Sorry that this chapter took so long and I hope you guys enjoy reading it and don't forget to review.
Chapter Thirty-Six: Within the Darkness
Past several weeks since the defeat of Joseph and everyone seemed to move on with their daily lives all except Mathias as he looked around and still thought of the men that died next to him and he never got their names and yet this made him feel guilty as he wandered around the area the damages weren't fully repaired yet but he could still see the damages done by the cannons and the guns used that day. He was getting tired of the bloodshed and the deaths caused by him or because of him he was sick of it all and just wanted a life from the chaos but even he couldn't escape that, not even as a human. With a heavy sigh he began to wander down another street surveying the progress of reconstruction. He stopped and watched in interest as a few men trying to lift a large pole upright, sweat protruded from their reddened faces from the effort when Mathias walked over not knowing that Elsa was watching him from one of the many homes in the town wearing some of the civilian clothing. The men were about to lose it when suddenly the weight suddenly left their shoulders and they looked behind them to see Mathias lifting the large object with ease as he pushed forward with heavy steps making the men move out of his way till he got it sitting up. Elsa stood there watching him in awe as he completed their tasks catching many people's attention as they began to thank him. She smiled softly as she watched him as he began to talk to the people with ease. She put a dark brown cloak over her head as she began to walk to the castle knowing it would be a while before Mathias would return. It felt strange to her to wear civilian clothing just to blend in with her people but she needed out of the castle walls as within it brought her painful memories of what Joseph did to her.
"Are you alright?" A feminine voice called out to her in concern as she jumped around to see a young woman standing there watching her closely. Chocolate brown eyes met blue as they stared at each other knowing who the other person was. Elsa became nervous as the woman walked over to her slowly but not enough to get others attention as she intently observed her.
"May i invite you to my place for some tea?" Abigail asked calmly and patiently waiting for the young monarch's decision. She was curious as to why she was dressed up this way but she wasn't going to ask her in the open and decided to talk about it in the privacy of her home. Elsa avoided her gaze as she looked at the ground pondering whether or not to take the woman's offer. The many pros and cons of what would happen flooded through her mind like a wild storm till she finally made her decision.
"Y-Yes… i would love to." Elsa said with a faint smile as she gestured Abigail to lead the way to her home. The house itself seemed simple once Elsa stepped foot within it, taking her cloak off her head showing respect to her hostess as she hung it on a nearby hangar.
"You have a lovely home." She commented and Abigail beamed brightly at the compliment as she turned to Elsa gesturing her further inside leading her into the kitchen offering Elsa a seat as she went to grab a kettle. The silence between them was deafening and Elsa decided to start the small talk while Abigail prepared the tea.
"How long have you been here?" She asked calmly as her hands clasped together on her lap watching the young woman.
"A few years i guess, but with the way i am it's hard to keep track of time with so many things going on around here." She said as she walked over to the table waiting for the tea to heat up in the fireplace. Elsa understood what she meant and hadn't taken offense to what she was referring to.
"The great freeze." Elsa said confirming what she was talking about and Abigail nodded with a small smile. Elsa sighed remembering the events of that day and it seemed that Abigail had noticed and quickly changed the subject.
"You're very lucky to have someone like him…. Mathias i mean." Abigail said catching Elsa off guard as she looked at the woman in wonder as Abigail gave her a sad smile.
"We already figured it out sometime ago and the fact he was determined to get to you was obvious enough to the men that followed him." She said and Elsa looked at the table and smiled to herself as she thought of the man out helping her people but figuring they might as well be his people too for all he's done in Arendelle.
"I….I wanted to let the people know when we were ready but i guess that's not an option now." Elsa said earning a slight chuckle from Abigail as the young woman leaned back full smile blooming across her face.
"Mathias said the same thing when i first met him." She chuckled in amusement, the whistling of the tea caught her attention as she went to get it.
"You know at first i thought he was only after your riches but after seeing how much he cares for you made me realize it differently." Abigail said as she poured a few cups of tea and handing one to Elsa. The young queen nodded in understanding as she cooled her cup down a little before taking a sip from it.
"I can see why you would think that with the way Mathias was when he arrived here. He seems to have a violent nature but there's something more to him that i don't understand and he doesn't want to tell me." She said with a sigh and Abigail looked at her sadly knowing what she was talking about. She finally knew the truth about him and now she regretted ever knowing.
"He's special Elsa there's more to him than meets the eye. He's had a difficult life before he came here but it's not my place to tell you." She said as she finally took a sip of her tea feeling the warm sweet liquid flowing down her throat. Elsa looked at her curiously now wanting to know what information she required about him.
"Did he tell you?" She asked and Abigail nodded and Elsa felt a pang of jealously in her heart that it wasn't her that he talked too and looked down at the table saddened by the revail.
"I didn't believe him at first but after a few things that happened during his stay i felt foolish after i learned more about him from someone who recognized him. He'll tell you in due time your majesty you just have to be patient. He doesn't want you to be afraid of him or think of him differently he's still Mathias and his love for you won't change." She said and Elsa nodded and they continued to enjoy the quiet drinking their cup of tea. Elsa's mind began to drift remembering the power displayed by Mathias many times and a question came to her and it would all be what she needed to know before she left since it was getting late.
"Would it all explain his power?" She asked and Abigail silently nodded answering her question as Elsa stood up ready to leave.
"Thank you for having me here Abigail." She said before she left leaving Abigail alone to her own thoughts as she heard the door shut.
"Now that we're finally alone." A voice called out startling Abigail as she turned around to see Hans standing at the doorway with smug grin plastered on his face.
"What are you doing here?!" She demanded but Hans was unfazed as he continued to stare at her with hungry emerald eyes.
"I came here for you." He answered and she narrowed her eyes at her unwanted visitor. He took a few steps toward her making her stand up from her chair as fear started to show in her eyes.
"I've sent you help to find Mathias so he could take care of Joseph for me so you have to pay so don't worry Mathias will pay the price just as you will soon enough." He said as he continued to walk towards her closing the distance between them. Before she could scream out for help Hans muffled out her cry and started to drag her up the stairs with her kicking and screaming making the man smile even more.
"You know i've always liked feisty women and after seeing you in the forest i've been wanting some fun with a pretty lady such as yourself." He whispered in her ear making her fight even harder to get out of his grip to no avail as hot streams of tears flowed down her face now feeling helpless as she awaited her fate to whatever Hans has in store for her. Outside no one was aware of what was going on as they continued on with their day.
On one of the balconies at the castle, Allen Grodford watched the sun finally begin to set as he watched Mathias walk back to the castle as the sun glowed off his now shirtless back from the hard effort he put in helping with the reconstruction. He stopped and looked up and he smiled as he waved seeing Allen standing there watching him with a chillingly calm gaze as Mathias looked up at him with tired amber eyes that showed some fire still burning with determination after a long day as he continued into the castle to find Queen Elsa no doubt in Allen's mind. He stood there for a few moments before returning back within the castle ready to finish some business as he jammed his hands into his coat pockets.
Elsa wandered through the halls as the heels of her shoes clicked causing an echo around the empty halls. The sound of heavy steps stopped her as she listened to them get closer to her. She smiled knowingly that there was one person here who has heavy steps and she waited till Mathias appeared with a small nervous smile on his face as he looked at Elsa knowingly as she slowly approached him as her cheeks flushed red from his gaze upon her as the moonlight glistened off her blue ice dress giving her a heavenly appearance causing Mathias to growl in content as she finally stood in front of him. She noticed the saddened look on his face and she realized that he seen the bruises on her neck and gave him a reassuring smile as she reached up and cupped the left side of his face as her thumb gently traced the slight scar going down his left eye.
"Elsa" He growled her name in delight as he nuzzled against her hand in response enjoying her cool touch. Mathias reached out and gently touched her sides and glided them till he held her firmly at her hips making her giggle silently from his gentle touch. He pulled her closer so her cool body pressed up against him. She could feel the heat radiating off him just as he could feel the coolness of her.
"I believe i would like to actually try this time if you are willing to have me tonight?" He said as he waited patiently for Elsa to answer. She gently pulled away from him and gave a sad smile of resentment before she began to pull on his arm leading them to their destination bringing a smile on Mathias' face as he willingly followed her. At their bedroom a shadowed figure entered carrying a small vile glowing light blue from the liquid in it. He found a cup and began to pour the liquid into it as the light faded looking like water the cup. The sound footsteps and a feminine giggle caught him off guard as he hurried out and shut the door before they noticed his presence.
The door opened again and Elsa playfully dragged Mathias in who was gently smiling at her behavior but he knew she was just as nervous as he was. He silently closed the door not taking his eyes away from her as she picked up a cup of water and began to take a few sips from it calming her nerves. Elsa felt Mathias' gaze on her and she smiled shyly gesturing for Mathias to come to her. With slow and steady steps Mathias reached to her and gently grabbed the cup of water and drank some himself, smiling her as he moved the cup away from his face and setting it back on the stand growling in content as he admired the beauty that stood before him watching him with her blue eyes affectionately. She licked her lips in anticipations as Mathias gently grabbed her by her hips and kissed her tenderly causing them both to fall on the bed. Elsa's eyes momentarily flashed a darker blue but it wasn't noticed by Mathias as they continued through the night finally enjoying their night.
The early morning sun shone through the window slowly waking Mathias up as he slowly sat up trying not to disturb Elsa as she continued sleeping. He looked back to admire her but his eyes narrowed at the person in bed. Her hair was short and black and but what confused him was that she had the similar scent as Elsa along with her energy. A sadistic laugh caught him by surprise and jumped back as a sudden chill ran up his spine and he couldn't place what it was as he stared at the woman before him.
"What's wrong Mathias dear? You don't recognize me your dearest Elsa?" She said with a chuckle and Mathias growled keeping the shock hidden from her as he now sees that she looks more like his Elsa.
"Last night was extraordinary Mathias and i really did enjoy myself…" She said making Mathias sick to his stomach as his mind swirled in confusion. Seeing this she laughed catching his attention as his eyes glowed a bright orange as he glared at her feeling his energy flowing within his veins.
"Would you like to have some more fun?" She asked seductively as ice shards formed around her fingers on her right hand chuckling as she brought her hand up with a rueful smile on her lips. Mathias growled in anticipation baring his teeth as he glared at his new opponent.