Chapter XI: The Morning After
Kai and Elsa stood on opposite sides of the unconscious Hans. His head lay on the table, and his arms lay on its sides. They looked around to see if there was anyone else hidden from their sights, and they realized it was just the three of them in the room. What had happened to the others? Kai and Elsa needed to find out.
Kai shook Hans until one of his eyes opened up. Hans slowly opened both of his eyes and lifted his body off of the table. He rubbed the back of his head as if it hurt.
"What happened?!" Elsa asked Hans.
"They... When you guys left to chase that guy down," Hans said, "a woman and other thugs came in through the balcony. They surrounded us all, and knocked us out. I was dazed, but not fully unconscious. I saw them take the others outside through the balcony. I fell unconscious after that."
Kai and Elsa understood their plan perfectly now. The man they chased was just a distraction; a diversion. He was only there to get them out of the room for the others to come in and kidnap the monarchs and representatives. Kai and Elsa were the only ones who could stop the kidnapping, and they knew that. That's why they were lured out of the room.
I'm such a fool, Elsa thought.
Now, everything was ruined. These assailants took the nobles to who knows where, and Kai, Elsa, and Hans didn't know what they were going to do to them. Things weren't good for Arendelle. War would be declared for sure since harm had come to the visitors. This was exactly what Elsa was afraid of. She had failed her country, and she didn't know what to do.
"Hans," Kai said, "why weren't you taken as well?"
Hans shrugged. "I don't know..."
"You don't know?!" Kai said angrily. "Isn't funny that the one who is spared is the one who wants war most of all?"
"What are you suggesting, Captain?" Hans asked angrily.
"I'm suggesting that this whole thing was a set up."
"Are you accusing me of planning this?!"
Kai nodded. It made sense, and all of the pieces fit together perfectly. Hans knew that the other kingdoms would agree to peace with Arendelle, and so he wouldn't get the war he craved for. So, to ensure war, he would've hired these assailants to get what he wanted.
"I had nothing to do with this!" Hans said.
"Do you expect me to just believe you?!" Kai asked.
"Yes! Why would I have my own brothers kidnapped?!"
"Why don't you tell me?"
Hans was losing his patience with Kai. Hans couldn't believe why Kai was too quick to accuse Hans of such a deed, though he couldn't blame him. This sounded like something Hans would do. Hans had to keep his innocence.
"How do I know that you aren't responsible for this?!" Hans asked.
"Don't be ridiculous." Elsa said.
"It makes sense. War can't be declared without an executive order from a monarch. So, to save yourself the trouble from a few countries, you hired thugs to kidnap those monarchs so that executive decision can't be made!"
"Are you serious, Hans?" Kai asked.
"But, kidnapping everyone here still isn't enough for you to be safe." Hans continued. "My father and brother will be ready to declare war once I give them the news. Also, so will the other countries who have monarchs to give that executive order."
"Your theory is bizarre!" Elsa yelled. "That's not at all the case!"
"Why should I believe you?" Hans asked.
"Why should anyone believe you!" Kai yelled.
"I've had enough of this!" Hans yelled. He stood up from his chair and walked toward the exit of the room. Hans turned his head to look back at Kai and Elsa. "My brothers are gone and that's your responsibility." He said. "You know what happens next."
Elsa nodded. She knew perfectly well what was to come; war. Even though Elsa or Kai was involved with the kidnappings, they are to be blamed for it. They had to take the punishment for the crimes of others. Life wasn't fair. Things were worse for Elsa than they were ever before. The peace council, instead of preventing their demise, secured their doom. She couldn't let that happen. She had to do something about it.
"I'll hold a meeting in the morning about our... predicament." Elsa said.
"I'll be sure to attend." Hans said. Hans left the room, and without showing them, he left with a smile on his face. As things got worse for Elsa, things got better for him. He would get the war he wanted, and he was hopeful.
Elsa sat down on a chair and Kai sat next to her. She slammed her hand on the table, and ice grew all over it. Spikes shot out of the ice but Kai was too busy looking at Elsa than at the table.
"Are you alright?" Kai asked Elsa.
"Of course I'm not." Elsa said. "Everything fell apart so quickly. I came in here hopeful and ready to change things."
"And now?" Kai asked.
"What hope do we have?" Elsa asked.
"We can still change things." Kai said.
"How? In days, Arendelle will be reduced to rubble if we don't get those people back."
Bingo. The idea clicked in Elsa's mind when she said that. All she needed to do was get those people back, assuming they weren't already dead, and hopefully, war would not be declared. Why didn't she tell Hans of this plan? It didn't matter now. All that mattered was the execution.
"We have to get those people back." Elsa said.
"I know we do." Kai said. "But not yet."
"Why not?"
"Those guys are long gone by now, and if we do start searching, we won't know where to go. We'll be as blind as a bat."
Kai had a point. They knew almost nothing about their enemy or their whereabouts. They were long gone by now with the monarchs. They had nothing on their enemy. The enemy had the upper hand, and Kai and Elsa weren't even close to catching up. It seemed as though they had lost. But, they couldn't lose hope. If they lost hope, they have lost. They haven't lost anything serious yet, and they weren't prepared to lose now.
"Are there any other visitors from other countries here in Arendelle who didn't attend the meeting?" Elsa asked.
Kai nodded. "They were all told to stay in the plaza once they got off of their ship."
"They have to know." Elsa said.
"We shouldn't worry them tonight." Kai said.
"They'll ask questions."
"We won't provide answers."
"They'll get suspicious."
"Let them. It won't matter. They'll find out everything they'll need to know tomorrow morning."
"How do we keep them from leaving?"
"We close the port. No one gets in or out. They'll be stuck here for tonight, and they'll come to the meeting tomorrow."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll send someone to tell them what's going on."
"Elsa?" said Anna's voice.
Elsa and Kai looked over at the door to find Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf standing there. They all had confused looks on their faces. Elsa reminded herself that Anna had no idea what was going on, and she had to be the one to break it down for her.
"Where is everyone?" Anna asked.
Elsa took a deep breath before she told Anna the bad news.
The visitors who were not kidnapped were reluctant to be kept in the dark. When they were told they were not to leave until the next day, questions broke out. No one was happy not knowing what was going on. They didn't know about the kidnappers yet. No one slept that night since they were all wondering what the heck was going on.
Elsa held a meeting with them the next morning. This time, it took place in the castle chapel and security was tight. Guards patrolled every corner of the castle, not willing to let last night's fiasco happen again. It was a mistake that most of them weren't on guard last night. Elsa wasn't willing to let that same mistake come again. Kai was embarrassed of the guards. He was suppose to be their leader, and because of their lack of duty, Arendelle might lose everything.
When Anna heard the news, she was scared at first, but was then determined to prevent war. She didn't want it to end like that, not after everything they've been through. Anna was determined to help Elsa with this meeting, and Elsa wasn't one to reject help now. Not when she needed it most.
The visitors sat in the chairs in the chapel. Elsa stood at the alter with Kai handing next to her. Anna and Kristoff stood at the side of the alter, watching Elsa. Once again, Olaf and Sven weren't allowed to attend this meeting. Hans sat in the front row with his arms crossed, watching intensely.
"I have called you all here this morning for a reason." Elsa said.
"It better be a good reason!" Yelled a man in the crowd. "We've been kept here all night!" Agrees broke among the crowd, followed by whispers.
Elsa looked at Kai, telling him mentally to take charge of the situation. Elsa took a step back and Kai took a step forward.
"Last night..." Kai said, "Last night, Arendelle Castle was attacked. All of those who attended the peace council was kidnapped except for Queen Elsa, Hans Westerguard, and I."
Yelling broke out among the crowd. People got out of their seats and raised some fists in the air. Neither Kai nor Elsa could focus on a single person. Hans still sat cross-armed, frowning.
"Who attacked?!" yelled a female voice. The crowd's voices died down, and there was a silence. Everyone turned their heads to the girl who asked the question. Everyone sat down, revealing the one who said it. Rapunzel was left standing up, looking at Elsa and Kai. Eugene sat next to her, looking up at his wife.
"I ask again." Rapunzel said. "Who attacked?"
Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff remembered Rapunzel. They met her a few months ago during Anna and Kristoff's wedding. Those were happier times.
Kai cleared his throat. "We don't have names. But, I remember a face."
"How does that help?!" asked a male in the crowd.
"It's better than nothing." Kai said.
"It's not enough!" yelled another man.
Hans stood up and everyone focused their attention on the Prince. Hans cleared his throat, and turned to face the majority of the crowd.
"I can give you a name." Hans said.
Kai wasn't surprised that Hans knew something. He was a witness after all, but Kai expected Hans to mislead him.
"There was a woman who attacked." Hans said. "She said her name was Lilith."
"Why haven't you shared this information before?!" Anna asked.
"No one asked." Hans smiled.
"Assume we want to know everything." Kai said. "Anything else you're hiding?"
"Hiding?!" Hans asked offended. "Here you go, once again, accusing me."
Whispers broke out. Now was not a time to take sides, but they were doing it anyway. People were arguing with each other instead of being one calm, collected mind. There was no way they could accomplish anything like this. In order come up with a solution, they had to work together. Great start...
"I have reason to believe you're responsible for this attack!" Kai said.
"A hunch is not enough evidence!" Hans countered.
"This is just part of your plan to declare war on Arendelle!" Kai yelled.
"It is not!"
"Enough!" Elsa yelled.
The arguing among Kai, Hans, and the crowd died. Everyone listened silently to see what Elsa had to say. She was sick and tired of the constant bickering. All she wanted to do was protect her kingdom, and that task would be impossible if people couldn't protect themselves from each other.
"Elsa," Hans said, "do you know what this means for Arendelle."
"Is that the conclusion? Hm?" Elsa asked. "War for something Arendelle is not responsible for. You all must believe me when I say we are not involved in this kidnapping. Please. The ancient rules says war must be declared if an event like this ever occurred. But, the ancient rules also said you can't try to overthrow a monarch through murder and manipulation." Elsa looked at Hans who frowned at her statement.
Rapunzel stood up from the crowd to face Elsa. "Why do we have to declare war on Arendelle because of this?" Rapunzel asked the people. "It's not their fault, and they should not be held accountable for this."
Elsa smiled at Rapunzel. At least there was somebody on their side.
Eugene stood up next to Rapunzel. "We won't get anyone back by fighting a war." He said.
Anna walked up next to Elsa. "Please, no one is forcing anyone to fight a war. This ancient rule can be broken for the better." Anna said. Anna slipped her hand into her sister's.
"So..." Elsa said. "Who's declaring war?"
No one raised their hand. They all had a point. This ancient rule was stupid and no one was forcing anyone to follow it. Rules were meant to be broken as it seems. Hans was reluctant to keep his hand down. He wanted the war so badly, but he kept it down since he wanted to look good in front of all of these people.
"Thank you." Elsa said. "Now, please, return to your countries. I will do whatever I can to bring those who were kidnapped back home to you. You have my word."
"When will you start?" asked a woman.
"Whenever we have something to start with." Kai answered for Elsa. "You have nothing to worry about. If they aren't dead, we'll get them back."
Elsa noticed that what Kai just said wasn't necessarily boosting their morale. If they aren't dead. Elsa couldn't let herself believe they were dead. She would be making blank promises if they were. She had to believe they were alive.
The people started to get out of their seats to leave. They were all ready to go home, but most of them weren't willing to leave their monarch or representative behind. Most of them were thinking about how they were going to break the news down to their kingdom, and how they were going to refrain from declaring war.
Rapunzel, instead of exiting the chapel, walked up to Elsa, Kai, Anna, and Kristoff. Eugene ran after her, and stood next to her.
"Hi..." Rapunzel said.
"Thanks for backing us up back there." Elsa said.
"Yeah..." Rapunzel said. "Listen, my father was with the ones who were kidnapped. So was my mother."
"I'm so sorry Rapunzel." Anna said. "I know how hard it must be for you right now."
"Yeah..." Rapunzel said.
Eugene looked at his wife with worried eyes. He knew that it was time to tell them the truth behind their parents'. Eugene noticed that Rapunzel was in no mood to talk about it, so he decided he would have to be the one.
"I'd like to apologize." Eugene said.
"For what?" Elsa asked.
"For your parents' deaths about five years ago." Eugene answered.
"You don't owe us an apology." Anna said.
"We do." Eugene said. "They died on their way to our wedding."
Eugene waited for a shocked reaction from anyone, but it didn't come. He was confused. He thought that they would be angry at him for indirectly causing the deaths of their parents.
"So what?" Elsa asked.
"You're not mad?" Rapunzel asked.
"Why would we be?" Anna said.
"That was a long time ago." Elsa said. "It's not like you two killed them. The past is in the past, and we should just forget about it."
Rapunzel was rejoiced. She was relieved that they had taken the news so well. She could sleep easier now, but not by much. Though the pressure of telling them the news went away, the fear for her parents came in.
"You should go home, Rapunzel." Kristoff said.
"I'm not going anywhere." Rapunzel said. Everyone, even Eugene, looked at Rapunzel confused.
"Why not?" Kai asked.
"Because my mom and dad are who-knows-where, and for all I know, they could be dead, or tortured, or..." She couldn't imagine the things that were happening to them right now. She was scared for the first time in her life. Rapunzel was always so brave, but now, she had never felt so scared.
"I'm not leaving without my parents." Rapunzel said firmly.
Eugene put his hand on her shoulder. "Wherever you are, I'll be there." Eugene said.
Elsa nodded. "I understand. You may stay in Arendelle Castle while your here."
"Hopefully, you won't stay for long." Kai said.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Rapunzel asked angrily.
"It means, we'll get the King and Queen of Corona back before you know it." Kai answered.
"I appreciate it." Eugene said. Eugene smacked his hand over Kai's hurt shoulder, and Eugene saw him cringe. He took his hand away immediately. "Sorry." Eugene apologized.
"It's alright." Kai said. "You didn't know."
"What's wrong with your shoulder?" Rapunzel asked.
"A lot." Kai answered.
Rapunzel and Eugene were ready to leave. Elsa told Anna and Kristoff to show where they would be staying. The two couples walked out of the chapel, happy that the meeting was over. Now, Kai and Elsa stood alone at the alter. They didn't realize that Hans was still sitting in his seat. The couple's eyes got angry as Hans walked toward them.
"What a morning, huh guys?" Hans asked happily.
"Don't act like we're friends." Kai said.
"Oh, I know." Hans said. "We're far from that."
"Far is an understatement." Elsa said. "You tried to kill me."
"Are we still on about that?" Hans asked. "Trust me, Elsa, I wasn't the first person who tried too, am I? Last night, that would only be the beginning."
"What do you mean?" Elsa asked.
"I have a feeling you're going to be getting more familiar with your assailant last night." Hans answered.
"You seem to know a lot about this." Kai said, skeptically. This was a huge red flag. Kai was now sure Hans was involved somehow, but he didn't have enough proof that Hans was directly involved.
"Ta-Ta." Hans said. Elsa's eyes got angry as Hans walked away from them, his backed turned. Hans continued to taunt. "When I get home, I will convince my father to declare war. Our navy will be sent down to you pathetic port, and they will open fire. Cannon balls shall rain from the sky, and I hope you watch it. Watch from your little tower in the castle. Watch your pathetic civilians die at the hands of my army. It'll be Armageddon. I hope you survive this storm, Elsa, because if you do, you'll live out the rest of your miserable life knowing that the blood of hundreds are on your hands. You would've failed to save them. I guess, that's the worst thing you can have on your mind."
Elsa felt her wrist being grabbed. She broke out of her anger to noticed what she was doing. She saw that her arm was raised in the air, and an icy spear was in her hands. Kai was grabbing her wrist, preventing her from throwing the spear. She couldn't believe she intended on killing Hans. She turned the spear into snowflakes when Hans turned around to look at them.
Hans gave them a villainous smirk. "I can't wait to see how the next couple of days will play out." Hans said. With that, Hans opened the door out of the chapel and left.
Now, it was just Elsa and Kai alone in the chapel... or so they thought.
"Violent, much?" asked a familiar voice.
The couldn't pinpoint exactly where they heard the voice, but they knew they weren't alone in the chapel. The voice angered Kai much. It was the voice of their assailant last night; the brown haired man.
Kai took out his sword, and Elsa created an ice sword.
"Show yourself!" Kai demanded.
From the shadows behind them, the man showed his face, with hands in the air. Kai let his instincts kick in when he saw the man. Kai rushed at him with his sword in the air. When Kai swung down at the man, the man grabbed Kai's wrist, preventing the sword from touching his body. He then punched Kai's hurt shoulder as hard as he can, making Kai yell in agony and fall to the ground. Kai was in too much pain to use his powers.
Elsa started to run toward the man, but the man quickly took out his flintlock and aimed it at Kai.
"One more step, and your boyfriend's brains will be all over the floor." The man threatened.
Elsa stopped moving, and made her ice sword disappear. "Don't hurt him." Elsa pleaded.
The man room his foot and out it over Kai's shoulder. He then pressed his foot down, making Kai yell again. Elsa thought to herself, how could no one noticed his yells? Elsa then asked herself where all the guards in the chapel were. She looked around the chapel and found unconscious guards all over the sides of the chapel.
"How did you take them out without us noticing?" Elsa asked.
"You were too busy focusing on Hans back there, you failed to notice your surroundings." The man answered.
"Where are they?" Elsa asked.
"Who?" The man joked.
"The people you kidnapped!" Elsa yelled.
"They're alive." The man said. "But, I'm not just going to give them to you. I felt bad, really, watching you squirm through all of this. I wanted to cut you some slack my name is Cade, and I'll tell you where they are."
Elsa was confused. This man, Cade, and his partners had gone through great measures to take these people, and now he was just giving them up. Elsa didn't trust him, but she needed a lead, even if it could lead to a trap.
"Don't trust him, Elsa." Kai said.
"You'll have to trust me if you want these people back." Cade said. "I'll let you decide whether I'm trustworthy or not." Cade took his foot off of Kai and stood next to his body. Cade took a small ball out of his pocket and threw it on the ground. Smoke appeared all around Kai and Elsa. Elsa covered her mouth to make sure she didn't breath any of it in.
When the smoke cleared up, Cade was gone. Elsa ran to Kai's aid, and she helped him sit upright.
"Are you okay?" Elsa asked Kai.
"He got away, again!" Kai yelled.
"Sorry about that." Elsa said.
Elsa noticed that at Kai's feet was a knife sticking out of the ground. Kai leaned forward to take the knife out, and sticking on the knife's blade was a small piece of paper. Kai took the paper and opened it up. He read numbers that Elsa didn't get.
"What are they?" Elsa asked.
"They're coordinates..." Kai answered.
Author's Note: Hey guys. Reviews have been kind of... How should I say this? Nonexistent for chapter 10, but oh well. For the next week or two, I'll be on vacation, so don't expect many or any chapter posts for those weeks, but don't worry. Chapters will be up before you know it. Consider this a benchmark chapter. Now, the "set-up" chapters are over, and we'll get to the main adventure soon enough. Now would be a perfect time to write reviews and tell me how you think of the story so far. Ciao.