Hello people, and welcome back to Frozen: Lords of Storm and Stone. I hope all of you had a good year thus far, and are ready for another trip to Disney's Scandinavia. Well, unfortunately, it's time to bid Arendelle a farewell and head back to the Valley of Stone, there's a war to win with the team's names on it, and a certain lord that needs their help...and vice versa. Speaking of whom...
In his fortress, Sigmund was in a circular room lined with pillars, and wearing regular trousers, and lacking a shirt, or his armor. The flat side of his sword was resting on his shoulder as he sucked in the deepest breaths his lung would allow. The chill of the winter air around him did nothing to soften his resolve as he prepared for what he was about to do...
He then extended his sword to the side, then rapidly spun it downwards, then spun it upwards to the other side, and repeated the process several times before he snapped the sword to the side again, and looked down the blade. He then sucked in another breath as he pointed the sword forward, then swung behind him, then swung several more times in that direction at a diagonal before thrusting forward. He then retreated to the center of the room, spun around multiple times, then thrusted his sword in the direction he was facing originally. He then swung his sword to one side, then the other, then whirled his sword over his head multiple times, changing directions and each time, and then swung vertically in front of him.
After yet another deep breath, Sigmund began spinning his sword all around him multiple times, striking in all directions. He even used his sword in his left hand every now and then, like when he stabbed to one side, then used his left hand to swing to the other side, swing upward, then downward with his right hand. He then stood still, and slowly whirled his sword around him multiple times, before holding the sword out in front of him.
He then gripped the tip of the blade itself, and spun it around again, switching hands and facing forward all the while, and finishing by striking forward with the crossguard three times, whirling his sword around him each time. He then grabbed the middle of the blade, and spun it around him like a wheel, and over his head, before leaping forward, and rolling on the ground.
He then finished his display by throwing his sword to the side with his left hand, had the sword circle him several times with his magic, going up and down in the process. He then snatched his sword out of the air with his right hand, then held the sword out with the flat facing forward and ran his other hand over the flat of the blade that was facing him. He then inhaled deeply once again before stabbing his sword into the ground, and simply standing there as his heartrate steadied.
After composing himself, he turned his head to the side...
"Yes? Ingmar?" Sigmund breathed out before Ingmar revealed himself, with Sigmund's scabbard in his hand.
"Begging your pardon my liege, but I just received a message that the royal family of Arendelle will arrive within days." Ingmar said, Sigmund then pointed his sword at Ingmar, who held the scabbard's opening towards him, then Sigmund let his sword go, and it flew into the opening.
"Very good..." Sigmund said.
Back in Arendelle, the royal family collected some additional items for their trip back to the Valley of Stone. They had left a good number of their things with Sigmund since bring them back wasn't necessary, but obviously they had to eat and rest for the trip itself. It also didn't hurt to bring things for the citizens of the valley if the mood struck them.
Elsa in particular couldn't stop thinking about the trip back; nevermind the war going on there, but the lack of answers involving the storms themselves was not kind to her. Currently, she couldn't stop thinking about the spirits of the Enchanted Forest, or the people there for that matter. She was forced to turn back to Arendelle because of one of those storms...and she still didn't know what defenses the spirits were capable of producing against it.
The next thing she knew, a breeze blew in a bunch of swirling leaves, and a letter.
"Gale? What are you doing here?" Elsa asked, before she noticed the letter, and opened it.
After the family left Arendelle, and of course said good-bye to everyone and received their good vibes, the family could finally talk.
"So what did the letter say?" Anna asked.
"Whatever is going on with these storms, it's beginning to make the spirits nervous. Since we were gone, they've been uneasy, as if they sense something coming." Elsa said.
"What do you mean?" Anna asked.
"I mean that this war has more to do with Sigmund and Absalom than we thought; if the spirits themselves are getting scared, something is very wrong." Elsa said.
"Considering that there's literal storms brewing over this, that shouldn't be a surprise." Kristoff said.
"I think this has more to do with the storms." Elsa said.
"Like?" Anna asked.
"I'm not sure, but according to what Honeymaren wrote, the Enchanted forest dealt with storms earlier, but Gale was able to send them away without too much trouble. But...he spent a large amount of time on patrol around the forest, and his behavior has been...erratic." Elsa said.
"O.k...a spirit shouldn't be affected like that." Anna said.
"No...they shouldn't." Elsa said.
"Then these really aren't ordinary storms..." Kristoff said.
"Did they discover anything else about what the cause is?" Anna asked.
"She didn't say anything about that, and if they did discover anything new, she would have." Elsa said.
"So...let me get this straight: Sigmund told us that these storms aren't caused by Absalom, which is ironic given that he's called the Lord of Storm...and grandpabbie said there's more to them than natural forces, and now they can drive a spirit crazy? This has to be the biggest head-scratcher in the history of head-scratchers." Kristoff said seriously.
"I couldn't agree more..." Elsa trailed off.
Days later, the family spotted the lands between the valley and the Enchanted Forest, which of course were claimed by Sigmund and made a vassal estate for him.
"Well, we're here." Olaf said.
"We're almost here." Kristoff said.
"Oh...right..." Olaf said as the family continued down the road, went through the pass leading to the Valley of Stone itself, and finally saw its expanse.
"After all this time, that view still amazes me..." Anna said.
"You and me both sweetheart." Kristoff said as they rode down to the village.
"Anna! Kristoff! Elsa, and Olaf! Welcome back!" Askel exclaimed.
"It's good to be back." Anna said.
"Happy New Year to you all." Askel said.
"And a Happy New Year to you Askel." Anna said.
"I'm sure you'll want to meet up with His Lordship as soon as possible?" Askel asked.
"Well, we don't want to keep him waiting, but I'm sure he'll understand if people want to say hi to us." Anna said.
"You're not wrong there." Askel said.
"Where's Lisa?" Elsa asked, then Askel pointed to the side.
"I'm right here!" Lisa exclaimed as she ran over to the group, and hugged Anna, who immediately returned the gesture.
"Happy New Year Lisa." Anna said softly, before Lisa hugged Elsa.
"Happy New Year to all of you too." Lisa said before hugging Kristoff.
"I like warm hugs too!" Olaf exclaimed, before Lisa embraced him as well.
"You and me both..." She said softly.
"How did it go here?" Elsa asked before Lisa started petting Sven.
"Oh it was just as lovely as Christmas. Father Leonid prayed for a quick end to this war, and for everything we lost to be made up for twice over." Lisa said.
"That was nice of him." Anna said.
"It gets better. Lord Sigmund himself demonstrated some of his swordsmanship against no less than five soldiers...I've heard of him being a master with a sword but, to actually see him use it..." Lisa trailed off.
"Wow..." Elsa breathed out.
"Yeah wow. That man never ceases to amaze." Lisa said.
"I'll bet those soldiers weren't expecting to fight their leader." Kristoff said.
"Actually, Sigmund told me afterward that he knew those men for years. He didn't say much about it, but...at least it wasn't as bad as I thought." Lisa said.
"He doesn't say much to us either. Well, he tells us quite a bit, but there's alot of things he goes out of his way to keep secret." Elsa said.
"Well, he must have his reasons." Lisa said.
"We know, and so do we with our secrets." Anna said.
"Hey, if it works out, it works out. Anyway, I've got to get going myself, so...tell His Lordship I said hi." Lisa said.
"Will do. See you later." Anna said before they got back in the sled and rode for Sigmund's fortress.
When they got to Sigmund's throne room, they saw he was on his throne, in the same plate armor he always wore.
"Welcome back Your Majesties. I missed you all." Sigmund said.
"Happy New Year Sigmund." Elsa said.
"And a Happy New Year to all, and to your people." Sigmund said.
"Lisa says hi." Olaf said, and Sigmund smiled.
"I return the greeting." He said.
"Hi!" Olaf exclaimed while waving.
"Hello again Olaf." Sigmund said.
"Should I tell Sven you said hi too?" Kristoff asked.
"By all means." Sigmund said.
"I take it our rooms are the same as they were before?" Elsa asked.
"Naturally." Sigmund said.
"You know the people of Arendelle asked about you." Anna said.
"I'm less than surprised." Sigmund said.
"I didn't catch every question, but some asked how strong you were, and what you looked like." Anna said.
"What did you say?" Sigmund asked.
"There was actually so much going on, we didn't have a chance to answer...I hope you don't mind." Anna said.
"Not at all. Tell them your feelings and thoughts about me, or keep them to yourselves...that's your concern." Sigmund said.
"So...anything new?" Kristoff asked.
"Not as of late, which comforts me greatly...and that means we can address something I have been thinking about quite extensively." Sigmund said.
"Which would be?" Anna asked.
"Your armaments." Sigmund said, and everyone widened their eyes.
"Say what now?" Kristoff asked.
"I hate to bring up bad memories, but Anna's close encounter with those outlaws has been hungry for my attention. If Dietrich had not been there...well, I must credit him with being a good protector when he puts his mind to it." Sigmund said.
"But..." Anna trailed off.
"Ending lives is never easy-" Anna cuts Sigmund off.
"That's not it. I only know how to use an arming sword." She said.
"That is not a problem. I have been talking with Captain Lars about what to give all of you, excluding you Elsa. Your prowess with ice magic speaks for itself louder than I ever could." Sigmund said.
"What did you come up with?" Kristoff asked.
"You Kristoff seem quite capable with multiple types of arms, whereas you Anna...well, you have training with a blade like you said yourself. We are off to an excellent start all things considered." Sigmund said.
"Alright...when do we start?" Anna asked, before Sigmund stood up.
"After our lunch. I have had Chef Gunjar save some duck from our New Year's feast just for all of you." He said.
"That's nice of you." Anna said.
"Please...it is only fitting." Sigmund said before they went to the dinning room.
When they got there, Ingmar was at the furnace heating the duck on a spit.
"Welcome back Your Majesties." Ingmar said as everyone sat down.
"Good to be back Ingmar." Elsa said.
"You arrived just in time; this duck should be warm enough by now." Ingmar said before removing the duck, and placing it on the table.
"Doesn't that hurt?" Olaf asked.
"Not at all. This fire is not like Dietrich's fire...at least from what I've been told." Ingmar said.
"Speaking of whom, have you heard from him?" Elsa asked.
"No word whatsoever, which both relieves and concerns me." Sigmund said as Ingmar prepared the duck, as well as the cheese, bread, and vegetables.
"You think he's up to something with Absalom?" Elsa asked.
"I wouldn't put it past him...but enough of that, we are here to feast, and to prepare for the day." Sigmund said.
"And that's what we'll do." Anna said as Ingmar distributed their plates.
"Do enjoy yourselves." He said with a bow before walking away.
"Sigmund? We have one last serving of the wine you gave me." Elsa said as Kristoff removed the bottle of strawberry wine from his bag.
"I trust you found it to your liking?" Sigmund asked.
"Very much so. It was, and still is one of the best wines I've ever tasted." Elsa said.
"And what better time to finish it than after the New Year?" Sigmund said before using his magic to make four glasses float over to the four of them then Kristoff then filled each glass with the wine.
"Cheers!" Anna exclaimed before the group clanked the glasses together all at once before they all sipped together.
"If you would like Elsa, I could commission another bottle to be brewed." Sigmund said.
"That would be nice, but I don't want to trouble you." Elsa said.
"If it were too much trouble, I wouldn't offer." Sigmund said.
"The man's got a point...as usual." Anna said, then Sigmund smiled before they all began to consume the food prepared for them.
After their lunch, they regrouped in Sigmund' war room, and the family looked the table in the middle over...and noted the new flags on various points.
"Someone's been busy." Kristoff said.
"I have indeed. Commerce demanded that plenty of previously lost places be returned to their rightful place as assets to the valley, and so they were." Sigmund said.
"No more bandits gave you trouble?" Anna asked.
"None. Dietrich scared the ones he didn't decimate away, perhaps for good." Sigmund said.
"So...what about us?" Kristoff asked.
"First, a question of my own: do you have any experience with weapons in general?" Sigmund asked.
"I...I have my ice axe, and I know a thing or two about a sword like Anna does, only she is better than I am." Kristoff said.
"That's good enough for now." Sigmund said.
"What did you have in mind?" Kristoff asked.
"Given your build, and what you've demonstrated in regards to what kind of person you are, I can see you with a spear, and a shield." Sigmund said.
"What?" Kristoff asked.
"You said you would protect Anna as well as you could, and you can do the same for the rest of those around you. A spear to keep foes at bay, and a shield to make their attacks pointless, and of course armor to go with it." Sigmund said.
"That...doesn't sound half-bad, but I don't know how-" Sigmund cuts Kristoff off.
"Training is not a problem, not now, not in the future. Spears in particular are arguably the easiest weapon type to use." Sigmund said.
"O.k." Kristoff said.
"What about me?" Anna asked.
"I'm not entirely sure...but what I said about Kristoff does not apply to you, at least not entirely." Sigmund said.
"I may not be as big as him, or you for that matter, but that ice harvesting did wonders for my strength." Anna said.
"You need more than strength to win a battle, but you do have the perfect build for a skirmisher, so to speak." Sigmund said.
"What?" Anna asked.
"I can't see you holding your ground and facing your foes head-on like Kristoff could, but acting and thinking unconventionally? Well, I haven't forgotten what you told me about how well you did in the Enchanted Forest, especially with the dam you got the earth spirits to destroy. That kind of thinking can come in handy on a battlefield, or off the battlefield for that matter." Sigmund said.
"You did put alot of thought into all of this..." Anna trailed off.
"But what about our weapons? I mean, where exactly are we going to get them?" Kristoff asked.
"My troops have more weapons than they know what to do with. Your armaments are not a problem." Sigmund said.
"O.k. but our armor?" Anna asked.
"In your case, there's a multitude of options, as for Kristoff? I can see you wearing either a gambeson, or a brigandine, and maybe some additional plating to go on your arms and legs." Sigmund said.
"Are you kidding?" Kristoff asked seriously.
"Someone as large and powerful as you should have little to no trouble moving with that kind of weight added onto you. Besides, it's not even February yet; it's going to get colder before long...especially since we're in the middle of Norway of all countries." Sigmund said.
"That is a good point..." Anna trailed off.
"Back to you Anna? Like I said, there's a bounty of options for you; you might as well look through the armor and clothing types yourself and pick the one you like the most." Sigmund said.
"Sounds good to me." Anna said.
"As for you Elsa...are you still versed in forming the armor you wore against Dietrich?" Sigmund asked.
"Yes...I am..." Elsa breathed out before she formed plate armor on her torso, and scale armor on her arms and legs.
"That will do." Sigmund said, and Anna gasped and her eyes widened.
"I could have that!" She exclaimed.
"Are you certain?" Sigmund asked.
"It works for Elsa, it could work for me." Anna said seriously, and Sigmund took a moment to think.
"I suppose that could work, but there's a problem: we have nothing like that." He said.
"Can't you just make it with your earth magic?" Kristoff asked.
"It's not that simple; if I just throw bits of metal together it will be crude at best, and a determent at worst." Sigmund said.
"He's right. Even the armor I wear had to be made in a certain way. Remember my ice palace, or this fortress itself for that matter? They both had to be made carefully." Elsa said.
"She's right, and I could possibly make armor on the spot in the future, but as it stands...that's one of the few ways to use my magic I have yet to perfect." Sigmund said.
"Then we'll just have to make it the old-fashioned way." Kristoff said.
"My sentiment exactly. Kristoff, I suggest you go see what Captain Lars has to spare, in the meantime Anna? You and I will need to see the armorer." Sigmund said.
"Why both of us?" Anna asked.
"Because they're going to need some measurements, and I will help them make the armor itself." Sigmund said.
"Oh...right..." Anna said.
"Shouldn't we get on that now?" Kristoff asked.
"Right...the sooner the better." Sigmund said before they left the throne room.
After the group left the fortress, and followed Sigmund to the barracks, Captain Lars was looking over some papers.
"Good morning my lord." He said.
"Good morning captain." Sigmund said.
"And a Happy New Year to all of you." Lars said.
"Happy New Year captain." Anna said.
"How may I be of service?" Lars asked.
"We're here for weapons and armor." Kristoff said.
"O.k...not that I disagree with the choice, but may I ask about the occasion?" Lars asked.
"Captain, things have been peaceful these last few weeks, but we all know that won't last, and it's growing more and more urgent they receive more and better training." Sigmund said.
"Fair enough my lord." Lars said.
"It took far longer than I would have liked to get us to this point, but many things required our attention first." Sigmund said.
"One of which was...well, keeping Dietrich in check." Kristoff said.
"Also, what if Dietrich saw us training and improving, then ratted us out to Absalom?" Anna asked.
"That's also a good point..." Kristoff said.
"Then let's not waste any more time." Elsa said.
"Right. Anna? Let's go see what's available for you." Sigmund said.
"Alright, lead the way." Anna said before following Sigmund past the barracks.
"What about me?" Kristoff asked.
"We have plenty of armor for you good sir." Lars said.
"You do?" Kristoff asked as Lars walked off with Kristoff and Elsa following him.
"The ice harvesters count several of my troops among their numbers. Some of them actually fought His Lordship on New Year's for the people's entertainment." Lars said.
"He did?" Kristoff asked seriously.
"Yes...and all of them were about your size. Granted they weren't fighting him seriously, nor should they have, but my lord is nothing if not fearless." Lars said.
"Did he use any magic in that melee?" Elsa asked.
"Only on himself my good lady. Only on himself." Lars said before they reached the arsenal, and saw over a dozens troops looking over the various weapons and armor available.
"Wow..." Kristoff whispered.
"Most of this will not do for you however; the ice harvesters use weapons much more suitable for you...by default." Lars said.
"Sigmund said a spear and shield will do for me." Kristoff said.
"As well as a gambeson or brigandine." Elsa said.
"Well...let us see what the options are." Lars said...then they looked around.
Later, Elsa walked out of the barracks, and looked around the village, and saw nothing other than the people talking, doing their tasks, and children playing together.
"Hey! Elsa!" Lisa exclaimed, then Elsa looked to see Lisa running toward her.
"Hello." Elsa said.
"Where's everyone else?" Lisa asked.
"Olaf is back at the fortress, Kristoff and Anna are with Sigmund, and Captain Lars picking out what weapons and armor to use." Elsa said.
"Oh...that's, really something..." Lisa trailed off.
"What's the matter?" Elsa asked.
"Can they handle being in a fight? I mean, I know Lord Sigmund has been in plenty, but...he's Lord Sigmund." Lisa said.
"I don't like this anymore than you do, but we're here to help all of you...and that's not going to stop, even if things turn violent." Elsa said.
"And we all still appreciate it, even if no one says it to your face." Lisa said.
"I know..." Elsa said before looking in the distance and sighing.
"What?" Lisa asked.
"I just wonder what Dietrich's New Year was like..." Elsa said.
"Well, I just hope this new in general will be kinder to him." Lisa said.
"And the rest of us." Elsa said.
"Naturally." Lisa said, before Lars and Kristoff came back...and Lisa's eyes widened.
"We're back." Kristoff said, and Elsa looked him over. He had segmented steel plates covering his arms and legs, as well as thick padding underneath. His torso was also covered by a blue brigandine, and he was carrying a round shield with a steel covering. His weapon was a seven-foot spear, and his head was completely uncovered.
"Wow...Kristoff, you look incredible." Lisa said.
"Equipment made and designed by Lord Sigmund himself for the ice harvester troops, and the newest set is his." Lars said.
"And will remain so." Sigmund said as he and Anna approached...with the latter wearing a steel version of Elsa's plate armor with a scale skirt.
"Hello Your Lordship...and Anna" Lisa breathed out.
"Hello again Lisa." Sigmund said, as Anna and Kristoff looked each other over.
"How does that suit feel Anna?" Elsa asked as Anna looked herself over.
"Well...the weight's going to take some getting used to, but it fits me like a glove." She said.
"It looks like it fits you like a glove." Lisa said.
"As it should; it took us almost an hour to get the fitting right. Granted the hardest part was making it, but...to be honest, making armor for a woman was pretty unorthodox." Sigmund said.
"Really?" Kristoff asked.
"Yes...really. Custom-making armor is one thing, doing it for a woman, while not surprising, or a problem, does have differences, especially since there are few women in my army, if any." Sigmund said.
"O...k..." Kristoff said.
"If I didn't have my earth magic, it would take substantially more time." Sigmund said.
"Well thankfully...you're the fabled Lord of Stone, so no biggie." Anna said, and Sigmund smirked.
"So...now we've got our stuff, now what?" Kristoff asked.
"Now we put it to us..." Sigmund trailed off.
Fun fact: I saw a deviantart picture of Anna, Kristoff, and Elsa, called Frozen Knights, and while their equipment was radically different from what I'm having them use, it had a decent D&D theme to it. Elsa was the mage...duh, Anna was the archer, which to my mind is a rogue, and Kristoff was the warrior. All three roles make complete sense if you think about Anna and Kristoff's builds, and Elsa's in-your-face feats with magic.
Anyway, the group's got their stuff now, and who knows what they'll do with it, or whatever else they'll get their paws on in the future, so please continue to Rate, Review, and Share while the rest comes your way. Stay tuned...