~Chapter 16~

Elsa

Did I die? Or was this just a form of sleep? Warmth began to consume my body all of a sudden. My heart began pulsing inside my chest.

Thump.

Thump. Thump.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I watched as the ice that once enveloped my skin disappeared and I could move again. Anna got my message. It was probably the only reason I was alive now. I had to get out of this pit of Ahtohallan. My teeth chattered as I tried to regain control of my breathing. Soon, the Nokk appeared from the depths of this place and knelt down low as I clumsily got on its back. So much easier than the first time we met.

"Take me up there." I muttered pointing weakly.

I blacked out as the Nokk took me away. When I came to again, the Nokk remained by my side like a loyal companion letting its mane of water wet my face trying to wake me. My eyes fluttered as I made out being in the glacier above the river. The place where my new powers had reawakened. I gently patted the nose of the Nokk thanking it for getting me to safety while I attempted to catch my breath. My body already was feeling less stiff.

Something deep down felt off, like something was horribly wrong. I couldn't shake the feeling and I knew that I couldn't just sit here and rest. Unsteadily I rose to my feet and contacted the memories within Ahtohallan. Slowly summoning the images on the icy walls around my head.

"Show me Marcus and Anna." I demanded.

Images began filling up the surface of the ice. I saw my sister with Kristoff standing on top of the dam on the fjord and it was broken. This confirmed she got my message and did what needed to be done. Though my heart sank as I saw that wall of water splashing its way down the fjord toward Arendelle. It wasn't my only concern as I saw my husband in a separate image. He wasn't with Anna and Kristoff, but a stranger stood before him and he was no ally. He was trapped and slowly being enveloped by some substance. I couldn't tell what it was. I asked the images to show me where Marcus was and it showed a volcano though hidden by a magic barrier. There was no time to lose. Adrenaline pulsed through my veins as I hopped up on the back of the Nokk.

You must choose one, you can't save both. A voice rang out from Ahtohallan.

Watch me! I thought.

I reared the Nokk frantically as we raced to the surface. If only I could reach Anna or Marcus. They both probably feared the worst. Did they think I had perished?

The voice in my head told me I had to choose. Tears streamed down my face as the Nokk thundered forward. We made it out upon the waters of the ocean and I had to choose a direction. Arendelle was to the east and with my new powers, I could see beyond that magical barrier. The volcano was to the west and Marcus's life hung in the balance. The decision was easy. The barrier around the forest was gone. The Northuldrans were free with Anna bringing down the dam of deception. I felt ashamed that my own grandfather did such a horrific thing. This was just one step in making right that wrong. But now my next choice was made and I shot up a blast of my power sending it out across the sky. Then I quickly directed the Nokk heading west.

It seemed to take forever to reach that large volcanic rock, but the Nokk's speed was unlike any other. The creature got me to the door that was open revealing a narrow cavern inside. I dismissed the Nokk because clearly it was unsteady being on such humid ground. I'm not sure my ice would fair better in his hot place. I followed the path inside going down toward the core. Sweat began to drip down my forehead as I blasted ice down my path to keep myself cool. The air inside this place was dry and smelled of sulfur.

"Marcus?" I called out.

At least I couldn't get lost in here. There was only one path down. Finally, I made my way down to the bottom and inside the next room was a large lake of lava. Though I saw my husband standing upright facing me as I entered. His body was fully enveloped in that black stuff I saw in Ahtohallan. It was making its way up his neck and soon his face would be smothered.

"Elsa? Is it really you?" Marcus stammered in disbelief.

The man beside him was watching the whole ordeal, just smiled with a sinister grin. I blasted him with ice without question, which he deflected easily.

"What is the meaning of this?" I shouted.

"This man here was a key to unlocking a few doors I needed opened." The man sneered.

"If he did what you wanted, let him go!"

I tried freezing the substance enveloping him, but my ice did nothing. I had never felt more helpless than I did right now.

"You're after his power. Trying to seal it away."

"No my dear, I'm after his light within his power. It must be eliminated."

Marcus grunted beside me trying to break himself free and it was easy to see how much he was struggling.

"Elsa, get out of here!" Marcus shouted.

I ignored my husbands' pleas.

"I don't know who you are or what you want aside from power, but if you release my husband. I bet I can offer you something you won't refuse." I told the man.

He raised a curious brow.

"And what pray tell, is that?" He asked, looking intrigued.

"I'm the fifth spirit of the enchanted forest. It's my job to maintain checks and balances within these lands. If it's power you want, I offer myself willingly to you…"

"Elsa, no!" Marcus shouted, desperately.

Negotiations were set and I couldn't bear to look at Marcus. He would try to talk me out of this, but it wouldn't work because I would gladly give my life for his.

"How intriguing. There is a light inside you, isn't there? Sacrifice always shines the brightest. You have yourself a deal." The man agreed.

He waved his hand over Marcus and the black tar-looking substance began to slide down Marcus returning into thick cracks in the rocks below his feet. Unsteadily, Marcus tumbled over on his knees as I grabbed his arm helping him up. He looked at me disbelief cupping my face in his hands.

"Anna was wrong. You're here."

"You have to let me go."

"No!"

"You've protected me your whole life for as long as I can remember, let me return the favor." I smiled, warmly.

"James will kill you." Marcus muttered.

"Better me than you. Arendelle and Kalde will need a king. Protect them." I nodded.

I began to pull away as Marcus yanked me back into his arms.

"I love you, Elsa. I won't let you do this."

I pulled away holding his hands in mine leaning in pressing my lips to his. I didn't linger as I stepped back.

"And it's because I love you that I have to do this." I nodded.

Quickly, I froze his boots to the ground so Marcus wouldn't do anything stupid. The ice wouldn't last too long in this heat and I knew that, but I just didn't want him to interfere with my choice. The man Marcus said was James stretched out his hand to me. Marcus shouted my name as I took the man's hand and black veining came from his hand slithering across to mine. It went up my arm and branched out across my body. I screamed as I fell to my knees blacking out.