Ch 6- The Hunt Begins
Hannah opened her mouth slowly, inserting her spoon into it. Her eyes darted from person to person as if every movement she made was being judged.
After Elsa had left the room with the strange visitor, the pair of girls were left staring back awkwardly at Anna and Kristoff from across the table.
Anna in an attempt to break the silence, gestured to a scullery maid to bring out the last course of the meal.
She cleared her throat ready to speak, "Dessert anyone?" Anna smiled.
Jess answered almost immediately. "Oh yeah! Are there more chocolates and some of those mini chocolate croissants— ooh ooh and the red velvet cheese cake?!"
"JESS..." Hannah scolded lightly under her breath, while glaring at Jess with an amused expression.
"What? She offered." Jess replied, looking at Anna for an answer.
"Yes of course, the cook can whip up whatever you like." Anna chimed in. "When I was growing up here in the castle I used to help her make all sorts of cool treats. Like one time we made a giant snowman out of marshmallows, then drizzled chocolate on it and lit it on fire! It was like a huge s'more. That was so much fun, maybe we can try it with you guys, Elsa would love it too!" Anna proposed excitedly, clasping her hands together.
Kristoff just cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow, still on shakey ground with the new visitors. "Are you sure that's safe?"
"Oh sure it is, plus Elsa could just put out any uncontrollable fires." Anna explained enthusiastically.
Suddenly, the door to the dining room opened once again.
Elsa walked in rather quickly, more stoic than she had left. The man who claimed to be Garth followed behind her intently.
Anna swung around grinning, ready to propose a giant s'more undertaking. Although after seeing Elsa's expression, her smile faltered. "Elsa...?" Anna's voice trailed off.
"Hannah, Jess, I appreciate you joining us for dinner but if you would please return to your rooms now I have something very important to discuss with my sister." Elsa stated sternly, although she had an apologetic gleam in her eyes.
The young girls shared a look, then began to
exit the room. While walking toward the door, Jess reached over the table and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie.
Garth narrowed his eyes once again at Hannah and then Jess.
"That guy is really starting to freak me out." Jess whispered to Hannah discretely.
Hannah nodded but kept her head held down.
Back in The guest bedroom, Jess flopped on top of the bed rather unceremoniously as the pair entered the room.
Hannah uncharacteristicly did the same, causing the two to break into a fit of laughter.
Hannah laid sideways and propped her head up on her elbow.
"I wonder why she was so quick to kick us out." Hannah pondered out loud.
"Yeah I know! What was that all about? 'I have to consult with my sister blah blah blah.' I mean we didn't even have time to eat dessert." Jess agreed shoving the stolen cookie in her mouth.
"Yeah, plus that dude kept staring at me weird. I already feel nervous enough around Elsa and Anna, let alone some stalker guy." Hannah continued, playing with the end of her hair subconsciously.
Hannah stopped suddenly and turned onto her back in deep thought.
"I think we should tell them about us." Hannah said turning her head intently toward Jess.
Jess alerted by the break in silence, moved her eyes to look at Hannah. "Tell who about what?"
"Anna and Elsa. I think we should tell them where we really come from. They might be able to help us figure out a way home." Hannah said sitting up. "Plus the longer we stay here, the more questions they're going to ask us. We can only beat around the bush for so long."
Jess furrowed her brow in thought. "You're not wrong mate."
"So we ask to speak with them tomorrow at breakfast?" Hannah asked.
Jess sighed, then nodded in final agreement. "Tomorrow we'll tell them the truth."
The room felt ten degrees colder in the parlor where the royals and their visitor had gone for some privacy.
Anna sat wide eyed in disbelief. "Wait, wait. So you're saying, that someone from another world is in Arendelle?! They are here to do what- exactly?" Anna asked bewildered.
Garth, who was sitting in a chair next to the sofa, spoke up.
"I don't know why they are here. All I know is we must destroy them before the alignment. Their power feels strong. I doubt it will be easy to defeat them."
Elsa stood off to the side slightly with her arms crossed.
She rubbed her eyes, then looked from Anna to Garth. "Is there no other alternative to murder? Perhaps we can find a way to send them back to where they came from."
Garth rubbed his chin in thought.
"Something like that's never been done before and we don't have much time. As well as the fact that we don't know where exactly this person came from." He gridded his teeth.
"I suppose we can deal with that when we come to it." Elsa concluded.
She roamed toward the double doors of the parlor. She stuck her head out and beckoned for Kai .
"Kai I need you to summon the captain of the royal guard immediately. Tell him to assemble three search parties which depart tomorrow at first light. They will be lead by Sir Garth of Cattarri. He knows what to do."
Elsa looked back at Garth, who bowed his head respectfully.
Elsa turned and spoke directly to the room.
"Now if you don't mind, I'm going to retire to my chambers. You all should do the same, we have a long three weeks ahead of us." And with that, she left the room with a click of the closing door.