Authors note: Hey everyone! I hope everyone is staying safe and comfortable during this craziness! I'm going to be going on a short hiatus, probably for 3 weeks as work has gotten insane and I'm working on releasing my original book to the kindle platform so I'm being spread pretty thin. But I promise I will be back soon. We are nearing the final leg of our journey with Elsa and Keahi and I'm so excited to share it with you! =)
Pips and Olaf clung to each other as they spiraled down a magical purple and blue slide to the floor below.
Olaf squeezed his eyes closed, trying not to scream as they slid across the stone floor. When he peeped open his eyes, Pips was clinging to his neck so hard that his head promptly rolled from his body.
Pips gasped and Olaf stood, motioning for his body to come pick up his head. It took a few tries before his twiggy arms got him and placed him back together.
He shook his head and shivered, "I need to work on my fine motor skills." He chuckled, unsure as he looked around. It looked like the dungeons below the castle if the soft dripping of water and the humid air were any indication.
Cold torches lined the walls, leaving the labyrinth of thin halls shadowed and dark. He held his hands to his mouth, "Helloooo!" He yelled, the echo of his voice bouncing along the walls.
Sven let out and groan and bit at his nose, grunting.
"Yeah, I know I should probably be quiet, Sven." He mumbled, letting out a pft as he turned to Pips who was curled against the wall, sniffling.
"Oh, it's okay! We're okay!" Old told cheerfully, leaning over to put her head. Sven came to sit beside her, wagging his tail and leaning over to snuggle his muzzle into her cheek.
She gave a wobbly smile and hugged his snout. Pips glanced over at Olaf, finally standing and signing meekishly to him. "Is Kee okay?"
Olaf watched her and nodded his head, "Yes, she will be fine! I promise."
Sven arched a brow and grunted towards Olaf as the trio started down the hall.
"Yes Sven I can understand her, I'm bilingual, duh. I talk to you, don't I?" Olaf scoffed, rolling his eyes and giggling.
Sven bobbed his head to the side, leaning down to motion for Pips to get on his back. She stumbled on and gave him a happy pat.
Olaf looked at the three hall splayed before them, narrowing his eyes. One of the halls danced with shadows as shouting and the clanking of chains rattled.
Olaf gasped, taking a step back and running in a circle. "We need an adult!" He yelled. Sven grunted and stomped his hoove. "You're right, I am the adult! Who put me in charge?" Olaf whispered hastily, trying to keep his voice quiet by stuffing his arms in his mouth.
Sven was already moving down one of the free halls and opened an old, scuffed door with his antler. Grunting for Olaf to follow.
Olaf took a second before he wobbled and ran towards Sven and Pips, the three of them peeking through the crack in the door.
The skeletal figures shoved the group into the small cell. Kristoff stumbles in but righted himself as he caught a kicking and flailing Anna.
"I'll rip your throat out!" Anna yelled.
Kristoff gave out an exasperated sigh, "Alright feisty pants calm down."
Jarrah and Saphire were shoved in next. Jarrah only lightly stumbled before walking to the back of the cell and Saphire was about to attempt to claw the Draugar's eyes out before Jarrah sighed and grabbed her by the collar.
The slamming of the cell sounded louder and heavier than it should have as it echoed down the cold halls.
Pips slid from Svens back and tapped Olaf's shoulder.
His brows were furrowed as he looked back at Pips.
She panicked, "Kee isn't there." She signed multiple times, quickly and panicked. Crocodile tears started in her eyes. "Do you think she's okay?"
Olaf quietly watched her, he felt eerily calm as he took her hand. He knew the dire situation they were all in. For the life of him, he couldn't dig in and find that carefree Olaf. "Ki is strong and so is Elsa." He told her gently.
She sniffed, rubbing the back of her hands against her eyes, standing pigeon-toed as she tried to calm herself.
He tried to think of a way to calm her down, he got her to look at him so she could see him talking. "What do you love about Elsa and Ki?"
Pips paused, rubbing the trails of tears down her cheek to try to dry them. "Elsa smells good and makes me feel calm," she sniffed but stopped crying. "Ki is funny and makes me laugh." She shook her head, her tears all but drying up. "I feel safe when I'm with them. They are the closest thing I have to parents"
"See! All better and guess what? Nothing can stop our family!" Olaf cheered, finding resolve in the moment and turning to look at the crack out the door. "Team Olaf, it's time to free our family!"