Author's Note: Thank you all for your patience, as I didn't post last week, but I'm back. I'm a little feverish (I have a cold), so forgive me if I don't sound coherent. I hope you guys had a great St. Patrick's Day, and are less delirious than I. I wrote this chapter when I was delirious, so forgive me if it's a bit strange. Anyway, I'll get to the chapter and, as always, let me know what you think.

20. Caught

"People will beat you and curse you and cheat you. Every one of em's bad, except you."

—Frozen, Kristoff

"Jain, are you in here?" Elsa was nearly shouted as she pounded on Hadyn's cousin's door. She was furious, distraught. A thousand thoughts were running through her head like horses galloping. It had been twenty minutes since she had discovered Hadyn's horse alone in his stall. During those minutes, she had checked Hadyn's room—only to find it empty—and asked the servants about the last time Hadyn was seen. According to everyone, no one saw him leave. However, a couple servants said they had seen Jain moving bags out of Hadyn's room.

There was a sinking notion in Elsa's head that Hadyn was dead. She shook her head. No. He couldn't be dead; he just couldn't. She felt unwanted tears spring into her eyes, which she shook away quickly.

Olaf peeked around the corner from down the hall where Elsa had warned him to wait. She had no idea how dangerous this Lord Jain might be and she did not want anyone in her castle put in danger due to him. She gripped her fists and told herself that, if Anna were ever to marry again, she would make sure it was a private wedding.

The door cracked open and Jain's head appeared. He looked tired, as if he had been asleep, and his black hair was rustled and unkempt. The only thing he wore was a loose white tunic and black tights.

"Your majesty, what brings you here?" Jain appeared calm.

Elsa was not so calm. However, she told herself to take a deep breath. She had no idea how dangerous this man was. After all, he had lied to her and Anna numerous times. And he might have killed Hadyn as well. There was no knowing what this man might be capable of. By all rights, she should not even be facing him like this. And yet, she was the ice queen and his powers of persuasion and sword could not possibly equate to her powers of ice and snow.

Thus, she levied her gaze and stated calmly, "Where is your cousin?"

Jain didn't change his carefree expression. The only change was a slight smile which appeared on his lips. "My cousin? But I told you a couple days ago that—"

"I did not ask you what you told me, Lord Jain," Elsa interrupted. "I asked you where is your cousin? What did you do to him? And before you deny it, I know that it was you who moved his belongings out of his room and you who lied to us that he was gone. He is not. Now," She took a step closer, narrowing her eyes at him as ice crept up her hand, "I will ask you only one more time: where is your cousin?"

Jain's eyes fell towards her icy hands as his lips slowly lowered. Absently, almost towards himself than to her, he murmured, "Oh, how far lovers fall if they fly too high on the wings of love."

"What?"

He looked up at her, his smile returning. "You wish to see my cousin." He gestured inside his room. "He is waiting for you, I am sure."

Elsa didn't move for a second, her mind filled with thoughts and predictions. There was no way she believed him, and yet what did she have to fear with her power. Even the shackles Hans placed on her hands could be cracked. She briefly glanced at Olaf, who was still watching her. If anything happened, he would go get help. She knew he would. Turning to look back at Jain, she nodded and entered his room.

As she entered, she made a quick survey of the room, staring in wonder before her. At the end of Jain's bed, between the fireplace and the balcony, stood a large shimmering orb, near eight feet in diameter. Inside that orb lay a crumbled figure, covered in a dark cape. She took a step closer, squinting her eyes in the dark light. It was hard to see, as Jain had pulled all his curtains shut as if to destroy all light. And yet, from the fire's soft light, she could just make out who the person was as he looked up at her.

"Hadyn!" She exclaimed, so shocked she almost didn't hear Jain quietly shut the door behind her.

Hadyn seemed to be struggling to his feet, but he looked pale, gaunt. What had Jain done to him? The fire prince banged against the orb with his hands, his mouth moving as if he was shouting and yet Elsa couldn't make out any sound.

She turned on Jain. "What have you done to him?"

Jain silently locked the door before turning to her, a bright smile on his face.

She felt a shiver go down her back. There was no possible way that Jain had something which could hold someone with magic. It explained why he was able to overpower Hadyn. She just wasn't sure if that meant he could overpower her as well.

Lord Jain raised his hands in surrender, but for some reason it felt more as if he were mocking her. "No, your majesty, please don't jump to any conclusions. I have not hurt him at all. He is only a bit hungry."

"You have been starving him," Elsa accused, glancing back at Hadyn. He seemed to continue to shout, pointing franticly towards Jain and then towards the door. Perhaps he was telling her to get out. However, she ignored him.

"Not starving him, I promise you. It is he who refuses to eat. I know you wish to protect him." Jain took a step closer. "And I see now that you are in love with him."

"Stay back," Elsa growled quietly, raising her hand as sparks of ice shot out of her fingertips and cascaded harmlessly to the floor. She didn't want to hurt him, but she would if she had to.

Jain stopped just out of arm's reach from her. "Did you not wonder why he proposed to you? He never really wanted to marry you. No, I know you want to believe he loves you, but he does not. He only sees you as a game; a challenge. Not I…I see what you could truly be."

"And what might that be?"

Jain gestured towards the covered windows. "Look out at your kingdom. All that land is yours. All those people are yours to do with as you please. But have you not ever wanted more? With me, we could rule the world. Shoot down anyone who opposes us. I have the brain, and you have that amazing power. Together, we could rule the world. Nothing would be out of reach. You could protect your sister, those you love. No one would be hurt because of you again. All you must do is listen to me."

Elsa let out a soft laugh, as the puzzle pieces fit together slowly in her mind. Everything Jain had done and had said made sense. More confidently than before, Elsa stated, "You know, you must be the most pathetic person I have ever met."

She had hoped to throw him off his secure balance of confidence, and it worked. His smile vanished, replaced by a tight-lipped grimace.

Elsa continued before he could speak. "I see it now. You have just a pathetic weakling vying for more power. You are a fool. You think by destroying me, by destroying your cousin, maybe even by gaining a throne or two, that you will be happy. But lust for power does not work like that. The most you gain, the more your lust grows. It is like a hunger which can never be satisfied. You have hurt so many people that it is probably impossible to rectify your actions now. And yet you do not understand. That lust…it is like fear. Trust me, I know all about fear. The idea that you will never be free of the shackles which you were born with. That is why you are a fool. You cannot change the world, just as much as you cannot control it. You can only learn to change your outlook on the world."

Jain closed his eyes and his head leaned back to face the ceiling. It was as if he wasn't listening to her any longer. As if he was blocking out all sound. After a moment of silence, he began to chuckle softly. When he looked back at her, his eyes were dark and when he spoke, his voice was deep and slow.

"That was the wrong answer."

He held up his hand, which appeared to hold a device. Silently, he clicked something on it.

One moment Elsa was staring at him, and the next she felt herself surrounded with bright lights. Nothing was visible as she felt a great pressure hit her chest. She was thrown backwards, and where she landed felt soft.

"Elsa! Elsa!"

She opened her eyes, realizing she was lying down. Arms grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up to a sitting position. As her vision cleared, she stared into Hadyn's red eyes.

"Elsa, you idiot!" He exclaimed, his voice extremely hoarse.

She glanced past him, and realized what must have happened. Jain had put her inside the orb somehow. A misty film surrounded her and Hadyn.

From outside, she saw Jain calmly approach the orb.

"Now, don't worry, your majesty," he said. "Unlike my cousin, you won't be inside there too long. I have one more thing to do, now that you two are tied up. I won't be late. After all, it wouldn't do to have your pretty little sister coming to look for you. You two stay there—who am I kidding, of course you would have to stay there."

Chuckling to himself at his own joke, Jain left the room.

Elsa scrambled to her feet, leaving Hadyn behind on the ground. Banging her fists against the orb, she shouted for help.

Instead of stopping her, Hadyn merely sat in silence before she gave up and collapsed to the ground.

Finally, she turned to Hadyn. "You have been here for the last two days, haven't you?"

Hadyn remained silent. His lips looked cracked and his face gaunt. She could see beads of sweat running slowly down his cheeks.

Elsa moved over to kneel next to him in the small space, placing her hand on his forehead. "You're burning up."

Hadyn smiled slightly, and then grunted, possibly because the smile hurt his lips. "I haven't slept much."

"Oh, Hadyn, why would you let Jain imprison you like this! After all the talk to me about how powerful you are."

"As if you can talk. Who also ended up in here?"

Elsa rolled her eyes. "I was coming to rescue you, you dimwit. And how was I to know he had a something which could trap us?"

Hadyn shook his head, pushing her hand off his forehead. "Elsa, I'm too tired to argue."

Elsa's brow furrowed. He did not look well at all. They had to find a way to get out of here before they both ended up dead.