COLD. Cold and thumping.
Her headache pulsed through the muscles in her forehead, and the ground felt like it was spinning. Although, she was beginning to become familiar with this cold sensation upon awakening.
Hannah sat up on her elbows, taking in her surroundings.
She felt the rough texture of the cobble stone beneath her, and the snowy breeze that swept across the harbor.
Using the palms of her hands to rub her eyes, Hannah noticed the crowd of townsfolk who had gathered around, skeptically witnessing the arrival. Murmurs arose amongst the masses as they observed their queen who was a presumed traitor.
Elsa realized the crowd's presence as well, and stood to face them rather elegantly, despite the group's rough landing.
The queen narrowed her eyes and swallowed hard as she began to address them. "Citizens of Arendelle: I understand your hesitation upon my return, but I assure you, I am no traitor. I am unsure what Sir Garth has told you- if he's told you anything- but my sudden disappearance from the kingdom was in good reason. We have all been put into a situation that is unavoidable: our universe is in danger of collapse..."
Elsa almost cringed getting out the last part of her speech, as panicked voices rose from the people.
Anna, being more adept at addressing the people, linked arms with her sister and continued. "Elsa and I left in an attempt to save these girls. They originate from another realm, and their presence in our world is causing the fabric of the universe to snap. I know it's a lot to take in, but we will always do what's right for Arendelle, and what's right for our friends." Anna finished, looking at Elsa who had a thankful gleam in her eye.
Hannah's heart was beating out of her chest. The people's attention had been completely directed to Jess and herself, and she squirmed under the oppression of a hundred eyes.
Hannah also quickly came to the realization that she was the only one still sitting on the ground, which only added to her embarrassment.
"Queen Elsa!" A deep, rich voice called from behind the crowd.
The people cleared to reveal the Arendelle royal guard marching toward the group.
Their leader stopped when he was within spitting distance of Elsa, and took a knee. His soldiers mimicked his movements exactly. "Your majesty, you have returned! What is your command?"
"General, there's no need for such formalities. I've known you since I was a little girl. Now, are any of Garth's men still in the kingdom?" Elsa asked the military captain.
The men returned to their feet. "No Queen Elsa, I sent them away. They were proposing acts of treason, but we stay loyal to the crown no matter what."
"Well," She began almost relieved, "We value your loyalty, General." Elsa replied with a grin.
Hannah and Jess trailed behind the others as they were all led back to the castle.
It felt different than the first time they had passed through the wide open gates of the courtyard. It had felt like an exhilaration of the highest degree, their hearts pumping and minds glowing.
This time it felt cold and empty, like reading a childhood story and not getting the same feeling of happiness you once had.
Hannah couldn't bring herself to process much of anything. It was an unfamiliar mental state to her. It was like she was there, but not really there.
The trauma of Garth's capture had left her in a state of dissociation, and she was doing her best to evade it.
She was almost murdered upon the very floor that she watched Elsa create over and over again.
Not long after, they breached the doors of the grand sitting room. Shadows from the evening sunset danced across the oak wood floors.
Hannah took a seat next to Jess on the sofa, and Anna slumped down next to them as well. Elsa took to her chair, facing the window on the opposite wall, and she seemed to be a little relieved to be back in a familiar space.
Kristoff sat in a crouched position in front of the fireplace, poking at it with a metal stick.
Silence engulfed the room for a period of time as everyone let the events of the past few days register in their minds.
At last Benji spoke up, "Well the good news is I don't think Garth will try to attack again, especially since the girls are now protected in the confines of the kingdom."
"What's the bad news?" Anna inquired, crossing her arms casually.
"My magic is getting weaker being in such close proximity to the ever-growing imbalance. I doubt I would be able to conjure another transportation spell at this point, or anything else for that matter." He replied, scratching the scruff on his chin.
"Yes, i've been meaning to ask, why isn't my magic becoming weaker?" Elsa questioned.
Hannah perked up after this question. She hasn't thought about how her and Jess's presence were affecting Elsa's powers.
"Our magics are different. Mine pertain to the workings of the universe; where people are and their existence in it, whereas yours pertain more to the elements of nature. If anything, your magic might feel more powerful or distorted, with all the natural disasters happening." Benji explained. His thick voice could be heard over the crackling logs of the fire.
"As long as the girls are safe now, at least for the time being, we can breathe a sigh of relief." Elsa smiled gently at Hannah who was looking her in the eyes meaningfully.
"Thank you." Hannah expressed emotionally, welling up slightly. "Thank you for protecting us, you all practically stopped your lives and put yourselves into danger daily just to make sure we get home." Her voice started to stutter. "I-I J-Just- I don't even know how to talk, just t-thank you."
"Well said Hannah." Jess quipped, giggling at her friend's awkwardness.
"Shush." Hannah replied, causing everyone to break into laughter.
Hannah wrapped her arms around Jess, and the hug was returned without hesitation.
"Your welcome, you're our friends, and we want to help you get home." Anna said. "Plus I eat danger for breakfast. I bet I could take on fifteen Garths at once." This caused another outbreak of laughter.
Elsa rolled her eyes chuckling, "I think we've got our hands full with just one, Anna."
Benji patted Hannah's shoulder kindly. "I think it's best if you girls stay inside the castle at all times for the time being, and always stay close to one of us. I won't let Garth take you again, I swear it."
"How long is it until the alignment now?" Jess asked looking up at Benji quizzically.
"Let's see. It's been about four days since your arrival to our world, so that leaves us with two weeks and three days." He answered, attempting to do quick math in his head.
"That's a long time to be shut up in a castle, without the ability to leave, or have contact to the outside world whatsoever." Olaf stated bluntly.
Elsa and Anna shared a look.
"I'll increase the amount of guards around the castle, and in the town too. You can never be too careful." Elsa suggested.
That night, Hannah laid on her back looking up at the under part of the canopy.
She had been placed in a slightly larger guest bedroom with Jess, so they each had a bed now. A guard was posted outside their door for safety through the night.
She hadn't thought what it would be like to sleep after the events of that day, and she realized she couldn't.
Her eyes couldn't close without seeing Garth's face inches from hers, sneering and glowing purple with hatred. The sensation of a heavy, sharpened sword on her neck, ready to slice down, ripping her life away in an instant.
Hannah was too ashamed of her silly fears to even wake up Jess. She was safe now and he couldn't hurt her here, right?
Eventually, her eyelids slid closed as her mind began to fade out of consciousness, freeing her temporarily from her trauma at last.
Before she knew what was happening, Hannah opened her eyes suddenly with the sensation of a hand threateningly clenched around her neck.
It was too dark to see who it was, as Hannah's eyes struggled to adjust. She heard a voice as sickening as death itself.
"You know I'm right to hunt you, Hannah. You don't belong here, you don't belong where you came from, you don't belong anywhere."
Her eyes, at last, locked with the figure of Sir Garth's ugly form, his face plastered with an evil, twisted smile.