"Well I know one thing we cannot do and that is to alert the capital; remember the last time we had the village crawling in soldiers?"
"We simply cannot allow that again!"
"It would cause ruin."
"Eried?" Elsa's father looked up from the round wooden table, the elders seated gave him expectant looks. He could see the pity in their eyes at his great loss.
"What can I say? I brought a witch to the village, finding a beautiful child in the woods at eve, I should have known better." The man rubbed his tired eyes that threatened to spill over with grief.
"We are not blaming you Eried, we all know how much you and Hagitha desired for a babe, however you are the girl's fa-caretaker." Holsen said gently.
"Are we just going to forget she murdered our most cherished hunter!?" One of the younger elders bellowed angrily. The head Elder who served as an ultimate judge in Arden spoke, so all silenced themselves to heed his words.
"Holsen is correct, Eried is not to blame yet with this grave tragedy he is being punished, perhaps for unknowingly brining the witch among us." The others nodded while Eried casted his gaze back to the table. "The witch must be disposed of…"
"Let us not forget this is Elsa, sweet gentle Elsa…" Eried interjected but minded himself looking to the head elder who nodded for him to continue. "She must be disposed of yes for she is a danger but all I ask for as her father is that she does not suffer…please."
Silence spread over them until one by one they nodded coming to a consensus, the elders decided Elsa's fate.
Elsa's chest heaved as she watched the ice slowly creep up the walls of her cell. The maiden's whimpers drew out visibly into the cool air. She jumped back at the loud clanging of the prison door. Her fears were alleviated when the visitor revealed themselves to be her father.
"Papa!" She called attempting to go to him but was hindered by her restraints. Looking down at them she slowly sat back on the cot. "Papa I am so sorry I... don't know what happened, I'm so scared." Eried sighed sitting next to his daughter, he reached out to rub her shoulder but she pulled away in terror. "No! Don't touch me please…I don't want to hurt you…" She made her way to the wall placing her head upon its cold stone. "or anyone else ever again."
Eried looked around at the growing ice, shivering from the intense cold that seemed to only be getting stronger. "Father… I- The council they'll get rid of me, right?" Elsa turned looking to him with a childlike hope that merely broke the man's heart. "So, that way I won't hurt anyone ever again, they have to. I won't fight or try to escape."
"Elsa…" he began standing.
"I'm a monster!" She cried, her lips trembled. "They decided a hanging would be best." If Elsa's hands were not shackled, then they would have rubbed her neck subconsciously. She looked up determinedly then nodded.
"I'm so sorry, this is not fair, you not knowing what you are…if I could just-" He couldn't do it, he could no longer look into her soft azure eyes that were so ready for death, and why? All for the sake of others.
Once alone, Elsa sat against the wall, her curious mind made her wonder what it would feel like, would it be liberating? Would there be a great pain followed by an equally sweet release? Her thoughts were interrupted by a grinding noise followed by the falling of a stone to the floor.
She sat up eyeing it curiously then to the hole it created. "Elsa?" Her breathing instantly calmed at the sound of her friend's calming voice.
"I- uh heard what they were going to do to ya…I don't- I just don't know what to do." he began sadly but Elsa shook her head. "There's nothing to be done Kris, I'm a danger."
"Not to me, I think the idea of you being winter itself is beautiful." Elsa smiled at his sweet understanding. "Let's not talk about it, I am more interested in what you're doing here."
"Well since your eh… well the execution is tomorrow, I thought I could give you this." He pushed a small wrapped square through the hole. "What is this?" Elsa asked, it smelt heavenly.
"I was going to save it for your birthday but. You know now is better than ever." Elsa unwrapped the candy pooping it into her mouth, Kristoff smiled it the sound of her moan consuming the treat. She had read stories of chocolate but never dreamed it could be this magnificent taking her to a tiny paradise.
"Thanks Kris that was amazing of you." Kristoff nodded then began shifting to the side. "I also thought since it is happening in the morning then maybe we could watch your last starry night together." Elsa peeped out the hole again to see the sky looking as if it was putting on a light show just for her.
"Wow…" She said breathily moving to get comfortable. The idea that this was her last time to see such a sight inspired her to never tear her orbs away.
The two friends watched the night slowly exchange its black blue color to a more pinkish hue. Kristoff soon was shoed away by patrols but before he reached into the hole once more cupping Elsa's cheek. "I love you Els, you're not a monster; you're my friend."
Tears slowly spilled down her cheeks. "Kristoff!" She called after the man who looked back. "Don't listen to me, fall in love with the princess." He smiled sadly.
"I'll tell you about the wedding when I see you again." He promised disappearing into the woods. Elsa pulled back from the hole grinning to herself. Kristoff had been with her through thick and extremely thin.
The memory of when she first saw him.
"Are you hungry?" Little Elsa looked up from the rubbish barrel to see an equally dirty boy staring down at her. He had this weird funny looking dog be his side panting by his side, it reached into his pocket grabbing a carrot for itself. The man who had taken her from the woods tried to keep her contained inside the house yet the girl always found a way to escape.
Hesitantly she nodded, he tried to snatch the carrot away from the creature but it sucked the whole thing into its mouth. "Ah share." The young boy barrated, so the funny dog thing spat it out so he could hand to Elsa who cringed at the vegetable. "Hey, you shouldn't be so picky as if you were some princess or something when you're basically starving." He warned, Elsa's rumbling stomach answered for her as she took the carrot munching down on it.
The boy tilted his head at her squinting. "You look familiar…" He questioned searching for where he might have seen her, when the answer came to mind he shook his head. No, that was impossible.
"Name's Kristoff, wanna see something cool?" He asked her, she nodded taking his hand but he yanked it back. "Hey none of that now." He grumbled stalking off with his new companion hot on his heels.
Elsa felt her heart warm at the encounter. He'll have a good life. He was meant to.
It was as if she wasn't breathing as she was led by two patrols down the aisle to her fate. Once again, the girl dung deep to find anything yet all she could find was relief, even under the scrutiny and hateful glares. And when her eyes fell to the noose her heart felt liberated, it was if its leaps could be seen through her chest
Her legs automatically lifted carefully upon each step drawing her closer. Her audience began murmuring as snow began to fall shining in the morning sun casted behind the ice witch. Some even prayed that it's rays burned her flesh yet when the beams hit her skin, she felt only a warm tingle.
Elder Holsen read her charges loudly for all to hear all except Elsa who's focus was redirected to a chilling face. They were smirking, face at last revealed, green-eyes not watching her but looking over her shoulder. She was tempted to look back but her executioner had already slowly slipped the loose around her slim neck tightening it. She turned away to see her mother being held back by her father, frantically crying, pleading for someone to stop this, as if it was such a horrible act.
"Close them, it will help." Her executioner advised, a smooth voice then spoke in her mind sounding in both ears as if they were standing before her. "I promise you that when you open your eyes, everything will be set right." She felt an alarming amount of trust rush through her, inhaling deeply, all thoughts halted.
All sound ceased to exist, falling blankly upon her ears, when she heard it.
The very earth seemed to shatter beneath them as a roar blared cutting the air into pieces, attacking the ears of those present, assassinating their hearing.
Elsa squeezed out of the noose gripping her bleeding ears kneeling in pain. The screams of others were defending out. She squinted into the crowd who ran in horror at whatever was behind her.
Elsa spared to turn her gaze back, hearing regain. The entire stage were her death was supposed to be commence froze over.
It was a nightmare that even the most talented of writers could not capture within their pages, in the sky wings spread out nearly covering the entire horizon. Elsa stepped back mutely gawking until she fell backwards falling to the ground knocking the air out of her lungs.
The beast took flight, flapping once, charging for the village. It sang out its terrible song once more, scales burning a golden bronze as if they were touched by the sun itself. Taking in a deep breath it spat out a scorching wall of flames which desecrated the wheat fields in a black and red heat. Its eyes scanning the village, those eyes they rang something familiar within a certain blonde who eyed it.
Elsa felt a hand yank her up to see Kristoff urging her into a run. As the beast flew over them casting its shadow over the village. The two friends ran to the woods sitting helplessly as the deathly creature turned their home into its personal ash tray.
It seemed odd though, Elsa looked at it gliding over people and buildings, striking only empty spaces, as if it were avoiding hitting any villagers simply just creating chaos and marveling at it.
"Odd…it's as if it's purposely not hitting anyone." Elsa whispered.
"Why is it that the most craziest of things follow you wherever you go?" Kristoff asked clenching his teeth tightly. Elsa couldn't answer, for she was wondering the exact thing.
They took refuge in the woods for what seemed to be hours until the beast's reign over the village was over. It let out a resounding call as if signifying it was done, gracefully flying off into the distance.
It took an hour for anyone to dare venture out into the open to behold the large piles of burnt dust, rocks and sticks which were the leftovers of what they're home now was.
Many cries filled the air at mourning of the end of their livelihoods.
Covered in Ash Elsa and Kristoff wandered to her home to see if it was still intact after the attack. It wasn't, desperately she searched for her parents throughout the village.
"YOU!" She and her friend turned to the accusatory voice. It was the pig farmer charging forth, he violently knocked the girl to the ground earning a punch from Kristoff. Two other men wrestled the strong boy to the ground.
The pig farmer having recovered stood up pointing down at Elsa. "This witch is the blame for all of this destruction brought upon us! First she kills Rieder and has summoned the monstrous demon to come and destroy us." His frightened fellows began slowly nodding, speaking in agreement. They began encircling the girl gripping, sticks, stones, and pitchforks. "No! I would never intend for this to happen!" Else defended shaking her head, she was just as confused as ever. She would never intend to hurt them yet she never intended to hurt Rieder either, who would believe a witch?
"Elsa!" Hagitha yelped running for her daughter. "Someone restrain that woman please!" The pig farmer instructed. Regretting, Hagitha felt strong arms wrapping around her waist, she looked up and gasped at the sight of her husband's grim face. "No!" Kristoff cried trying to break free.
Elsa did nothing but turn away, as the villager men raised their weapons with intent on putting an end to her existence.
"Do that and you all shall die." All eyes turned to the cloaked figure leisurely strolling through the ashes toward them.
"Who are you?" The pig farmer along with his following stumbled back.
The figure pulled the hood back smirking. The woman of Arden found themselves eyeing his pretty face and well-shaped head that was crowned with raven locks that made their way to his face in a light stubble.
"Where are my manners? I am Darcy." He replied in an intelligent accent, Elsa recognized from some traveler who claimed to be from the English countries. "Yes, I know not the most common name for one of such epics but it'll have to do." He inhaled as if the ash was a sweet fragrance then clapped his hands. "Now then I would require it and be most grateful if you did not kill that "That Ice witch there, instead give her to me."
"Are you mad?" One man asked. Darcy scrunched his eyebrow looking up for a second. "Not entirely." He quipped smiling.
"We are disposing of this witch once and for…"
"Shh shh shh." Darcy shushed pointing to the air, as if on cue a loud shriek sounded off in the distance. "Hear that? Sounds like you have new neighbor. See I too wish to dispose of the girl but not in the brutish way you are about to. Give her to me and I can get rid of the both them." He was extremely charismatic piquing the interest of the entire village.
"How!?" One asked.
"We've all read the stories, dragons love maidens so instead of offering up one of your precious daughters offer up the witch." He shrugged, simply.
"And why should we listen to you?" Holsen asked cautiously, yet the question only seemed to humor the stranger.
"I'm so pleased you asked." He drawled snapping, snapping his fingers he caused the villagers to jump back as a large chest appeared from thin air tipping over revealing a plethora of riches. Before the drooling people could rush forward he snapped again taking away the reward.
"Because I am the man who can make big chest come about full of gold with the snap of my fingers." It proved to be reason enough to draw the villagers into tying both Elsa to a stake lodge into a cart and Kristoff to a tree.
"No please, just hang me don't give me to that creature!" Elsa begged struggling. "There will be no benefit for us all in your instant death." Holsen explained solemnly. Darcy made the chest appeared while vanishing himself chuckling darkly.
They pushed her up a large hill located in the fields lighting her makeshift altar wit torches sprinkling red wild rose petals upon it, they used the flowers to also create necklace and a crown in hopes to placate the beast.
Elsa cried out for them to come end her life yet they were ignored for next hour. She tried to struggled against the restraints ties yet her attempts proved to be fruitless.
The deep rumbling growl that echoed through her core ending in a throbbing timbre, made the whimpers cease and the maiden bite her lip. Her head frantically whipped about to see into the night but could not detect anything. It was if thousands of hungry lions had surrounded her, a large long tail plopped in front of her curling around the cart, extinguishing the torches. It was adorned in a line of tufts of fur that faded from magenta to a violet ending in blue. Elsa looked over to the left witnessing a large amble, gracefully curved golden bronze body, she took notice of the sharp brown that littered along its outline and cream underbelly.
Suddenly her breathing stopped when she felt a mass presence to her right, knowing she would regret the blonde oblation gazed slowly to the right. Her round azure orbs met with the razor arrow iris surrounded by the golden orange flames of hell.
A loud huff of air resonated from its nostril upon the long muzzle. The large eye rounded out and moved up and slowly down twice observing her then pulling back it's long neck to regard from a distance. Elsa wished she could read the beast's eyes, but couldn't instead she closed her own unable to hold its gaze for a second longer instead listening to the quiet rumble that purred through its chest with each breath. Almost like a cat but Elsa shook the thought from her head.
"Please..Please.." Elsa begged, praying that it would have mercy and make her end swift.
Instead it spread its wings leaping into the air producing a large rustle of wind and leaves, its wake. Elsa let out a huff in relief but the moment was short lived when the stake she was attached to was lifted into the air. Elsa yelped looking down, watching as the ground grew more and more distance.
Soon the image of her home became less visible. If she wasn't tied up the maiden would have spread her arms in wonder, she was doing what was deemed impossible, soaring through the clouds. Her elation was immediately killed by a deep roar reminding her why she was flying thru the clouds in the first place.
It was a long while of crossing the water before, Elsa had seen where the creature had taken her to. She had heard of the north mountain but never was graced with the privilege of seeing the mountainous regions. There was a region that was land blocked by water like an island.
The beast choose a small cliff to land upon transferring the girl from its back talons to the front walking off to a cave. Elsa prepared herself for the worse but instead was greeted by a warm, cozy room furnished with expensive pieces and a fireplace. It placed her gently on the ground.
"Hello Deary." Before Elsa could turn to the voice a sharp strike to her head stole away her senses to a lulling blackness.