It was a beautiful summer day in Arendelle, a day for the beach.

Irvin and his wife Lilja sat across from each other, a small folding table in front of them, with a chessboard on top. Their young son Finn swam and splashed in the water, not far from them.

"Check," said Lilja, moving her bishop directly across to be in the king's path. Irvin smiled.

"Sharp," he said. "That's why I married you."

"Sweet-talking me won't make me have mercy on you," she playfully snapped back.

Irvin moved his king out of harm's way. Lilja advanced with her knight.

"Check."

Irvin frowned, moving the king back one more space. Lilja moved a pawn forward two spaces.

"Check."

He moved his king to the left, then Lilja shifted the knight up and to the right.

"Check."

Irvin could only move his king forward a space. His wife's small smile broke into a grin as she moved her bishop right for the final time. Irvin groaned, now seeing the obvious trap he had fallen into.

"I could never beat you at this game."

"Checkmate."

Finn splashed excitedly; he picked something up out of the shallow water.

"Mama, Papa, look! I found an octopus!" The boy ran towards his parents, holding a bundle of tentacles in his arms.

"He just walked right up to me!"

They turned to look at their son.

"An octo-OH MY GOD!"

Stacks of books surrounded the two sisters. Even when she was rummaging around, Elsa's standard of orderliness did not leave her. It was something that was beginning to rub off on Anna; her own books were stacked up just like her sister's (perhaps not quite as neatly).

Anna looked at the queen, noting her tired eyes and disheveled hair. She cleared her throat.

"Elsa...did you sleep well last night?"

Elsa stopped. She didn't want to be reminded of the encounter the night before, or the strange visitor.

"I didn't sleep at all. I stayed up all night, for some reason I had the urge to draw..."

"I...really? I never figured you for the artsy type. Well, aside from the ice castle..."

"Neither did I."

Elsa drew out the paper from her pocket, unfolding it and showing it to Anna.

It was a highly-detailed depiction of a group of ancient Egyptians, bowing to their god. With its blank worm-like head, oval-shaped mouth, razor teeth, skeletal torso and arms, sharp taloned hands, and its three spindly legs, it did not resemble any deity from any religion that the two sisters knew of.

"What an ugly thing."

Realizing what she had just said, Anna softened the blow.

"Well I mean you drew it good, you can draw, it's fine, it's just...the thing they're looking at, it doesn't look very, um...cute."

Elsa sighed, not even glancing at the drawing before she folded it up and slid it back in her pocket.

"I don't know why I even made it. Something just...came over me."

"Well, it's pretty in-depth. Did that take you all night?"

"It only took me about an hour."

Anna paused. "Oh...well, maybe you should make art more often then. You seem to have the knack for it."

She looked around at their books, and saw a chance to change the subject.

"So...what are we even looking for, anyway?"

"I don't know," Elsa sighed again. She wanted to tell Anna about the odd individual who had appeared, but for some reason, she felt it was best kept to herself.

Before their focus could return to the bookshelf, Kai strode through the library doors, an envelope and folded piece of paper in his hand.

"Your Majesty, I have two messages for you. Some bad news, and some...erm, worse news."

"Can't it wait, Kai?"

"One of these was hand-delievered via boat this morning, my queen. The courier on the ship said it was rather urgent, and that it be delivered to you as soon as possible."

"And...the other message?"

"Delivered down from the beach, just some minutes ago."

The servant held out the two letters.

"Which is the worse news?"

Kai hesitated, searching for the right words. "I'm not sure. That may be up to you to decide..."

He forced a cough. "Is there anything else you require, ma'am?"

"No, that will be all. Thank you, Kai."

Kai bowed and made his exit. Anna looked over Elsa's shoulder as she unfolded the paper.

"What could have happened?"

The sisters each read to themselves from the hastily-written message.

Your Majesty,

Something has happened down at the beach. Please come as quickly as you can.

-Iver

"Iver? Isn't he one of your guards? What could he want?"

"I won't know until I head there. But you don't have to bother yourself with this sort of thing, Anna. It's my responsibility."

Anna wanted to protest, but she held her tongue. "Okay..."

"Just stay here and look through the rest of these books. Set aside anything that looks suspicious to you."

"Got it."

Elsa rang the small bell nearby. She didn't even set it down before Kai opened the doors once more.

"Your Majesty?"

"Have the carriage prepared, at once."

The opened envelope sat on the seat beside Elsa. She had opened it with extreme curiosity after seeing that the wax seal bore the emblem of the Southern Isles. Unlike the short note she read earlier, the handwriting she was seeing now was neat and deliberate.

To Her Majesty Queen Elsa of Arendelle,

I am paying a visit to your fair kingdom soon. Expect me in a week, give or take a day. I am not taking "no" for an answer in this matter. I have terrifying news to report to you, and I would tell you in this very letter, but I cannot risk this message being intercepted. You will understand once I reveal it to you.

Regards,

His Majesty King Klaus of the Southern Isles

Elsa had not yet even sent her own letters from the day before. There was no way the king could have received her message about Weselton. But there was no time to ponder it; the carriage came to a stop just before it met the beginning of the sandy shore.

The guard held the door open for his queen, and she stepped out.

"Just wait here in the carriage. I'll be fine." The guard nodded.

Elsa continued down to near the water, where another guard, Iver, waited.

"Your Majesty," he said, greeting her. "I normally would never dream of asking you to come down here personally, I know you're very busy, but-"

He indicated the grisly scene with an open hand.

"...I knew this would be something you would concern yourself with, anyway."

Elsa's mood darkened as she looked around at the sand and rocks, a few cleaners doing their best to remove the stains of blood and bits of viscera from them. It grew even darker when she saw the three bodies covered in sheets; two adults, and beside them, one child.

"...a family?"

"Yes...I was heading down here during my break, when I heard screaming. I ran towards the commotion, but all I find are these three, in pieces, strewn across the beach. I only had time to run back to my post and send my message off to you, then come back here with a clean-up crew. I've been standing guard here since then, making sure no one stumbles on this."

Elsa walked over to the sheets, kneeling down and moving the two aside from the adults to look at their faces. She did not even touch the shroud covering the smallest body.

"Poor bastards," Iver said, shaking his head.

"Don't call them that."

He saw Elsa look up at him, a sudden expression of anger on her face.

"These people had their own hopes and dreams. They probably have family, friends."

Elsa forced her voice to be steady.

Iver, taken back by his queen's reply, was quick to try and redeem his careless words.

"My deepest apologies, your Majesty. It was...just an expression. I meant no offense."

Elsa breathed, composing herself.

"It's fine...I don't know how the citizens are going to handle the news," she admitted.

"We...could keep this under wraps, couldn't we?"

"No. The people have a right to know what goes on in this kingdom. I'm not keeping secrets from them anymore."

Elsa paused as she remembered the secret of her own powers, kept hidden from everyone for all those years.

"...no more secrets, ever again."

Iver was silent, carefully choosing his next words.

"Then...what will you have us do?"

"Find their families, tell them what happened. Tell them that the funerals will be paid for. And...tell them...I'm sorry I couldn't protect them."

"Of course. I will see to it."

The guard shook his head again, looking down at the sheets.

"What could have done this?"

"I have no idea, Iver. But I'm going to find out."

She stood up.

"This beach is closed to the public. Once everything is cleaned, I want guards here in shifts, every day, every night. No one else is allowed here until we find out what caused this. Do you understand?"

Iver nodded. "Perfectly, ma'am."

Elsa headed up the sandy hill, back to her carriage. Along the way, she was startled when she saw a black tabby cat, perched on top of a rock. Its yellow eyes, with their slit-like pupils, stared down at her.

"Meow."

On the way back to the castle, Elsa sensed as though the feline was still looking at her, its eyes boring right through walls of the carriage.

"Ouch!"

Anna stumbled off the small stepladder, falling and landing face-down on the carpeted floor.

"Anna! Are you okay?"

Having just entered the room, Kristoff saw Anna lying near the bookcase, the stepladder pushed away from her and upside-down.

"I'm fine. Just a bruise, I think...yep," declared Anna, seeing the mark on her left arm.

"Phew. You had me worried for a second."

Kristoff looked around the room. "What were you even doing in here, anyway?"

"Just on a little mission for Elsa. She wanted me to look in this bookshelf and find anything 'suspicious'."

"Well that doesn't really help much, does it?"

He scratched his head.

"Anyway, Anna, there was something I've been meaning to ask you since yesterday..."

"What is it?"

He couldn't help but grin.

"Um...well.."

He reached into his pocket, but Anna interrupted him.

"Wait a minute, Kristoff...do you feel that?"

Kristoff stopped. "Feel what?"

"A draft." Anna looked down at her foot, right near the thin space underneath the bookshelf. Her eyes widened in realization.

"Kristoff, help me move this thing."

"Wait, what?"

"You heard me."

She had already moved to the side of the shelf, pushing against it with all her strength.

"Come...on!" she grunted.

Kristoff sighed, and moved to help her. Soon enough, they managed to roughly shove the large shelf aside, revealing a short hallway. Its floor, walls, and ceiling were made up of dull stone bricks, contrasting with the brighter features of the library. At the end of it there was a dusty, wooden door, a large padlock holding it shut.

Anna moved up to the door, holding the padlock up in her hands and looking into its keyhole.

"This looks old...how long has this been here?"

Kristoff shrugged. "Probably just an old broom closet or something."

"No, I don't think so. But I'm curious now. I wonder if the key to this thing is still lying around somewhere..."

The doors leading into the library opened. The two turned around to see the queen of Arendelle entering the room.

"Elsa! Right on time!"

"What did you f-"

She saw the bookshelf that had been pushed aside, and the short hallway that was subsequently exposed; her question had already been answered.

"And I found it all by myself," Anna said proudly.

"Ahem."

Anna lightly slapped her boyfriend's shoulder.

"With a bit of help from Kristoff, of course."

Elsa walked past them and up to the door, noticing the padlock over it.

"Well, I'll leave you two to it."

Kristoff began to walk off.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"Oaken's Trading Post. I'm gonna need some extra rope for the ice haul tomorrow. Maybe I'll even go in the sauna for a bit."

"Can you take Olaf with you?" Elsa abruptly asked, not looking up.

"...uh, well yeah, sure."

"Thank you."

"Have fun!" Anna waved after him, but then stopped, realizing she had forgot something.

"Wait. Kristoff, wait!"

She caught him before he could exit.

"What did you want to tell me?"

Kristoff paused, weighing the decision in his mind.

"...some other time. Go help your sister out."

With that, he kissed her on the cheek and stepped out.

Anna rubbed her face gently and sighed, then made her way back over to the queen.

"Why did you want Olaf to go with him?"

"I have a lot on my plate right now, Anna. I...don't want to have to tell Olaf that his only brother is gone. I want him to be happy...at least for a little while longer."

Anna knew it was best not to continue with the topic. She looked at the padlock that Elsa was still examining.

"Maybe we can ask Kai if he knows where the key might b-"

The lock froze solid, then Elsa grabbed hold of it. It snapped off the door with ease.

"...or you could just do that."

Elsa put a hand on the doorknob, but hesitated. She suddenly felt on edge, as though she wasn't supposed to be there.

Slowly she turned the knob. The hinges loudly protested with a loud and steady creak as it opened.

The sun had set, and the mountain was now dark. The only source of light was coming from within the cabin, dimly illuminating the two small wooden signs that read "WANDERING OAKEN'S TRADING POST AND SAUNA".

Sven stopped just outside the cabin, the sled coming to a halt. Kristoff let go of the reins and hopped out of his seat.

"Think you two will be good out here for a bit?"

The reindeer nodded, Olaf following suit.

"We'll be just fine, Kristoff. I'll pass the time by singing whatever pops into my head."

Kristoff was amused.

"Good. Don't go away, I'll be out soon."

He patted Sven's snout, then went up the few stone steps, pushed on the door handle, and went in.

"Hoo-hoo, special sale on lutefisk today...oh, it is you. 'Vat can I do for you?"

"Just some rope today, Oaken. 15 feet, to be exact."

"Very vell, zat vill be 8."

Oaken held out his hand, demanding payment. Kristoff dug around in his coat and found a small pile of coins. Counting out the right amount, he let them drop into Oaken's hand.

"And what about the sauna? How much?"

Oaken smiled, almost crookedly.

"...zat is free. Vould you like to use it? It is empty at ze moment."

Kristoff smiled back.

"Great, thanks Oaken. I'll just be in for a few minutes."

He walked over to the sauna door and pulled it open, entering.

Kristoff felt like he had just walked into a wall of pure heat, the sudden change in temperature making him begin to sweat almost immediately. He removed his shirt and sat down on a bench, then closed his eyes and relaxed against the wall.

If his eyes were open, he may have seen, through the door's glass window, Oaken move aside a panel in the wall. He would have also seen him pull down a lever, activating the trap door underneath Kristoff's feet.

But by the time he fell down through the hole, it was already too late.

A tiny vault was the only thing that was in the room.

"Another lock," said Anna.

"Another destroyed lock, you mean."

Elsa froze the entire vault solid, picked it up, and let it fall down to the stone floor. Its brittle frame cracked open, revealing its content: a single book. The sisters peered down at it for a second, before Elsa decided to pick it up.

It was of average size, not very thick, but not very thin either; bound with a rough, leathery cover, it was held tight with a single metal clasp. Elsa unlatched the clasp and flipped quickly through its yellowed pages.

Anna was about to speak up, but Elsa's eyes widened as she dropped the book.

"What is it?"

Elsa did not answer, her gaze instead affixed to where the book lay.

"...Elsa?"

"Anna...thank you for your help today."

Elsa picked up the book once more, but this time she held it away from herself, as if it were a dead animal. Anna watched her exit the small room, and followed her back out to the main library.

"Elsa?" she repeated.

"I'll talk to you later," said the queen. She exited the library, leaving Anna standing there by herself.

"Sitting outside in the trees, listening to the breeze," Olaf sang quietly. "My arms are sticks, my nose is orange...hey Sven, what rhymes with orange?"

The reindeer could only grunt back.

Olaf continued to hum to himself, until Sven's ears perked up. He sniffed the air and growled.

"What is it Sven? Do you smell something?"

A large shadow fell over the area as they both turned around and saw the mass of tendrils and eyes, hovering closely by.

"That's a funny-looking thing. Hi, I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs!"

The snowman jumped out of the sled and happily ran towards the thing, his twig arms wide open, offering a hug.

Sven's animal instincts screamed at him to run, but he stood rooted to the spot, frozen with terror.

Kristoff awoke with a sharp pain in his head. He felt a small trickle of blood coming down from his left temple; the fall had knocked him unconscious.

He squinted, trying to take in his new surroundings. From the light of the single nearby torch on the wall, Kristoff could see that he was in a large, stone room of some kind. He moved to get back to his feet, but found that he could not. His arms were chained to the wall, and his legs were shackled to the floor.

Kristoff looked around to see skeletons, similarly bound, all around him. Bones were strewn about the ground, the torch casting a dim orange light over them.

"You're finally awake."

On his right, a small panel on the dungeon's metal door opened. Peering back at him through the bars was the face of Oaken, wearing a smug expression.

"Oaken, what the hell are you playing at?!"

Oaken's smugness disappeared.

"Don't think about it too hard, you Sami bastard. Just lie back and accept what's coming."

Oaken's voice had changed: he had replaced his foppish accent with his genuine tone, a deep, harsh sound.

Kristoff struggled against his bonds, the chain links clanking against each other.

"The queen and the princess know where I am, you know. If you don't let me go-"

"That's all right. My friend could use the extra nourishment."

Kristoff stopped.

"Your...friend?"

Six tentacles slithered out of the darkness, grabbing hold of a few skulls on the ground and withdrawing them. Then, loud crunching could be heard as the thing (whatever it was) feasted on its small meal.

"That's just the appetizer. You're the main course."

"How long have you been doing this?!"

The shopkeeper chuckled.

"Well since you're going to die, anyway...I've been taking care of it for a little over a year. It's pretty funny...when you called me a crook...you were right."

He burst out laughing, then shut the door panel and walked off.

"Oaken!"

Kristoff's angry shout reverberated around the room, but Oaken had already left. He looked back at the thing in the corner, obscured by the darkness, still crunching away on its bony dinner. While it ate, he thought he heard the thing begin to talk.

It was a single phrase, uttered over and over in an inhuman half-whisper.

"Tekeli-li. Tekeli-li. Tekeli-li. Tekeli-li. Tekeli-li."

Kristoff gulped.