Chapter 9: Let it go

"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Kristoff put his hand on Anna's arm to calm her, but she jerked it out of his grip, and returned her anger to Gerda. "YOU CAN'T QUIT ON US LIKE THIS!"

Gerda was seated at a table, hands clasped in her lap and back straight as to try and maintain some form of dignity. "This is my choice."

"NO!" Anna slammed her hands onto the table. "WE'LL FIND ANOTHER WAY!"

With her eyes closed, Gerda took a long inhale. "There is no other way." She opened her eyes and motioned to Cynthia. "Ask her."

Anna followed her line of sight, but shook her head. "No, no, no, we have options. We-we-we can cage you up the three nights of the full moon—"

Gerda shook her head. "I refuse to live like that." She stood up from the table and took Anna by the hands. Anna tried to pull her hands away, but Gerda's fingers were tight for an old woman. "I've lived a long, and fulfilling life. I may not have had children," her throat began to tighten as she cupped Anna's cheek, "but I helped raise two beautiful daughters," both were now shedding tears, "and I couldn't be more proud." She leaned forward, kissing Anna and the forehead, before passing her off to Kristoff.

He cradled her closely as she began sobbing into his chest.

Gerda approached Cynthia. "I'm ready."

Cynthia averted her gaze to the floor, as her thumb caressed the handle of her holstered gun. "There's no rush. You'll have until sundown."

Gerda tenderly took her hand. "That's sweet, but I would like to get this over with as soon as I can. Let's not put it off." With a trembling hand Cynthia reached for her sidearm. Gerda reached for her hand with her own. "It's okay dear. I've already forgiven you."

Tears began to sting the back of Cynthia's eyes. Blinking them away, she focused on Anna being held by Kristoff. "Y-you two might want to leave."

Anna shook herself out of Kristoff's hold and wrapped her arms around Gerda, making sure to put herself between Cynthia and her. "No." She sobbed, "I can't lose you. Not like this."

Gerda spoke like a stern parent. "Princess Anna, please. Don't make this any more difficult than it already is." Gerda motioned for Kristoff to take Anna away and out of the room. It took him a moment, but he was finally able to wrench Anna away from her and take her out of the small room.

Gerda took a few deep breaths. "Okay. I'm ready."

Cynthia kept her eyes down as she removed her weapon from its holster. With her thumb on the hammer she prepared to pull it back, but something caught her attention. Jerking her head, her ears twitched to the sounds of someone calling out to her.

"What's wrong?" Gerda asked.

Cynthia shook her head. "It's Drake? And the queen." She reholstered her weapon. "I'll be right back." Gerda was confused, but watched as Cynthia disappeared.

—:0:—

Olaf and Sven had been pacing back and forth in the main hall, unaware of what was supposedly happening with Gerda. It wasn't until Kristoff was guiding a hysterical Anna did they begin to worry.

"Anna?" The snowman whimpered. "Is everything…."

Anna ignored him, pulling herself out of Kristoff's arms and shoving him back.

"Why did you do that?! We can still help her!"

Kristoff held out his hands, approaching Anna as if she was a frightened animal. She didn't move to hit him, or run when he hugged her again. "No Anna, we can't." He said sadly.

Once again she burst into tears, crumbling into his arms. Olaf and Sven snuck up beside her, both holding her close.

"Anna, what's happening?" Olaf asked innocently.

Anna wiped her eyes as best she could and knelt beside him. "I-it's Gerda…. she—"

"ANNA!"

Elsa and Drake burst through the doors, both startling and confusing to the four gathered.

"ANNA!" Elsa called again and ran to her sister. Meanwhile Drake had been calling for his sister.

Anna got to her feet in time for Elsa to wrap her arms around her neck. "I have great news!" She pulled back, just now noticing the state Anna was in. "Wh-why are you sad?"

Anna wiped her eyes and nose. "Why are you so giddy?"

"Yeah what's up with you two?" Cynthia asked when she joined them. "I could hear you calling for us."

Elsa took her sister by the hands. "Anna, you remember the stories papa told us about the gods? Odin, Thor, Loki?" Anna nodded. "Do you remember the tale of how Odin locked away Loki's son, Fenrir?"

Anna thought for a moment. "I think so? Locked away with a dwarven chain?"

Elsa nodded excitedly. "Did you also know that before Fenrir was locked away he had children?"

Anna seemed confused. "Children?"

"That's right." said Drake. "Fenrir wanted to make sure his presence was still wandering the earth. Too hide them from Odin he gave them the power to change shape into that of a man, or woman." He looked back at Cynthia. "Just like you said. Same species, but different from those that we're used too."

A small light of hope lit up in her eyes. Still she shook her head and started pacing. "I don't know Drake."

"What's not to know? These wolves hunt in packs, they LOOK like actual wolves. It all fits!"

"Wait, what does this mean?" Anna asked.

"These wolves answer to an alpha," Drake said confidently, "we kill the Alpha we stop the curse."

"But I thought you said that wouldn't work." Kristoff wondered.

"This is different. They're connected to the alpha, the child of Fenrir himself." Drake looked back to his sister. "Come on Cynthia. You know I'm right."

Everyone watched her with bated breath, waiting for her to respond. Hopefully in favor of what her brother was saying.

Finally she muttered between chewing her nail, "It does...fit."

Anna gasped. "I have to go tell Gerda!" Elsa quickly grabbed her arm before she got to far.

"Wait. I'm just as happy about this news as you are, but I don't want to get her hopes up just yet."

"I agree." Said Cynthia. "If this is true, then we still have work to do, and the last thing we want is to give anyone any false hope."

"Well isn't some hope better than none at all?" Anna narrowed her eyes at Cynthia, her question mostly a challenge. "At least lets go tell her that she still has time."

Cynthia and Drake shared a silent communication before Cynthia nodded to the sisters. "Just watch what you say."

Hand in hand, the Arendelle sisters ran off to tell Gerda the news with the other three trailing behind. Once they were out of earshot Cynthia approached her brother.

"Are you sure about this? This is a long shot, and might not even pan out, then we would have just gotten that woman's hopes up for nothing."

Drake confidently responded. "Yes. I'm sure. I have to be."

Cynthia shook her head. "No. It's not a matter of having to be right. You either are, or your not."

Drake rolled his eyes. "I'm sure alright!... ninety percent, but still." Drake took his sister by the hand. "I know we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but all I'm asking for, is a sliver of trust. Can you do that for me? Just this once."

Cynthia looked into her brothers eyes and found little doubt. Something was different about him. He was brimming with confidence that she hadn't seen in him for a long long time. What did Elsa so to him? She wondered. Finally she released a long breath. "Okay. I can do that. But before you get too excited, we still need to find the alpha."

Drake shrugged. "Creatures that rely heavily on an alpha rarely stray too far. Wherever it is, I'm sure it's in the kingdom somewhere."

"Well that'll work considering most of the kingdom is still in the castle."

He smirked. "Well in that case we see who's not here."

—:0:—

Staring at the shack through the shadows of the trees, Elsa resisted the urge to freeze it into a block of ice and throw it into the ocean. Thankfully her sister was there to provide much needed, "Anna-isms".

"Eagle one, the hawk and snowy owl have landed. The snakes nest is in sight."

Olaf poked his head out, using his hands as binoculars around his eyes. "This is frosty, hawk, ready when you are."

Kristoff glanced at them out of the corner of his eye. "Uh. Who are you talking to?"

"And I'm assuming I'm the snowy owl?" Elsa asked.

Anna rolled her eyes. "Yes, you're the snowy owl, and I'm talking to Drake and Cynthia. They can hear me even if their hidden. Waiting to strike."

"Soooooo shouldn't they be hawks?"

"Okay you know what—"

"SHH!" Elsa scolded. "This is serious!"

"Sorry! I get weird when I'm scared."

Kristoff choked on his laughter. "Just when your scared?" She hit him on his shoulder as Elsa scolded them to be quiet again.

Olaf gasped. "I see it!" They followed his pointer finger to the roof of the shack were the sunlight was bouncing off a reflective surface to get their attention.

"That's the signal," Elsa turned her attention to Kristoff. "You, Sven and Olaf coordinate with Bjorn and his men."

He responded with a curt nod. "Be careful, Sparrow," Anna grabbed him by his collar and pulled him into a kiss.

"Sparrow?"

"Just go!"

Kristoff grabbed Olaf and disappeared further into the trees.

"Alright let's do this." Elsa emerged from their hiding spot with Anna right behind her.

"Try to keep your cool Elsa." Her sister Warned, but the snow queen was already tightly wound and ready to spring.

"No promises." They came to the shack, took a breath, and knocked on the door, and didn't release until Old man Dillon opened the door.

The gruff, white haired, pointed nosed man scoffed. "Come to tell me I was right? Well no need. I already know!" He was about to slam the door, but Anna blocked the door with her boot.

"Hi! Old man Dillon!" Elsa cringed at how loudly and fake her sister sounded. "We missed you at the castle! We wanted to check on you!"

"I'm not deaf!" He shouted back. "And I'm fine! Now leave!" Before he could even think of trying to shut the door again, Elsa slammed the palm of her hand against it creating a small sheet of ice against the door. Dillon and the queen locked eyes, neither blinking, nor willing to back down.

Anna gulped as the seconds passed like hours and after A few heartbeats a knowing, fox-like grin spread over Dillons face.

"Where are my manners. Please," he stepped aside, "come in."

Ignoring Anna whispering "this isn't the plan" Elsa accepted his invitation and entered his home. Leaving Anna no choice but to follow.

"Excuse the mess." He said. "You caught me in the midst of packing."

"Oh going on a trip?!" Anna's nerves began to get the better of her. Thankfully, Elsa was as composed as steel.

He shrugged. "Well I guess I've seen all Arendelle has to offer. Time for this old bird to move on to the next place."

"Really?" Elsa clenched her fists. "You've only been here for a year."

He chuckled and began stalking around the sisters. Elsa kept him in her sights, and making sure she was placed between him and Anna.

"When did you find out?" He asked. "And here I thought I had the perfect cover as the, 'crazy old man'?"

"Find our what! We don't know what your talking about heh heh heh heh."

Elsa held her sister's hand. "Dial it back. I think we've been found out." She scowled back at Dillon. "Well your not at the castle for one, and after asking around you haven't been living in Arendelle long. No one really knows you, and everyone knows everyone here."

He nodded. "Yes, it was a bit of a mistake coming here. I've never been to a kingdom that was so close knit before. Still I had fun." His grin widened giving him the look of a hungry predator that just spotted vulnerable sheep.

"Is this your big plan? Sneak into a city and turn its citizens into monsters?" Elsa asked.

He shrugged. "It's worked for centuries. And when they change for the first time, you should see the looks on their faces when their loved ones are ripping their throats out. It's hilarious." His smile vanished into a scowl. "If one of my children hadn't killed that human prematurely, I wouldn't have had to speed up my time table."

"Well consider your time table stopped." Anna challenged. "You're surrounded."

Dillon lifted his head and took a few sniffs of the air. "Hmm so it would seem." His glimmering eyes narrowed as he moved towards them, his nails dragging across the wood of a nearby table. "I've killed Kings, I've killed queens, and everyone in between—"

"That rhymed—"

"Shh!" Elsa raised her ice chilled hand towards him.

"—I think I can handle an ice witch and her baby sister."

Elsa curled her lip in anger. "Well you haven't faced THIS ice witch."

"Besides," a voice called from the back of the shack, "their not alone." Gun drawn, Cynthia had snuck in through the back and skulked up behind him.

"Ah yes. The knights. I haven't killed any of your kind yet, and it's been something I've been so looking forward too." He turned his head. "Where's the other one?"

Cynthia's head cocked to the side and grinned. "He's outside making sure plan B is in place."

Dillon took another sniff. "Huh, Bjorn and his men have surrounded me. Curious, what do they have to use against me?"

"Doesn't matter," Cynthia pulled the hammer back on her gun, "your not getting out of here alive."

He put his hands up. "Quick question. Do you know what the best part about being an alpha wolf is? I get to choose when I change." He took a deep breath and let loose an ear splitting howl, forcing the girls to cover their ears and crumble to the ground.

Flesh began squelching, bones snapping and muscle tearing, a gross concofiny of sounds as Dillon shifted into a seven foot, silver haired, anthropomorphic wolf.

He snarled, dripping saliva, eyeing each of them, until landing on Elsa.

Anger may have pushed Elsa into the shack, but seeing him in his "true" form, she was beginning to feel the fear she was warned about. Still she kept herself between the beast and her sister.

"Cynthia now!" She shouted.

Cynthia got to her back, aimed and fired.

It threw its arm, batting away the bullet like it was a fly, and with one leap, jumped through the roof of his shack.

—:0:—

Drake cursed to himself seeing Elsa and Anna step inside the shack. "That's not part of the plan." He snorted to himself. Olaf, Sven and Kristoff ducked behind the bushes to join him, but before they could speak, Drake turned their attention to the fact that Anna and Elsa had disappeared.

"They're in the shack?! Why?! That's not—"

"I know." Drake rolled his eyes. "Cynthia can you hear me? What's going on?"

If she had stuck to her mission, she should be behind the shack unseen. "I don't know. Stand by."

"What did she say? What did she say? What did she say?"

Drake pulled his sleeve out of Olaf's twigs. "She told us to sit tight."

"How can we 'sit tight' when they're with that monster?" Kristoff stood up from his position, but Drake held him back.

"We go in their guns blazing, and he's not the guy, then we've hurt an innocent man." With excellent comedic timing, an eerie howl split the air, coming from the shack. "Okay he's the guy. BJORN!"

The dark skinned captain of the guard emerged from the trees with a handful of his men, each armed with crossbows at the ready.

Drake turned to his companions and ordered them to stay put before drawing a twelve inch, pure silver, dagger. He stood beside Bjorn and his men just as the roof of the shack exploded followed by a thundering of the newly formed werewolf landing in front of them.

"I thought these things only changed at night?!" One of the men shouted.

Drake grit his teeth. "They're supposed too." Geez can anything else go wrong?

"Courage men!" Bjorn raised his crossbow, "FIRE!" The werewolf was then riddled with silver plated cutlery from the castle kitchen, along with Drake following up by running towards it with the blade aimed at its heart. It's large claw came up, blocking his strike by allowing the blade to go right through his paw.

Drake could hear sizzling flesh combined with dripping of blood from its wounds. The silver was working, but not enough. It chuckled darkly. "Is this the best you can do?"

"Nope," the lever being pulled from a lever action rifle got its attention, "this is." And Cynthia aimed the hunting rifle right at its heart.

With a roar It swung its arm backwards, throwing Drake, and his blade, into the shack. Drake slammed into Elsa sending them both hurling into the back wall of the house. With the walls and ceiling heavily damaged, it didn't take much for whatever was left to begin crumbling around them. This provided enough of a distraction for Cynthia to lower her weapon and the werewolf to get away.

"Elsa!" Anna screamed through the falling debris.

Elsa threw out her hand. "Get out of here!" A mist of snow blasted Cynthia and Anna just the small home crumbling on top of them.

"ELSA!" Anna wasted no time diving head first into the rubble looking for her sister. The werewolf meanwhile took off for the forest.

Cynthia turned to Bjorn. "Come with me! We're going to follow it."

"But the queen?"

Cynthia looked back at Anna, who had been joined by Kristoff, Sven and Olaf. "They'll be fine. We can't lose that wolf."

Bjorn looked towards the woods, then the house. "I'm sorry. My queen come first." With that, he and his men helped to clear the rubble, leaving Cynthia to take down the werewolf herself.

—:0:—

Elsa slowly opened her eyes, expecting to have been crushed by rock and wood, but miraculously, she was relatively unharmed. The same however couldn't be said for Drake who had taken the brunt of the rubble on his back.

Straining beneath the weight, he cracked open his eyes. "I ...got it." His head tilted to the side. "Their digging us out, but the wolf has gotten away."

"It got away?" She coughed on the dust. "No we have—"

"No, not we," he groaned, "me. This has gone on long enough. Now it's time for me to end this." The pendent around his neck began to glow a bright teal blue changing the black pupils of his eyes into black, cat-like slits. "Let it go right?"

She couldn't help the smile on her face. "Let it go."

—:0:—

"ELSA! Can you hear me?! Say something!" Anna looked over at those helping her dig. "Don't stop digging until we find her!" She would have kept going, had a bright light not began shining from beneath the rubble. "Elsa?"

The light faded followed by the rubble blasting outward, knocking everyone back.

Anna called for her sister again before noticing Elsa was safe and sound in the arms of the dragon now standing were the remains of the shack stood. Anna looked in awe, shocked that it was so short, seven feet tall not including a longer neck carrying a triangle shaped head with horns. Along with massive wings, It was covered in pitch black scales except for the bottom of its neck and belly which was a teal blue, the same color as the gem around its neck.

As amazed as she was, she was also relieved to see Elsa was unharmed as it lowered her onto the ground.

It turned its head to Anna and asked. "Where's the wolf?"

It sounded like Drake, but was a much deeper and smooth baritone. Without saying anything she pointed in the direction of the woods.

It's eyes scanned the group, before rolling. "And of course Cynthia went after it herself." On all fours, it took off towards the woods before leaping into the air to take flight, even if it was a bit wobbly at first.

Anna ran to her sister, looking her over for any injuries. "Are you hurt? What happened? Was that Drake?!"

Elsa brushed off some dirt. "No. The house fell, but Drake took the beating so I didn't, and yes."

Anna heaved a sigh of relief before punching her sister in the arm. "Why did you do that? You could have stopped the house from falling on you two?"

Elsa rubbed her arm as a smirk grew across her lips. Looking into the woods she replied. "I know."