We all watch in horror as the building is engulfed by the fire. It is the village bakery.
It all happens so suddenly that it takes several moments for any reaction at all from any of us. All we can do is watch.
I snap out of it as I hear someone cry out, "Thief! Thief!" For this is when I see a cloaked figure running away from the burning building.
"Guards!" My voice rings out, signaling that they take action.
They obey my command and pursue the offender.
My eyes follow after the figure. I am taken aback when I see a trail of buildings go up in flames as he runs past them. It seems so unnatural in the most familiar way.
My astonishment is short-lived, however, when I see my men taking the same fate as the buildings.
Pandemonium in the square has kicked to full speed. Villagers are panicked and hysterical. I vaguely notice that Kristoff is trying to get Anna to safety, but of course, she is resisting.
My guards are no match for this mysterious figure, and I know that I cannot possibly watch a moment longer as he takes down both my kingdom and my people.
In one swift movement, I jump down from the platform and pursue this figure myself. At full speed, I head in the direction in which he fled.
Through smoke-filled streets and past fire-infested structures, I make my way after him. I can just barely make out his silhouette in the distance.
We are nearing the edge of the village now, and if I continue after him I must enter into the forest.
I know that I am catching up to him. I am determined.
I sprint into the trees without hesitation.
Tree after tree lights up as if they are merely giant torches.
I dodge fallen branches and blink ashes from my eyes, but still I follow after the figure, who is getting much closer.
"In the name of the queen of Arendelle, I order you to stop!" I cough.
To my surprise, he stops abruptly and swerves around to face me.
I have never seen such intense eyes on a human being before. It's as if there was a fire literally burning deep within their depths.
I cannot take my eyes away from his, and I'm surprised that I'm having difficulty breathing; this is probably because of all the smoke, though.
"Do you think because you are the queen of Arendelle that you actually have any power over me?" He spits out. His breathing is rough and irregular, as if there were great turmoil within him.
"You did stop, didn't you?" I don't generally tease people... I have no idea why I'm starting now.
"I could burn you to a crisp." His hands are balled into fists. His whole body is shaking.
I take a small step towards him. "You can't hurt me-"
A ball of fire comes flying at me. I have just enough time to sidestep it.
"Calm down" I say gently.
He turns away from me and buries his face into the trunk of a tree. I hear rugged gasps of breath. I can see little strands of smoke lifting themselves up from the bark and swirling into the air.
"Conceal. Don't feel." I can barely hear his whisper. He chants it several times, his breathing gradually becoming calmer and steadier.
The trails of smoke dissolve.
He shifts his weight from the tree back to his own feet, and swivels around to face me.
"My name is Ember."