Sigmund asked.
"Yes...I just left her in the care of a man who has more anger than everyone I've ever met. He might be alright now, but..." Elsa trailed off.
"Isn't Anna the one who defeated Dietrich before, when he attacked you?" Sigmund asked.
"Yes...she is..." Elsa trailed off.
"She also restored Saint William's hopes if I recall correctly, and he has fire magic as well. Who knows? She may get in Dietrich's good graces...if that's possible." Sigmund said before he continued walking. Elsa then followed him before thinking back to when Dietrich reigned in his fury, for some reason or another. Dietrich never tried to free himself, or spite them by destroying part of the fortress, but why? Why would someone as ill-tempered as him refuse to at least try to cause damage?
She then remembered that Dietrich acknowledged that he knew his situation was dire, and started cooperating...to an extent.
Her thoughts were interrupted as they reached massive chamber lined with arches and pillars. Elsa and Sigmund both looked around at the scriptures and cravings on the walls, as Olaf ran around looking at them closer. Each craving showed warriors fighting, and valkyries watching from above them, or the warriors were standing in preparation for what was to come. Unfortunately most of the others were eroded beyond repair, so their stories were unknown by default.
"Have you seen anything like this before?" Sigmund asked.
"In a way..." Elsa said.
"May I ask?" Sigmund asked.
"In the same place I got my new magic; where I became...what I am now." Elsa trailed off as she recalled Atahalan, just before she became the fifth spirit.
"You acquired additional magic from an outside source? Interesting..." Sigmund said.
"Sigmund?" Elsa asked.
"I will not give details until I must, but I too have received my powers from an outside source...like I said before." Sigmund said.
"O.k..." Elsa said.
"Hey guys? There's another room down here!" Olaf yelled, then Elsa and Sigmund joined Olaf in the next room, and saw even more art on the walls. Most of it was eroded like the ones in the previous room, but in the corner, Elsa spotted the snow flake symbol...her symbol. Once she did, she immediately recoiled, but Sigmund was too busy looked at other parts of the walls to notice her.
She tried to make out what the rest of the picture was, but it was just too wore down to make out. The symbol sparked more than a little curiosity in her; why was the symbol there? How long was it there? Was it older than she thought it was? Was it used before her? By whom was it used? How long was it used?
She eventually gave up on it and joined the others...
The next room they got to was a series of mechanisms, with a bridge connecting them.
"What is all of this?" Sigmund asked.
"I don't know...but let's find out." Olaf said simply before waddling off, and Sigmund raised a piece of the ground in his way.
"Wait. There could be traps here for all we know." He said seriously.
"Oh...right..." Olaf trailed off before Sigmund made the piece of the ground lower again.
"Just be careful Olaf." Elsa said.
"Alright." Olaf said.
"Now...let's look around." Sigmund said, before the three split up to look at each mechanism. Sigmund himself looked at the mechanisms on one side, and saw that it was a series of gears and ropes.
"Sigmund? These contraptions are for lowering that drawbridge over there." Elsa said, and Sigmund looked at where she was pointing, and she was right.
"Can you do anything on your end?" Sigmund asked.
"I'll try..." Elsa said before looking behind a pulley system, and seeing a wheel. She then pulled it, and a rope was tightened, which raised part of the drawbridge. She then froze it, and the rope remained tightened at the point where it met the pulley.
"Interesting..." Sigmund breathed out, before looking at his own end. He then pulled on the rope like Elsa did, and she got a clear shot at the pulley, froze it, and the rest of the drawbridge was lowered. He then joined Elsa at the bridge, with Olaf peeking under the drawbridge.
"Hello!" He yelled, and his voice echoed through the chamber.
"Funny..." Sigmund deadpanned.
"I thought so too..." Olaf said simply before waddling over the bridge...then a loud snapping sound was heard. Sigmund and Elsa then yanked Olaf back as the pulley Elsa froze had snapped, then the other pulley snapped a moment later. The result was the drawbridge collapsing, splitting apart, and the debris falling dozens of feet.
"Oh...this is not safe is it...?" Olaf asked.
"No it wasn't, but we couldn't have known better until we did something." Sigmund said before he made a bridge out of rock.
"Hopefully the other parts of these ruins are more stable." Elsa said, and the trio went further into the ruins.
Outside, Anna was still sitting down on the stone seat Sigmund graciously made for her, but Dietrich remained standing, and leaning against the cliff side.
"Are you cold?" Anna asked.
"No." Dietrich said simply.
"Let me guess: your fire magic?" Anna asked.
"Yes." Dietrich said.
"Would you mind using it to warm this place up?" Anna asked.
"Forget it." Dietrich said simply.
"Why?" Anna asked.
"I don't want to." Dietrich said.
"And why don't you want to?" Anna asked, and Dietrich finally looked at her.
"In case you forgot, I hate you. All of you...but I do have my own reasons for remaining here." Dietrich said.
"Which are?" Anna asked.
"I already told you: my own." Dietrich said before closing his eyes again.
"I remember you saying you know how dire your situation is..." Anna trailed off.
"And that's all you need to know. I am not obligated to tell you anything; we are not friends..." He said seriously.
"We're not enemies either." Anna said.
"We might as well be." Dietrich said.
"Dietrich please..." Anna said.
"Please nothing. I'm your prisoner, and the only reason I'm tolerating you and the others for that matter, is because...against my better judgement, I am more than a little curious about some of what's going on recently." Dietrich said.
"Is that all?" Anna asked.
"Yes, it is." Dietrich said.
"Then why don't I believe you?" Anna asked, and Dietrich stared at her.
"Believe whatever you want..." He breathed out.
"You haven't even told us how Sigmund failed you in the first place." Anna said, and Dietrich started chuckling...which disturbed Anna profoundly.
"Why would I bother? I have no faith you can make it better, and even if you could...I have even less faith in the idea that you'll live long enough to get a chance." He said.
"How can you be so heartless?" Anna asked.
"How can you be so naive?" Dietrich asked casually.
"So it's naive to ask why you keep being so bitter about something you don't even bother trying to resolve without-" Dietrich cuts Anna off.
"Oh I'm resolving to do so alright." He said.
"By hurting people who have nothing to do with...whatever happened?" Anna asked.
"You...willingly allied...with the very man who glorifies himself as a guardian...and fails not once, but multiple times. Playing innocent in this is hopeless." Dietrich said seriously.
"And it's not the only thing that's hopeless." Anna said, and Dietrich sighed.
"How long do you intend to keep this up? The moment I get the chance to...I'm going to kill Sigmund." He said.
"If you cause any more trouble, Elsa will put you in chains...again." Anna said, then Dietrich side-glanced at her.
"It took all three of you to defeat me last time...now you stand alone...!" Dietrich growled, then Anna continued staring at him...and her heart was now pounding. She may have been in dangerous situations before, and everything turned out great in the end...but Dietrich was a different story entirely. She had never dealt with anyone like him before, and now things were getting more tense by the moment.
Eventually, Dietrich got away from the wall and walked towards the ledge, and he didn't even take a few steps before he turned to the path leading to outlaw territory. Lo and behold, a group of outlaws appeared, all of whom were wearing gambesons or chainmail, wielding shields, axes, spears, or swords. They were clearly unhappy to see them, but in Dietrich's case the feeling was completely mutual.
"Look who we have here..." An outlaw said.
"A pair of lost travelers, or are you looking for some treasure too?" Another outlaw asked.
"Well we've got bad news, your luck's run out." A third outlaw said, then Dietrich sucked in a breath and clenched his fists.
"Oh no. The bloke here's going to fight us. Whatever will we do?" A fourth outlaw said before laughing.
"Read the writing on the wall friend. There are only two of you...and nine of us." A fifth outlaw said...then Dietrich conjured a fire whip and lashed at the outlaw next to him. He let out a scream as the whip turned him to ash on-contact, and everyone looked in horror as the man's body, armor, shield, and even his weapons were reduced to a cloud of black dust. Anna then looked at Dietrich who was perfectly content despite the fear he just invoked in his foes. The outlaws then looked at Dietrich who extinguished his flame and simply stood there.
"Make that eight..." Dietrich said, the outlaws then backed up and the ones with axes wound up to throw them, only for Dietrich to conjure another fire whip, and lash at each of them individually, and they all suffered the same fate as the first one. He then lashed his whip at at the last few all at once, even as they turned around to run back from where they came. In the end, none of them were left standing, and Anna was looking over the blackened ground before her, as Dietrich sucked in a breath.
"You...you just..." Anna whispered.
"Do you have something to say?" Dietrich asked seriously.
"You just killed a group of people..." Anna said.
"Your point?!" Dietrich growled.
"I can't believe..." Anna trailed off.
"What is there to believe? Sigmund himself said there's a war going on, and the only way to win a war is by killing your foes." Dietrich said.
"I know, but..." Anna trailed off.
"But what? They were human beings just like you are? So you want them to live and eventually come back more ferocious and cut your throat, or the throat of someone you care about? No...that is nothing more than a bad habit." Dietrich said.
"It didn't need to happen like this!" Anna exclaimed.
"Do you have a better way?" Dietrich asked, and Anna took a moment to think.
"No..." She said.
"I didn't think so." Dietrich said before walking off.
"Where are you going?" Anna asked.
"To look at the valley. Where else?" Dietrich said casually, and Anna gave him a curious look before following him.
"Why?" Anna asked.
"It's not so I can fly off if that's what you're wondering." Dietrich said before he reached the ledge, and looked at the side of the valley the outlaws came from...and recoiled.
"What is it...?" Anna asked seriously, and Dietrich turned to her.
"There's a larger group coming this way. They must have noticed what was happening here..." He said.
"Oh no..." Anna groaned.
"Let them come...they'll get more of the same..." Dietrich said, and as he and Anna looked over the valley, a group of outlaws wisely snuck into the ruins behind them while they were busy looking elsewhere.
When Dietrich finally looked behind Anna, he spotted another group coming their way. When Anna turned and noticed them, she drew her sword and moved to the side as Dietrich ducked a crossbow bolt shot at him. He then growled, set his hand on fire, then launched a fireball at the outlaw, and he didn't even have time to scream before combusting.
"Magic! He has magic!" An outlaw yelled.
"We still outnumber them! Charge!" Another outlaw yelled, and they all rushed at the pair, only for Dietrich to sweep a few of them with a fire whip. The ones behind them were blinded by the ashes hitting them in the face, and Dietrich slammed a fireball into them with a furious shout. When the smoke cleared, the last few wisely stayed back, and threw axes, and shot bolts as Dietrich, who put up a wall of fire that instantly turned their projectiles into more ashes. Dietrich then channeled the fire into another fireball, then blasted the outlaws with it.
Anna meanwhile, went to the side and watched Dietrich continue turning his foes into ashes. When it was over, Dietrich was shaking and breathing hard...which of course was due to his fury. He then recovered his wits enough to spot another wave of outlaws coming their way, and he had just enough time to conjure a whip that was barely a few feet long, but it was still enough to keep the outlaws at bay until he caught his breath, and focused.
Three outlaws went for Anna instead, and she was forced to pull her sword and deflected sword swings and spear thrusts from all three of her foes. It was they were toying with her since she was clearly less skilled, and of course under alot more stress than they were. She was eventually backed into a wall as Dietrich continued lashing down his foes.
He eventually spotted her being trapped by the trio of outlaws, then lashed the final outlaw attacking him, before he blasted two of the outlaws trapping Anna with small fireballs from his fingers. He then blasted the last in the face with an even smaller fireball, then the outlaw fell back, covered his face with both hand, and started screaming in pain. Anna looked at the outlaw Dietrich burned, and was completely floored; why would Dietrich kill two of them, and spare the last, especially like this?
"Finish him off." Dietrich said, then Anna looked at the outlaw who was still on the ground wailing in pain. Anna then held up her sword...then remembered Hans doing the same thing to Elsa just before Anna stopped him and frozen solid. She then slowly lowered her sword, and looked away.
"I can't..." Anna breathed out.
"Finish him off." Dietrich said.
"I can't!" Anna yelled.
"You must! He would be happy to see you in this kind of pain!" Dietrich said seriously, and Anna shook even more violently before dropping her sword.
"I can't...I just can't..." She said before her eyes watered, and Dietrich sighed before blasting the outlaw with a fireball. Anna then slowly turned to look at where the fireball landed, and saw a pile of ashes. She then leaned against the wall, and put one hand on her face as Dietrich walked up to her.
"The next time you hesitate like that...it may cost you your life." He breathed out, then walked away as Anna continued trembling and sat down by the wall; what on earth was going on?
Back in the ruins, Elsa, Olaf, and Sigmund were going down another hallway, with Sigmund continuing to mend whatever parts of the ruins that needed it. Luckily for his peace of mind, it wasn't needed as often; some runes and cravings were eroded but that was beyond his power to fix. Whenever Sigmund wasn't repairing something, he was looking the wood work, stone cravings, natural rock formations, and even some of the plants growing in the area.
The trio went up a few flights of stairs, with Sigmund flying up to the top, and waiting for Elsa and Olaf to catch up.
"Is your armor that heavy?" Elsa asked.
"It weighs roughly 50 pounds; there is no way I'm going up that many stairs if I can help it." Sigmund said.
"Alright." Elsa said before they continued further into the ruins, and they eventually reached a tunnel with even more craving and runes on the walls...which are all intact.
"Now this place looks interesting." Sigmund said.
"Finally a place untouched by erosion." Elsa said as Olaf looked them over closer than the others...and one caught his eye.
"Wow...look at the lizard with wings..." Olaf breathed out.
"A dragon?" Elsa asked seriously.
"A dragon..." Sigmund trailed off.
"So this is a dragon..." Olaf said softly as he looked over the image of a dragon overlooking an alter, with dozens of people around it, and one person in front of the alter.
"What are they doing?" Elsa asked, and Sigmund simply stared at the craving.
"It...looks like the dragon is either teaching, or giving a demonstration." Sigmund said, and Elsa looked him over; he seemed uneasy for once.
"Sigmund?" Elsa asked softly.
"Let's just get moving." Sigmund said before continuing down the tunnel until they reached another door.
"It looks like this one needs some sort of key." Elsa said.
"Multiple it seems." Sigmund said as he pointed at the door and swirled his finger around. Elsa then looked the lock over, then used her magic to form a single mass of ice that fit all three holes at the same time. She then turned it to one side, then the other, but it stopped the second time. She then started over, and twisted to the same side, then kept going. She then got stopped again, then turned to the other side and kept going until she was stopped.
"Come on..." Elsa breathed out as she kept twisting and turning the key she made until several clicks were heard, and she stepped back as the door opened.
"This is it...the moment of truth." Sigmund said seriously as they went through the door, and entered a large cavern with statues, stalagmites, stalactites, and the largest set of cravings they're seen thus far.
"Wow...!" Olaf breathed out as he went inside and looked around.
"Wow indeed..." Sigmund said seriously.
"Sigmund?" Elsa asked.
"I have seen many ruins before...but none more intriguing." Sigmund said.
"Because of that story you read?" Elsa asked.
"Yes. I knew the Valley of Stone was a place of wonder, but not beyond what it already has." Sigmund said.
"Now here we are." Elsa said.
"Yes...here we are." Sigmund said.
"Here we are...wait, where are we again?" Olaf asked.
"In a series of ruins we came to acquire knowledge about." Sigmund said.
"Alright, let's look for knowledge..." Olaf said seriously, which earned a smile from Elsa, and a head shake from Sigmund.
"Well, let's look around." Elsa said, and the three split up again.
"This looks like a library or temple of some sort." Sigmund said.
"But why did the book mention the Valkyries?" Elsa asked.
"I do not know..." Sigmund said.
"It's too bad none of this text is readable..." Elsa said.
"I can read some of this actually." Sigmund said.
"You can?" Elsa asked.
"During my time with the dwarves, they shared some of the ancient Norse language with me, and even some of their alphabet." Sigmund said.
"Can you make out anything here?" Elsa asked.
"Some of it yes...but nothing about the Valkyries." Sigmund said.
"O.k." Elsa said.
"It mentions everything else from the old myths, especially the nine worlds that lay on or within the branches of Yggdrasil, the world tree." Sigmund said.
"What are the worlds?" Elsa asked.
"Asgard, and Midgard, or Earth as we call it. There's also Nifilheim, Muspelheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim...Helheim, what are the others...? Vanaheim, and there's one more...Jotunheim! That's the name..." Sigmund said.
"Could Absalom be interested in acquiring some sort of power, or knowledge involving this place?" Elsa asked.
"I doubt it. Like I said, this place is beyond my fiefdom's borders, so if he wanted this place he could've easily gone here and unlocked its secrets without my help. I certainly didn't know about any of this until now." Sigmund said.
"He doesn't know what he's missing...or does he?" Olaf asked.
"I don't know...but either way, there's one more thing I want to check." Sigmund said as he flew up through the hole in the ceiling where the sun shined in. Elsa then watched him do so, and watched him float in mid-air with just his head above the surface. When Sigmund came down, he looked completely overwhelmed; whatever he saw must have been serious.
"What did you see?" Elsa asked.
"We were both right..." Sigmund breathed out.
"How?" Elsa asked as Sigmund sat down.
"There's a huge arena...further down...but it's on the very top of this mountain. The room we're in...the entire ruin itself is a library, as well as a temple..." Sigmund said.
"That's...incredible..." Elsa breathed out.
"This entire place is incredible..." Sigmund trailed off before looking over the cravings around them.
"You don't look very excited about it." Elsa said.
"Right now I'm torn between being amazed by how special the Valley of Stone is compared to how I thought it was, and being disappointed that there's little to nothing of use for the war effort." Sigmund said.
"That is a good point..." Elsa said.
"Either way, let's go find Anna and Dietrich and return home." Sigmund said...before they heard rapid footsteps coming from where they came in.
"But what if they come in after us!?" A voice asked.
"They didn't even see us come in, and if they did, we would have been caught by now." Another voice said.
"Outlaws..." Sigmund breathed out.
"But...Anna and Dietrich..." Elsa trailed off.
"These outlaws must have snuck past them somehow." Sigmund said before he took his flattened helmet off his breastplate, formed its proper shape, then put it on just as the outlaws arrived. Once they saw the trio, the group of outlaws looked between each of them and were either interested, scared, or dumbfounded by them.
"This fight is mine Elsa..." Sigmund said with his helmet echoing his voice, while he drew his sword...then gripped the blade with his left hand, and then his right hand, so the handle was poised to strike instead of the blade.
"A woman dressed in pure white, a living snowman...and a knight that can't even hold a sword properly...now I've seen everything." An outlaw said.
"That knight is the Lord of Stone himself...!" Another said seriously, and the first outlaw's eyes widened.
"It can't be..." He said.
"Yes it can." A third one said.
"He's still only one man, and that woman isn't even armed. We can win this..." A fourth outlaw said...then Sigmund gripped the handle of his sword, then launched it as the outlaws who encouraged his foes. The sword hit him in the chest, then Sigmund called his sword back. The other outlaws watched their comrade fall down dead, then glared at Sigmund before charging at him while shouting. Once they got close, Sigmund charged at them, and used a half-sword motion to block one sword swing, then shoved his blade to the side, and bashing the outlaw in the face with his sword's pommel before stabbing another in the neck.
Another outlaw tried to attack Sigmund from behind with his spear, but it glanced off Sigmund's armor, and Sigmund turned around, grabbed the spear, then stabbed his attacker in the gut. Sigmund then turned around as another outlaw grabbed him from behind, but Sigmund flipped him onto his back, took a dagger out of the outlaw's sheath then stabbed him the chest with it.
The rest of the outlaws rushed Sigmund all at once...and this time, Sigmund stood his ground instead of attacking back. The result was the outlaws attacking, and failing to even get past Sigmund's defenses, and one by one, they were cut down. Even the outlaw who managed to bash Sigmund with an axe to the head only staggered him; his helmet was barely dented, and Sigmund returned the favor by stabbing him in the chest through his gambeson.
Elsa stayed behind Sigmund and watched the battle unfold as the outlaws continued pressing their attack, and recalled what Captain Lars said about how Sigmund fights. The techniques Sigmund was using were unknown to her, but they were clearing doing enough damage to kill the outlaws with no more than a handful of hits. Sigmund also knew exactly where to strike, and when to strike in the first place. His techniques and his armor, not to mention his magic he used only once made him practically unstoppable.
She also noticed that Sigmund was perfectly at ease; even though she couldn't see his face thanks to his helmet, Sigmund's movements spoke for themselves. No movement was wasted, all of them were organized, and every strike hit its target. The outlaws however were just trying to overpower Sigmund with numbers and brute force...and failing miserably.
In the end, one outlaw tried to stab Sigmund in the back with a dagger, but Sigmund's armor held fast, then Sigmund cut into the outlaw's neck. The final outlaw then threw a spear that grazed Sigmund's helmet but still staggered him. The outlaw then grabbed an axe off of one of his dead comrades, charged at Sigmund, then Sigmund stepped to the side, and cut through the outlaw's back.
After the fight, Sigmund looked around at the 11 outlaws he slaughtered, removed his helmet, then looked it over. Elsa then watched him run his hand over his helmet, fixing the dents in it in the process, and noting the faint sorrow on Sigmund's face. Sigmund then looked at Elsa who couldn't stop staring at the scene before her, then looked back at his helmet.
"Now you know why I am both feared, and beloved." Sigmund said.
"I can't say I'm surprised...but I also can't say I'm thrilled." Elsa said.
"Nor should you be." Sigmund said seriously.
"I am however amazed at how you handled yourself; I've never seen anyone fight like that." Elsa said.
"Hopefully you won't have to see it too often." Sigmund said.
"But...how did these outlaws sneak past Dietrich and Anna in the first place?" Elsa asked, and Sigmund started thinking.
"I don't know...but we should go see to them." He said seriously before the trio walked past the dead outlaws, and through the ruins.
Back outside, Dietrich threw a fireball into the air, distracting a group of outlaws, then launched another fireball at one of them. The others then refocused on Dietrich before the fireball he threw into the air came back down and blasted another outlaw. Dietrich then charged up his hand, then conjured a whip before sweeping it through the rest of the outlaws.
He then inhaled deeply before Anna turned around, drew her sword, and stopped an outlaw's sword from removing her head. Dietrich then moved around her then punched the outlaw in the face with his burning fist, which made the outlaw fall down while screaming in pain and holding his face. Another outlaw charged him with a spear, but Dietrich leaned to the side, grabbed the spear, punched the outlaw in the throat before taking his spear and impaling him with it.
He then removed the spear and threw it at another outlaw, who deflected it with his shield, then started swinging at Dietrich with an axe, forcing him to duck and retreat from the axe swings. Dietrich then landed a punch to the outlaw's side, but his gambeson protected him, and the outlaw bashed his with his shield, which hit Dietrich in the face, before the outlaw kicked him to the ground. Dietrich then launched a fireball into the outlaw which prevented Dietrich from getting an axe plunged into him.
The outlaw Dietrich burned earlier then got up and charged at Anna who tried to block and parry the outlaw's furious swings, but her sword was knocked aside multiple times. She retreated from her foe, and held her sword out to keep him away, but the wounded outlaw wasn't phased. He charged at her again, tried to stab her, but Anna deflected it before the outlaw grabbed her, pinned her to the wall, and prepared to stab her before Dietrich threw an axe he took from his foe at the outlaw, hit him in the back, and he released Anna before he fell down dead.
Anna then collapsed and caught her breath before looking up at Dietrich who was looking right at her.
"That's the last time I'm saving you; from this point forward, you're fighting your own battles." He said while walking away.
"I don't know if I can..." Anna whispered before collapsing to her knees as yet another wave of outlaws approached. She then remembered Elsa saying she wouldn't think less of her if she had to end a life, and Sigmund saying that it takes more than killing someone who wants to kill you to make you irredeemable. Now that she was in the middle of a battle, she got the message more and more. Even Dietrich in his fury had a point; his hatred for Sigmund may have been questionable, but he's doing what he was doing to protect her, whether he meant to or not.
She then dried her eyes, grabbed her sword and steeled herself for any approaching outlaws, but Dietrich had everything under control. Yet another wave of outlaws approached, but now Dietrich was throwing out waves of fire that simply scorched the outlaws enough to burn them, and make them fall down screaming in pain. The ones in the back panicked, and tried to run away, but Dietrich sucked in the deepest breath he could, and unleashed another torrent of fire their way, which caused another series of screams before another cloud of ash was formed.
He then took a moment to calm down and look back at the valley, then there was a quiet pop in the distance.
"What in...?" Dietrich trailed off, before he tackled Anna to the ground, and the next thing he knew, a piece of the ledge shattered.
"What was that?" Anna asked seriously, and Dietrich got up, then peered into the distance.
"A cannon..." Dietrich breathed out.
"What?" Anna asked...then Dietrich sucked in another deep breath. He then unleashed a torrent of fire from his mouth...and it got substantially larger overtime, until it engulfed the entire passage into the valley the outlaws were. Scores of them were consumed by the blaze, and the rest followed suit as the fire traveled their way.
Anna retreated from Dietrich immediately as he unleashed his power; the heat was almost smothering, and the fire itself was beyond anything she had seen before. Elsa's ice palace, the blizzards she caused, the spirits of the Enchanted Forest, Sigmund's displays of power over the earth itself...none of it compared to Dietrich releasing a stream of fire large enough to cover at least a few hundred feet, and turn a mountain pass into lava. She then watched Dietrich keep up the pace for what felt like an eternity until Dietrich finally stopped his assault.
"Another matter settled..." Dietrich breathed out.
"How did you do that...?" Anna asked, and Dietrich side-glanced at her.
"I've heard the rumors, about how your snow queen froze your kingdom, and she confirmed it right to my face...and I'm not impressed." He said seriously.
"That was an accident." Anna said.
"Regardless...now you know what you are dealing with...and whom you are dealing with." Dietrich said.
"Why did you do that just to destroy one cannon?" Anna asked.
"I didn't." Dietrich said.
"What do you mean?" Anna asked.
"They definitely knew we're here...and there was an entire army of outlaws down there..." Dietrich said.
"The valley..." Anna whispered.
"Yes...it seems the fabled Lord of Stone is more in the dark than anyone cares to admit." Dietrich said casually.
"Or they were just better at hiding than anyone thought." Anna said.
"There's likely more than that on their way here." Dietrich said.
"We have to stop them!" Anna exclaimed, and Dietrich raised an eyebrow.
"We? What can you hope to do against hundreds of criminals? You would be dead or worse if I wasn't here with you." He said.
"I know but..." Anna trailed off, then Dietrich sighed, then Elsa, Olaf, and Sigmund came out of the ruins.
"Well you came out here in a hurry." Dietrich said casually.
"Some outlaws snuck into the ruins, and I had to fight a group of them." Sigmund said.
"They're dead?" Dietrich asked.
"Of course they are." Sigmund said.
"Are any of you hurt?" Anna asked.
"Of course not." Elsa said, then Anna threw her arms around Elsa, who recoiled at first, then returned the hug.
"We were attacked...there were dozens of them..." Anna said with a cracked voice.
"You're welcome." Dietrich said.
"You killed them?" Sigmund asked.
"They didn't kill themselves." Dietrich said, then Sigmund looked around.
"I see no bodies." He said.
"They're ashes now, and they're scattered all over this place." Dietrich said, and Sigmund, and Elsa looked right at him.
"I don't believe this..." Sigmund whispered.
"Not you too." Dietrich groaned.
"I meant that...nevermind, it was good you were here for Anna." Sigmund said.
"There was also an army of outlaws heading for your valley, and I torched them as well." Dietrich said, and Sigmund's eyes widened.
"You...destroyed an entire army...?!" He asked.
"You think I'm lying?" Dietrich asked.
"No...but if you got rid of all of them, then..." Sigmund trailed off.
"What?" Dietrich asked.
"Nevermind. I will have my scouts confirm it, then we'll talk more." Sigmund said, then Kristoff arrived from the opposite side.
"Kristoff!" Anna yelled before rushing over to hug him, and his eyes widened before catching Anna.
"Would someone tell me what happened here?" Kristoff asked, and Anna sucked in a breath.
On the way to the sled, and then to Sigmund's fortress, Anna told Kristoff, Elsa, Sigmund, and Olaf about Dietrich's fight with the outlaws. Naturally, everyone reacted with a mix of horror, and relief; Dietrich's capacity for violence was inhuman, but he still kept Anna alive, and him destroying that army of outlaws was a service to the valley in the long, and short runs. Anna also had difficulty with accepting how violent she would have to be, but remembered Elsa and Sigmund's advice on how being violent doesn't mean being evil.
In return, Sigmund and Elsa told Anna about their trip into the ruins...and how worn-down, yet spectacular they were. Anna even said they should take her back to see it herself...and they agreed naturally. Sigmund even refrained from telling what they found to keep it a surprise. Kristoff even said he wanted to see it too, but had to leave Sven behind so he wouldn't get bored waiting for them to come back.
At dinner, everything went smoothly, even with Dietrich there. They had the same pork, fish, beard, cheese, and vegetables they always had, and this time, it was very well-earned. Dietrich even had a full plate this time instead of the scraps he normally eats, which wasn't surprising considering how hard he exerted himself in that battle.
Eventually, they all finished their meals and sat there in silence.
"Does anyone have something to talk about?" Kristoff asked.
"What else is there to talk about? This day was insane." Anna said seriously.
"I'm sorry you had to witness what you did Anna." Elsa said softly.
"I'll be alright..." Anna said before Elsa held her hand.
"We could talk about other things." Kristoff said.
"Like what?" Anna asked.
"Well...do your statues have any names Sigmund?" Kristoff asked.
"No, they don't." Sigmund said.
"Why not?" Anna asked.
"I don't have the time to name all of them, and even if I did...names are more powerful than people realize." Sigmund said.
"None of them have names?" Kristoff asked.
"Well, there are a few exceptions, like Ingmar, but my point stands." Sigmund said.
"O.k...but where are you going with this?" Anna asked.
"Let's just say compassion doesn't always help you, and I learned that lesson the hard way." Sigmund said.
"Dare I ask...?" Anna asked.
"I would prefer if you didn't." Sigmund said seriously.
"Alright." Anna said.
"What about this fortress? Why is it built into a mountain?" Elsa asked.
"High ground is critical in alot, and I mean alot of positions during battle. It also makes this fortress a display of power as much as it is a home." Sigmund said.
"O.k...what about the people's houses looking like small castles?" Anna asked.
"That's a coincidence, but I wanted to make them feel as safe as possible." Sigmund said.
"O.k." Anna said.
"It's still a shame we didn't get anything out of those ruins." Elsa said.
"Well...if there is anything of value there, we'll find out in due time." Sigmund said, then Ingmar came in.
"My liege. The scout report came in...and it's big." He said.
"Take it to my war room. I'll review it shortly." Sigmund said.
"Yes my lord." Ingmar said before leaving.
"Well...anything else to talk about?" Kristoff asked.
"I've got nothing." Anna said.
"Me neither." Sigmund said.
"Dietrich?" Elsa asked, and Dietrich held up his hand.
"Leave me out of this." He said seriously, and everyone stared at him as he continued eating.
"Subtle..." Anna trailed off.
In Sigmund's throne room, he was sitting on his throne, and everyone was gathered around Dietrich who stood before him.
"Dietrich...it seems you've single-handedly wiped out most of the outlaws in the area, and the rest are too afraid of you to go anywhere near this valley. Even those that do are so few in number that they can be dealt with easily." Sigmund said.
"So what does that mean for me? Dare I ask..." Dietrich asked.
"It means...you have done the Valley of Stone a greater service than I thought you could, in spite of your antipathy towards us, especially me, and that does demand commendation...your probation is nullified You are free to roam my fortress, and maybe later, my entire fiefdom as you see fit." Sigmund said.
"Lucky me..." Dietrich said before walking away.
"Where are you going?" Sigmund asked, then Dietrich stopped, and turned to look at him.
"Back to my cell..." Dietrich breathed out before leaving.
"Well then...I wish all of you a good night's rest." Sigmund said before he stood up, and went to his room, as the others went to their rooms without a word.
Shortly before dawn, Dietrich left his cell, and walked down the halls. As he went past the statues, none of them even looked at him; his probation really was over. When he finally reached the outside world, he looked around, and saw no one there. Much to his dismay, he heard footsteps behind him, and turned to see Anna.
"Where are you going?" Anna asked.
"Where does it look like I'm going?" Dietrich asked seriously before he kept going, then Anna rushed over to him and got in his way.
"But why? You just got off probation." She said.
"Last I checked, I'm not part of your little group, nor do I intend to be." Dietrich said.
"Please, there doesn't have to be any more misunderstandings." Anna said, and Dietrich chuckled.
"What is there to misunderstand?" He asked.
"Dietrich...I know you're not evil." Anna said softly, and Dietrich glared at her.
"Then you know less than I thought..." He breathed out before pushing Anna to the side hard enough to make her stumble.
"Dietrich stop!" She exclaimed before grabbing Dietrich's hand, then he yanked it free then shoved her to the ground. She then looked up at him as he stood over her fuming despite her honest attempt to get through to him. He then point his finger at her...
"Don't follow me..." He said seriously before he turned around, ran off, jumped, and flew off with fire jets into the distance. Anna then watched as Dietrich flew away at break neck speed, and deflated before standing up, brushing herself off, and going inside. The others were not going to believe or like this...
Well shucks...Dietrich's on the loose now. Anyway, I hope this long one makes up for my involuntary hiatus, and I've got a small marathon lined up, and this time, it's personal for me. So be sure to Rate, Review, and Share...and stay tuned of course.,