Scene 16

Elsa

Elsa woke up in a cage. She groaned and opened her eyes, the hot iron pressing against her body. She wondered how in the world she had not woken up earlier, as the cage was thin and tall, forcing her to stand upright. Her hands and wrists were incased in gleaming steel constructs that bound her hands together, much like the ones Prince Hans had used to restrain her power, but much larger. The view beyond her cage wasn't particularly encouraging either. She was in a tall room, three of the walls and the floor were rough stone, and one wall was solid iron. It was empty, save a pair of strange tracks leading from under her cage to the metal wall. A loud roaring sound was coming from somewhere distant. Next to her, in an identical cage, was Donovan. He was unconscious, face pressed against the bars. She called out to him, but he did not wake up. He had similar constructs on his hands, but they were even bigger than hers. Skahdi appeared on the other side of the bars. She looked stunned, eyes red from crying. Could Elmenti cry?

"Yes, Elsa, we can." She reached through the bars and touched Elsa's face. "Skahdi can't get you out of here. The hand thingies are too thick to break! I've been awake for hours, and…" She sagged through the bars against Elsa, as if she were solid. Her dark eyes were full of pain and desperation.

"It's all right, Skahdi, I'm awake now." Panic flared in her mind, from Skahdi.

"No! It's not all right! I know what they will do to you, to us! I remember!" A pair of doors opened on the far end of the room, and in walked two people. One was a very tall man in a spotless white military uniform and severe expression, and the other was a small dark girl in a tight blue dress. At first Elsa mistook her for Iy'ate, but once the girl got closer, Elsa knew better. The Uru'stai smiled, filed teeth fitting together perfectly.

"Remember us?" It was the same voice, the same insane tones. Two voices, at the same time. Elsa looked back at her with a determined gaze.

"Yes. I do." She replied as Skahdi growled, baring her teeth in a snarl. The two of them reached the pair of cages, and the man looked up at Elsa, expression unreadable. He finally spoke.

"Queen Elsa of Arendelle, it is an honor. Your father was a brilliant general, defeating the Mjolgir the first time we invaded the South. I expected much from his posterity, and you did not disappoint. You and your companion single-handedly destroyed the Fifth Armada of Mjolgir, saving your city, Highness. You also managed to destroy my personal flagship, a setback I cannot afford to ignore." He began to walk around Elsa's cage displaying predatory grace, like she had noticed in Donovan, but with Sagr, the rage was closer to the surface. This man was dangerous.

"Lord Sagr, I presume?" She asked calmly, and he in his eyes she caught a glimpse of surprise. "Your soldiers were kind enough to inform me of your name as they tried, unsuccessfully, to capture me."

He smiled disconcertingly, and stated. "I did not expect them to succeed. You see, Queen Elsa, the real reason I attacked your city was not to invade, but another reason entirely."

"It was to flush her out. Very clever move, there." Elsa and Sagr spun around to see Donovan standing straight in his cage, the strange girl looking up at him curiously. He ignored her. "You knew she would come to defend her city. That is why you ordered your troops not to attack the stairways, but rampage around the streets, burning and killing. You were waiting for Elsa to come to the docks, where your pet Elemental was waiting." Sagr's expression did not change, but the girl's eyes opened in amazement. He strode over to Donovan, and Skahdi whispered to Elsa.

"The girl and the man, they are both Elementals. But they are … wrong." Elsa was about to ask why, but Sagr interrupted her.

"Very good. Pardon me for not knowing your name, sir." Donovan looked back at him, the two warrior's stares meeting each other in midair.

"I am Warlord Donovan Ironhand of Arradia. I excuse your ignorance, I am a new ruler and Arradia is a new nation, created from the remnants of Darahdia." Sagr nodded, obviously recognizing the name.

"Your powers are formidable, Lord Ironhand, but like the Queen, I see that you are both terrible swimmers. Ven'isai said it was remarkably easy to capture you both, and I was surprised." The strange girl, Ven'isai, started at the mention of her name. Donovan smiled and quipped,

"Put her in a giant furnace and see how well she fares then." At this, the strange girl started to laugh, the two different voices grating on Elsa's mind. Skahdi made a sound of comprehension.

"Skahdi gets it! She has bonded permanently with her Elmenti! Not supposed to happen, she must be insane, that is why they speak weird! They are one being, now." A set of steps appeared made out of water, and Ven'isai sidled up them. She reached through the bars, and touched Donovan's face. She tilted her head, and asked,

"We like you very much, Master Donovan. Ven'isai thinks we have found a suitable companion."

Donovan smiled roguishly, and said softly. "I'm sorry, Ven'isai, but I'm taken. So much so, in fact, there is no room for the three of you." She tossed her head and frowned. The set of stairs sank into the floor again, and she walked back to Sagr. Donovan turned back to the huge man. "While you are a great general, with much power, I see little honor in you. First, you destroy a country you made a honorable peace treaty with. Second, you sacrificed the lives of hundreds of your soldiers so you could achieve a single objective. And third, you stayed behind and cowered on your ship, while your soldiers did the real work. You have power; you should have used it to help your people. But you did not." Sagr considered this for a minute, face blank. He folded his arms behind his back, and strode over to Elsa.

"I have a proposition for you, Your Majesty. Both choices are beneficial to me, but only one for you. I have need of a strong right hand, someone I can trust to lead by my side. Ven'isai is too… how shall I put this… unstable for my needs, and you would fit perfectly. With two Geist at my side, the Mjolgir will be unstoppable." Elsa remained silent, waiting for the rest of it. "What's in it for you? Simply put, I will not destroy Arendelle. Your sister and her husband will live in peace, as will the rest of your country. That is my proposition."

Elsa actually considered his request, but Skahdi interrupted her train of thought.

"He's lying! That was the only thing his Elmenti got out before he ordered it silent!"

Donovan

"What will happen to Donovan?" Elsa asked to stall, although Donovan could guess the answer. He had annoyed the General too much to be of any use now. He was desperately trying to melt the clamps on his hands, but they were made from six inches of the finest steel. Sagr pretended to think on the question, then replied, a hint of regret in his voice.

"You see, I know I will never force him to obey me unless I keep a sword over your head, but if I do that, I leave myself open. I cannot do that, and he has just demonstrated how different our ideals are. And he is too powerful to hold forever. I'm sorry, Your Majesty, he will have to die." Elsa gave Donovan a small smile. He smiled back, then Elsa turned to Sagr. Vordahn murmured.

"She is brave. Foolishly, hopelessly, beautifully brave."

"I'm sorry, but I cannot accept your request. I would rather die than see than see my people enslaved by my own hand. Because, naturally, the other choice is death, isn't it?" Sagr nodded slowly.

"I know those bonds won't hold forever, especially against one of your power. Are you sure about this course of action? It would be in your best interests, Your Majesty. Your family will survive and thrive under Mjolgirn control, I promise you on my honor."

"I cannot, for you have none. I am sorry, Lord Sagr, but our business is at an end." He nodded, face showing nothing.

"It seems that it is. Well, as I said earlier, I still benefit from this arrangement." Donovan narrowed his eyes, trying not to think of the possibilities.

"How is that?" Elsa asked calmly. Sagr looked up at her and smiled.

"There is one less Geist in my way." He gestured and the metal wall split in two. It was not a wall, but a huge door. Red light poured out, and then Donovan could see into the chamber beyond. It was a great furnace. Flames danced all along the edges of the walls and on the floor, fed by huge piles of burning coal. The seemingly distant sound was now around them, the roaring of a forge a thousand times bigger than any he had ever seen. The wave of heat slammed in his face, feeding his power. Donovan was transfixed by the huge flames, and Ven'isai backed away quickly, but Sagr held firm. He caught Elsa's eyes, and Donovan could see, at this distance the destructive glee there.

"You will burn, Ice Queen." He grabbed hold of the cage and shoved it forward. Donovan yelled in horror as the cage rolled into the great furnace. She could not handle that much raw power!

"Vordahn, give me all our power! All of it!" Donovan could feel his hesitation. "Quickly! She will die if I don't get to her soon!" Vordahn responded and Donovan felt the extra power surge dangerously through his veins. Sagr looked at him, unable to hide the look victory on his face. He and Ven'isai exited the room silently, wasting no time. On his way out, he waved his hand and the great doors began to close. Elsa looked back at Donovan, and through the glare of the firelight, he saw her soft smile. The real smile.

"No! Elsa! NO!" Donovan screamed as the great doors slammed shut. All of his fear, desperation, and passion in that moment became one single feeling. Rage.

Elsa

The heat assailed her, and Elsa could feel Skahdi straining to hold the raw energy back. While her hands were bound, her natural resistance to fire still protected her. So far. Elsa thought on all she had done, and she was disappointed. She had unified Arendelle, but through force. Donovan had loved her, but now they would both die in pain. Anna loved her, but Elsa had failed her. Tears ran down her face, only to be evaporated by the extreme heat.

"I'm so sorry, Anna." She whispered. She had promised to return safely. Anna would be left alone to face the legions of the Mjolgir. They would descend on her nation like a flood, and the devastation that she had seen in Fjordell would be repeated in the capital, and all over the world. They would die in pain, because of her. Because of her failure.

Skahdi appeared outside her cage, hands held up as if to stop the storm of heat. "You stop moping! Skahdi's protecting your sorry butt, and you're sitting there feeling sorry for yourself!? That's downright insensitive!" Elsa sobbed a laugh that she couldn't hear. The roaring of the furnace blotted everything, and she could feel the heat beginning to burn her.

"Skahdi, what happens to an Elmenti that leaves her host?" Skahdi almost broke concentration, sweat running down her cheeks, delicate features marred by exertion.

"Why would you want to know that, ladyqueen!? This isn't a very good time to ask Skahdi questions!" Elsa bowed her head, and spoke softly.

"Skahdi, I want you to leave me." Skahdi looked at her in astonishment.

"Skahdi always though you was crazy, Elsa, but now-" Elsa fixed her with her gaze, blue eyes narrowed with resolve.

"Skahdi, you have been there for me my entire life, whether I knew it or not. You have saved me and the people I love so many times, I have lost track. It's my turn to save you. Leave, Skahdi." Her huge eyes widened in shock, in hurt.

"Elsa, if Skahdi leaves, then you will die!"

"And you will live! Go!" Skahdi's face tightened in determination, thin eyebrows drawing together.

"Never. Skahdi will never leave Elsa." Tears rolled down her face, too much to evaporate. Elsa took a deep breath.

"Skahdi. I order you. Leave. Me." Skahdi began to cry uncontrollably. She struggled to form words.

"Please! No. Elsa, no." She began to drift away from Elsa, though she tried to stay, the orders were too strong.

"Goodbye, Skahdi." Elsa smiled through her tears, and Skahdi's pleading eyes pierced Elsa's heart. Then she was gone, and that part of her heart was ripped away from her.

Then pain consumed her. She accepted peace gladly.

Anna

Anna was looking out the window of the rooms she shared with Kristoff. She was waiting for Elsa. Kristoff was anxiously reading a book on strategy, but she could feel his gaze on her. It had been two days since the battle of Fjordell, and there had been no word. Suddenly, she felt cold water trickling down her shirt. She ripped the cord off her neck that held Elsa's snowflake. As she held it, the delicate ice melted in her hands. She collapsed on the floor, Kristoff running to help her. Elsa was gone.

Donovan

The great iron doors melted and Donovan punched through the remnants. He took one look at the fire and drew the energy into him. The power threatened to tear him apart, and Vordahn groaned in pain. He absorbed it all until the ashes were cold, then released it. With a primal yell, a huge column of energy leapt from his hands and into the rock above him, vaporizing rock, wood and steel. He kept just enough to sustain him, and let it go. A circular hole was opened up above him, and the stars were visible. He ran to the cage in the center of the room, hoping against all odds. He ripped the cage apart, and caught Elsa as she fell. Small burns dotted her body, but nothing that could have killed her. He pried the iron constructs from off her hands, and frantically checked her pulse. There was nothing.

He closed her empty eyes, and pulled her close and cradled her body in his arms. Tears fell from his cheeks to hers. Her face was peaceful, and the remnants of her smile lingered. He held her for infinite seconds, then realized there was something he could do. It was his only chance. He picked her up, then looked at the stars in the hole he had created. He jumped and channeled all of his strength to fly out the opening and soared into the night sky, as the building they had been held in crashed down. He read the stars and headed for Arendelle.