Disclaimer – I do not own Frozen or any of the characters belonging to Disney.

Kingdom of Shards

Chapter 3 – What Lies Beneath

"Anna! Wait, you know I can't keep up!" Elsa called back from behind. But Anna raced forward grinning to herself as she flew by closely followed by a guard captain and Eugene who had Rapunzel wrapping her arms around her prince tightly. Elsa sighed and tried to kick her stirrups in once more to urge Fable forward but instead her horse reared his head in protest and cantered over to a patch of grass he obviously thought was appetizing enough to ignore her.

"Fine, go eat." Elsa muttered and graciously hopped down from her saddle and led her mount to the side of the trail. Followed closely by a guard she let her horse rest and catch his breath. Whilst giving her a moment to find her own, with the newly open gates Anna's favourite pastime had fast become dragging Elsa out of the palace at every presentable opportunity, so long as she was not buried under paperwork or encumbered with meetings. Today was Wednesday and this meant horse riding and exploring the expansive grounds behind Arendelle and if she was figuring out Anna correctly this excursion would closely be followed by a picnic by a lake she had found.

"Your majesty should not linger too long in these woods, we are coming out farther and further each time." Her guard said still saddled his eyes scanning the nearby area. Elsa tried her best to ignore the warning, she could take care herself just fine and Anna was perfectly safe with Absjorn.

"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't safe William. These grounds are patrolled regularly enough; I made Bjorn send two scouting parties this morning just to be sure." Elsa replied patting Fable and stroking his mane, but she noticed the anxiety cast on William's face "Is there something bothering you?"

"No ma'am." He sat a little straighter "I have just been hearing stories lately your majesty; there is talk of strange creatures abroad, lurking in dark places."

"There are always dark creatures hiding in dark places Willem." Elsa said dismissively "It is the reason why we ride during the day." The queen saddled up once more and fed Fable an apple from one of her bags. "And if not, well, that is why you are here isn't it?" she teased.

"Yes ma'am." Willem nodded, his young face hidden beneath his helm. He gripped his reigns tighter and followed the Queen onward towards the rest of the party.

It did not take long for her to catch up with the others; Eugene sat looking sternly at Anna and Rapunzel who were not for the first time in fits of laughter.

"Is there something funny?" Elsa asked as she came toward them.

"Me apparently."

"You had it coming." The brunette in his lap rolled her eyes.

"You are supposed to be on my side Zel." Eugene pouted as Anna cackled even harder.

Elsa's face remained motionless as her gaze fell upon her sister, who could barely contain her amusement her face was scrunched and she had to hold her mouth with one hand as she bent low over her horse. "Do I even want to know?" Elsa asked shaking her head.

Anna opened one eye sheepishly and quickly shook her head.

"You were making fun of his name again weren't you?" Elsa said sternly "You should try just going by Gene, and Anna do I need to remind you of that time I accidently called Gerda 'Nanna' and you laughed so hard you snorted milk all over yourself and ruined your favourite dress?" Nearly every one stifled a chuckle including Willem and Bjorn but they quickly coughed to cover their amusement as a fire sparked in Anna's eyes.

Before she could counter Elsa, Fable had already begun to walk further down the path. Eugene smirked at Anna and fell in line with the others and conversation began to flow again. As the afternoon pressed onwards they ate in a clearing the horses content with grazing in the shade. Anna was captivated by one of Bjorn's exaggerated stories of heroism against a rabid griffin that had fallen from its nest and Eugene lay asleep by a tree.

"Okay so what is this one called?" Rapunzel asked pointing her eyes bright with curiosity with Elsa by her side looking up at Willem. They were circling a tree, Willem said it was important to know the land so he had taken care to explain every detail of the wild plants that did not grow in the palace gardens, he could tell you what family they belonged to which flowers had special properties and by lore what they represented.

Elsa already knew it as Picea Abies , native to the north and west of their continent and could grow up to 180 feet tall. It was nostalgic of her childhood lessons. She just wanted to walk in the fresh air. While the two were distracted with a rather gnarled ash tree she turned away seamlessly and began walking on a trail uphill.

Elsa stepped into the woods delving aimlessly, her hands grazed the alpine trees as she went, their bark was rough and they towered above her no longer weighed down by the snow she had summoned a the weeks prior, instead warm sunlight tried to fight its way through the canopy casting scattered rays of upon her.

She continued her path upward into the hills. The trees growing thicker cause the air to dim and dampen, the ground became uneven less flowers grew in the undergrowth instead roots knotted running like veins across the ground rose up trying to grasp at her feet and she had to watch her steps as to not stumble over them.

She heard the cracking sound of broken branches behind her. Elsa turned her head to see what was behind her but was only met by the empty forest. She put it down to paranoia but walked further with cautious steps and wary eyes, she knew what she was doing was wrong going so far out alone, the others were probably wondering where she had gone off to.

The wind blew strongly and suddenly and rustled the leaves, making the trees shiver and groan, lashing her loose hair until it faded. As she moved the hair from across her face back she saw something in front of her for a second, a light movement that was lithe and unnatural, and as quickly as it had come into view it was gone. She quickened her pace, moving forward in that direction. She couldn't decide if she was foolish or curious, perhaps too much of both for all the sense she had.

Her eyes scoured the maze in front of her, she could hear the more branches and leaves being crushed under weigh from behind her again, whipping her head from side to side, the young queen made her legs move faster, breaking into a run.

One of her feet caught itself under a sharp tangle of tangle of roots and she fell. With her face ungraciously hitting the floor, she heard the intake of a low shallow breath. She ignored the incision on her leg that was now slowly trickling with blood. She rose her head to look. Before her was a tree fallen over and behind it a wall of stone, at the base was a fracture large enough to enter. But as she gazed deep into that darkness a pair of eyes stared right back at her.

She was paralyzed, not with fear or shock. She imagined it was what it felt like to be under a spell, she wanted desperately to see what was inside that hollow, to whom or what those eyes belonged to. Yet she felt warned, to concede and turn back.

Slowly the eyes faded as unless it had been her imagination whatever was in there backed away slowly. As it did she managed to pick herself up from her fall. The blood from her cut already sticky and trickling freely. She followed her feet to the entrance of the hollow, her hands supporting her by resting on the rough walls, she made to step inside, but her eyes fell on the walls inside.

Elsa immediately stepped back in wonder and her senses came knocking back into her, her lungs filled with air that she had forgotten to breathe making her gasp. She took another step back in the knowledge what she was doing was beyond unwise. With one last look at the hollow she lifted her dress as to not drag it upon the ground and bolted away from the strange place.

By the time Elsa had returned to the clearing with her cluttered thoughts the others were resting letting their lunch settle, she immediately noticed the distinct lack of flaming red hair that belonged to her sister. Her eyes scanned the green setting once more to be sure that she hadn't missed her, that she wasn't just paranoid but as she came to the same conclusion that Anna really was not anywhere to be seen a sharp panic jolted through her.

"Anna?" She called, winning the attention of the others whose heads materialised with puzzled faces seeing that the queen had returned from her wandering. In her head all she could see were those flaming eyes from the hollow.

There was no reply, Bjorn's head span around as he too realised the princess was missing.

"Anna!" Elsa called once more even louder fighting to keep the worry out of her voice, an uneasy dread forming in the pit of her stomach.

Her head turned frantically in as many directions as she could think to look other than the way she had come, but her feet remained fixed to the ground.

With a soft thud behind her too hands clamped her waist and Elsa let out a shriek. Spinning in terror she laid eyes upon her younger sibling and her cheshire grin as laughter erupted from the others, Bjorn's loud bawling contending with the fit of giggles of Rapunzel and Anna.

"Anna! Don't ever do that."

"Calm down, I was just giving you a taste of your own medicine, it's not nice when people disappear on you is it?" Anna said smugly ignoring Elsa's wide eyed glare.

The princess had been waiting in the tree in anticipation for her return. Elsa noticed must have taken a few attempts by the dishevelled state of the green dress, there was grass stains and dirt patched all over it.

"You've ruined your dress." The queen stated, annoyed, picking out twigs and leaves from the red mess that was now Anna's hair.

"You are one to talk." Anna chimed pointedly, Elsa looked down at the tear in her own, luckily no trace of the cut was visible, she quickly fixed it up with a single hand motion. "I guess I'll just have another one made, can't all just wave out hands and by suitably covered up in such fashion."

"Tailors do cost money you know."

"And we are filthy rich so I fail to see your point." Anna replied nonchalantly. Elsa realised this was a battle she could not win, not with Anna's stubbornness. With a sigh she rubbed her eyes and began to walk away.

"Elsa wait a minute." Anna said her voice lowered as to not be overheard, becoming serious as she grabbed her sisters arm.

Elsa looked at the hand on her arm. "Anna.." She didn't really know what to say. It was an uneasy thing for both sisters' anxieties playing cat and mouse against each other constantly. It was obvious Elsa cared deeply; missing Anna's presence was the first thing she noticed as she came back. Instead she just clasped Anna's hand and pulled her towards the others who were trying their best not to look like they had been paying attention.

"I hear Bjorn says you showed an interest in practicing with a sword again, and you can't very well do that in a dress can you? So how about we have the tailor make you something a little more durable than fine silk dresses, especially if you insist on climbing more trees." Elsa said smiling at the surprised beam that that had taken over Anna's face.

"You mean that, he'll be so pleased!"

"Now show me this lake you've told me so much about."

"As my Queen demands." Anna made a small curtsey before practically skipping.

Anna led Elsa through a grove of willow trees; they had to sweep aside the curtain of green leaves as they climbed beneath the bowing branches that gently brushed against their hair and backs. Due to their close proximity to the mountains the water was clear and crystalline giving the shallow waters by the bank a rich emerald hue while the depths at the centre and further out darkened with distance. Sat upon the surface of the waters floating idly by were lilies and flower blossoms from the overhanging foliage.

Elsa stared in awe much to Anna's delight. The colours were intense and the sun flickering atop the calm waters making it shine and waver in tranquillity.

It escaped Elsa that she was not the only one who seemed to have lost themselves in the sight, why was there any need to move when everything seemed so perfect where she stood. She turned to Anna who had been carefully watching the expression on her face with a gentle and knowing smile.

I told you she mouthed, Elsa ducked her head and grinned. "Gentlemen would you please excuse us." Anna said in her faux formal voice, gesturing to Bjorn, Willem and Eugene to turn back around through the trees. Both Guard captains turned light a shade of red.

Eugene instead stepped in front of them confidently. "Well there is only one way forward." He said taking off his riding boots, his jacket and shirt. Elsa looked away before what followed, the image of his lean muscular body was not too displeasing but she knew it wasn't proper for her too see any more than she had done already, especially for a married man.

Rapunzel was next to lung forward from behind them already unlacing the back of her dress. Elsa stood surprised as the pink dress flew up into the air and landed on the ground. She could not help but stare at the long bare legs of her cousin, perfect creamy skin. She looked away once more as Anna laughed at their reaction and the eagerness of their extended family to dive in. Eugene had already submerging his wife playfully under the water and held her beneath the surface laughing as she struggled against him, finally getting free and splashing water at him whilst trying to escape his grasp.

She caught Anna's eye as she also began to remove her footwear.

"Could you help?" She asked topaz eyes looking up at her older sister, willing her to accept. Elsa froze.

It was the exact opposite of when she had asked her lace her dress up that one morning. And all those same thought she thought she had put to bed returned. She did her best not to let her fingers tremble, Anna had her back turned and was facing to the lake busy undoing her hair to notice.

She thanked the gods that it was over quickly, wanting to avert her eyes back to the lake. Yet Anna was slow to take off her actual dress. Her back was already slightly visible as she pulled her arms out of the sleeves revealing her freckled shoulders causing Elsa's eyes to widen further. She wondered how many were scattered across her chest and arms.

Then all at once it slipped off her: without protest the dress just fell to the ground. Exposing every curve of Anna's body, the queen had to bite down on her lip while trying not to draw blood. She felt vile, her head was in turmoil but she could not divert her gaze from the view of her sister, especially not when she was close enough to pick out the twigs tangled in the loose strands of flaming hair, to count every freckle from her neckline down to the small of her back.

"Well?" Anna said expectantly, turning to face Elsa whose head shot straight up to lock in eye contact making sure not to look down "Aren't you going to come swim with us?" She asked. Elsa swallowed hard an unable to say a word. "It's okay if you don't want to.."

Elsa shook her head, her thoughts turned to the gash on her leg, which would mean questions, then there was what happened to the fjords, and every time she lost control when bathing. "I do, I just …"

She felt a chill run up her spine like no cold she felt before. Forcefully gripping her, like a cold hand on her spine unwilling to release her. You're supposed to be strong for her. With all your power you still insist on being weak and frightened. When will you stop being so god damn afraid?

The voice was sharp and as feint as the wind. Like a ghost whispering angrily in the back of her head. Despite its bitterness it was right.

"Come on Elsa, the water is perfectly cool!" Rapunzel called out.

She nodded at Anna with a small smile. Anna turned to enter the waters with her hips swaying slightly in a manner that even Elsa hadn't noticed before. Elsa watched enthralled as the water clung to Anna's small clothes silently hating herself. The queen followed suit not bothering to undress, letting the ice of her gown she had conjured melt away, whilst not leaving the more intimate parts of herself exposed.

She swam almost without any motion, away from the others circling them. Not disturbing the waters, instead moving gently hidden beneath the surface like the monster she was. With her crown resting neatly in her hair as it fanned behind her, long, bright and silver. She watched the others as they leapt and laughed together unaware of what had befallen her.

Elsa barely said a word for the rest of the day fixated on the voice she had heard in her head. Wondering as to whether she was losing her mind. Her sense of self escaping her, she was grasping at loose threads that unwound the more she pulled. She wanted to say that whatever she was feeling she could fight it, but the more she tried the more she became enslaved instead. She was far from perfect, and she desperately wanted something normal for Anna and she to share, but Elsa was holding tightly onto the knowledge now that her love for her could be tainted as well. Whatever it was it was all she had to give, she didn't have the strength anymore to stay away from Anna no matter the reason, she could deny her nothing.

Evening encroached slowly, as they reached Arendelle exhausted the sun was already setting the Fjord ablaze in hues of red and orange. While the clouds turned purple aching for the sun as it fell behind the horizon.

The sound of the hooves on the cobbled streets clattered mixing in with the chatter of the royalties. Several Guards joined them at the gate increasing their number and security as they entered the city.

As they came down the main street that led to the palace they could faintly see a crowd gathering towards the end of the street. They were barely able to hear the murmur of their raised voices. It sounded angry, with torches lighting up the figures in the dimming light.

"I wonder what is going on." Rapunzel said quietly.

"Willem, ride ahead." Bjorn said.

"Wait." Elsa said warily her eyes on the large towering building were congregated. "Asbjorn, take the guards and please escort Rapunzel and Anna safely back to the palace, by the back gate. Stay out of sight. Eugene, Willem with me"

"As your will, your grace." Bjorn bowed his head and signalled for of the guards.

"Wait, I'm not leaving." Anna protested.

"Don't argue with me on this Anna." Elsa said adamantly.

"Come your highness, it no place for princesses to be out after dark." Bjorn soothed but his words fell deaf on Anna's persistence.

"Whatever it is I should be there too." Anna said.

"Take Rapunzel, Anna stay behind me." Eugene said, Rapunzel patted Maximus on the side and kissed her husband lightly whispering him to return to her soon. Bjorn led the others away down a side street into the blackness of the night.

The two sisters glared at each other for several moments. Neither wanting to bend to the other's will.

Elsa's jaw was locked as she tried not to grit her teeth. She was not angry with Anna, but with her, Anna showed no fear or regard for her safety. Elsa envied that a little, but loved her even more for it. She was infuriating even it meant being where she was needed. Right now Elsa needed her, both by her side and but more importantly to her safe, which was sadly not always going to be the same place. She clipped Fables flanks and rode forward.

As they grew closer they could see the crowd more clearly, it was a large number maybe under fifty in attendance, surrounding the stone steps of Church basin.

As Elsa feared she could now make out some of the words amongst the cries and cheers of the people, "heathen - witch - sin." At the top of the steps stood a wooden podium and a man robed in brown and crimson spoke to the crowd. His voice was harsh and raspy. He had a long bent nose and a mouth set into a sneer white stubble and greasy white hair the fell over his face on either side.

"Only the true Gods have the right to powers beyond that of mere man, your queen has made her bed with daemons, and they have in turn imparted stolen gifts that are as dark as they appear pure! She is a deceiver, I warn you your false queen - she is a vision of iniquity if she continues in her rule you will all suffer under her growing malice."

Anna could not believe what she was hearing; it concerned her to think that there were even people listening to this man.

As he saw the party of four accompanied by the city guards he immediately fell silent causing his audience to turn to see their monarch.

She did not look angry and fearful but approached them instead with a calm expression that could easily be mistaken for curiosity in the dark.

"Good evening." She said, many of the people bowed she noted however there were a few still that did so stiffly and those that did not at all. "Can I ask as to why you are gathered out so late in such a large number?"

Her politeness caught many of them off guard, as they shifted their weight and bent their heads down low like guilty children about to be scolded. It even took Anna by surprise.

"They're calling you a witch your grace." A young boy said out of the crowd, causing a ripple of unhappy murmurs.

Elsa smiled gently at the young boy despite herself. "I suppose in some ways I am."

Another set of murmurs escaped the mob.

"You do not deny it then." The robed man finally broke his silence.

"By definition, I am someone who was born with magic, I do not deny that. Academically I would argue there are many qualities of a witch I don't possess, being inherently evil for one, fornicating with daemons is reaching a little too far."

"This city reeks of your corruptions. Why else do you refuse to marry to do your duty."

Elsa signalled for Willem to stand down but he stepped down from his horse regardless.

"For the time being my duty is to my Kingdom and my family. But would you have me marry, give birth when there is a chance I could pass on my gifts? Because I do not think I could raise a child into a world where they are hunted and hated for something they could not control." Elsa responded. The man fell silent again unable to retort. "What is your name?" She raised her chin clearly addressing the robed man.

"Brother Sigmund." He snarled from underneath his curled lip.

"And is this your flock? You do not sound Aren ser. Nor is it a Sunday." She ignored the fact he did not address her properly. His eyes narrowed at her, unable the break the image of serenity and reason she was presenting. She wondered if she was actually a witch, was there any real difference between a witch, a sorceress or an enchantress? The way she calmed the crowd with her presence seemed almost unnatural to itself.

"It is the duty of every man of god to guide their own and reach out to those who are lost. Especially those following false idols."

"Now, are you talking about our old gods or me, brother Sigmund?"

His mouth formed a hard line as he glared.

"I have heard that are some that believe that I am some sort of divine, you should know I do not encourage such fantasies. I am just a woman."

"You are an abomination." He spat, several faceless members of the crowd cheered in agreement as the empty noise died out everyone's focus was on Elsa.

"I would choose your next words wisely." Anna warned. Elsa raised her hand, Anna's presence was the last thing she wanted to draw attention to.

"Everyone please return to your homes peacefully and quietly. This sermon is over." Elsa said turning to the crowd.

There were many unhappy voices, many seemed to walk a little fast not wishing to linger, while others still lagged behind watching the view from a distance. All but a few dispersed emptying the street of all except ten men; they too wore brown robes under heavy cloaks. She assumed then that these were the brothers of Sigmund.

Elsa turned to brother Sigmund who had not moved an inch.

"Now, you. Are you going to move along or do you wish to provoke me further. I see little point without an audience."

"Did you not get rid of them so they could not watch you silence me?" He goaded. Elsa got down from her horse. Willem and Eugene shared a glance.

"You would like that wouldn't you?" She said dangerously as she made her away up toward the steps "To make you a martyr and myself the villain."

She did not need to freeze brother Sigmund's feet to the ground, he held fast as she looked up to him, yet if felt strangely as though she was the one bearing down on him.

"I am very aware of the church's stance against my rule. Of how unholy you think I am. You seem all too eager to provoke me. Just understand if you continue on this path of sedition, and agitating my people I will have no choice but to arrest you." Anna had never seen Elsa angry before, she could only watch from a distance in awe. It reminded her of the Queen who sat at the council table, commanding, only a seething fury resonating from within her now casting her to be a frightening figure as the sovereign authority of Arendelle.

The remaining men tensed up shaking their cloaks off letting them fall to the floor. They revealed their true colours, unsheathing swords and pulling out knives ready to defend brother Sigmund. Willem, Eugene and drew their own, Willem stepping forward to Elsa's side who was surrounded, Eugene staying in front of Anna keeping their horses well back.

"Was this the Cleric's first move in hopes to rally the known world against me?" They began to close in, their dead glares answer enough. "disappointing." Elsa muttered to herself before looking back up at Sigmund. "Well, so be it."

That broke the nerve of Sigmund and the others who lunged towards her. Two men slashed at where she had been only their blows were met with a wall of ice knocking them to the ground. Behind her Willem swiftly downed one by wounding the man's knee before disarming him, throwing his sword to one side when two more ran at him, they never reached him. The floor beneath them rose up in ice immobilizing their legs, then arms. Knife flew towards Willems throat causing him to leap back, he rose his sword swinging it into the outstretched arm taking it clean off at the elbow. Anna watched transfixed the sight of that much blood nearly making her vomit. Yet she could not tear her eyes away.

Elsa fared better, one of the men lunged at her with a spear, avoiding being impaled by the head she grasped onto the shaft freezing it to the point it he could not let go, in a second it became so brittle it shattered in his hands fragments like splinters sticking out his fingers and palms weeping blood. He let out a guttural cry slumping to the ground cradling the wounds against his chest.

"Elsa!" Anna called out desperately, causing her to turn and see the remaining men stood side by side armed with crossbows, behind them they could see brother Sigmund fleeing his cloak disappearing into the night. She heard the thrum of the bowstrings releasing, having just enough of a warning to bring up a wall of ice to shield herself.

Willem was already in motion tackling them to the ground before any could reload another bolt to his string. Willem knocked one unconscious with a blow to the head with his hilt and held the other with his sword against his throat.

Elsa bore down on the remaining man slowly; sprawled on the floor he fumbled the bolt dropping it to the ground. Unable to move in fear he stared paralyzed. She reached out with one hand taking the crossbow from his hands and tossing it to the side. And with a cold hand she gripped his collar.

"Brother Sigmund - where did he go?" she said calmly.