Hello people, and welcome back to Frozen: Lords of Storm and Stone. Happy Birthday to me, and everyone else on the 29th of April. Sorry I left this story hanging for the umpteenth time, but now's as good a time as any to kick things off with a bang...for the umpteenth time.
In the morning, Kristoff woke up before Anna, who was still sleeping peacefully at his side. He then collected his focus before looking her over, and he couldn't keep himself from smiling, and basking in the radiance her presence had for as long as he knew her. He then looked out the window to see dawn had yet to come, and took more time to rest next to Anna...the sun of his life.
Later, both of them woke up in full, got dressed, and went to the throne room where Sigmund was sitting on his throne.
"Good morning." Anna said.
"Good morning." Sigmund said.
"So, is that thing you needed Elsa for taken care of?" Anna asked.
"Very much so." Sigmund said.
"May I ask what it was?" Anna asked.
"I merely had some reports to read that hadn't yet been sorted yet." Sigmund said.
"Either of us could have helped." Kristoff said.
"If you weren't in need of rest, I would have asked your help as well." Sigmund said.
"So...was there anything good?" Anna asked.
"Nothing too relevant, at least not yet, but nevertheless there is a reason I keep every report I get in storage." Sigmund said.
"O.k." Anna said.
"Also, it's worth noting that tonight will be a full moon, if I read the phases correctly." Sigmund said.
"That's nice, especially with all the snow around." Anna said.
"Yes indeed...and you two could very well stay up to look it over together if you're not too tired." Sigmund said.
"Way ahead of you." Kristoff said, and Sigmund smiled.
"Then whatever practice you have now will have to do for today." He said.
"Wait, what?" Anna asked.
"All I had in mind was a repeat of what you and I did yesterday, but with Kristoff instead of you, and maybe I show what my sword is capable of...and what yours will be capable of." Sigmund said, and both of his guests stared at him.
"O...k..." Kristoff trailed off.
"Where's Elsa?" Sigmund asked.
"Still asleep probably." Anna said.
"Alright...speaking of sleep, how well did you sleep last night?" Sigmund asked.
"Pretty well, why?" Kristoff asked.
"I could tell there was something weighing you down earlier, and I'm not talking about your armor." Sigmund said, and Kristoff sighed.
"You knew?" He asked.
"I've seen countless times where someone looked stricken by something other than a weapon, and neither is better than the other." Sigmund said seriously.
"Well, I'm over it now but...seeing all those other soldiers doing this kind of thing like it was easy as breathing made me feel almost like I didn't belong there, which is ironic since...well, I used to be an ice harvester, and now I'm royalty." Kristoff said.
"Understandable; that's a common feeling among new recruits. Being surrounded by veterans can make someone feel like the weak link in the chain, even when they aren't...or should I say especially when they aren't." Sigmund said.
"Especially?" Kristoff asked.
"Standards being met, or not being met is a delicate balance to say the least...but like I said yesterday: fears are self-fulfilling." Sigmund said.
"Which is exactly why I talked them out of him." Anna said while clutching Kristoff's arm...and Elsa approached her from behind.
"And good on you." She said softly, then Anna and Kristoff turned around to see Elsa.
"Good morning to you too." Anna said casually.
"Good morning." Elsa breathed out, before Olaf leaned out from behind her.
"Surprise!" He exclaimed.
"We knew you were there." Kristoff said.
"And I knew that you knew I was there...which means it wasn't a surprise at all." Olaf said casually.
"Anyway...Sven could use some more time out in the fields if it's all the same." Kristoff said.
"Do you remember where they are?" Sigmund asked.
"Yes I do." Kristoff said.
"We do." Anna said.
"Then waste no time." Sigmund said.
"Wait...what are you going to do?" Anna asked.
"Ingmar!" Sigmund exclaimed, then Ingmar approached Sigmund and bowed.
"Yes my liege?" He asked.
"Has Chef Gunjar began cooking yet?" Sigmund asked.
"Right on schedule." Ingmar said.
"Then you know what to do." Sigmund said.
"I shall have your meals delivered here as soon as possible my lord." Ingmar said before leaving.
"Alright, I'm starving." Anna said.
"Also, last night, something occurred to me...it is far wiser to leave from here." Sigmund said.
"How?" Kristoff asked.
"Follow me." Sigmund said before going to the balcony outside his war room, then breaking off a piece of the railing.
"What are you doing?" Anna asked.
"Watch." Sigmund said before moving his hands around the rock...and it grew several times larger than Sigmund himself.
"Whoa..." Anna breathed out before Sigmund stepped onto the rock.
"Now we can simply float down to the valley floor." He said, before the family looked at each other.
"Well, I'm up for it." Anna said casually before stepping next to Sigmund, with Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff following...then Sigmund got on one knee.
"I strongly advise you all crouch along with me." He said.
"I don't have knees...or legs..." Olaf said casually as everyone else got on one knee as well.
"It's just for keeping us from falling off." Elsa said.
"But don't worry, we've got you." Anna said before she and Elsa held onto Olaf...then the rock descended as Sigmund lowered his arm.
"Whoa...!" Olaf exclaimed...but everyone held onto each other, and stayed in the middle with Sigmund.
When they reached the bottom, and got off the rock...except for Sigmund.
"I'm going to repair the balcony, then finish looking over those reports I mentioned earlier." He said.
"Alright, we'll see you at breakfast." Anna said before Sigmund floated back up to his fortress.
"So, other than taking Sven to the fields, what do you two have in mind for the day?" Kristoff asked.
"Other than train with Sigmund?" Anna asked.
"O.k...other than taking Sven to the fields, and training with Sigmund..." Kristoff trailed off, then Anna giggled.
"Let's eat first, then figure it out..." Elsa said, then they went to get Sven at the stable.
After they got to the stable, they found Lisa feeding Sven carrots...then he looked at the family, and smiled.
"Good morning." Lisa said.
"Good morning." Anna said.
"Thanks for feeding Sven." Kristoff said before Lisa petted Sven.
"I remember he loves carrots, and I had my breakfast earlier...so why can't he?" She said.
"That's nice of you." Elsa said.
"Well, we're going to the fields to give him something to do." Kristoff said.
"Can I come?" Lisa asked.
"I don't see why not." Kristoff said.
"Alright!" Lisa exclaimed before opening Sven's door.
"Let's go Sven." Kristoff said, then they left the stable.
On the way to the fields, everyone simply looked over the environment...and in Anna and Kristoff's case, thinking about the impact Elsa's magic had on the woods after she fled Arendelle. As grim as the situation was, the effect snow and ice had on the environment was nothing shy of wondrous. Thanks to winter itself, the family could admire the effects of snow and ice without the threat of Elsa's unruly magic causing damage instead of joy and wonder.
Nowadays, the chaos ruling Elsa's life was no longer present, and she was leagues ahead of where she used to be, even when it came to her raw power.
"Lovely isn't it?" Lisa asked.
"Yes...yes it is." Anna said.
"You were remembering something weren't you?" Lisa asked.
"Yeah...the time Elsa lost control of her powers." Anna said.
"Oh...that..." Lisa trailed off.
"We've come a long way since then." Elsa said.
"And we're going to go even further. I don't know how, but there's a way." Anna said, and Elsa shared a smile with her, but Lisa sighed.
"I wish Dietrich was here..." She breathed out.
"Minus the serious rage of course." Kristoff said seriously.
"Of course..." Lisa whispered.
"Kristoff!" Anna snapped.
"What? I don't want to be in the same area with someone who wants to burn us to a crisp." Kristoff said seriously.
"Still...he wasn't always-" Lisa cuts Anna off.
"It's alright...the Dietrich I know wouldn't do that." She said softly.
"Wait...I don't like the way you said that..." Anna trailed off.
"I still care about him, but...I try not to think about what he's done, or what he might have done." Lisa said.
"Lisa..." Elsa breathed out.
"I know I'm the one who brought it up, but...for crying out loud, where's the fairness!?" Lisa asked seriously, then Anna sighed.
"Sigmund keeps saying war isn't fair, but you're right. This isn't right." She said.
"Well, all we can do is hope Dietrich comes around somehow. But in the meantime Lisa...have you been in a sled going full speed?" Kristoff asked.
"No...I haven't. Why?" Lisa asked, and Kristoff side-glanced at Anna.
"Do you still like fast?" He asked.
"Wait a minute...are you saying you want Sven to go full speed? Now?" Lisa asked.
"It's alot more fun than it sounds, and yes...I still like fast." Anna said casually before Kristoff moshed Sven, and he bellowed before charging the rest of the way to the fields.
"Whoa!" Lisa yelled before she braced herself by holding onto the side of the sled.
After they spent their fair share of time watching Sven run through the meadow, the group went back to Sigmund's fortress, and Lisa came with them. When they reached Sigmund's throne room, they saw him was looking over the wall, and his throne with keen interest. Eventually, he turned to notice them, and Lisa beamed as soon as they made eye contact.
"Welcome back." Sigmund said.
"Hello my liege." Lisa said while bowing.
"How was your trip?" Sigmund asked.
"Well, Sven got his exercise, and we got to chat for a good amount of time..." Kristoff trailed off.
"I trust Lisa made your time more pleasant?" Sigmund asked.
"Very much so." Anna said, and Lisa shared a smile with her.
"I'm glad to hear that." Sigmund said, then Ingmar walked in.
"My liege? Chef Gunjar's meal has been delivered." He said.
"Is there enough for Lisa?" Sigmund asked.
"It's alright, I've already eaten." Lisa said.
"In that case..." Anna trailed off before they went to the dinning room.
When they got there, they began eating the chicken, bread, cheese, and fruits prepared for them, with Lisa eating less than half of what the others ate.
"May I ask why you came here Lisa? Not that I disapprove." Sigmund asked.
"I just wanted to see you my lord, and spend time with your guests of course." Lisa said.
"Fair enough." Sigmund said before eating a slice of apple.
"So, what did you have in mind for training?" Anna asked.
"I simply wish to see what Kristoff has been doing with the rest of my soldiers." Sigmund said.
"O.k..." Kristoff said.
"I have wielded spears before, and I believe I could make the strengths and weaknesses more clear if need be, or at least get a better understanding of what you already know." Sigmund said.
"I don't think that will be necessary, but hey, I'm not going to say no." Kristoff said.
"Nor should you." Elsa said, then Sigmund smirked.
"Confirmation is the better part of wisdom." He breathed out.
"Wow..." Lisa whispered.
"What is it?" Sigmund asked.
"I've heard it as discretion is the better part of valor, but...not only was that a good spin on the phrase, it's also accurate." Lisa said seriously, then Sigmund took a moment to think.
"I did not think of that..." He trailed off.
"So what were you doing before we got back?" Elsa asked.
"I actually took the liberty of making the balcony of my war room more suitable for us using it as a means of going up and down my fortress more easily. It's far from completion, but I will continue my work when I can." Sigmund said.
"What about your throne?" Anna asked.
"That's an even longer story." Sigmund said seriously.
"Well...can I watch whatever you're going to do?" Lisa asked.
"I don't see why not." Sigmund said simply.
"Are you going to show them how you fought those soldiers on New Year's?" Lisa asked.
"I just might..." Sigmund said.
"Are we going do to the barracks?" Kristoff asked.
"No..." Sigmund said
"Then what are we doing?" Kristoff said.
"You will see soon enough, but for now, let's finish eating." Sigmund said before he took another bite out of his chicken.
"O...k..." Kristoff trailed off.
After they finished their meal, Sigmund took them to the same arena in which he trained Anna.
"Welcome to the arena..." Anna said casually, then Lisa, Elsa, and Olaf sat down next to each other as Sigmund walked to the side of the arena opposite to Kristoff.
"So...what now?" Kristoff asked.
"First...Elsa? Could you kindly make a pillar of ice?" Sigmund asked.
"O.k...how big?" Elsa asked.
"About as tall as I am, and half as wide." Sigmund said.
"Coming right up." Elsa said casually before releasing a burst of magic into the middle of the room, and making the ice pillar Sigmund wanted.
"What's that for?" Kristoff asked then Sigmund then drew his sword, and grabbed the blade instead of the handle.
"A minor demonstration..." Sigmund trailed off, before he struck the ice pillar with the crossguard of his sword, and the top shattered and surprised everyone except Lisa and Sigmund.
"What the...?! I've never seen anyone use a sword like that." Anna said.
"It's called a murder stroke." Sigmund said and Anna raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting name..." She said casually.
"Yes it is pretty dark, but it's nothing if not useful; it's actually why I don't use hammers." Sigmund said.
"Because what's the point of having a hammer if your sword can be used like one?" Kristoff said.
"Exactly." Sigmund said, then he gripped the handle with one hand, and kept his other hand on the blade.
"That looks like the style you used against those outlaws..." Elsa breathed out.
"This is half-swording. It's excellent in grappling distance, and gives the thrusts similar power to that of a spear." Sigmund said.
"What?" Kristoff asked.
"My sword is best at chopping and cutting, but crushing and piercing require certain techniques, like the two I just showed all of you. I even have half a mind to turn your sword, and Anna's into hand-and-a-half swords for this reason." Sigmund said.
"How about we cross that bridge when we come to it?" Anna asked casually.
"My thoughts precisely." Sigmund said.
"Wait, our swords do have guards." Kristoff said.
"Compare them to the one on my sword..." Sigmund said seriously, then Kristoff took a moment to think.
"Good point..." He breathed out.
"Do you want that pillar removed?" Elsa asked, then Sigmund stuck his sword into the pillar with a half-sword motion...and went all the way through it. He then bashed with with another murder strokes, then chopped into the bottom of the pillar with normal strikes. When he was done, the pillar was in dozens of pieces, and scattered all over the ground.
"I do now." Sigmund said, then Lisa snickered, and Elsa smirked as she absorbed the ice into her hands.
"I take it you now want to fight now?" Kristoff asked, then Sigmund removed his flattened helmet from his breastplate, formed its proper shape, then put it on.
"Yes." Sigmund said with his helmet echoing his voice.
"Kristoff? Whatever you do, don't go for his legs; when he and I trained he said going for the legs is a bad idea unless you're on the ground." Anna said.
"True as that is, a spear's superior range makes it somewhat more forgivable, but that isn't saying much." Sigmund said.
"Noted." Kristoff said before holding up his shield, and pointing his spear at Sigmund, who tilted his head.
"Impressive. Captain Lars and the other soldiers showed you a great deal based on your stance." He said seriously.
"You have no idea." Kristoff said casually before Sigmund raised his sword, held it to the side, and pointed it at Kristoff. Lisa then sucked in a deep breath as the two men braced for what was about to happen. Elsa, Anna, and Olaf then shared looks of their own.
"Why are we all looking at each other?" Olaf asked casually, then Kristoff lunged forward and tried to stab Sigmund, but the thrust was deflected.
"A fine thrust." Sigmund said.
"Spears aren't that hard to use once you get used to them." Kristoff said.
"The same can be said for all weapons." Sigmund said.
"As you showed us." Kristoff said before lunging as Sigmund again, and Sigmund moved to the side, and tried to get around Kristoff's shield, but had to move backwards as Kristoff tried to bash him with the flat of his shield.
"Did you see me coming, or did you have a plan for that?" Sigmund asked.
"Both. I don't wear a helmet, so I can see you more clearly. Also I figured you would try to get around my shield; what are the chances you're going to get through it?" Kristoff asked.
"Not very high; there's a reason I personally reinforce them with steel, even if it isn't much." Sigmund said.
"Well, how does it feel for it to be used against you?" Kristoff asked casually.
"As long as it's not in Absalom's hands, I don't care." Sigmund said.
"Good point." Kristoff said before Sigmund pointed his sword at Kristoff, and when Kristoff thrusted at Sigmund, his spear got deflected. Sigmund then rushed past the spear's tip, and Kristoff rushed forward to hit Sigmund with the shield, then pushed him to the side. Sigmund then barely caught his footing before Kristoff thrusted at him yet again, then Sigmund deflected it, and they went back and forth multiple times before Sigmund cut off the tip of Kristoff's spear.
Kristoff then dropped the spear, drew his arming sword, and rushed at Sigmund who moved to the side as Kristoff swung at him. Sigmund then tried to thrust at Kristoff's back, but Kristoff spun the opposite way, and successfully struck Sigmund with the flat of his shield. Sigmund then barely had time to recover before Kristoff swung at Sigmund again, and the two locked blades, before Sigmund deflected Kristoff's blade to the side, then kicked Kristoff's shield. Sigmund's kicked barely made Kristoff flinch; the size and weight difference was too much in Kristoff's favor, but Sigmund did get more distance he needed.
"I rarely have training matches this intense, even though I'm not using magic." Sigmund said.
"It's a shame about my spear though..." Kristoff said.
"You can get another one." Anna said.
"True, and that is one of the downsides to a spear...which I should remedy when we're done here." Sigmund said.
"Let me guess, you're going to coat it in steel somehow?" Kristoff asked.
"I doubt it would be wise to coat the entire shaft in steel, but the parts most likely to get broken are worthy of thought." Sigmund said.
"Seriously?" Kristoff asked.
"Even you cannot handle a weapon that's too heavy; I don't care how strong you are, adding unnecessary weight to a weapon is a terrible idea. It slows you down, and takes away energy you could use in the long term." Sigmund said.
"Alright, but what about my shield?" Kristoff asked.
"Your shield should be fine, but eventually, I could give you a heater shield, like the knights used to have centuries ago." Sigmund said.
"So that's what those shields are called..." Anna breathed out.
"As for how you used that spear and shield, I must say I'm happy we are on the same side, and I can use magic as well." Sigmund said.
"Why is that?" Kristoff asked.
"Kristoff...you demonstrated that you can use a spear and shield without difficulty, and with enough finesse to surprise me...and I am rarely surprised. Combined with your superior strength and apparent lack of apprehension in using it, I dare say you're somewhat overqualified to be a soldier." Sigmund said seriously, and Kristoff's eyes widened.
"Wow...thanks..." He said casually, before sharing a look with Anna, who couldn't stop smiling.
"In fact, have you heard of glima?" Sigmund asked.
"Heard of it? I've seen the ice harvesters I grew up with do it all the time." Kristoff said.
"What's glima?" Lisa asked.
"It's a style of Scandinavian wrestling, which from what I understand was practiced since the Viking Age, and possibly longer." Sigmund said.
"When I got old enough, they tried teaching it to me, but thanks to the size difference between them and me, I didn't get very far. Nowadays...well, I'm a little out of practice, but I can get back into it." Kristoff said.
"I can imagine." Sigmund said.
"Why exactly are you asking me about all this?" Kristoff asked.
"Because being able to use weapons is one thing, being able to fight without one is another, especially if you have a major strength advantage over your foe. In fact, glima is probably the one style of combat I do not want to engage you with, for reasons I mentioned." Sigmund said.
"O.k." Kristoff said.
"So...is that all?" Lisa asked.
"For now at least; we can continue more if all of you would like?" Sigmund asked.
"I would." Anna said.
"Alright, but let's rest for a time beforehand." Sigmund said.
"Right." Anna said before everyone but Elsa and Sigmund walked out.
"Yes?" Sigmund asked.
"Do you intend to use your magic during any of these fights?" Elsa asked.
"If you're concerned for their safety then don't be. I can't imagine myself using magic aside from making my sword attack them on it's own accord." Sigmund said.
"Oh...good." Elsa said.
"Do you have anything special in mind?" Sigmund asked.
"Not at the moment." Elsa said.
"Well, it isn't too late." Sigmund said, then Elsa took a moment to think.
"We could have another match." She said.
"Maybe..." Sigmund trailed off.
"Not now of course, but at the right time." Elsa said.
"Naturally." Sigmund said, then Elsa looked at the door.
"I'll see you then." She said.
"Good day to you." Sigmund said before Elsa left.
Day Numero Dos of Frozen Boot Camp is now complete...at least it is in this chapter. Also, I know these matches are somewhat low-key, but these people are just getting started, and so am I. Besides, brainstorming ideas, and going over what they demonstrated has to count for something. I mean, it does in real life for crying out loud.
Anyway, get ready for Day Three, and please continue to Rate, Review, and Share until then. Stay tuned.