~Chapter 17~

Anna

I watched helplessly as the raging waters of the dam headed toward my home. This needed to be done, I know that, but watching it was the worst part. Arendelle needed to right the wrong of what happened years ago and then we could move on. I knew everyone was already evacuated so I didn't have to worry about that at least. Kristoff put his arm around me as my shoulders slumped down a bit. The white crested waves splashed down through the heart of Arendelle flooding the streets and lower homes. Finally taking out the palace of my family. It stung more than I could bear. Kristoff noticed my sorrowful silence and pulled me close as I wept silently on his shoulder.

"My home is gone." I muttered, "I'm just glad Elsa didn't have to see this."

I pulled back slightly wiping my face in a miserable manner as Kristoff cupped my face in his hands.

"Arendelle isn't a place, it's a people and they still remain." Kristoff nodded with a warm smile, "We will put down roots somewhere else or even rebuild."

"Elsa would have gotten that done in seconds," I sniffed, "You remember the ice palace she built…"

"It's up to you to lead and I know that you know what's best for Arendelle's future."

I looked up at him and shook my head.

"Marcus is king, it falls to him. Elsa will have a proper memorial upon our return."

"Absolutely." Kristoff nodded.

"Guess we should so regroup with the Northuldrans. I'm sure they're enjoying their freedom in leaving the forest."

Kristoff grabbed my hand giving it a gentle squeeze. He quickly hopped on Sven's back and offered me his hand as I sat down in front of him.

"Oh and Kristoff, I'm sorry about before." I muttered.

"What are you apologizing for?"

"When Elsa and I went off on our own...I left you behind without a word. I'm sorry."

Kristoff sighed lifting my face to meet his gaze.

"Anna it's really okay. Besides, my love isn't so fragile."

I smiled weakly as he leaned toward me pressing his lips to mine as I returned the gesture. Once we were ready to go, Kristoff patted Sven's neck.

"Okay buddy, we gotta find the Northuldran's. yah!" Kristoff instructed.

Sven snorted in understanding, but before we took a single step. A swirl of ice magic fell down from above us swirling around us quickly before forming into an all too familiar snowman.

"Olaf!" I cried.

I had taken his rock buttons and carrot nose with me after he flurried away and I was so thankful I did. I hopped off Sven and quickly put the rest of him together. Once I did that, his eyes opened and he stared at all of us clapping his hands.

"Hey everyone! Am I okay?" He greeted.

"Sure are." I smiled.

"But if he's okay-Anna, that means Elsa is…"

"Alive?" I smiled, cupping my hands around my mouth.

"I hope I didn't scare you all leaving you behind." Olaf said glumly.

I scooped up my frosty friend in my arms holding him close.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Olaf!"

"Me too. Aren't warm hugs great?" He smiled.

"The best." I nodded, wiping a tear from my cheek.

I set him back on the ground prepared to ask him questions he probably had no idea how to answer.

"Olaf, if you're here that does confirm that Elsa is alive, right?"

"Um, I think so." He replied.

"But how? What happened?"

"I think I can answer that." A familiar voice behind us spoke up.

We all turned and saw Marcus running toward us down the hill with all haste. He was slightly dragging his feet as if he was limp or stiff. His clothes were filthy covered in something black and as he got closer, parts of his clothes even looked singed.

"Having some trouble with your power, Marcus?" I teased, but quickly grew serious noting the look on my brother-in-law's face, "What's wrong? What happened to you?"

Marcus bent over catching his breath before answering me.

"T-There's so much to explain, but we don't have time."

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I already told you, Elsa is alive." Olaf reminded us.

"Yes...and it's great to see you Olaf." Marcus nodded with a slight smile before growing serious again, "There is a man from Kalde who used me to get to Elsa."

"Who?" Kristoff asked.

"He claims to be my uncle by the name of James." Marcus answered.

"That was the name mentioned in father's journal entry and on the drawing in the treehouse Elsa and I found." I muttered, "Go on, Marcus." I urged.

"He tried to kill me, but Elsa traded herself for me."

"Traded? Is she dead?" I asked immediately nervous.

"Guys, I'm right here, remember?" Olaf teased, "If I'm here, Elsa is okay."

"I'm not following." Kristoff replied, crossing his arms.

"His intentions were unclear, but I think Elsa was his real target. He has power that is hard to explain. The likes of which I have never seen before."

"Pretty ironic coming from a king who has fire powers." Kristoff smirked.

I grabbed Marcus by the shoulders desperate for answers.

"Where is Elsa?" I demanded harsher than intended.

"I was his prisoner, but James released me once Elsa showed up and she made a deal with him. I begged her not to, she didn't listen. All I could do was watch as he tainted her…"

His voice trailed off.

"Marcus, what do you mean by tainted?" I pressed, growing even more impatient as my mind was brainstorming the worst conclusions.

"James took her hand and a darkness overcame Elsa. She fell to the ground blacking out as I watched helplessly. James transported me away seconds later and I don't even know how she is doing. We have to find her!"

"Well let's all go then! We gotta find her." I said, rallying everyone together.

Marcus led the way as he described where we were headed. Apparently, a hidden volcano to the west that was shielded from prying eyes behind a magical barrier. We began the way west, but I think Marcus got confused amidst all his worry because we found ourselves toward the water's edge more northwest almost back to the place where Elsa and I found our parent's run aground ship. Marcus apologized profusely and sat down on a rock in a frustrated slump. He was not himself and someone had to pull him out of it. Just as I was about to slap him to his senses, I heard the familiar tune of that melody my sister would sing calling out to the voice she was hearing. We all turned toward where the sound echoed out upon the surface of the water. A heavy mist began to settle across the water only just on top of the surface. Sound carried well over water, but I knew what lay on the other side of the sound. I could recognize my sister's voice anywhere. I frantically called her name, but then I saw her. Riding proudly on the back of a horse of water. Its dripping mane and translucent form were enough to have me staring in awe.

"Elsa!" I yelled, and yet still I got no answer.

Though she acknowledged me by glancing our direction only briefly, but then refocusing her way heading north.

"I don't like this." I muttered.

"We have to go after her." Marcus nodded, getting back up on his feet.

"There's a lifeboat near the shipwreck. Let's use that." I added.

"Great, let's go." Kristoff urged.

"No." Marcus snapped, sternly.

"No?" Kristoff retorted looking at Marcus completely confused.

Marcus put a hand on his shoulder.

"The less people the better. You know how Elsa can be sometimes when she's trapped in a corner."

"But I want to help." Kristoff replied.

"And you will." I added, "Take Olaf and Sven back to Arendelle and check-in with Grand Pabbie and everyone. Our people must be shaken up after witnessing the flood of Arendelle. Please do this, for me?" I begged, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Anna, you need to stay safe. Something in my gut says this is wrong."

"I can handle myself." I nodded, determinedly, "Besides, I got my fire-wielding brother-in-law to back me up."

Kristoff hesitated for a brief moment, but leaned toward me kissing my forehead sweetly.

"Okay, I got this, but before we go our separate ways again. I want to say something."

"Go ahead." I nodded.

Kristoff took my hand in his gently.

"Anna, you're the most extraordinary woman I've ever known. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who I want to spend it with no matter what."

Kristoff got down on one knee pulling a ring from his pocket as I cupped my hands around my mouth trying to find my breath.

"I love you, Anna. Please make the happiest man alive and be my wife."

I immediately started to cry as I threw my arms around his neck kissing him. As we pulled away to get our breath, Kristoff smirked.

"So I take that as a yes?" He winked.

"Yes, of course!" I laughed.

Olaf squealed and clapped eagerly as Sven grunted and Marcus smiled.

"Okay you two, I hate to break up the celebration, but we need to go." Marcus urged.

Kristoff slid my beautiful engagement ring on my finger as I quickly kissed him before separating.

"We'll be back." I nodded.

"I know." Kristoff nodded.

With that, Marcus and I turned our backs heading toward the beach to where the rowboat should be. We weren't sure where Elsa was going, but I knew there was only one thing that was north from where we were. Ahtohallan, and that's where I could only assume my sister was headed.

Marcus and I hopped in the boat and I insisted we take turns rowing, but he wouldn't hear of it. I watched his hands carefully to make sure he wasn't going to randomly begin blasting fire. He was relatively calm considering. He rowed us across the water with a determination and ferocity in his eyes.

"Marcus, please let me help row. You've been through a lot." I insisted.

"I'm fine, Anna."

"You seem to be in control. A day ago, your power was highly unstable. What changed?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe it was that place...the volcanic cavern I was trapped in. Even though James lured me there and everything he told me was a lie, I just felt an unusual peace and my powers are responding to that, I think."

"I knew you were capable. You just had to believe that." I nodded with a smile.

"Well let's go and see if we're capable of finding my wife and your sister, huh?"

I nodded as Marcus kept rowing and maintaining our momentum. Within moments I could spy an icy formation in the distance, I could only assume that was probably Ahtohallan. There was someone walking into an opening in the front of the glacier and even from this distance away, I saw the blonde hair clear as day.

"Hurry Marcus." I urged.

He quickened our pace as we quickly hit the icy covered beach of Ahtohallan. It looked like a normal glacier to me. Marcus and I ran toward the opening chasing after Elsa. There was no way to get lost in this place of ice, there was only one path forward. The path dumped out to a slide, which we quickly slid down crossing a deep gap across a chasm. We continued forward calling after Elsa, but no reply came. As we came down a long chilly corridor, a shudder reverberated down my spine. I wasn't sure if it was because I was just cold or something in my gut told me that something was seriously wrong. Marcus lead the way as we came into this large, dome-shaped chamber. Elsa was standing with her back toward us. Her white gown began to transform into a dark green color with a high collar. She twisted her hair in a braid and turned toward Marcus and I looking stern.

"What are you doing here? Did you follow me?" Elsa demanded.

Marcus and I exchanged dumbfounded expressions.

"What's with that greeting?" I asked.

"Elsa, are you alright? I was so worried after you collapsed." Marcus added.

"I think I'm finally coming into my own, Marcus. But you should leave before I get angry, I'll let you two go this time." She replied.

"Go?" I questioned, "Elsa, you're coming with us."

"What are you even doing here?" Marcus asked.

Elsa finally turned to face us and this confirmed she wasn't herself. Her eyes were the first indication that something was off. Normally a bright blue in shade, they were dark, almost black in the irises. She waved over her head forming a sharp, icy crown on her head. Whoever this woman was, it wasn't my sister.

"What did James do to you?" Marcus said.

"He rescued me from my pitiful existence before. As the fifth spirit, I have ultimate power and James has helped me see that now. This place needs to be brought down. It's full of memories and things I'd rather forget. Then I'll build a palace that is equal in strength to me that is worthy of my presence."

This was really beginning to freak me out. Marcus was otherwise speechless and we both knew what we had to do to snap Elsa out of whatever this was. James had done something to her and we weren't sure what or even how to get her back.

"Leave now!" She ordered.

Barking orders like some sort of general. Marcus and I refused and Elsa immediately blasted a huge ice wall at us pushing us out the exit forcibly. It hit us with tremendous force almost knocking the wind out of me and Marcus placed both his hands on the wall of ice as his hands began to glow. He melted through the sheet of ice much to Elsa's surprise.

"Someone learned a new parlor trick." Elsa growled.

I followed Marcus through his melted out hole of the ice as Elsa began blasting us with her magic. Marcus calmly maintained his composure and melted everything Elsa threw our way. I didn't know how to help, but Marcus seemed to have a handle on it. He didn't want to hurt her, but with each ferocious blast of her magic energy, it made it hard to be completely defensive. Marcus shot off a fire blast from his right hand purposefully missing her. Elsa didn't even move out of fear. She knew he wouldn't hurt her.

"Blast her, Marcus." I whispered.

He looked at me like I was insane.

"How could you even ask me to do that?"
"We have to break through that icy exterior. James has a hold on her. She needs to know that we love her."

"How do we show her that? She won't listen!"

"Actions speak louder than words in my experience." I nodded, "Just trust me."

Marcus bit his lip, but then followed my direction and aimed directly at her. As two fire pyres headed straight at my sister, she easily blasted them with ice, but it was a constant. Marcus kept pushing and so did my sister. Fire and Ice combating each other. With Marcus's distraction, I ran around to the side trying to grab my sister from behind. I managed to do so surprising her, hugging her with no intention of letting go.

"Elsa! This isn't you! You're my sister and I refuse to let you stay this way. Arendelle needs you, Marcus needs you, and I do too. James corrupted you into thinking you're this heartless queen, but you're not!" I shouted as tears streamed down my cheeks.

Marcus and Elsa both stopped their magic at the same time. Was Elsa actually listening?

"You are kind and have a tremendous capacity to love those around you. Your powers don't define you, you define you. You're a wife and sister and a queen who has always tried to do the right thing. Fear and anger don't have a hold on you anymore. You're my sister and I love you!"

I tightened my hold as Elsa got fidgety. She screamed in anger swirling around throwing me off her as I slid across the ground skipping across it like a rock on water. I sat up disoriented staring at my sister.

"You don't know me, Anna. I showed you what you wanted to see. I understand my true potential now."

"Elsa no!" I shouted.

"Enough!" She shouted and blasted out a tremendous amount of ice energy hitting me in the head and I fell over unconscious.

Marcus

Anna fell over blacking out, but I could tell she was breathing. Elsa quickly turned to face me looking enraged.

"Enough with your tricks! I gave you an out and you didn't take it. The consequences are your own!" Elsa shouted.

She continued blasting me with her ice magic and I protected myself with a shield of fire around me. For several minutes, we exchanged blows wasting our energy. Though I watched nervously as Elsa's nose began to bleed. She stopped for a moment realizing this panting heavily wiping her nose seeing the blood.

"What is this weakness?" She growled, "I'm the fifth spirit. There should be no weaknesses."

In her distraction, I ran toward her and pulled her into my arms holding her tight. I focused all my energy into one thing locking my gaze with hers. She tried to yank herself free of my grip.

"Get away from me!" She yelled.

I could feel her cold skin against mine and I took steady breaths looking at her intently.

"Elsa, you're my wife and I love you. Don't ever forget that." I leaned in to kiss her and as my lips grazed against hers, something happened. My power and her power collided and a beam of energy reverberated outward. Elsa immediately collapsed falling to the floor as I fell beside her holding her hand in mine as my eyes closed.