Ice and Dragons

Chapter 3: Runes and Revelations

I was stuck like that for almost three hours; the ceremony took at least that long, although the 'important' part only took a few moments. I idly wondered if Elsa could hold the scepter for the ceremony without icing it. I dismissed the idle thought, turning my thoughts back to how I might be able to get free from this predicament. I still had nothing; the ice hadn't melted at all even in this summer heat; I was almost at the point of screaming out loud, but I really didn't want the attention that would bring me from the guards. Gah! This was just so… frustrating! I came here to help and am treated like some kind of interloper or freak. I let out a sigh, resigned to the wait. And, as though I had tempted fate, as soon as I look up again, Elsa walks through the door, new crown on her head. Trapped as I was, I still sent her a smile- judging by her expression, that action threw her a bit.

"Congratulations, Queen Elsa. I had hoped to see the ceremony in person, but as we both know, I was a bit… indisposed." Her surprised look fades and she gives me a wry smile.

"Thanks, sir. But I believe we have a matter of great importance to discuss before I go any further- what are your intentions here?"

I raise an eyebrow. Blunt and to the point, huh? I can do that, too.

"My intentions were to meet you and your sister, watch the coronation, and offer my services to the royal family like your father and I agreed on those years ago."

The look of shock on her face was easily visible as she tried to reconcile that fact with her worldview. Judging by the subsequent look of veiled anger, I don't think it went well.

"So, you would lie to me? You can't be any older than myself, so if you made a deal with my father, it had to have been years ago, before his death. You would have been a small child! I know my father was a wise man, but I doubt he would offer a place in the court to a child!"

Her condescending tone awoke anger in me; I really don't like being talked down to- my heritage gave me that quirk in spades. Snarling, I shock her with my next words, ignoring caution to a degree that I would be appalled to see if I was thinking clearly.

"Well, Queen, I am much more than meets the eye! I met you and your sister along with your parents after you had visited the trolls- I doubt you remember me, as I was a footnote that day, but he and I made a pact that day, and intend to keep my end, regardless if you want me to or not- I respect the dead very much. Can you say the same?!"

The shock and shame running across her face broke me from my anger. I opened my mouth to apologize, but before I could speak a word, then her powers went wild from her rampant emotions. The ambient temperature dropped to near uninhabitable in under a second, and my icy prison started to warp ad crack, chunks falling off. I finally had the room to break the remaining ice, and I did so, bursting free in a spray of glittering shards and powder. Elsa's look of shock lasted only a moment before I took a knee before her, just within arm's reach. Her immense confusion was easily visible; she was wondering why I simply didn't run. My next words explained that.

"My Queen, it doesn't matter if you do not believe me; I did indeed make a compact with your father, and I intend to hold it. Your caution towards another magic-user shows a shrewd mind, and I would be honored to be your family's protector."

Silence echoed through the room; her speechlessness was echoed by her powers stopping their wild flaring- the ice in the room simply stopped, as if the worlds was holding its breath. Her next words ended up shocking me!

"Y-you would help a m-m-monster like me? A freak that can't even control her curse?"

I look up at her, blinking.

Anger overtakes me and I stand, startling the Queen into taking a few steps backwards.

"You are no monster! Your powers are as beautiful as you, and you can control them! You have already! Look around- the ice in here is, excuse the pun, frozen in place! All you need is practice."

Calming myself and leaning in a bit, I wink.

"And between you and me, I believe that anyone who says your beautiful gift is a curse is blind and stupid."

Her rich blush tells me that she heard the compliment. I hold out my arm to her.

"Well, my Queen, shall we? We still have a ball to go to!"

She looks at my arm as if it would bite her. "Y-yes, we do, but I can't take your arm- I freeze all I touch…"

I give her a look. "Well, let me tell you a secret- I can prevent that with just a few brush-strokes on my clothes, and with practice, we won't even need that. Sound good to you?"

Her beaming smile is answer enough. I walk over to a study desk and take off my coat, missing Elsa's flush at seeing me in just a tight-fitting dress shirt. Carefully, I take the pen there and trace a series of Norse runes, starting with Eihwaz, trailing into a long string of minor runes and ending with the cutoff symbol of Yggdrasil. Showing her the result painted on the inside of the sleeve, I smirk a bit.

"When I power this rune cluster, a simple temperature regulation set, it will prevent anything in the immediate vicinity- around three feet- from freezing unless I allow it. Want to watch me power them?"

She nods quickly, looking exactly like an excited schoolgirl at that moment. Chuckling, I bend over the rune and close my eyes- drawing on my power slits my pupils, and I'm not quite ready to reveal that facet of myself quite yet.

Rich, forest green power flows from my palm and into the air near the runes, coalescing into a ball and hanging there. Slowly, I take my other hand and press it into the rune cluster, the lines of ink flaring a brighter green as the energy is absorbed and assimilated into the runic spread. After a moment, the job is finished and I open my eyes to be startled by Elsa standing so close to me I almost knock heads with her as I straighten up. Grinning wryly, I hold the jacket up, showing the softly glowing green runes.

"Now the cluster is active, and I can put the coat back on." Suiting action to words, I swing it over my shoulder and button it back up. Chore finished, I offer my arm to her once again.

Slowly, tentatively, like my arm is a snake about to strike, she places her hand on my arm. When no ice forms, her face lights up in delight and she takes my arm fully- and then pulls me into a hug.

Startled, it's all I can do not to pull away. She notices my tense posture and disengages, a blush of embarrassment upon her face.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to offend-"

I laugh out loud, my unease forgotten. "It's quite alright- you caught me off guard, and I am not used to physical displays of affection or anything similar."

For the third and final time, I hold out my arm. "Would milady care to dance?"

Her soft smile as she takes my arm gives me the answer before her mouth opens. "I would love to."

¸¸. •*¨*•-Ice and Dragons-•*¨*•.¸¸

The ball is in full swing when we arrive, the musicians playing and the crowd dancing a slow three step waltz. We walk in, the herald announcing Elsa as is proper; I had detached myself, not wanting to draw too much attention to myself, and had entered a few moments afterwards. We walked up to the throne dais, chatting about inconsequential things- how the ice trade is doing, if Arendelle might be acquiring any new trade partners, and small talk like that. It was refreshing to be so comfortable in conversation; I had never had a social experience even remotely like this, so I surprised myself in enjoying it so readily. Although, if I am to be honest with myself, it was the excellent company I was with. Elsa and I stood there, chatting for a moment before I spotted a familiar redheaded bundle of energy approach. Knowing that Anna would want to talk to her sister, I excused myself to get us some drinks. I walked away towards the refreshment table, watching the crowd in amusement. The nobles were indeed stuck up, and I almost laughed at how some of them were dressed- all showy wealth and no real style or theme. The waltz ended, and there was polite applause here. Soon, the thirsty dancers mobbed the refreshment tables so I had to wait in line for a moment. I looked back to see Elsa pawn Anna off to… is that a big-headed midget wearing the uniform of a duke? Ooohhhkay. And he dances like a brain-damaged monkey. I can see why Elsa had Anna dance in her stead. Finally retrieving a glass of water for Elsa and a mug of mulled wine for myself, I returned just as Anna pried herself from the Duke and ran into a man with quite impressive sideburns. They got to talking, and soon Anna and he were walking off together, chatting animatedly.

I approach Elsa with her drink, and present it to her with a flourish. "Your respite, milady."

She giggles at my over-theatrically, taking the glass from me- it didn't freeze.

Huh, when she's in a good mood she has no problem with her powers- something to take note of.

Anyway, we chatted for a bit before the next waltz started. The music started, and I held out my hand to invite her to dance, just as Anna and the man came back through the ballroom entrance at a near run, all nerves and excitement. My offer died in my throat as I saw they were making a beeline towards Elsa; they must have something to tell her. I turn to the Queen, wincing in apology. She smiles and shrugs. I stand to the side as Anna and the man approach.

Anna spouts a stream of excited babble I barely manage to parse, and as I do, my brain seizes up in confusion. Married? On the first day they met!?

I could see the same reaction coming from Elsa, along with some other side effects. Her worry came back into full effect, her powers freezing the glass she held until she handed it off to me. I quickly hid it from view, lest someone see the odd happening. Elsa began to speak to Anna; I ignored the conversation for the most part, focusing on the oddly silent man who wanted to marry the princess so abruptly.

Having inhuman senses let me see a very different side to this man; he controlled his expression just like a professional actor, and I could see him examining Elsa the same way I was observing him. He was a manipulator; the fact that he was a prince with no line to the throne in his home country mad it worse. He went from 'lovesick fool' to 'ambitious backstabber' in my mind almost immediately. My attention was yanked back to Elsa as she called out to the room, her argument with Anna coming to a head.

"No, Anna. My word is final. You just met him; you can't be in love with him already! It doesn't work like that!"

"What would you know about love? You closed yourself in your room for years!"

Anna's retort made me wince- that wasn't something to say to Elsa in her current state of mind.

Elsa's face went stony. "More than you, apparently. This discussion is over- this party is over." Raising her voice, she calls to the room as a whole. "This party is over- please return to your homes and rooms!"

Turning to a nearby guard she says; "Close the gates."

Anna goes desperate, grabbing Elsa's arm. My eyes go wide; she isn't protected! "What are you so afraid of?!"

Elsa pulls away in time, but Anna manages to hold onto her glove. "Anna, please- stop!"

But she doesn't.

"Elsa, please talk to me! What has you so afraid?! What made you like this?"

And finally, Elsa's control slips and all hell breaks loose.

"Anna, I said enough!" Her gesture that accompanies the words sends a spray of ice to the ground, where it solidifies into a wall of jagged icicles. Anna had lunged closer- too close, and I had to do something. I jumped in front of the ice, interposing myself between the spikes and Anna. The rune cluster on my jacket burns bright, and fizzles- her power was too much.

The icicles slam into me, she sharp points ripping my clothes to shreds. They would have fatally impaled me if not for my reflex to change my skin to scales. As it was, they shattered and knocked me on my ass. I was okay, but the situation was most certainly not.

The whole ballroom saw not only the ice show but my transformation as well. Elsa looks me in the eye, frightened beyond reason. She bolts out of the room. I try to follow, but am dog piled by the midget duke's men before I can pick myself up. The duke follows Elsa, shouting about monsters and witches and generally raising havoc. Anna just stares at me as though I would stand up and eat her. After ten minutes of uncomfortable silence, I speak.

"Well, is this how Arendelle treats its guests? Holding them in uncomfortable arm locks for saving the princess?"

Anna flushes, realizing that I had indeed done just that. Her and Mr. Sideburns exchange a glance- hers pleading, his a calculating look hidden behind a mask of concern. He relents, and turns to the guards.

"Let him up, but keep him at sword point- we don't know what he is yet."

I snort, drawing attention to myself as I pop my shoulders and arms. "Does it matter what I am? I have no ill intentions- hell, I saved the princess here! If I wanted to wreak havoc, I had ample time to earlier. I even spoke with Anna here."

Her eyes widen in recognition. "M-Mathias?"

I nod and smile. "The very same, milady. Glad I kept you from injury twice today, eh?"

She gives me a shy smile. "Y-yeah."

Prince sideburns interrupts. "You still haven't told us how you did what you did- it was a transformation- magic! Are you like the Queen?"

I bark out a laugh. "No, nothing like the Queen. I use rune based magic for the most part, although the partial transformation you saw earlier is a native ability to my kind. If I wished you all harm, believe me- you would all be gone. Anyway, I still haven't caught your name, prince-?"

He blinks, surprised, but answers. "Hans, prince Hans of the Southern Isles."

His answer makes me bristle and growl. The guards tighten their grips on their swords, and Hans goes pale and steps back.

With difficulty, I calm myself and speak civilly. "Sorry, Prince Hans, but my kind has a very bad history with the Southern Isles. My reaction got the better of me."

Hans gives me an odd look as he thinks. "Your kind? What are you talking about? You just told us you were a mage."

I give him a toothy grin. "Not just a mage, Prince."

He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. Guards, stand down. He saved the princesses life, and we owe him at least that much. Your name was, Mathias, yes?"

I stand up completely, extending my hand to shake. "Mathias Zephyerium, at your service."

His eyebrow goes up. "Odd name, but no matter. We need to be worried about the Queen. The weather outside just turned to that of deepest winter, and I fear she is responsible."

My eyes widen, and a curse escapes my lips. I rush to the door and look outside- indeed; it is just like the thick of winter outside.

Hans walks up beside me. "Is there anything you can do about this… summer's winter? Can you do some conjuring and fix it?"

I think, putting my head in my hand. "No, I don't think so. This is incredibly powerful ice magic- if this was weather magic, I could fix it, albeit with great effort, but the Queen's magic is far too strong. She can dispel it, but it looks like she doesn't know how if the severity of this storm is any indicator."

He shakes his head. "Then we need to go retrieve the Queen."

As soon as the words are out of his mouth, Anna, clad in a winter cloak over her ball gown rushes out, calling for a horse.

"I'll go get Elsa- this is my fault, and I'm her sister. If anyone can get her back, it's me."

Hans protests. "But they need you here, to manage this crisis!"

Anna shakes her head. "No, that's why I'm putting you in charge." Turning to the group of councilors behind her, she calls out. "I'm leaving Prince Hans here in charge while I'm gone."

Before she can leave, however, I walk in front of her. "Princess Anna, this is too dangerous- the blizzard and frozen terrain, plus the predators of the forest make it too hazardous for you to go alone. I will accompany you."

Her incredulous look sweeps over me. "Like that? No shirt? I'm surprised you aren't shivering!"

I shrug. "I have a good constitution. Plus…"

I close my eyes and trace a glowing sigil into the air with my power. For a few seconds, I trace rune after rune in midair, linking them together into a conjuring array. As they flare, I open my eyes. My clothes have been replaced by medium weight mountain gear- a durable leather jacket, thick cotton breeches, and a stitched cotton shirt are the base layer. Over my chest, under the jacket is a hardened leather chest piece, and on my arms are a pair of hard leather bracers, and my shins are protected by a pair of studded greaves.

I enjoy their stunned looks for a moment, before gesturing ahead. "Well, shall we be going?"

Anna looks smug. "How do you plan to keep up without a horse?"

I grin. "You'll see."

Taking that as a challenge, she shoots forward into the town at a full gallop. Letting out a whoop, I sprint forwards after her, letting my draconic strength and endurance out to play. Soon, I'm running along beside a gaping Anna. She looks at me in askance and I shrug and mouth "Magic."

Her eye roll is endlessly amusing to me.

As we travel through the town and into the mountains, a thought occurs to me, and I ask Anna.

"Anna, did you know that your sister had powers?"

She frowns and shakes her head as we turn down a rocky path. "No, I really had no idea. It just seemed like one day, she just closed herself off from the entire world!"

I hummed. "Around what time did this happen, may I ask?"

Anna thinks on it, her brow furrowing in thought. "Around the time I was deathly ill, I think. I remember a horse ride back from some odd place and daddy stopping to talk to a little boy, and…"

At this she flushes and looks away. I tilt my head in confusion.

"What is it, Anna?"

"You'll think it's stupid, but I remember a boy around Elsa's age talking to my dad- dad got angry and drew his sword, then the kid walked up to the sword, and talked a bit to him and then they shook hands. The boy walked into the bushes, there was a flash of green light, and this giant bird shape flew away. Sounds stupid, right?"

In my shock, I almost trip over a root. She remembers that? Wow. Shaking my head, I answer her.

"No, Anna, I don't think it's stupid at all; magic exists! We see the proof all around us, and I'm keeping up with a galloping horse on foot for crying out loud! It certainly happened."

At my sure declaration, she gives me an odd look. "How can you be so sure…?"

She shakes her head. "No time for that. We have to have caught up ti within earshot, right? Elsa! EEEELSA! This is Anna! Please, come home! We need you to end this winter!"

I tune her out, knowing that we are in reality fairly far behind Elsa- she had in all likelihood run across the fjord to escape, judging by the ice, and we had to go around. As Anna slowed, so did I until I was walking at a normal pace. I hear a rustling in the bushes, and I turn to look. As I do, Anna manages to knock herself off her horse by running into a snow-laden tree branch. The sudden loss of its rider panics the horse, and it sprints back to Arendelle faster than either of us can react.

We look at each other in frustration.

"Well, Anna, nothing to do but press on or go back. I think we should press on- the longer this winter goes, the more unhappy and angry the townspeople will be at Elsa, regardless if this is her fault or not."

She heaves herself up, brushing the snow off and gives me a firm nod of determination. We continue on, coming to an incline that I barely stop in time to avoid, and Anna goes tumbling down…

Straight into a river. Damn, that must be cold.

I run down, helping her up. I suppress a laugh at her comically frozen skirt, and we head to a small shack I see in the distance. After a few yards, it coalesces into a small, cozy log cabin.

Looking down, I spy a sign, reading; 'Oaken's trading post.'

Anna reaches down, brushing off the remainder of the sign, revealing the phrase 'and sauna.'

Letting out a bark of laughter, I guide a shivering Anna into the cabin. The warm air washes over us, bringing relief to Anna from the cold. I see a man behind the counter- he's a biggun'. I tune them out and think.

Elsa obviously panicked, and badly; she simply ran, probably with no destination in mind other than 'away'. She would have run to what was, to her at least, the most remote place in a day's distance. That left only two real options; the Troll Enclave, which was unlikely as she didn't know how to reach it, and the North Mountain, Arendelle's most visible landmark.

I'm broken out of my musing as the door slams open, a man in heavy winter gear silhouetted in the doorway. His clothes -simple, designed for comfort and utility- were caked with snow in a way that showed that he had been travelling through the snowstorm headlong, and at a fair speed. As I could tell he was human; that left either a horse- which would balk and stop in this weather- or a reindeer, which I smelled on him.

Huh, an animal lover. Meh, no business of mine. I saw him move over to the counter and moved out of the way, nodding to him as I moved. He acknowledged me with a grunt and peered around Anna, looking for something in the display that she was blocking. She seemed oblivious to his search, asking Oaken about the snowstorm. I gently reached over and moved her a few feet to the left, clearing the space the man was looking in. He nodded to me, reached in and grabbed a bundle of carrots. I vaguely heard Anna ask Oaken about the blizzard, and the snow caked man answered in a muffled voice when Oaken didn't.

"This storm is coming from the North Mountain. Don't know why you're out and about, this would be a good time to take shelter and wait out the storm."

He headed over to the little remaining winter gear as he spoke. I responded, interested in his reaction to what I was about to say.

"No can do, these storms won't peter out on their own- the Queen has ice powers and fled to the mountain- she's causing the storm. We're out to get her and stop said storm. I noticed that you seem to have some transportation- is there any way we could hire you as a ride?"

He gives me a blank stare throughout my statement. Finally he reaches past me, grabs a pick and length of rope and returns to the cash register, not a word said.

Oaken tallies up his total; "That will be 43, ya?"

That was rude. Anna thought so as well.

"Hey, at least you could answer him! No need to be rude!"

He turns to her, a frown visible. "That story is as crazy as a bag of cats- I don't believe you. Now please let me deal with this crook- forty-three is highway robbery for this!"

Oaken didn't like that.

After he was tossed out into a snowbank, I sigh and head to the counter, taking the women's snow gear from the peg as I do.

After paying for out gear and a few extras, I head out to the shed nearby with Anna in tow. I walk up and hear the man finishing up an honestly ridiculous song- I ignore the oddity as I knock and open the door. He looks up at me in irritation.

"Now what do you want?!"

I give him a flat look. "What I requested in the first place- a ride up to the North Mountain. As added incentive, I bought your gear for you." I pull out the pick and rope and hand it off to him. "Would you please take us? I don't care if you believe me or not, but we really do need to get there."

He groans and leans back, covering his eyes with his hand. "Okay, we'll leave at first light, ok?"

I shake my head- that would be much too late. We need to leave as soon as possible, or we might not have enough time. I didn't trust anyone at the Castle, and I was uneasy with Hans in charge.

"No, we need to leave now- time is of utmost importance in this." Anna chimes in next, cranky that he wanted to go later.

"This is my sister we're talking about! We leave now!"

I turn to her and raise an eyebrow in admonishment. She wilts a bit at my mild glare. "I-if that's alright…"

The man sighs. "Okay, we can leave now. Just gimme a minute to get my sled ready- I don't have room for two people normally."

I pipe up. "No need, I can keep up. Don't question it, ok? Anyway, I believe you should know our names and we know yours. I'm Mathias Zephyerium, and this feisty lady is Princess Anna of Arendelle."

His eyes bug out a bit at the revelation that Anna was indeed royalty, but he recovers fast to his credit. "My name is Kristoff Bjorgman, nice to meet you both. Shall we go?"

I nod to the door. "Indeed."

¸¸. •*¨*•-Ice and Dragons-•*¨*•.¸¸

As he hitches his reindeer, Sven, to the sled, I stretch out to be ready for another run. Anna climbs in with him, and I brace myself to run.

Predictably, Kristoff starts Sven off at a gentle walk, easy enough to keep up with on foot. I look at him and roll my eyes, and sprint off after slapping Sven on the haunch to make him bolt.

Soon, we're going full tilt through the trees and Anna is laughing at the experience while Kristoff goggles at me keeping up- apparently without effort- to a galloping reindeer. Finally, he gets his bearings back and we go back on course. I keep my mind and senses on the trail, keeping myself from tripping and also to watch out for followers or predators. I hear Anna and Kristoff arguing in the background about love and so on, so I tune them out…

Until I and Sven scent the wolves at the same time.

We come to a halt, Sven snorting in fear, myself bracing my feet to move if I have to. Kristoff shushes a babbling Anna, holding up the lantern to get a better look. I speak to him, keeping my gaze locked firmly on the woods.

"Kristoff, there are at least a dozen, maybe more of them. We need to move as soon as they charge- that way we avoid being encircled. Ready?"
He nods, and we settle in to wait on the circling predators.

We don't wait long. After a tense few seconds, the Alpha leaps at my throat from the shadows. I duck the leap, straightening up to grab the wolf as he passes over my head. I pivot and throw the beast through the others ahead, opening a passage. I point towards it, and Kristoff and I take off at the same time. We race the wolves for a time, and Anna pulls an impressive beatdown with the lute in the back, keeping them off the sled. Unfortunately, I see the cliff too late. Sven startles, causing the sled, Anna, Kristoff, and the unfortunate reindeer to slide off the cliff in a cascade of snow and panicked shouts.

I have only a split second to think, and I make my decision. I keep going, and dive off the cliff towards the falling passengers. I reach the sled front and see Anna and Kristoff huddling on the floor, waiting for impact. I grab them by their shirt backs, my other hand growing claws that I slice Sven free with. I push off the sled, bringing the three with me, and I see them looking at me in confusion.

I smile at them, and change.

My form explodes outwards, wings and scales forming and growing. My tail sprouts out coiling behind me as my change completes. I hold Anna in my left claw, gently so as not to hurt her, with a thrashing Kristoff in the right. I have Sven in my prehensile tail, held safely. My precious cargo secure, I open my wings and thrust upwards, shooting out of the chasm like an arrow, my emerald scales gleaming in the moonlight.

Turning and spinning, relishing in the sensation of flight for a moment, I decide it's time to get things settled. I aim towards the mountain, towards where my dwelling was. A few minutes of flight, during which Anna pokes her head out to look around and Kristoff keeps thrashing about, and we reach my overlook- close to the North Mountain- and I circle for a landing. I pass low to the ground, dropping Sven off as I hover. The hardy beast stands there looking at me, then bugles and starts bucking about in happiness. I shake my draconic head at this; silly thing. Landing on my haunches, I fold my wings and place Anna down first. She dismounts my hand like a horse, looking up at my form in amazement and a bit of fear. I open my other claw, and Kristoff tumbles out with a yell, bent hand-knife at the ready. I snort a cloud of smoke- he couldn't even cut my softer hand scales with that, so I didn't pay it any mind. Settling down, I snake my head over and speak, my voice deeper now, with sub-harmonics that brought to mind solemn Latin choruses.

"Well, now you see the real me, Anna. Well, I should say, now you see the real me again. I was the boy your father spoke to that night, if you were wondering. I turn to look at Kristoff, who was trying to sneak up on my head with the knife. Brave, but stupid.

"Kristoff, if I wanted to harm you, I would have let you crash like your sled. There is no need to fear me; I want no hoard, and I have lived in this land for years without hurting a human- or troll- for years, so please put down the toothpick before you hurt yourself."

Anna giggles at this, and with a frown, he drops the knife.

"Thanks, Kristoff. Now that we're calmer, maybe we should adjourn to my abode here to plan out what next and to answer the questions I know you have for me. Please follow; the way is hard to find."

As I walk off towards the side of the mountain, I see Anna and Kristoff exchange looks. Anna shrugs and they follow. I lead them over to a small opening, barely big enough for Sven, let alone my small cottage sized self. They look at me in askance, and I change to my humanoid form.

The form they were familiar with was my totally human form, designed to blend in perfectly. In all honesty, it itched terribly and I hated suppressing my scales and horns, so I took the opportunity to shift to my Halfling form. Taller than my normal human form, I stand at Six foot Six, with scales on the outside of my arms, slitted eyes, wings and tail; and, of course, my two back swept horns extruding from my hairline. I kept my old clothes as they worked for this form as well, just changing them to accommodate my wings and tail. They look at me in curiosity and wonder in Anna's case, and caution mixed with astonishment in Kristoff's case.

I walk in, gesturing for them to follow. We enter my home after a few twists and turns. Anna goes bug-eyed at all the books while Kristoff looks around for exits. I roll my eyes and tap a rune on the wall, bringing up two comfortable stone benches and a table from the floor, startling the two. I tap another and a platter with tea service floats to the table from an alcove. I sit down on one bench, and motion them to take the other, which they do.

Giving them a small smile, I speak.

"Well, ready to hear my story?"

A/N: MUHAHAHA! I love cliffhangers, don't you?

… Please don't lynch me.