The Head That Wears the Crown

Chapter Twelve

Heredity

"Majesty, I'm afraid I must protest!"

Andersen stood before Elsa and Anna, his face creased with concern. "You are in no physical condition to be doing any type of activity, much less sending yourself blindly into harm's way to confront a crazed zealot!"

Elsa nodded. "I understand your concern, Minister, and I thank you for trying to protect me, but this is a task that only I can accomplish."

"At what cost?!" Andersen threw up his hands. His tone changed from agitated to pleading. "Majesty, I don't want to see anything happen to you. You have . . . You have become the daughter I never had."

Elsa gently took Andersen's hand. "And you, Minister, have become a second father to me. I would never have survived the dark days after my parents' death without your guidance."

She kissed Andersen on the cheek. "I leave Arendelle under your authority. If anything goes wrong . . . If Anna and I do not return, you are to evacuate our people to the ancestral caverns. There they can survive until you find a new homeland."

Anna embraced Andersen. "Don't worry about us, Minister. We'll be back before long. Everything will be back to the way it was!"

"I only hope you're right, Highness," Andersen said. "I only hope."

They had been riding for quite some time. Their party was small, as Elsa feared that too many companions would attract unwanted attention. Kristoff led the group, as he had travelled to the Abandoned Forest many times during the winter to dig for ice in its abundant frozen lakes. Jansen followed close behind, along with three palace guards. Anna and Elsa rode at the rear of the party, anticipation and trepidation twisting their stomachs in knots.

Finally, after what felt like days, but in reality was only a few hours, they arrived at the outskirts of the forest.

"This certainly seems like a cheerful place," Anna commented wryly. The corner of Elsa's mouth turned upward in a half-smile. The Abandoned Forest, far from being bright and welcoming, appeared dark, uninviting. Mangled knots of tree roots snaked about the ground. Overgrown leaves blotted out the sunlight, making it difficult to remain on the path.

"This forest was once much, much different," Jansen said. "I can remember playing here with my brothers as a boy. Back then, the trees were not nearly so twisted, the sky not so dark."

"What happened here?" Elsa asked. "Why is it called the Abandoned Forest?"

"Legend has it that a tribe of wood dwellers once lived here," Jansen explained. "They were men who had grown tired of the pressures of civilization, who longed to return to a simpler lifestyle, more in tune with nature. Only a handful of them settled here initially, but over time, their small colony flourished. Then, according to the legend, one day they simply disappeared. Their family members who still dwelt in the city searched for them, for weeks, months, but they never found any trace of them."

Anna shuddered. "It's only a legend, right? None of it's true." She turned to Jansen. "Is it?"

Kristoff spoke. "I think it's more than just a legend. When I've been here before, I've seen ruined huts, abandoned fire pits. I've also found primitive tools scattered throughout the forest: knives, arrows, clubs. Someone lived here at one time, and something drove them out. I've seen . . . I've seen strange things in this forest. Sometimes, if I stand perfectly still, I swear I can see something moving out of the corner of my eye. But if I turn to look at it, it disappears without a trace."

Elsa nodded. "Then it would be wise for us to move as quickly and quietly as we can. We don't want to draw the attention of whatever is living here now."

"I second that idea!" Anna said.

"Isarn will meet us in the glade at the center of the forest," Jansen said. "That is where we first met him." A pained expression crossed his face. "Where he first convinced us of how valuable he could be to our cause."

"How far is it?" Elsa asked. "We're running out of time. We have maybe an hour before Isarn's deadline passes."

"It's not far, Majesty," Jansen said. "Assuming there are no incidents, we should reach the glade with a quarter-hour to spare."

"Good," Elsa said. "Now, before we go, is everyone certain of the plan?"

"I don't like it," Anna said.

"I'm not particularly fond of it, either," Kristoff said. "It exposes you to too much danger. Are you sure there isn't another way?"

Elsa shook her head. "Isarn is no fool. Unless he sees me the moment he becomes aware of our presence, he will assume you are here to attack him and he will kill you without hesitation. I'm the only bargaining chip we have."

"I still don't like the plan!" Anna protested.

"Unfortunately," Jansen said, "we do not have the luxury of time to continue bickering over it. Her Majesty has given us our instructions. I suggest we carry them out and hope for the best."

Isarn paced about the glade, trampling grass his feet had already long since ground into the forest floor. They're late! he thought. I told them to make absolutely certain they were on time!

Jansen would surely die for his incompetence; of that, Isarn was certain. He continued to be amazed at how cowardly the ministers who had conspired with him had been at the dinner. He hadn't expected them to fall before him in worship, but he had assumed they would have at least been man enough to acknowledge their treachery before their subjects.

After today, you no longer need them, Isarn thought. Once you have Elsa, you will have all you truly need.

Isarn's mind turned to the young queen. He had not intended to harm her as seriously as he had. He had merely wanted to show her that he was not a force to be trifled with. But she had pushed him, challenged him, refused to align herself with him. Isarn was not a man used to rejection, and now he was forced to admit that he had overreacted to Elsa's resistance.

Give her time, he told himself. Once you have healed her, she will see. She will see how wrong she is, how much she needs you!

Isarn heard the unmistakable sound of horses approaching. Using the skills of concealment his people had learned from their fathers, he made himself invisible. Silently, he watched as several horses approached.

The leader was a young man Isarn had never seen before. Jansen followed close at hand, flanked by three palace guards. Of course he would bring them with him, Isarn thought. He truly is a coward! But his attention was drawn to the horse at the rear.

The Princess of Arendelle—Anna was her name, wasn't it?—looked about nervously. Draped across her lap, unconscious, was Queen Elsa. Isarn's heart skipped a beat as he beheld his daughter. Her beautiful, pale skin was now mottled with unsightly bruises. Scabs too numerous to count covered her entire body, some barely restraining the blood that was just waiting to burst forth once more. Her breathing was labored, shallow, painful to the ear.

What have I done to her? he thought. Composing himself, he remained hidden as Jansen stepped forward.

"My Lord!" Jansen called. He was greeted only by silence. He called again. "My Lord!"

"Minister."

The startled party turned instinctively toward the voice. Isarn walked toward them slowly, deliberately.

"My Lord!" Jansen cried, falling to his knees.

"Silence!" Isarn snarled, brushing past Jansen in contempt. "I thought I instructed you to come alone!"

"I intended to, My Lord!" Jansen protested. "But they . . . They would not let the queen out of their sight!"

Isarn had approached Anna's horse. "Your Highness, please, allow me," he said, helping Anna down from the saddle.

Anna took Isarn's hand, releasing it the moment her feet touched the ground. "You bastard," she whispered, unable to contain her anger. "Look what you've done to her! LOOK AT HER!"

Isarn felt a rush of unfamiliar emotions coursing through his veins—remorse, regret, sorrow—as he gently cradled Elsa's head in his hands. He leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on the queen's forehead.

"I . . . I am truly sorry, Highness," Isarn said. "I did not intend to injure her this severely. Rest assured, I will heal her broken body."

"And then what?" Anna asked. Kristoff's grip on her shoulders was the only thing keeping her from attacking Isarn. "You're not going to let her come back with us, are you?"

"No," Isarn said. "Elsa needs to spend some time with me. We have . . . so much to catch up on. She is misguided, confused. I must teach her not to be afraid of her abilities. I must show her how powerful she truly can be."

"Why?" Kristoff asked. "So she can rule Arendelle alongside you? So she can be a coldhearted monster like her father?"

Isarn turned to Kristoff, his face twisted in rage. "Don't you presume to lecture me, boy! You have no idea the suffering my people have endured at the hands of your race! We have been homeless, wandering for centuries, rejected by all, loved by none! So don't you DARE try to force your misaligned sense of morality upon me!"

"Everyone who ever mistreated your people died centuries ago!" Anna cried. "No one in Arendelle is guilty of these crimes! Please! If you would just come back with us, peacefully, we could find a way to help your people! There is no need for a war between our races!"

Isarn sighed. "Your heart seems true, Your Highness, and I believe you truly think we can live in peace. But there is nothing you can offer that will satisfy the bloodlust that swirls in my heart! Nothing but Arendelle's complete and utter destruction and domination at the hands of my brothers!"

Anna and Kristoff stepped backwards, giving Isarn ample room to himself. "Then, there is no hope," Anna whispered. "Arendelle is lost!"

"If I were you, Highness," Isarn said, "I would return to your land and take the women and children as far away from Arendelle as possible. My brothers do not wish to harm them. Unlike some," he said, glaring at Jansen, "we still have our honor."

Isarn leaned in to Elsa, preparing to heal her body. "Soon, my daughter," he whispered. "Soon, you will understand. Soon, all of this will be a distant memory! You and I will rule Arendelle together. Our descendants will speak of us in reverent tones, marveling at our wisdom, our courage, our strength. Father and daughter . . . together . . . forever!"

"NOW!"

Anna's cry echoed about the glade. Isarn involuntarily looked up toward her, confused.

Suddenly, Isarn was propelled backwards, his body colliding violently with a large tree. Dazed, he struggled to stand, only to have his feet frozen in place. Astonished, he looked up and gasped.

"No! NO!" he roared.

Elsa stood before him, ice and wind pouring forth from her hands. "It's over, Isarn," Elsa said. "Surrender now!"

"You . . . You tricked me?!" Isarn was beside himself. He cursed himself for his foolishness. He had allowed the faint hope of building a relationship with his daughter blind him to his surroundings. "Why?!"

Elsa thrust her arms upward. Isarn was propelled from the forest floor, brought high in the air, then slammed back into the ground. "Because I will never be with you!" she cried. "EVER!"

Weakly, Isarn stood. "You . . . disappoint me, daughter. I had . . . expected better."

"Sorry I couldn't live up to your standards!" Elsa said. She unleashed another blast of ice, prepared to entrap Isarn for his journey back to Arendelle.

But Isarn had anticipated her move and unleashed a blast of his own. The two streams of ice collided, forming an intense barrier of blue energy. Both Elsa and Isarn continued to unleash their powers, striving to drive the other back.

"Anna! Jansen! Get back!" Kristoff cried. "I don't think they can hold it much longer!"

The three mortals and their guards hid behind a nearby log, watching in terror as the intensity of the light continue to build and build—

Until, finally, the energy could be contained no longer. A violent explosion erupted throughout the glade. Elsa and Isarn were thrown apart from each other, slamming into the ground.

Swords drawn, the guards surrounded Isarn, their blades at his throat. Anna and Kristoff, meanwhile, rushed to the fallen snow queen.

"Elsa?" Anna asked, shaking her sister. "Elsa?!"

Elsa groaned, and slowly turned to Anna. "Remind me never to do that again," she mumbled.

Anna and Kristoff laughed in relief. Anna helped Elsa to her feet. Jansen joined them as they walked to Isarn.

The master of ice was on his knees, breathing heavily. "Elsa . . ." he panted. "Elsa, . . . what have you done?"

Elsa stared at her father, her face expressionless. "I have protected Arendelle from you, Isarn. Your conspiracy has failed. You have failed."

A bitter smile graced Isarn's face. "If . . . I had to lose to someone, at least . . . it was to you." He looked up at Elsa, a strange expression of pride on his face. "You are truly . . . worthy of being my daughter."

The guards bound Isarn's hands behind his back and pulled him to his feet. Jansen turned to Elsa. "Majesty, it is getting late. We really should return to the palace."

Elsa nodded in approval. "Yes. This nightmare is finally over."

"Um . . . everybody?" Kristoff whispered, surprising the party.

"What is it, Kristoff?" Anna asked. "Why are you whispering?"

"Don't move!" Kristoff whispered back.

Elsa glanced about the glade. She saw nothing unusual. "Kristoff, I don't—"

"Don't move!" Kristoff whispered again, more intense this time. He tilted his head slightly to his left. "There!"

Elsa, Anna, and Jansen stared and suddenly—for the briefest of moments—they saw several very large shapes moving toward them.

"We're not alone!"

AN: Hopefully, I have been able to give some depth to Isarn, to show that he is not simply a mad killer, but a conflicted personality much like Elsa herself. Please continue reading and reviewing; this is getting to be fun!