Chapter 23
A/N: Thank you all for your monk-like patience with my slow updates. Much appreciated fellow readers.
'You are in danger.'
The phrase was a simple one, but its impact was enough to cause the ground to crumble beneath Elsa's already shaky footing on earth… and sanity. She was sure she now knew what people meant when they go through an out-of-body experience. There was simply no other way of explaining how extremely untethered her soul felt from her body as she continued to stare dumbly at the phrase which would impact her world more than she ever thought four words could ever manage.
It appeared, no matter how many times she passed her eyes over those simple words, they refused to fade away, as if the meaning behind the sentence had enough power to forever mar poor Oaken's window pane.
A minute or possibly less slowly ticked by as time appeared to come to an agonizingly slow grind. Eventually (what felt like three lifetimes to Elsa) the message dissipated one word at a time until only 'danger' was left. So conveniently ominous. Since when did my life turn into a cheesy thriller movie? Elsa couldn't help but want to give in to a fit of giggles. Was it an appropriate time to laugh at the fact her life was in danger? No, of course not, but for her personally, she was getting used to her life teetering on the threshold of termination. Although, when it came to Anna's life it was no laughing matter to Elsa at all. No, Elsa couldn't fathom Anna no longer existing amongst this world – it was simply a thought Elsa was unable to compute with her brain. To her, Anna is immortal – immune to death's cursed inevitability. At least, it made her feel better to think so.
But there it was, one lone stubborn word which refused to disappear. 'Danger' stared back at Elsa – mocking her, laughing at her powerless position to do nothing but stare back in fear. She was exhausted. Completely devoid of energy. She wondered: When is this night going to end? When can I just go back home and sleep in my warm bed—hell, maybe, even Anna's bed, and just be happy for a day. Even an hour would do.
As her thoughts drifted onto Anna, she instinctively turned her attention to the one whose existence had always been her reason to endure living in such a chaotic world.
Elsa focused on the lights reflected in Anna's eyes and wondered when was the last time she had a normal conversation with her – an average, run-of-the-mill, heart-to-heart talk? It's been so long, I can't even remember. Elsa concluded, and continued to stare at Anna's face, focusing on one feature at a time as if trying to ingrain her image in her mind forever. Elsa didn't know why she was even thinking of such a thing. We'll sit down and have a nice, long talk as soon as all this crud is over. For sure, we'll find time to talk with each other for many hours to come in the future. Elsa prayed in her head: Please let me have enough dumb luck left to help me out of yet another situation.
Anna caught Elsa staring, and for a moment Elsa could see fear reflected in Anna's light eyes. The fear transformed into one of longing sadness as Anna looked into Elsa's eyes. Elsa held Anna's gaze, unable to tear her eyes away from the only person in the world she knew she wouldn't hesitate to give everything – her life – for. They only had each other, and that fact didn't scare Elsa, but instead, empowered her.
"I really had no idea when I picked you two up, I'd be caught in a web of never-ending drama," Kristoff spoke, for the first time in what felt like ages, and breaking the unspoken moment between her and Anna. "Really, I try to do something nice for people once, and this is what I get. Stuck in Oaken's trading post, which, I might add, doesn't even have any carrots in stock for Sven."
Everything was happening so quickly Elsa had almost forgotten Kristoff was in the room along with Oaken. She watched as Kristoff swiveled his head left and right to check their surroundings, as if he expected a band of ninjas to pop out from behind the one shelf in the store.
Oaken had dropped the bowl he was polishing and instead was staring at the group who had brought nothing but trouble to his little post since they arrived. He especially focused his eyes on Elsa as if she was a mega-conduit for bad luck and trouble. Maybe I am. I'm starting to think so myself. Elsa thought, and folded her arms across her stomach. She was feeling nauseated by all the suspense and wished Christian would just spill the beans already. Let me guess, someone else wants me dead. What is it, Christian? Things cannot possibly get any worse… or weirder.
"I do have carrots! They're behind the counter!" Oaken suddenly shouted as he slammed his bowl on the desk. As expected, glass bowl and hard force did not mix, and the bowl shattered into pieces. "Ah! Now look what you made me do!" Oaken cried, and pointed an accusatory finger at Kristoff. "You break it, you bought it."
"What? You broke it!" Kristoff replied, stomping over to Oaken.
Even though Kristoff and Oaken's argument was no doubt amusing as all hell, Elsa couldn't focus her attention on anything else but Christian.
Christian's slow and steady breaths had fogged the glass and covered the last word of his message. He stood facing the window, staring out into the darkness – his focus dwelling upon a threat Anna and Elsa was unaware of. He had his left index finger on the fogged glass as if debating whether to continue exposing what he harbored in his mind. His broad shoulders stooped low for a moment in a sad and defeated manner, but he quickly resumed his military-like posture as if mentally scolding himself.
"Christian." Elsa whispered, the young guard's name. "You want to tell us something more, but… something is holding you back isn't it?"
Christian's shoulders stiffened, but he answered with a slow nod of agreement. His finger was pressed firmly against the cold glass, but remained frozen in its spot. Elsa could not take her eyes off of that finger. Who knew a few swivels of skin against fogged glass had the potential to open a whole new world of troubles for her?
"What is it, Christian?" Anna joined in. "Please," she said, in a hushed whisper. "Tell us." Anna was holding Elsa's hand and clasped it tightly despite how sweaty Elsa's palm had become. God. How embarrassing. Elsa thought, even though she knew Anna couldn't care less if her hands were sweaty. Elsa couldn't help it. Her heart was beating madly as she felt both fear and adrenaline pounding through her veins. The phrase: So nervous my heart feels like its beating in my throat, could not fit more perfectly in Elsa's current predicament. She felt faint, light-headed, and once again wished she could be back home in her bed. Safe. Blissfully ignorant to the madness in this world.
Christian turned around to face them, and in his eyes was a conflicted look unmistakably familiar to Elsa – a look she'd seen too many times in her own mirror. His fingers were slender like those of a gifted pianist as he balled them up until only his left index finger was raised. He held it to his lips to signify for them to be quiet.
Elsa watched intently as Christian darted his eyes towards the door. Elsa followed his gaze and waited. Sig, the third guard walked through as if on cue and said, "Pardon me, but if you are ready, shall we head out, Queen Elsa? Princess Anna?"
Elsa looked back into Christian's eyes and saw his pupils dilate. He was looking at Sig with a sideways gaze, clearly uncomfortable in his presence.
"My Queen?" Sig spoke, his voice strangely pleasant for a man with a rough-looking demeanor. "Are you ready to begin our return to Arendelle? Permit me for saying so, but we really must make haste."
Elsa snuck a glance at Christian. She was unsure of what to do or say next because it was clear that Christian was being cautious around Sig. Elsa could vaguely see Christian move his lips subtly to form the word yes.
"Y-yes," Elsa nervously replied, trying her best to maintain her composure in a situation she was still not completely understanding.
Sig nodded his head in acknowledgment and looked at Christian, but Christian was avoiding his eyes entirely. "Christian, if you could please escort the Queen and Princess to the horses outside. We really must hurry."
Christian simply nodded and held out his arm in an 'after you' gesture to Elsa and Anna. He was looking at the two girls with extremely sad eyes.
Elsa wished she could read his mind. Clearly, there was something more he wanted to tell them.
"Please, give us a moment to say goodbye first," Anna said, to the two guards.
"Okay, but please, do not take too long," Sig said, and didn't go back outside. Instead, he stood in place and waited.
Anna turned to Kristoff and Oaken who were unware of their surroundings and still squabbling about the broken bowl.
When Oaken noticed Anna approaching them he stopped midway between calling Kristoff a dumb blonde and smiled at Anna as if he wasn't just in a heated argument.
"Thank you for everything. Both of you," Anna said, and turned to Kristoff also.
Kristoff blushed, clearly not used to compliments. "It's no problem. I—"
"Feel free to come back anytime!" Oaken butted in, and moved around the counter to pull Elsa and Anna into a huge bear hug.
Elsa was caught off guard and her ribs and lungs were nearly crushed by Oaken's surprising strength. She was face to face with Anna as Oaken hugged them and Anna seemed fine in Oaken's embrace.
Elsa had a feeling he was hugging her especially tight on purpose for all the trouble she caused in his store. Anna was giggling and reciprocated Oaken's hug while Elsa could barely even get a mouthful of air into her lungs. Need. Air. Now.
Thankfully, Oaken released them before Elsa passed out from lack of oxygen. His eyelashes sparkled from the tears forming in his eyes. He wiped away a falling tear and whimpered, "I'm sorry. I hate goodbyes. Please, do be safe you two and good luck." Oaken couldn't hold it in anymore as his bottom lip quivered dramatically. He turned to run to the sauna room as he openly bawled.
Jeez, we were only here for an hour or two. Elsa thought, as she watched Oaken run funnily to the sauna room. But she couldn't help but already miss the big lug. He was like the bizarre uncle they never had.
Kristoff only sighed at Oaken's dramatic departure. He gave Elsa a small smile as he said, "Like that weirdo said, be careful. If you ever need anything…" Kristoff struggled to finish his sentence – new to such human attachment.
Elsa sensed this and said, "Thank you, Kristoff. It really was because of you Anna is okay." Elsa hated to admit it, but if Kristoff hadn't showed up when he had, Anna might have frozen to death.
"Hey, it was actually kind of fun seeing huge snow monsters and being hit on by some guy named Hans all in one night," Kristoff replied, and shivered as he remembered the way Hans eyeballed him. He then gave Elsa and Anna each a pat on their shoulders, afraid to do anything more.
Anna wasn't shy to pull him into a brief hug as she said, "Thank you for being there for Elsa when she was alone. I know I never had a chance to get to know you better, but I have a strange feeling we'd be quite a duo if we ever did hang out."
"No doubt," Kristoff said, and smiled shyly. "I guess this is goodbye, you two."
Elsa gave him an appreciative smile and a wave.
"Goodbye, Christopher," Anna said, and waved also.
"It's Kristoff."
Anna giggled. "I know, just joking, Kristoff."
Kristoff smiled and shook his head amusedly.
"If we're all done flirting, I'd really like to go save my kingdom now," Elsa chimed in.
Kristoff immediately raised his hands in front of himself and said, "F-flirting? Who's flirting?"
Elsa gave him an unamused look, but Anna distracted her with a kiss on the cheek. She whispered in her ear, "No need to get jealous, My Queen. You know, I only have eyes for you."
Elsa blushed as Anna winked at her while Kristoff remained completely clueless to the whole thing.
Jeez, Anna. This is no time to play with my emotions. I'm already riding a rollercoaster of hell. Elsa looked at Christian who was trying to pretend he wasn't watching. Sig was waiting for them at the door with an unreadable expression.
"Alright, we're ready," Elsa announced.
They waved one more time to Kristoff who, despite trying his best to hide it, sadly watched as they walked out. Oaken tearfully waved goodbye from the sauna room – his crying muffled behind the door. The last thing Elsa saw Oaken do was blow his nose with his cap.
Christian followed behind them as Elsa and Anna headed outside. Sig was staring at him and made sure Elsa and Anna were out of earshot before he whispered in Christian's ear. "Everything is going as planned. You remember what we need to do next, correct?"
Christian cringed as Sig's breath fell upon his earlobe. Christian nodded hesitantly at Sig's question while he forlornly watched Elsa and Anna walking hand-in-hand – illuminated by only the pale moonlight. To him, they looked like two actresses upon a stage. He could only hope the play they were a part of didn't have a tragic ending.
Elsa turned around and their eyes met. Christian stared into eyes way beyond their years, and his heart ached from the sadness in them. He promised himself he would do his best to play his part well in creating the happy ending Elsa and Anna deserved.