~Chapter 21~

Anna

I could see armies of men beginning to approach the gates of the city. Magnus was clearly not waging an empty threat. As twilight fell, there were camps set up about a mile from Arendelle. Kristoff found me in the lookout tower that I'm so grateful I thought to build those months ago during the rebuild.

"Anna, you shouldn't be up here." He said, pulling me close.

"I can't help it, I'm trying to protect my home."

"Let someone else take over. If they haven't stormed the walls yet, there isn't going to an attack tonight. It would be foolish to attack at night with limited visibility."

"When did you become a wartime strategist?" I teased.

"It just makes sense." He shrugged, "We better get downstairs, I left Hans with Olaf."

"Good," I laughed, "Olaf might talk his ears off."

Before going down, a fluttering of wind began messing with my hair.

"Hey Gale, I see, Elsa found you."

The leaves fluttering around Gale swirled around Kristoff and I in a friendly manner.

"Are there a lot of soldiers out there?" I asked.

Gale's chirping sound grew low sounding glum. I couldn't entirely understand her, but I think it was safe to say the answer to my question was yes. I looked out upon the landscape and I spotted a purple flame speeding right toward us. Bruni the lizard perched himself on the stone block right in front of me.

"Hey Bruni, I have a job for you at first light. Do you accept?"

The lizard tapped his feet in place in excitement and his body glowed a glimmer of purple as if confirming the request.

"At first light, I want to set some camps on fire. Sound good?" I asked.

The lizard blinked with his wide eyes and snorted his understanding.

"You're just like your sister, the way you talk with the elements." Kristoff smiled hugging me from behind grabbing my shoulders.

"Well, I learned from the best." I smirked.

Just as we were about to head downstairs, I felt an all too familiar trembling and as I looked to the southeast. I squinted my eyes seeing three hulking structures coming toward Arendelle, but I didn't have to see in the dark to know who was coming toward the palace. The earth giants. I had to say it was a welcome relief to see them, so now all the elemental spirits were here save for Elsa and the Nokk. What could have been keeping her? My sister had been gone for hours and so had Marcus. I gave the earth giants directions to stand guard outside the Arendelle borders. Giving directions to giant rock creatures was definitely a first for me. The first time we met, they nearly killed me and now they were acting as designated guardians. Times sure had changed. As Kristoff pulled me from the lookout tower, I saw the peak of the volcano in the enchanted forest and there was an unusual amount of smoke rising from the cone.

Knowing a fight was coming soon, Hans suggested we all get what little rest we could tonight. Kristoff stayed with me in my room until my eyes began struggling to remain awake. He kissed my forehead and I popped one eye open and saw him leave very quietly. I turned over and I was exhausted and yet, I couldn't fall asleep right away. It took a bit of time, but sleep eventually overcame me. Though my sleep was anything but restful. I dreamt of a woman with long auburn hair in regal looking attire who told me that answers were found in place where knowledge is stored.

"Only when the bridge of both worlds come together can the tyrant be stopped."

Who was this woman? I didn't recognize her at all. Her voice was haunting and definitely was impossible to forget. As soon as she appeared, she faded away from the recesses of my subconscious. I wasn't sure how long I was out, but I was stirred awake by hearing agonized cries of pain. I ran out of my room in a panic and found Kristoff patrolling the halls.

"What's going on?"

"Something is going on outside and I definitely don't like it."

Olaf came and found us waddling down the hall as quickly as his feet could carry him with Sven bringing up the rear.

"Hey guys, my snow is unusually wet today like someone turned up the heat or something. When Elsa gets back, I'm going to need another permafrost on the double."

I felt a deep shuddering beneath my feet that seemed to shake the palace. A good vantage point was most definitely needed.

I ran up to the lookout tower and what I saw I doubt I would ever forget. I saw the purple flames of Bruni that were destroying enemy camps just like I ordered, but there were flames even beyond the camps. A large creature was flying a couple of miles away from Arendelle spewing fire from its mouth at the ground below. Soldiers from the isles weren't even trying to stick around to fight, but flee for their lives. I saw a tornado of wind form suddenly and I knew that was Gale. She tried to suck the creature in and stop him, but her winds weren't strong enough. The creature wasn't even fazed. The last straw were the earth giants flinging large rocks toward the creature. With little difficulty, the creature easily dodged the incoming attacks. Where was Elsa? Where was Marcus? All I could see on the horizon were distinct pillars of smoke and ash. My heart sank trying to come up with some kind of strategy. First the Southern Isles were an issue, but they paled in comparison to this creature of fire. Elsa's ice would be so helpful right now, but I was on my own for now.

"What do you need Anna?" Kristoff asked.

"I need to protect my home and my people, but I don't know if I can."

Kristoff grabbed my shoulders.

"We're going to try." He nodded reassuringly.

We left the lookout tower rejoining our friends. Rapunzel, Eugene, and Hans went and gathered up citizens bringing them into the safety of the palace. I could see the creature quickly approaching the gates. Loud, thunderous noises were heard outside, I could only assume the earth giants continuing to throw rocks at the enemy. A panicked populace was hard to deal with because every face I saw demanded answers and needed peace of mind I wasn't sure I could give them. Reuben parted his way through the crowd finding me quickly.

"Your highness, if I may, there is a passage within these old ruins of Kalde that Arendelle build upon that leads to some catacombs underground. I don't know if it will protect us completely, but it's worth a shot."

"Great, please lead the people there."

"You first m'lady." Reuben insisted.

"No the people first." I insisted.

Reuben didn't argue and I whistled an ear piercing sound to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone, follow Reuben. He's going to lead us to safety." I said, "Please follow him and try to remain calm."

Eugene and Rapunzel helped usher people in an orderly fashion and Hans ran about the halls double checking for people. It went pretty smoothly all things considered.

"Alright, now you all go next." I urged.

"You're coming too, right?" Rapunzel urged.

"Of course." I nodded.

Eugene grabbed Rapunzel's hand looking at me seriously.

"You meet us there." He nodded.

"Go." I replied.

Hans wasn't moving and neither was anyone else. I was planning on going right away, but then something clicked in my head from what that woman in my dream said. Where knowledge is stored...the library. Without a word, I turned and ran away from everyone. Loud booming sounds echoed all around me and as I ran by one of the walls crumbled seemingly by the arm of an earth giant by accident. I couldn't stop for a moment as Kristoff and Hans both called after me. Finally, I made it to the library and started pulling out every book from the shelves. Perusing over countless titles in seconds, I wasn't even sure where to look. Moments later, Hans, Kristoff, and Olaf all came in.

"What are you doing?" Kristoff asked.

"This isn't the time!" Hans added.

"Hey Anna, if you want a book just pick one and let's leave. I can practice reading it to you later." Olaf laughed.

"I'm looking for a book that's different or unusual," I said, still pulling books as speedily as I could.

"That's vague." Hans replied.

"Please, help me." I urged.

They did as I asked and joined me glancing at all the titles. More shudders and crashing sounds were heard and dust from the ceiling began to fall.

"Anna, we gotta go." Kristoff urged.

The dust from the ceiling hit Olaf's nose as he sneezed shooting out his carrot as it skidded across the floor. Olaf quickly fetched it, but then handed me a leather-bound book.

"Hey Anna, I know I'm new to reading, but could this be what you're looking for?" Olaf asked. I quickly peered over the book and scanned over the pages immediately not being able to decipher a single word.

"This must be it. Thanks, Olaf!" I hugged him quickly.

"Okay great," Kristoff added, "Now we need to get out of here before we're crushed."

Sven was waiting in the hallway as Kristoff hopped on his back with me behind him as I carried the book and Olaf in my arms. Hans opted to run and we took off back down the hall. Debris fell all around us as Sven dodged huge piles of wood and stone. The screaming from outside had ebbed and I don't know if that was good or bad. I looked up finding alarming cracks in the ceiling that looked like they were barely able to hold up. Another wall came crashing down and Sven tripped sending me flying off his back. I clutched Olaf and the book in my arms tight as I rolled across the floor. I looked back in panic as a wall came down on both Kristoff and Hans. There was no time to react as the ceiling above me began to crumble and break off as a slab of stone began to fall down right above me.