The Head That Wears the Crown

Chapter Sixteen

Betrayal

The companions stared, dumbfounded, in shock, at the Chasm. The dying wind whistled about their ears. Tears streamed down Anna's face as she continued to gaze at the bottomless void, somehow trying to convince herself that if she just willed it, Jansen would rise from the pit and be perfectly fine.

The silence was finally broken by an inhuman cry of fury. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

Kristoff lunged at Isarn, his eyes wild with rage.

"Kristoff, STOP!" Anna cried, grabbing Kristoff's waist, trying with all her might to restrain him.

"No, Anna!" Kristoff screamed. He turned back to Isarn. "I could have saved him! I could have saved Jansen and YOU STOPPED ME! WHY?!"

Isarn looked at Kristoff, his eyes heavy with sorrow. "You wouldn't have made it," he said. "You would have fallen as well. I couldn't let that happen."

"You had no right!" Kristoff screamed. "You had no right to stop me! I know I could have gotten Jansen out of there!"

"And what if you hadn't?" Isarn retorted. "Would you have left the Princess to mourn you? Jansen's death, while tragic, was inevitable the moment he broke his ankle." Isarn's face softened slightly. "Jansen knew the risks when he agreed to cross the Chasm. He accepted them. Don't blame yourself for his choice."

Kristoff was still outraged, his breathing heavy, his hands balled into tightly-clenched fists. Isarn's remark about Anna, however, had made him realize just how irrational he had been.

"Kristoff, please!" Anna said, taking his hand. "Don't blame yourself! You did everything you could! But if you had died too, I couldn't . . . I couldn't . . ."

Kristoff exhaled. He embraced Anna, holding her tightly. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't think. I just . . . I just thought I could save him. But I couldn't . . ."

Anna kissed Kristoff on the cheek. "That's why I love you," she said. "You always think about others first. Even though sometimes it makes me want to kill you!"

Kristoff smiled. "I know." He turned to Isarn. "Thank you, I guess, for saving me from myself."

Isarn nodded. "I am not one to allow a man to die needlessly."

Kristoff looked at Anna. "We'd better get moving," he said. "We don't have much time left to get to Arendelle."

Anna turned to the rock wall behind them. "Elsa, are you ready? You hit that wall pretty hard. Are you sure you're all right?"

But Elsa wasn't there. "Elsa?" Anna called. "Elsa?!"

"Where is she?" Kristoff asked. "She was right there a minute ago."

Anna could feel the panic rising in her chest. "Elsa?! ELSA?!"

Elsa had already gone ahead up the path to the fields. In the distance, she could hear Anna calling her name, but she would not turn back. The knot in her stomach had become painful, and she fought to control the anger that was slowly building inside.

As she walked, she passed a flowing, bubbling stream. Slowly, she approached it, watching the water flow. She leaned over it, allowing herself to stare deeply into the crystal-clear water.

Despite the speed of the water's motion, Elsa could still see her reflection. She was astonished at how tired she looked, how puffy her eyes had become, how her mouth no longer betrayed any hint of happiness, but was instead drawn into an intense look of worry. At least you can look at your reflection, she told herself. Jansen will never do that again. Ever! All because of you!

The anger she had been trying to suppress finally boiled over. Roaring in rage, Elsa slammed her fists to the ground, over and over, desperately trying to drive the hurt, the shame, from herself. The stream froze at her touch, water no longer flowing but instead turning to ice, its calm stillness mocking her. Sobbing, Elsa fell to the ground, clutching her head in despair.

She heard the footsteps slowly approaching from behind. If I hold still, maybe they won't know I'm here, she thought, realizing in an instant how incredibly foolish that thought was.

"Elsa?" Anna's voice was tentative, uncertain. "Elsa, can I come closer?"

"Go away, Anna," Elsa said, her voice bitter. "Leave me alone."

Anna ignored her sister's command. Slowly, the Princess of Arendelle knelt by her sibling, gently placing her arm around her. "Elsa, it wasn't your fault."

"Like hell it wasn't," Elsa whispered. She turned to Anna, eyes weary, full of regret. "I guess it's true after all. Everyone I let get close to me ends up dead." She turned away from Anna, staring at the grass. "How much longer do you think you have before you share his fate?"

"It was Jansen's choice," Anna said. "He could have taken the long path. He knew the risks. Please, Elsa. Don't add another burden to your conscience. It wasn't your fault."

"It was always my fault, Anna," Elsa said, not daring to look at the princess. "I made the final decision. I could have ordered him to go the long way. I didn't. He followed me out of his sense of duty. And . . . And I failed him. Just like I've failed our people." Elsa slowly pulled the Eden-stone ring from her finger, forcing it into Anna's hand. "Take it," she said. "I'm not worthy to wear this. I don't deserve to be called queen."

"No, Elsa!" Anna was shouting now. "Don't do this again. Don't take on burdens greater than what you deserve! It was NOT your fault! You made the right decision! But you know what? You will fail our people if you waste more time feeling sorry for yourself! Every second we wait is another second the Wanderers have to attack Arendelle! Please, Elsa! Please! Don't let them win! Get up and lead us back to Arendelle! Be the queen I know you are! I . . . I'm begging you!"

Elsa stared incredulously as Anna slowly got on one knee, genuflecting before her ruler. "Please, Your Majesty!" Anna whispered. "Arendelle needs you! I need you! Don't let us down now!"

Elsa looked up and saw Kristoff kneeling before her as well. "You . . . You too, Kristoff?"

"Majesty," Kristoff said. "The Princess is right! Please!"

Elsa looked at Isarn, his face concealing his emotions. "And you, Isarn? Do you believe in me as well?"

Isarn offered Elsa his hand. "Without question."

Elsa allowed Isarn to raise her to her feet. "Well, then," she said, smoothing her dress, wiping the tears from her eyes. "What are we waiting for?" She took the Eden-stone back from Anna, sliding on her finger, its familiar glow returning once more. "We have a kingdom to save."

They crossed the plains in record time, not stopping for a moment. They encountered surprisingly little resistance as they rushed across the grasslands. Had they had more time, Elsa would have marveled at how beautiful the fields were this time of year. She made a mental note to herself to return once this crisis was averted to allow herself to actually experience their beauty for the first time in her life.

"So . . . what's . . . our . . . plan?" Anna asked, barely getting the words out as she rushed to keep pace with Elsa.

Elsa refused to stop moving. "We prepare as best we can. We station our soldiers at key locations throughout the city. Then, when the Wanderers approach, we show them we have Isarn. That should be enough to stall their attack and allow us to negotiate."

"And, if it doesn't?" Anna asked.

Elsa turned to Anna, her face drawn tightly. "Then we fight. If we can get our troops into position, we should be able to hold them off long enough for me to use my power to drive them back."

"Elsa, not that I don't have faith in you, but you're just one person. The Wanderers all have your power. How are you going to stop them by yourself?"

"My power has grown, Anna," Elsa said. "I will be able to repulse them. I know it."

"But at what cost to you?" Anna pressed. "What if . . . What if you overwork yourself? What if you overuse your power? What will it do to you?"

"Anna, I will do what needs to be done to keep Arendelle safe. That is all that matters."

Isarn had heard their conversation and moved close to Anna. "Worry not, Princess," he said. "I am confident that my brothers will not attack once they see I am in your possession."

Anna was confused. "So . . . you've decided you don't want revenge after all?"

A faint smile appeared on Isarn's face. "My desire for revenge will never be fully extinguished," he said. "But, as you said the other day, everyone who wronged my people has been dead for centuries. All we can do is move on now. Revenge will accomplish nothing."

"Will your brothers agree with you?"

Isarn thought for a moment. "I believe . . . I believe I can persuade them."

"Yeah, well, it seems like we're throwing a lot of hope on possibilities here," Anna said.

Elsa smiled. "You're the eternal optimist, Anna. This should be right up your alley."

Anna laughed. "You've been a bad influence on me. I'm not as trusting as I used to be."

"As fascinating as this conversation is," Kristoff interrupted, "I thought you'd like to know that we're home."

The party stopped. Kristoff was correct. Ahead of them, shining in the noonday sun, was Arendelle. Although it looked the same as it had when they had left just days ago, to Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff, its gates had never looked more beautiful.

The guards at the gate had been overjoyed upon their return. The companions were quickly ushered into the palace, slightly embarrassed to see the reaction of the townspeople, who were ecstatic to see their beloved queen return. Elsa had instructed Isarn to wear the hood of his cloak over his head. The last thing they needed was for the people to see the man who had threatened them just days before standing among them; the panic would have been impossible to control.

They stood in the throne room, waiting. The servants had been dispatched to find Andersen. Anna paced nervously as they waited, her feet almost certainly wearing holes in the carpet. Elsa, in contrast, was stoic and composed. Her eyes were closed, her mind solely focused on the meditation techniques Isarn had taught her.

A familiar voice woke them from their thoughts. "Majesty!"

Elsa turned and smiled. Andersen approached her, bowing as he reached her. "Minister!"

The two embraced, relieved to see each other once more.

"When you did not return, we feared the worst," Andersen whispered. He looked about the party. "Where . . . Where is Minister Jansen?"

Elsa's face fell, and Andersen knew. "I see," he said. "Hopefully, he was able to redeem himself."

"He did," Anna said. "Without him, we wouldn't have been successful."

"So," Andersen said. "Did you . . . Were you able to kill Isarn then?"
Kristoff looked about uncomfortably. "Um . . . not exactly."

Andersen stared at Kristoff, concerned. "What do you mean, boy?" Andersen's face turned white as the Ice Lord removed his hood. "What is he doing here?"

"It's all right, Minister," Elsa said. "We have formed . . . an alliance."

"Majesty, are you all right?" Andersen cried. "What has he done to you?" He turned to Isarn. "What did you do to her?"

"I assure you, Minister," Isarn said, "I have done nothing to influence the Queen. She willingly brought me here."

Andersen was beyond upset. "Majesty, how could you?! What have you done?!"

"Minister!" Elsa said. "We need him to negotiate with the Wanderers. They are due to attack at any time, and without Isarn, we have nothing to bargain with! Now, I need you to get our troops into position immediately! We must prepare for the possibility of battle, and we need every available man ready to react at a moment's notice if our negotiations fail!"

Andersen looked at Elsa, his face crestfallen. What's wrong? Elsa thought. "Minister, didn't you hear me? We have no time to waste! We need our soldiers to prepare this instant!"

"Has no one told you yet?" Andersen whispered.

"Told me what?" It was Elsa's turn to be confused. "What is going on?"

"A worthy strategy, Majesty." An unfamiliar voice spoke from behind them.

Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff turned around. A man, younger than Isarn but sharing many physical similarities with him, stood behind them, a menacing smile on his face. "I'm sure it would have worked if employed in battle."

"Andersen," Elsa said warily, "Who is this? What's going on?"

The man approached them, his eyes fixed upon Elsa. "So, the stories are true. The Snow Queen of Arendelle is, indeed, majestic to behold. I am sure she has many other . . . positive traits, beyond her beauty."

"Who are you?" Anna asked. "What are you doing here?"

The man bowed before them. "My apologies, Majesty. I do forget my manners at times. I am Asgard, one of the people you know as the Wanderers."

No! Elsa's blood turned cold.

Andersen's voice was deathly quiet. "They arrived this morning, Majesty. We were . . . unable to resist them."

"Your people fought well, Majesty," Asgard said. "But our will for vengeance was stronger. Thankfully, for their sake, they came to see reason and surrendered."

Asgard strode toward Isarn, bowing before him. He stood and embraced Isarn warmly. "It is good to see you again, brother! I trust your plan was successful."

Isarn smiled. "Indeed it was, brother! Indeed, it was!"

Elsa staggered backwards. NO! NO! NO!

Anna turned to Isarn, astonished. "You mean . . . This whole time, you . . . you . . . you were playing us?"

Isarn moved the hair out of Anna's eyes. "It was so easy! I can't believe how effective it was! You all were so desperate to believe that I could help you! You should have killed me when you had the chance!"

"Don't touch her!" Kristoff cried, lunging toward Isarn.

A burst of icy wind burst forth from Isarn's hands, throwing Kristoff against the wall. "I wouldn't try that again if I were you, boy. Next time, I won't be so gentle."

Elsa stared at Isarn, her face contorted in horror. "You . . . You never felt anything for me, did you? Everything you said . . . it wasn't real!"

Isarn laughed. "Foolish daughter! Did you honestly think I would abandon the plans I have labored on for so long just to earn your love? Do you think I truly care enough about you to do that?"

"I . . . I thought . . . I thought you loved me!" Elsa sank to the floor, fighting the flood of emotions that swirled through her mind. Conceal! Conceal!

"All I care about, Elsa, is destroying every last trace of the filth that destroyed my people's happiness! However, I am willing to allow you to repent. Come with me! Rule Arendelle by my side! We can still be together, daughter. All you have to do is give in to the darkness we both know is inside of you!"

Asgard smiled. "You should listen to your father, Majesty. He is very, very wise. I was sure he had lost his mind when he told us his plan: to allow you to best him, to win your trust, to lead you here with your defenses down. 'Surely the Snow Queen will never fall for such tricks,' I told him. But he has proven me wrong."

"You'd be amazed," Isarn said softly, "what people will do when they believe they are loved. When they believe they have a higher purpose. When they believe they can change someone."

Elsa had buried her head in her hands. Foolish! Stupid! Idiot! Words rang through her mind, mocking her, reminding her of her errors.

"Elsa?!" Anna cried. "Elsa! Please! Don't listen to them!"

"NO!" Elsa roared. Isarn and Asgard were thrown backwards as a powerful blast of wind slammed into them.

Elsa was upon them in an instant, her rage consuming her. "You. Will. Not. Harm. Arendelle!"

Asgard was thrown against the wall. Elsa quickly summoned her ice and a large block wrapped around his feet, holding him in place. The queen turned to Isarn, prepared to finish off the traitorous Ice Master.

Except that the servants in the room who had been standing quietly moments ago now had their arms pointed at Elsa, blue ice radiating from their fingertips. No! Impossible!

Isarn rose, laughing. "Remember what I said about fighting in anger? It blinds you, prevents you from seeing the obvious!"

Elsa realized she had never seen any of the servants before in her life. Understanding descended upon her. How? How did I miss this?!

"Now, Elsa, as much as I would love to defeat you in battle once more, I'm afraid I don't have time for such frivolities," Isarn said. "I have a populace to terrorize and a kingdom to rule. It is up to you to decide what happens to them. If you continue to resist, I will execute Arendelle's citizens one by one. And I will ensure that their deaths are slow, painful.

"If you surrender, I will spare your people. I will allow them to live."

"Live as what?" Elsa whispered. "As your slaves?"

"Better to live and serve than to be dead," Isarn said.

Elsa's fingers still glowed blue with power, her mind torn.

"Fine," Isarn said. "Have it your way." He turned to Andersen and raised his hand. The minister screamed as slowly, excruciatingly, ice began to creep up his legs, toward his torso, over his arms.

"STOP!" Elsa cried. The blue light around her fingers was extinguished. "You win, Isarn," she said. "I . . . I surrender."

Isarn waved his hand. The ice vanished from Andersen's body. The minister collapsed. Anna rushed to steady him, to give him some small comfort.

Isarn smiled, approaching his daughter. Gently, he brought his hand to her cheek, forcing her to look at him. "As if there was ever any doubt."

He turned to the "servants." "Lock these fools in the dungeon. They are not to be harmed, but they do not have to be comfortable."

The servants grabbed Andersen, Kristoff, and Anna and dragged them out of the room. "Elsa!" Anna cried. "Don't give in! You have to fight! Don't give in! DON'T GIVE IN!"

The door to the throne room slammed shut behind them, Anna's cries fading in the distance. Elsa covered her head in shame, rocking herself back and forth. How? How could I be so wrong? HOW?!

AN: Never trust a man in a cloak. Ever. More to come!