~Chapter 24~

Marcus

It was getting so late and there was still no sign of Elsa from anywhere. With all the ash and debris, she would be hard to miss. Before the worst of it got to us, a lone earth giant fleeing from the forest actually protected us all from the brutal flames. I felt so bad I couldn't help anyone and had to be careful to not accidentally start more fires of my own by accident. That creature flew overhead with my uncle on its back riding it like one would a horse. It was hard to believe that such a ferocious creature would even have a master. Yelana and her people watched in terror as the creature continued to lay waste to the forest, but I don't think that was my uncle's only goal. With all haste, the path back to Arendelle was met with destruction. After the flood Arendelle was built up from the ruins of Kalde, so was that his end game? If it was, we had to get back to warn Anna, but I wasn't about to leave Elsa. She was more than capable on her own, but that didn't mean I would leave her without backup. I was confident in Anna back at home. She was stronger than most people give her credit for. In the wake of the destruction, the Northuldrans stamped their feet on the ground and took hands forming a circle chanting a tune. I stood on the outside of their circle watching. The song was very solemn and sad in melody. Soon they stopped and Elise joined me.

"This must be hard for you all." I said.

"We're all alive thanks to you."

She was completely mistaken and I hardly deserved her kind praise.

"No Elise," I said, "I did nothing for you all. It's because of me that I opened that door to the volcano for my uncle to lay waste to the land."

"You were deceived." Elise reasoned.

"It's your granddaughter Elsa who should be here and of course she will be anytime." I reasoned.

I knew it was growing late not by the darkness of the night since the scattered fires all around were lighting up the area pretty well, but by the moon rising higher in the sky. We found that gathering behind the four stones of the spirits, it helped block some of the smoke winding all around us. I looked around at the Northuldran people and the smoke was getting to them. I was affected though not as much as they were. Many of the young children were rubbing their eyes as many of the adults were coughing and clearing their throats. I glanced at Elise and Yelana joined us.

"Look, I know this forest is your home, but by the looks of it, I'm not sure if the forest will remain by daybreak. You should make tracks getting away from here." I told them.

"I understand your concern, your highness, but such an idea is brutally hard to grasp for us. Before the curse keeping us trapped inside the forest was brought down, the forest was all we knew. Now that we have those restrictions lifted, it's an odd idea to even fathom taking to the ocean and fleeing this area altogether."

"Think of it as merely temporary. I'm going to stop my uncle by helping Elsa by whatever means are necessary."

I think Yelana was understandably fearful, but understood my stance of their safety. I knew exactly how it felt to look after people and their well being was your main priority. Soon I heard thundering horse hooves nearby coming from behind. Knowing exactly that Elsa was on her way toward me, but as I turned and saw the Nokk running riderless toward me, I felt sick. The water horse galloped right up to me and circled around me agitatedly.

"Where is she?" I asked nervously.

The Nokk stopped and I cautiously approached pulling myself onto it's back. I honestly half expected it not to let me get on its back at all. Gently patting its neck, I glanced at Elise and Yelana.

"Stay safe and think about what I said." I told them.

"I'm glad my daughter never saw such an outcome take place." Elise replied, "Keep my grandchildren safe."

I nodded quickly and patted it's neck again.

"Take me to her."

The Nokk whinnied and took off back into the smoldering forest fire. It was quite a ways away from the four stones. I lost track of time I just tried to remain alert to what I'd find upon arriving to the place where the Nokk was taking me. Though I couldn't explain it, something inside me ached and I knew something was seriously wrong. The Nokk brought me to a waterfall and there was a small cave nearby and it was easy to miss in this darkness.

"Elsa?" I called out.

There was no answer and I yelled again this time cupping my hands around my mouth. Still nothing. The Nokk escorted me to the cave and the passage was narrow and tight. There was a blockage on the other end. The Nokk emitted a slight glow, but it was enough to at least let me see a little bit around me. I lit my hand on fire to see even more clear, but I wanted to be careful in case anything in here was flammable. I pounded on the boulder with my fists.

"Elsa!" I said, continuing to pound on the rock, "I'm coming!"

The pounding was getting me nowhere fast and that's when I saw a handprint on the boulder. I curiously touched it with my hand. It lit up for a split second and then faded. Though curiously, I continued to examine it. I tried my other hand and it did the same thing. It was reacting to me, but I was missing something. Then I tried the only other thing I could think of, I blasted a large fireball from my hand and placed it against the rock. Finally, the stone slid to the side and inside this small room unconscious on the ground was my wife.