Kristoff led the villagers through the moonless night. He and Olaf urged them quietly through the town and up the cliffs toward safety. Children rode up on Sven's back, and he helped by carrying another child in his arms. The Arendellians whispered to one another, and tried not to trip in the darkness. Anna had ordered no lights in the village tonight which made the journey safer, but more difficult.
"Don't worry," Kristoff said to villagers close by, "We're almost there, and the cannons can't reach the top of the cliffs. We'll be safe up there." The little boy in his arms snuggled close against him and sucked his thumb. "You'll be okay, Bjorn," Kristoff told the little boy. Olaf passed him with a line of children connected to his stick hand.
"We're almost there," Olaf said cheerfully to the children. The kids giggled quietly as Olaf led them in zig zags and in small circles up the hill. The parents and other adults looked on thankfully – none of the children cried or worried as they walked away from their homes.
"Come on, Sven," Kristoff whispered, and the reindeer lowed as they made it to the top of the hill. "You'll be safe here, Everyone, but we must not light any fires tonight. We don't want to bring any attention to ourselves," Kristoff explained. "A guard detail will be watching the village and keeping your homes safe, but until the warships are gone, Arendelle isn't safe."
"How will we eat?" A villager asked.
"What will we drink?"
"The Queen and the Princess have already scheduled for deliveries of food and drink to come later this evening. Smoked fish and reindeer meat will come tonight as will bread, water, and beer. Finally, sleeping rolls and blankets will be brought up in a few minutes, so no one will be cold tonight. We may not be in the comfort of our homes, but all Arendellians will remain warm, safe, and have full bellies tonight." Kristoff told them all. Many of them smiled back at him, relief clear on their faces.
"Will you be with us, Kristoff?" Someone from the crowd called to him.
"No, a steward will be coming from the castle with the food and will be staying with you," Kristoff said.
"How long will we be up here?" Another person asked.
"I don't know, but whatever happens, the Queen and Princess will keep Arendelle safe." Kristoff exclaimed.
"Elsa," Anna said, "I don't want to hurt you. We can find another way to fight Weselton." Elsa held her hands out and concentrated on making ice. The air in the room sparkled with snow and ice, and Anna shivered. Although it came to Elsa much easier than earlier in the day it still clearly exhausted her.
"I'm fine, Anna," Elsa said with some irritation, but she was breathing heavily and sweating. She leaned back into her pillows, and tried not to show her exhaustion. "I'm ready to help you with your plan."
"Elsa, I – " Anna started.
"Anna, I'm ready to help. There's nothing you can do to talk me out of it." Elsa stated firmly. The two sisters shared an intense look, and Anna hoped her sister would give in. Elsa refused despite her weakness and held her sister's gaze. A knock at the door interrupted their unspoken quarrel. "Come in," Elsa called. Kristoff walked in.
"The villagers and Olaf are safe on the cliffs, and the castle servants are headed there with the food and supplies, so they'll be safe soon, too," Kristoff reported. He went over to Anna, and he gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Good," Elsa said. "Kristoff, I need you to help me get outside." With great effort she scooted herself toward the edge of the bed. Kristoff moved forward, and he scooped her up. Elsa reached her arms around his neck. "I'm ready," she said. Kristoff nodded and he carried Elsa out of the room with Anna following closely. "Anna, we'll be outside in ten minutes," Elsa told her sister.
"The guards in the curtain wall already know what to do once they see your signal, Elsa." Anna responded. "I'll be meeting with the Captain of the Guard, and the soldiers will be ready. Elsa, I love you. Be careful." Anna reached over and hugged her sister. Elsa hugged her sister back and then rebalanced herself against Kristoff.
"I love you, too," Elsa said, and she smiled at Anna. Then they exited.
Kristoff walked swiftly through the castle and into the courtyard toward the curtain wall with the door leading to the small side yard. He balanced Elsa as he opened the door, and they walked into the yard. The trees shivered in a slight breeze, and a sliver of golden sunlight sent streaks of purple into the sky. Kristoff took Elsa to the water's edge and set her on the ground. Elsa looked up at Kristoff and smiled.
Then she stuck her fingers on top of the water and concentrated. The water in the fjord sparkled with barely a sheen of ice. Elsa leaned into the water gasping for breath.
"Try again, Elsa," Kristoff urged gently. He knelt down and put a hand on her shoulder. Elsa took a few moments to gather herself before she grunted, and then screamed. Ice began spiraling over the top of the water from her hands. The spirals grew outward and reached toward the shimmering sun reflecting in the dark waters. The ice grew an inch, then another, and continued to grow, and then started to reflect beautifully and eerily orange in the early morning light.
Elsa wavered and began to fall toward the frozen fjord, but Kristoff had anticipated her fall and he grabbed her and picked her up again. "Good job, Elsa," Kristoff said gently and he looked up toward the sky.
When the first cannon went off, he barely jumped, and then he began to carry Elsa back toward the open door in the curtain wall.
A/N: Things are about to get really crazy, so hang on! 😊