~Chapter 13~

Elsa

My heart was racing as I steadily approached the glacier just ahead of me. The reins shook from the fierce grip that I had. The Nokk glided gracefully across the surface of the water beneath its hooves. I was trying to figure out why I was so nervous. Was it because I left my sister frozen to the ground back there? Or the fact that Marcus is back there still learning his sense of control? I kept telling myself that my husband was the big reason for me to come all this way alone. It was partially from what Anna and I discovered within my parents' ship about the source of my power, but if Ahtohallan had the answers for me, it had to have them for Marcus too, right? That's what I kept telling myself. Five, ten minutes tops and I would be out of there and headed back.

The Nokk landed on the shore of the glacier and I just stared in awe. The northern lights shone brightly above my head as the colors and view were unlike anything I had ever seen. The lights were so close I wondered if I formed an ice pedestal up high enough, I would be able to touch them. The Nokk stopped its hoof once and bowed its head toward me. Was this a sign of respect? I tilted my head with a slight nod as the creature quickly turned and dove down into the depths just off the shore. I took out my ponytail giving my hair a quick shake before moving toward the opening of the glacial cavern.

My hands were trembling with each step forward I made. Though once I stepped inside that icy opening, I don't think I was scared at all, I was ecstatic. I traced the ice on the walls with my fingertips and luckily for me there was only one way forward. With each step I took, I glanced around in all directions making sure there weren't any other paths to explore. Then finally I called out to the voice and it echoed back to me immediately. As loud and clear as a bell. The ice seemed to pinpoint the sound and I saw something move within the ice. It reacted to my fingers as I touched the ice then it raced down the path following the wall and followed its lead. I kept calling to it with that simple melody and it gradually became louder and louder. Feeling another burst of excitement and joy, I raced forward following the call. Eventually, the path came to a dead end with only a wide slide carved into the floor. I didn't know where this would go, but I didn't care. I sat down and pushed myself down the narrow hole that seemed to drop off toward a deep chasm, so I quickly blasted an ice bridge that slid me right across the ice chasm no problem. My speed tapered off as I came into a wide room, but the opening on the other side was blocked. I walked up to the ice blocking my path and yanked the blockage aside with no issue. My injured left hand wasn't even hurting at his point to my surprise.

Several blocks of ice blocked my path, but with little effort, I easily shoved them aside as I continued my way through calling out to the voice with each step. I ran forward pulling apart an ice wall leading into the largest cavern within the depths of this place. The place was dark save for my powers reacting to the magic within these walls. I wasn't scared as I walked toward the center of the room. Bright lights swirled around me eventually forming four multicolored diamonds with those familiar symbols of the elements. I walked up to each one touching in with my hand and then I moved them onto the ground. There was an open spot in the middle between them all and curiously I stepped onto it. Power immediately surged within me as a pillar of light enveloped me hitting the ceiling of this cavern. Suddenly on the walls, I saw images of memories past and present. People I recognized and others I didn't, it was like a whole visual library and catalog of memories. Though the ones that stood out the most were those of my own family. The lights came down floating around me as my clothes began to transform. A long-sleeved shimmering, sparkling gown with accents of the symbols of the four elements etched across the collar of the dress. As the light continued to envelop me, I watched in awe as the blisters and injuries to my left hand healed instantly. I suddenly understood why I could tame those creatures. Bruni. Gale. The Nokk. I was the fifth spirit.

It was hard to believe in all honesty, but there was no other explanation to what my power could signify. Though if this was where my powers came from, how did Marcus fit in? What did his powers mean on account of Kalde? I swirled the energy around my head a bit and threw my hands down on the ground. Then hundreds of moving snow and ice sculptures encased the room. I saw glimpses of my own memories. Childhood. Marcus, Anna, and I playing in our snow forts. Countless compilations of Anna talking to me through a closed door. Though she was never alone when she did this, Marcus was always with her. I saw Hans introducing himself to my sister and that put a bad taste in my mouth. I quickly crumbled down that sculpture. Marcus walking around with Pieter by his side with Rebekka hugging them. The hardest thing to see again was accidentally striking Marcus with my power. I'm still so thankful I didn't kill him. Maybe his powers of fire saved him that day, but of course, he didn't have them then. Eventually, I came across my grandfather Runeard talking to a man who had the crest of the Southern Isles and I didn't like what I was hearing. Though there was a third man with a kingdom crest that I didn't recognize. The crest had two beasts with claws extended fighting each other. I could make out the intricate detail even with just the snow. They were discussing the Northuldra people.

"Do I have the Southern Isles and Kalde at my back?" Grandfather asked.

What was this? Was this a declaration of war? Three kingdoms talking about snuffing out the Northuldra people due to their connection with the elementals of the forest. Fear of power being a major factor clearly. I knew all too well how fear could impact someone, but what they were discussing was madness. The short petite man with the lion crest stepped forward.

"Kalde will help you, my Lord. In return, we should be partners in trade. Is it a deal?"

It took me a moment, but the man representing Kalde was a lot younger than the man I knew today. It was the Duke of Weselton though back then, he was serving Kalde, his name was Callum. Marcus told me about his grandfather a while ago. It was so weird to see him here now. The man from the Southern Isles agreed to the terms too and the men continued to plot. All three powerful kingdoms going against the Northuldra people...how could they stand a chance? This was insanity!

The men moved further down into another opening of the cavern I hadn't noticed on the south end of the room and I quickly followed. I wanted to hear all their plans, but as I ventured down the path, it got dark and narrow fast. There was an edge to the path leading to a steep drop below into a large murky pool of cool, blue water. The warning from mother's song rang in my ears.

Dive down deep into her sound, but not too far or you'll be drowned.

I heard the warning, but I couldn't stop here. I took a big breath and dove down into the depths, but I landed on solid ice surprisingly. I wasn't even swimming. Though I felt an intense chill down to my bones the likes I had never felt before. But I watched and waited as my grandfather raised his sword against the leader of the Northuldra. He was defenseless and my grandfather, Runeard, ended his life. I felt sick. All three kingdoms Arendelle, Southern Isles, and Kalde celebrated their triumph. Callum ventured back to their camp where two teenage boys approached him.

"Zane, James, our kingdom is secured," Callum said, hugging his sons.

"About time." One son said smugly, "The elementals can't outmatch a king."

"I don't think it's right." The other son replied looking solemn.

"It had to be done, Zane." Callum nodded, "But get your things, we're leaving this forest and going home to Kalde."

Those three left and shortly after, the celebration was cut short as the Northuldra people charged into the camp in defense of their now fallen leader.

"No!" I cried out, but as I took a step my feet stuck to the ground. I looked at my hands and they were turning white as I trembled. Is this what it was like to feel freezing? I gritted my teeth as with a last shot of power, I blasted magic energy up above me sending it to my husband and sister. They would know what to do. My life was worth finding out the truth.