~Chapter 19~

Elsa

I hadn't ridden the Nokk in months and it made me feel so at peace like I was really myself again. Though I couldn't fully enjoy it without Marcus or my sister. This fight with the Southern Isles was a problem, but hopefully with some additional help, maybe Magnus would see sense and call off his armada. I know Anna was leery of Hans and she hesitantly trusts him because I do. Though I couldn't worry about that right now.

I raced to the Enchanted forest just beyond our borders. The earth giants would be easy to spot considering their massive size, but I didn't immediately see them overhead anywhere. I didn't feel the earth shaking from their movement. Though at this time of day, they were more than likely asleep along the river. It's amazing how docile they became once I became the fifth spirit, though I only ran into them once before I lost my memories. It had been months since I passed through these woods and being here always felt like home. Ryder and his sister Honeymaren were tending to their reindeer just outside the borders of the forest. The herd was bigger than I remembered. I didn't blame them for wanting to be outside the forest.

"Queen Elsa" Ryder waved to me as I slowed the Nokk to a halt.

"What brings you here? We haven't seen you in months." Honeymaren added.

"Sorry, but it's a long story I don't have time for. Can I ask a favor?"

"Anything, just ask." Ryder smiled.

"I know I have no right to ask this, but Arendelle needs your help. Do you think you can convince Yelana to have the Northuldrans assist us in a fight against the Southern Isles?"

The two siblings exchanged doubtful looks and it was clear I had my answer.

"We can try." Ryder shrugged.

"Though I doubt Yelana will." Honeymaren replied.

"Well I appreciate any support, but don't worry about it if you can't convince her. I have to go rally up the rest of the elemental spirits."

"You probably have no need to go too far." Honeymaren said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I think one just came through here." Honeymaren added, "I felt it's presence, though it felt a little off to me."

"Off how?" I pressed, gripping the reins in my hands.

"Different." She nodded.

"Where did it go?"

"Toward the western woods."

I glanced over in that direction and that was toward the volcano where I first encountered James and saved my husbands' life. I had to get the other elementals together, time was of the essence and then I would face James again and this time I wouldn't grab his hand. I know what that did last time. I parted from my friends entrusting them to at least attempt to recruit the Northuldrans, but that was a long shot.

Riding the Nokk as swiftly as possible, I lifted my voice through the woods calling to the other spirits as we rode. Gale was the first one to show up swiping my hair up excitedly. I wasn't entirely sure what details a wind spirit needed to know, but I kept it short.

"Arendelle needs your help. Can you go help Anna?"

Gale swirled around me again with greater force this time, which I'm sure was her way of saying yes. I made my way to the river whose levels clearly had receded quite a bit since the flooding happened. Though I found the earth giants snoozing the day away laying all around the shores. I called forth to the giants and soon they awoke stomping around me, though now docile versus the first time I met them in these woods. Again, I explained the situation as plainly as possible and soon the trio of giants were stomping off to Arendelle. The ground thundered below my feet as the gap grew wider between us. I raced off with the Nokk to find Bruni. After what happened to Marcus, Bruni grew sad and didn't venture out of the woods as often. I remember that one night when Anna sent Mattias and his men out to put out fires in the enchanted forest. It was right after we got back to Arendelle after I lost my memories. Bruni buddied up with me and at the time for me, it was the first time I met that little lizard. Though seeing how he grew sad upon seeing Marcus unconscious when we got home, he was a ticking time bomb and that erupted fires within the forest. I had to find that lizard, he'd be pleased to know that Marcus was awake.

I kept using my voice calling out trying to find any traces of Bruni nearby. Daylight was nearly out as twilight was soon approaching though I wasn't too concerned with trying to locate bright fires amidst the dark. If he was too far away to hear my calls, maybe if I built a fire, the power would draw Bruni near. It was a long shot, but it was something to try and it let me rest my voice. I dismounted the Nokk and the horse helped me gather up dry sticks and kindling around the area. After gathering those up, I started to rub dry sticks together just hoping the friction would cast a spark. It took quite a bit of effort, but after several minutes of trying, I saw smoke and began to carefully blow on it. Soon a single flame peaked out and I quickly fed it some kindling and it grew to a nice fire. Who knew an ice queen could make fire. I wish Marcus or Anna were here to laugh at the irony of this. No matter, I added more sticks to the ever-growing flames and smoke began to rise high. The sun was nearly set and the light from the fire really began to stand out among the forest. Soon I saw a speedy purple blaze sputtering around the nearby trees to the south. Though only glowing, not lighting things on fire. I called out with my voice and soon the beady-eyed lizard came face to face with me. He leapt out of the nearest tree as he frantically came my way. His blaze calmed down as he climbed up my leg to my hands staring and blinking at me with looking quite pleased. His heat hurt just like last time, but just for a few seconds. He rolled over on his back as I waved my hand over him, dropping a small flurry into his open mouth.

"Hey Bruni, it's been a while." I smiled in greeting.

The lizard caught all the snowflakes and quickly climbed up my arm nuzzling himself against my shoulder.

"It's nice to see you too." I laughed, "But I'm afraid this isn't a social visit. Arendelle is face to face with an enemy army. You think you could go find Anna and the other spirits there and lend them your aid?"

Fifth spirit or not, it was kind of strange communicating with a lizard fire spirit. Bruni was stubborn and seemingly didn't want to leave my side. I guess two of the four weren't bad in aiding Arendelle. With the water and fire spirits with me, I'd get them to Arendelle soon enough.

"I guess it's off to Ahtohallan then." I told him.

With Bruni contentedly perched on my shoulder, I got back on the Nokk and began the ride north as quickly as the Nokk could take me.

The northern lights lit up the night sky and it was a breathtaking sight. Soon I heard that all too familiar voice call out to me growing louder as we approached the glacier. The Nokk whinnied and Bruni perked up in recognition as well. I had to find answers about this man James. I was confident I would find answers there. Approaching Ahtohallan again after everything that had happened in the past months, made me feel as if I was coming home and it brought a tear to my eye. As the Nokk landed on the frost-covered shores of the glacier, I heard the voice again echo back. Bruni crawled down my shoulder and onto the ground with a small trail of purple flame growing behind him as he walked. There was nothing out here for him to catch fire, besides that he never minded the cold and always welcomed it in my experience. I bowed to the Nokk as it trotted over to the water and looked back at me with a bow.

"I'll call when I'm ready to leave." I said.

The Nokk whinnied in understanding and dove down into the depths. I had been riding it for awhile and probably needed some time to recharge. Though I wondered if elementals really needed that. I quickly followed after Bruni running down into the depths of the glacier. This was my third time roaming these narrow icy passages. The first time, I found a lot more about myself, but the second, I tried to destroy the place after James corrupted me. The memory of that sent a shudder down my spine. I wish that memory was a fake.

I caught up with Bruni singing as I ran down the passage. It's not like I hadn't been here before and yet my heart was racing with each step that I took. I slid down the slide to the lower levels until I came into the large room. My heart still racing, but my breathing slow and steady. Bruni was perched in the center of the room completely calm and collected tapping his scaly feet on the ground in excitement. The dome shape of the room hadn't changed since the last time I was here. I approached the north facing wall and took a breath before touching it with my hand. In seconds, I saw memories of the past projected onto its walls. Though the memories of when I was last here trying to bring down the place during my corruption was highlighted. My eyes scanned the images over and it only pointed out specific details from my own life.

"How do I find out about Kuva, Bruni?"

The lizard looked at me with his curious wide beady eyes and his face fell. Bruni may have been a powerful fire spirit, but how could he even help me with this? I truly wish I wasn't alone in this, but I had to figure this out somehow. I began pacing the room trying to focus on the image of James in my head, but I was distracted. My mind was elsewhere thinking of my sister and everyone back in Arendelle and especially Marcus who woke up from his coma without me by his side. Moments later, Bruni stood right in front of me beginning to glow purple and shot a small ball of fire from his mouth at me. The speed that the fireball came at me snapped me back to attention as I blasted the projectile with my ice. Bruni settled down once he realized he had my attention.

"Sorry Bruni, you're right. I'm back on it."

I began circling the room tracing my fingertips on the walls of this place. I'm not sure how or why, but I felt an energy building within me trying to harness that feeling I felt in that moment that James and I shook hands. That anger that come off him in that moment, it brought me racing back to that memory.

"What happened to him to make him hurt so much that he's willing to destroy Kalde and his family?" I whispered to myself.

Just then Ahtohallan emitted a tremendous amount of energy and I could see new faces appear on the walls. They were unfamiliar, but I saw the flag of Kalde and I wondered if I was viewing glimpses of Kalde history. How I wish Marcus could see this. I saw specific clans of people that Marcus had told me about before. Rhoan, Crona, and the Ashen clans. Each served an important purpose for Kalde with specific skill sets. I saw two boys with their parents riding horses out in the countryside of Kalde in one of the images. This imagery piqued my interest, so harnessed my magic and projected the memory in full ice sculpture for right there in the middle of the room in front of me. The two boys were wearing circlets over their heads though I couldn't tell if they were gold or any other metal since these were just projections of ice. The two brothers were goofing off like all young boys do. They were probably around twelve or thirteen. Chasing each other around with wooden swordplay.

"Zane, James...you stay where we can see you. There are wild animals, we can't be too careful." The mother said.

"Aw mom." One of the sons said.

"Listen to your mother, boys." The father replied, sternly.

I couldn't believe I was seeing Marcus's grandfather and grandmother though merely through a memory. Soon joining the royal family was another couple with their young daughter. She greeted with a polite curtsy probably only ten years old or so. As the kids wandered off, but staying within sight of the parents, their conversation I caught was interesting. Pleasantries were exchanged and then I heard talk of arranging marriage down the road between the little girl, Lucia and one of the Terryn brothers. Of course I knew which brother that was going to be. The kids wandered around the room and I watched them until a new path was opened.

"Let's see where this path goes…" Zane urged the trio on.

"These woods aren't meant for hiking, you know." Lucia complained holding up the hem of her dress.

"Don't you know curiosity is dangerous." James complained.

"You're just saying that cause you're the oldest." Zane laughed.

"I'm saying it because it's true." He retorted.

The sibling comradery just reminded me more of Anna and I. It was kind of funny. I followed the kids as they kept opening up new paths within Ahtohallan. The path brought them to a small waterfall though Zane daringly saw an opening behind the falls and his adventurous spirit urged him forward. Marcus was much like his father in many ways.

"Come on James." Zane urged.

"I guess I must, in order to keep you out of trouble." James replied.

"I'll wait out here, thanks." Lucia said sitting herself on top of a flagstone rock.

The two brothers soaked themselves in the waterfall and explored what laid behind and I followed after them going deeper down the path. The path was dark so they lit fire from one of their hands to light the way. It was a single direct path that led to a dead end.

"Well, that was fun," James shrugged, "Let's go back to Lucia."

"Why would there be a path with a dead end?"

"To mock curious boys," James replied with an eye roll, "Now let's go."

James was being a protective older brother, I could relate to that quite a bit. Zane stared at the blockage examining the surface.

"James, what do you make of this?" Zane asked, lighting his hand up to see better in the dark.

"Strange, looks like a handprint carved into the rock." James replied.

"What's it for?" Zane began to reach his glowing hand toward it and James blocked his brother shooting a fireball into the rock.

"Enough, let's get out of here."

As the brothers left, I stayed put as the rock that was blocking the passage just barely moved and an eerie force sent a chill down my spine from the otherside of the rock. Something was trapped behind or imprisoned. I heard a deep, raspy voice call out from behind the rock.

"Release me, fire bearer." The voice beckoned.

Once it realized it was alone, it cried out in anguish.

"I will soon be released and I will unleash destruction onto this miserable world."

The memory flashed forward and I heard hooves of horses trotting nearby. I was joined in the cave once again by James and Zane, though this time, they were quite grown. Zane was discussing his soon to be wedding with Lucia as they ventured into the cave joining me and walking right through me as if I didn't exist. Ahtohallan was really projecting this memory and I really felt as if I were there. Now older and stronger, Zane was insistent on seeing what was behind the passage they discovered as boys. I watched helplessly wishing I could have intervened, but this was just a shadow into the past.

"Together." James nodded as he and Zane engulfed their hands in fire pushing against the blockage. I yelled for them to stop probably sounding foolish as Bruni set himself on fire as if preparing for a fight feeling agitated by my stress.

"Sorry Bruni, I'm okay." I nodded and I quickly blasted a little snowpile for him to catapult into and he wasted no time in doing so. The rock blockage gave way to the fire power and soon laughter was heard as there was a couple of inches cleared.

"Yes, finally after three centuries, I am free!"

A shadowy hand began scraping against the rock and Zane was the first to notice.

"James, we have to close this thing now!" Zane screamed.

As the two tried to summon their fire powers to push the rock again, their hands refused to glow.

"Something is wrong." James muttered.

Zane glanced at his brother nervously.

"Can you feel your fire power either?" Zane asked.

James shook his head quickly.

"Go get father to help us seal this place back up." James told Zane.

"I'm not leaving you alone!" Zane cried.

"Don't argue, go no!" James roared.

Zane hesitated as the shadow creature was clawing to get out still and James stood in its way. Though finally running past me leaving the cave to get help.

"A prince of fire will do quite nicely." The voice echoed.

"You're not getting past me." James shouted.

"Foolish boy, I don't want to get past you."

The shadow grabbed a hold of James and his eyes rolled to the back of his head as he stood there frozen for several seconds. When James snapped back to attention, he acted completely normal. He walked behind the blockage and I tried to follow, but that led me to the Ahtohallan depths and I already know what would happen if I were to jump down there. So I turned right around and walked back to the main hall.

"Nice origin story, but how do I bring Kuva down and restore balance?" I asked aloud.

Not like someone would answer back. Bruni got up from him snow pile and hopped into my hands as I placed him on my shoulder. In that moment, I felt subtle tremors beneath my feet and panic filled my mind as I faced out of Ahtohallan. I called for the Nokk as I approached the entrance and it met me there with no delay. I hopped on its back as I raced back to the shores of the enchanted forest across the water. The tremors continued and grew worse as I got closer to the shore. My eyes curiously scanned the shore and I saw a figure walking along the sandy shores. Looking quite disheveled and bruised. Though my heart leapt with relief at seeing my husband. It brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't get off the Nokk fast enough freezing the waters beneath my feet as I closed the gap between us. I yelled his name as he looked up at me in shear relief. We collided in a long overdue embrace before he kissed me. Tears dripped down my cheeks as Marcus cupped my face in his hands using his thumbs to wipe my cheeks.

"Elsa…" He whispered.

"That's my name, don't wear it out." I smiled weakly, "Are you okay?"

"Better now that you're here." He nodded.

Before I could answer the tremors soon turned into fierce quaking coming from the east where the volcano stood. A creature burst from the dome of the volcano screeching loudly forcing us to cover our ears it was so intense. As the screeching ceased, I got a good look at the creature and it was a fierce dragon though made from the pits of a volcano. A creature covered head to tail in magma dripped fire below itself as it hovered. Though riding on its back was none other than James sitting proudly. Marcus and I held each other close as the creature flew overhead leaving the enchanted forest heading for the north mountain and Arendelle.