The Head That Wears the Crown

Chapter Fourteen

Questioning

The party trekked across the vast, unending plains, forcing themselves to continue despite their exhaustion. They stopped only when absolutely necessary, willing themselves to carry on. Finally, the sun setting, the companions could go no further. Isarn led them to a secluded grove near a small woods.

"This is where we camp for the night," Isarn said. "There is fresh water not far from here. We can seek shelter under the trees if need be, but the weather appears to be in our favor."

"So, where exactly is this shortcut?" Kristoff asked. "I've traveled this route many times before. We still have far to go. There is no way we're going to make it back to Arendelle in time."

Isarn glared at Kristoff. "Yes, we will."

"How?" Kristoff insisted. "Even if we manage to double our pace, we still have to go around the Chasm. On foot, that's a day's journey in itself!"

A dark smile crossed Isarn's face. "Who said anything about going around it?"

"Wait, what?" Anna asked. Realization dawned on her. "Oh, no, no, no, no! You can't be serious!"

"I am serious," Isarn said. "It's simple. Elsa and I will create an ice bridge spanning the width of the Chasm. We then simply have to cross, pass through the fields, and before long, we will be back in Arendelle."

"Are you mad?!" Jansen cried. "Do you realize how much danger you will be putting Her Majesty and Her Highness in?"

"Do you see any alternatives?" Isarn asked, exasperated. "I thought you wanted to get back to Arendelle as quickly as possible. Well, this is the fastest option."

"I'd also like to stay alive, if that's okay with you," Kristoff muttered.

Elsa, silent throughout the entire debate, finally spoke. "The Chasm is three miles wide with a depth that is simply unfathomable. And yet you expect me to create a bridge of ice that can be safely walked upon?"

"I never said anything about laying the burden entirely on you," Isarn said. "Together, we can build the bridge."

"NO!" Elsa said. "I will not work with you. I will not allow you to influence me."

"A pretty wise choice, I would think," Anna said.

Isarn stared at Elsa. "Elsa, please, reconsider! It is the only way to get to Arendelle in time."

Elsa shook her head. "I will not accept that. There must be an alternative." She stood. "I will take the watch tonight to ensure that we are not betrayed." She glared as Isarn. "Don't you forget what I promised earlier."

Elsa walked past the party, moving toward the woods.

"Elsa, where are you going?" Anna asked.

"To clear my head. I will be back in a few minutes."

Kristoff watch Elsa disappear into the trees, then turned to Jansen. "Come on, Minister. If we're going to camp here, we're going to need some firewood."

Isarn stood, brooding in silent contemplation, waiting until he and Anna were alone. He sat next to her. "Why . . . Why is she so terrified? Why is she so afraid to use her gifts?"

"She doesn't exactly call them 'gifts,'" Anna said. "She thinks they're more like a curse."

"Why?" Isarn asked. "How can she not see what a blessing it is?"

"Because . . . she nearly killed me with her powers," Anna said softly. "Twice."

Anna noticed Isarn's shocked expression, and rushed to explain. "Not on purpose! Once when we were little, we were playing and she accidentally hit me in the head with her magic. I don't remember any of this, but apparently the healer told her that her powers were extremely dangerous, especially if she couldn't learn to control them. She was so scared, she locked herself in her room for the next thirteen years, terrified that she would hurt me again. And then, when she finally tried to live a normal life, I caused her to expose her abilities in front of the whole kingdom. I upset her, and she froze my heart. If I . . . If I hadn't sacrificed myself to save her from Hans, I . . . I wouldn't be here right now."

Isarn sat in silence. "How . . . How is she able to even function? I can see it in her eyes. She is constantly living in fear."

Anna stared at the trees, searching for her sister. "She is a remarkable woman. She puts the needs of everyone else ahead of her own. She takes excellent care of our people. But, she doesn't let herself feel! I've tried to help her with that, but she still is afraid to let herself be happy. I think it's because she's terrified that if she does, she'll lose control again and hurt someone."

Anna turned to Isarn. "Listen, Isarn, I don't know what it is you want anymore. I appreciate you helping us get back to Arendelle, but I still don't trust you."

"You probably shouldn't," Isarn said.

"Thanks for that. But let me tell you one thing I do know. I know that Elsa is hurting, that she needs someone besides me to be there for her. Even though . . . Even though I think you're a bloodthirsty lunatic, I can tell you have . . . genuine feelings for your daughter."

"What is your point, Highness?" Isarn asked.

"My point is that if there is any part of you that is truly capable of feeling love, you need to share that with Elsa. She needs someone to help her, and I can't . . . I can't do it by myself."

For the first time that he could recall, Isarn was uncertain of how to proceed. "I . . . I . . . This is difficult for me to admit. You are insightful, Princess. I am no longer certain of what I want. I thought . . . I thought that taking over Arendelle, avenging my people, would satisfy me. But then, I look at Elsa and I think about how much pain that would cause her and I . . . hesitate."

Anna looked at Isarn, astounded. She couldn't stop herself from laughing. Isarn turned back to her. "You mock me?!"

"No!" Anna said, suppressing her laughter. "I just . . . I think you're beginning to feel actual love for your daughter. I think you're starting to see her less as a chess piece to be manipulated and more as a real person that you want to build a relationship with."

Isarn stood. "Damn you, Princess," he cursed. "Love is not something I have the luxury of feeling. Love makes you weak. Love is for those who do not have the strength to do what is necessary to survive."

Now it was Anna's turn to stand in anger. "Now I know Elsa's your daughter! You are both so damn stubborn! You're both so afraid of letting your emotions out that you bottle them up inside. Well, let me tell you something, Ice Lord. You may think you're being strong by concealing how you feel. You may even think you're protecting the people around you. But all you're really doing is driving away them away." Isarn tried to interrupt, but Anna cut him off. "And let me tell you another thing! The people who love you aren't going to take it forever! Sooner or later, they're going to get tired of being pushed away over and over and over again! So they'll just give up on trying to reach you! Then, one day, you're going to wake up and realize you want to actually have a relationship with someone. But then you'll discover that you burned all the bridges to those you care about a long time ago and you'll have nobody left! Is that what you want? Is it, Elsa?!"

Anna realized what she had just said and covered her mouth in embarrassment. The princess and the ice master stared at each other in silence. Finally, Isarn said, "You are . . . most perceptive, Your Highness. I . . . I am terrified. Terrified of Elsa shutting me out. Of not wanting me in her life."

"Then, talk to her!" Anna whispered. "I know Elsa better than anyone. If you just keep trying, little by little, eventually, she'll open up to you. But you have to take the first step!"

Isarn sighed. "Fair enough, Princess," he said. "Fair enough."

Anna, Kristoff, and Jansen had long since fallen asleep. Elsa and Isarn sat across from each other, silently watching the fire burn in the night.

Say something! Isarn thought. Anything! Talk to your daughter! He cleared his throat. "I . . . I was impressed with how you bested me today. Your power has already grown stronger."

Elsa ignored Isarn, continuing to stare at the burning flame.

Damn! Isarn thought. This is going to be harder than I thought! "Listen, I . . . I don't want you to worry about the Chasm," he said. "I can get us across on my own. It will take a little longer, but you don't have to be involved."

"I told you," Elsa whispered, her voice cold. "We are not crossing the Chasm! We are going around it. My decision is final!"

Isarn wanted to throw his hands up in frustration, to erupt with fury on the snow queen for her stubbornness. But as he was about to lose his patience, he looked—really looked—at Elsa and paused.

Her physical wounds were already healing, but her eyes retained the haunted look that had come to hate to see on her. Her shoulders slumped, her head hung low. My daughter . . . is suffering!

Slowly, silently, Isarn stood and cautiously sat next to the queen. Elsa made no attempt to move away from him. She still would not acknowledge his presence; she continued to stare at the fire.

Isarn closed his eyes and slowed down his breathing. Calmly, he cleared his mind of all thoughts and concerns, focusing only on the coldness deep within his being.

Elsa turned to Isarn and noticed that small wisps of snow were forming around him, gently billowing in the summer breeze. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Isarn opened his eyes and turned to Elsa. "This is an ancient technique of my people. At the end of the day, it helps to revive one's strength if one purges themselves of the coldness they've stored throughout the day, allowing fresh energy to flow through you."

Elsa scoffed. "Does it work?"

"It has never failed me yet. This simple exercise revitalizes me, helps to give me purpose for the day ahead."

Elsa sat in silence, watching as Isarn continued the ritual. He looks so calm, so peaceful, she thought. I wonder what that's like.

Isarn opened his eyes and smiled at Elsa. "There. Finished already."

"That was . . . it?" Elsa asked.

"What did you expect? Some elaborate ceremony? No, Elsa. The power we bear is subtle, refined. It requires a clear mind and a calm spirit to use it effectively."

"You certainly didn't seem calm when you attacked me the other day," Elsa whispered.

A twinge of guilt coursed through Isarn's heart. "That was . . . not my typical behavior. I may carry a great deal of anger and rage within myself, but I never use it in battle. It blinds me, consumes me, allows me to be easily distracted. But, I was . . . upset with you. I could not understand why you would choose your subjects over me."

Elsa nodded. "And now?"

Isarn sighed. "I think . . . I think I understand now. You are a very, very loving woman, Elsa. That is your greatest strength, as well as your weakness."

"My weakness? What—"

Isarn raised his hand. "Please. Let me finish. You put the needs of everyone else ahead of your own. This is admirable, but it blinds you to your own needs. Like everything in life, Elsa, you must find a healthy balance. Only then can your true power be unleashed."

"I never WANTED this power!" Elsa cried. "I didn't ask for it! All I ever wanted in life was to be the best queen for my people I could be, to be close to my sister, to live a normal life! But, NO! Because of you, my life has been a living hell. Do you have any idea what it's like to have to hide yourself away from the world, to be told all your life you're a freak, to want desperately just to reach out and touch the people you love, but you know you can't because you'll only end up hurting them? So you drive them away and you end up even more alone than you ever were!"

Elsa no longer attempted to restrain the tears that cascaded down her face. Sobbing, she buried her face in her hands. She did not resist when Isarn gently placed his arm around her shoulder.

"I . . . I won't say I know exactly what you've been through, Elsa," Isarn said. "But I do know what it is to be an outcast, unloved, unwanted. To be alone."

"Why?" Elsa's voice was barely audible. "Why did it have to be this way?"

Isarn gently stroked Elsa's hair. "You told me once that when God gives us a talent, He expects us to use it to the fullest." Elsa turned to Isard, staring into his eyes. "You can't change what you are. But, if you'll allow me, I can help you make the most of the power within you. And," he said, before Elsa could protest, "I can teach you to do so without giving into the darkness that you fear so much. This power can be used for good, Elsa. Please. Trust me."

Elsa thought for a moment. Finally, after what to Isarn seemed to be an eternity, she nodded. "Can you teach me the meditation?"

Isarn nodded. "Let us begin."

AN: For those who are familiar with Chrono Trigger, Isarn is reminding me a great deal of Magus with regard to his characterization: dark, brooding, yet tragically sympathetic. I never intended for Isarn to be more than just a villain, but I've come to love the character so much that he has evolved into something more complex. He is slowly realizing that he loves Elsa, yet he still retains enough darkness that he can perform many of the actions that Elsa would never do. For those who would rather I keep Isarn strictly a villain, I apologize, but the story is pulling me in this direction. More to come. Work has been cancelled today due to snow, so we'll see if I get a chance to write more than usual or not.