"The Skies Closed In"
Anna, Kristoff, and the Captain of the Guard stood in the curtain wall of the castle watching a boat row toward the Weseltonian ship in their harbor through one of the narrow windows. In the boat, a soldier and a herald approached peacefully with the Arendelle banner waving in the wind.
"Breathe, Anna," Kristoff said, and he put a hand on his girlfriend's shoulders. She looked at him and let out a deep breath before returning her gaze to the herald and the soldier. She kept waiting for arrows to fly from the ship and cut down her men.
"They're just about at the ship," she said. The Weseltonian ship threw down a ladder and the herald began to climb up with the knight throwing anchor and then following suit. "How long do you think they'll be on the ship?" Anna asked when the duo was safely aboard the vessel. Then to her horror the knight was tossed overboard and disappeared into the fjord's cool waters. "No!" she screamed. A minute later the herald was headed down the ladder and back into his boat. He began to row, and a flaming arrow shot out from the ship, catching the Arendelle banner. The banner caught fire quickly and burnt horribly in the morning breeze.
"I'll go down and meet him, Highness," the Captain of the Guard said.
"Very good," Anna responded. The Captain of the Guard gave a short bow and left. Anna immediately began walking swiftly and Kristoff followed her.
"Anna?" Kristoff asked.
"No matter what they told the herald, they're not going to give us a peaceful message. We've got to begin to prepare for a battle, and I have an idea, but I'm going to need Elsa's help." Anna explained. Kristoff nodded and walked by her side.
Arriving at Elsa's bedroom, Anna knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Olaf called happily. The duo walked in and found Olaf sitting on the bed next to Elsa who was nibbling a piece of toast and sipping a cup of tea. Gerda stood nearby and nodded respectfully at Anna and Kristoff. Elsa set down her breakfast and smiled tiredly.
"How are you feeling?" Anna walked over to her sister's bed and hugged her gently.
"I've felt better," Elsa said and hugged her back. "Gerda has been hovering around me like a mother hen. She won't let me out of bed at all." Elsa laughed, but her laughter dissolved into coughs and she held her side in pain. Anna winced.
"Elsa," she said, "We have to talk."
"What's wrong?" Elsa immediately became serious. Anna bit her lower lip.
"Elsa, there are warships in the fjord." Anna told her. Elsa's eyes widened and she accidentally upset her breakfast. She immediately tried to get up and Anna only just caught her and kept her from falling to the floor. Olaf gasped. "Whoa! Whoa! Calm down!" Anna steadied her and pushed her back into the bed.
"Anna, I need to talk with my council. There are things I need to do," Elsa said urgently.
"No. You need to stay in bed. I've got everything under control." Anna insisted. "We have a herald out in a boat right now, and I'll let you know what happens as soon as I know something, but I need something from you first," Anna explained. Elsa nodded. "We know that the warships are from Weselton. The Duke slipped away from the castle, so we couldn't question him."
"What do you need me for?" Elsa wondered.
"The herald was not received warmly. He will be returning to us, but I don't think the news will be good." Anna told Elsa. "I have a plan, but I'm going to need your help for it to succeed. Can you make ice right now?" Elsa raised her hands and concentrated, her trademark snowflake appeared between them, and her spilled tea rose from the bed in a stream of ice. She gasped for breath desperately, and wilted against her pillow tiredly. "Elsa, are you okay?" She nodded and concentrated on catching her breath.
"I hope your strategy does not rely heavily on ice." Elsa whispered and struggled to stay awake. Anna stroked Elsa's arm in concern and Elsa's breathing slowed as she fell into a deep sleep. Gerda picked up Elsa's toast from the ground, and grabbed the upset tea cup. Anna frowned.
"Gerda," Anna said, "Let me know when she wakes up again." Gerda nodded and continued cleaning. Olaf stroked Elsa's forehead gently as he sat next to her. "Come on, Kristoff." Anna led him out of the bedroom and toward Elsa's council rooms when Kai met them in the hallway.
"Your Highness, the herald has returned to the castle. The Captain of the Guard is waiting to report to you," Kai told her. She nodded, and they began to follow the manservant swiftly. They walked to the curtain wall again where the Captain of the Guard stood with the herald who looked absolutely miserable.
"Captain, you have a report?" Anna asked.
"Your Highness, the Duke of Weselton himself gave the herald a message," said the Captain. "He says that Queen Elsa will be dead before noon tomorrow if Arendelle doesn't surrender itself, and that it shall pay for the embarrassment and loss of trade it has put the Duchy of Weselton through." The Captain reported. "Arendelle has until dawn tomorrow to decide its fate, or the warships of Weselton shall decide for it."
"Thank you, Captain," Anna said. "We need to have the cannons at the ready at all times should the Duke and his ships decide to change their minds. They don't know that we've managed to cure Elsa, and we need to make her our secret weapon."
"Anna, are you sure?" Kristoff looked at Anna in concern. "She's still very weak."
"We have no choice. Kristoff, go into Arendelle and prepare the villagers to evacuate tonight. Captain, you and I have to go meet with the council." Anna gave her orders decisively, and then she walked away.