Chapter 22
A/N: To anyone still reading this: I totally love you, man/woman.
The guards stood like three tall towers in front of Elsa – walling her off from the total freedom she so craved. No, she should refrain from viewing them in such a light - they have been, after all, just doing their jobs. As for herself, she hadn't been doing her job very well. As Queen, the last thing she should be thinking about is running away with her sister to live in solitary peace and maybe one day adopt Chinese and/or African orphans.
When will life stop whacking me over the head with problems? Elsa tiredly wondered, and knew the answer to her own question would always be a resounding, never.
Elsa's mask faltered momentarily when her eyes met those of the royal guards. Their stares shook her to the core as if they were deities of judgment. Two out of three of the guards had served for a number of years under their mother and father, and when Elsa compared herself to the former Queen, her mother, the thought made her soul shrivel with inadequacy. Elsa shook her head from such self-pitying thoughts for she knew a Queen's duties was never finished. And so it goes.
The oldest guard, whose name was Arthur, was the Captain of the squad and spoke in an expectedly dignified manner. His hands moved in flourishes and sweeps, painting a picture as he spoke, as if illustrating a story for little children. He could have passed for an ordinary middle-aged man, save for the large battle scar at the bottom of his right jaw. It was strange how Elsa had always been around the guards in the castle, but still didn't know their names. The guards' ability to fade into the castle's background demonstrated just how skillful they were at what they do.
It made Elsa sad to think she had never given them much thought and never took the time to learn more about the ones who've devoted their lives to protecting her family. She looked into Captain Arthur's tranquil, light-blue eyes and saw a lifetime of emotions imbedded in them – pain, stress, even happiness.
Arthur continued to inform her about the state of the kingdom, his hands moving along naturally. "Queen Elsa, I hate to be the one to deliver such awful news," Arthur said, looking unnerved. "Arendelle is currently under attack by a noblewoman from the Southern Isles. Lady Alexandra, I believe is her name – a deranged woman from what I can tell," Arthur stated, and wiped the furrow of his right brow with his thumb. "She is once again riding atop the—How shall I put this? She is riding the… the massive snow creature who has the ability to cuss as much as he can cause damage."
The two guard's lips twitched slightly behind their Captain, obviously trying not to laugh at his colorful way of explaining things.
But for Elsa, she was far too distracted to find humor in the situation. Lady Alexandra's smug face instantly popped in her mind and she felt nauseated when she pictured Lady Alexandra destroying Arendelle at the very moment. Elsa prepared herself to hear news of her kingdom already razed to the ground by Sergei.
Anna made a small noise only Elsa was able to hear – most likely because she was thinking the same thing as she was. They both knew all too well what Lady Alexandra's stupendously disturbed mind was capable of and how Hans was smarter than he looked despite his stupid hairstyle. The kingdom their mother and father tried so hard to maintain seemed to be slowly crumbling under their hands. Elsa had never felt like a bigger disappointment.
"What is the damage A-anyone hurt?" Elsa tried to say with a strong demeanor, but the quivering in her voice was all too clear.
"The situation is not looking too well for Arendelle, my Queen," Arthur said, his eyes downcast to the floor for a moment. An unexpected gasp from Oaken made the entire room pause and stare at him – even Marshmallow, whose peeking face completely covered the front door, shot Oaken a look.
Oaken's face flushed as the whole room was looking at him. He held the tips of his fingers over his mouth and quickly said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just cannot stand hearing such bad, bad things, but please, do go on." Oaken giggled nervously and slowly backed away behind his counter to begin polishing his trinkets.
Kristoff shook his head and everyone else slowly turned their attention away from Oaken who was now quietly humming to himself.
Arthur continued, "Once again, we are overjoyed to finally recover you both unharmed, but we need our Queen to assume the throne once again, as soon as possible, before Arendelle is brought to a point we are unable to mend." Arthur looked frail as he spoke despite his wide and sturdy build, as if his age was finally catching up to him as soon as he finished delivering the news.
Elsa did her best to cloak her feelings while Arthur explained the gritty details. Outwardly, she appeared to be stoic, calm, and practically emotionless – a real ice Queen. No one could tell that inside, she was destroyed from an immense amount of guilt – shouldering the entire burden of the destruction Lady Alexandra was wreaking upon innocent people. All this trouble, just because she wouldn't entertain Lady Alexandra's dream of teaming up to become some kind of odd duo of darkness. Yeah, right. That'll happen.
The young guard still didn't say a word. He stood silently by Arthur with tightened lips and with the same quiet demeanor. He would sometimes look at her, but never for too long as if he was tracing the lines of her features one at a time.
"This is crazy!" Anna shouted suddenly, making the entire room jump. Oaken nearly dropped his prized glass vase as he was wiping it and was fortunate enough to hold onto it safely.
"Anna," was all Elsa said.
Anna's cheeks were flushed with anger – her eyes clearly alit with a fire for vengeance. "I've had enough of this woman causing trouble," Anna vented. "It's one thing to interfere in our personal lives, but it's a whole other game when she messes with the citizens of Arendelle!"
Anna's fists were balled and looked ready to throttle someone. Elsa knew Anna had a temper, but she had never seen her so livid.
"Princess Anna," Arthur started. "We swear we will lay our lives on the line for you and Queen Elsa, for Arendelle." Arthur bowed before Anna, his respect for her even higher than before.
"Arthur… I mean, Captain Arthur," Anna softly said, and looked atop the graying head of the guard.
"Just, Arthur is perfectly fine, Princess Anna," Arthur rose back up and said with a tired smile.
Anna smiled somewhat sadly back at the man and replied, "Just, Anna, is fine."
Arthur and Anna smiled at each other and it was clear to Elsa how much Anna must be missing their father.
Arthur then turned to Elsa and said, "But we must return back to Arendelle as soon as possible my Queen. So please, I urge you both to prepare for departure right away."
"Let us go then, and once we arrive, I will do everything in my power to make things right. No matter what. Even if I have to reveal to everyone my… my abilities." Do I believe in the words I am saying? Elsa wondered. I have to believe. Arendelle - our parents' legacy - is in danger. I cannot let them down. I can't let the people of Arendelle down.
Anna gripped a hand on Elsa's right arm and the young guard's eyes instantly flicked and focused on the reaction. He eyed Anna's hand and then swiveled his gaze to Elsa's face, but Elsa did her best to avoid his piercing gaze.
"Elsa," Anna whispered. "I'll be right there beside you." Elsa smiled from Anna's words, but she really didn't want to put Anna in harm's way again.
Arthur bowed his head at Elsa's statement and said, "We will do everything we can to escort you back to Arendelle." He then turned to the third guard who appeared to be in his mid-thirties. He was an unassuming man with a common face, but the unwavering determination in his eyes was his signifying feature. "Sig," Arthur called him, prepare the horses outside. We must hurry back."
Sig nodded his head and immediately did as he was told – the respect for Captain Arthur clear from his obedience.
It was only the youngest guard and Arthur now. Arthur turned to him and said, "Christian, this is important so I want you to listen carefully. I will ride ahead and inform the rest of the guards of Queen Elsa and Princess Anna's return. I am positive our men are struggling as we speak and will welcome the news of hearing the Queen and Princess are okay. I must return as soon as I can to aid them in battle. Therefore, I have a very important task for you, Christian."
Elsa surveyed the placid expression on Christian's face as he listened to Arthur and wondered what he must be thinking. The quietest people always had the most interesting thoughts.
"I trust you to do everything in your power to protect the Queen and the Princess as you make the journey back to Arendelle. Sig will be with you, so although you are… still recovering, Sig will help you if, God forbid, anything happens." Arthur had his hands atop Christian's shoulders as he spoke to the young man. He sighed, and patted Christian's shoulders, "I trust you with this duty, my son."
Son? Elsa thought as she looked at Christian and Arthur. Of course, she should have noticed the resemblance. The two were nearly identical, except for their ages of course. Christian's eyes softened somewhat from his father's words, but he didn't speak – he only nodded his head in acknowledgment.
Arthur bowed before Elsa and Anna and wished Christian luck. When he stood back up, Elsa realized that Arthur always had one hand gripped on the handle of his sword ever since she first laid eyes on him. Most likely out of habit. He turned his back away from his son, but gave him one last fleeting glance before he walked out of the building.
Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Oaken stood in the room without anyone saying a word to each other. Marshmallow was still peeking in with Sven and only moved his face away from the door when Arthur and Sig needed to exit.
Christian had his hands behind his back and stood like a perfect soldier long after his father disappeared from his sight. He eventually looked at Elsa and Anna. His expressive eyes followed the path where Anna had her fingers laced with Elsa's and he shut his eyes as if he were preparing to sleep.
Anna looked at the silent man with curious eyes. She slinked past Elsa to make her way towards him.
"H-hey, Anna, what are you doing?" Elsa said, as she unsuccessfully tried to pull Anna back.
Anna turned around to say, "I just want to know what's up with this guy." Anna stood in front of Christian and was significantly shorter than him. Her face was up to his chest, but she looked up at him as if he wasn't intimidatingly taller. "Christian, you know about us, right? You saw us that day of the explosion, didn't you?"
Elsa gnashed her teeth as Christian looked calmly down at Anna. Anna's audacity would be the death of her someday.
Christian slowly nodded yes to Anna's question.
"Why don't you talk?" Anna outright asked as she placed her hands on her hips. "Do you have a cold or something?"
Christian nodded no. He then titled his neck back to reveal a deep scar which extended from one ear to the other.
Anna's eyes widened at the sight and Elsa was stunned from the revelation. He couldn't speak.
Christian dropped his head and smiled sadly at the two girls. He then walked over to the fogged window to write a message. 'You are in danger.'
Crap. Elsa instantly thought at the sight of such a grim message.