"Your Highness!" A knight rode up to the snow covered carriage. "Your Highness, we have disposed of the bandits that attacked. Are you and princess Kairi alright?"

Queen Ulma opened the curtain window. Her scarlet red hair blew from the cool air flowing into the carriage. "Yes Talin, thank you. We're both safe, though, Kairi is shooken up by the ordeal."

Talin could see little Kairi clinging onto her mother. Queen Ulma was softly stroking the top of her daughters hair. Tears streamed down the little girl cheeks. Talin gave a soft smile "Now don't you fret princess Kairi. My men and I took care of all the scary men." He then knocked on the carriage. "Are you excited to see her grandmother?"

Kairi sniffled. "Y-yes. Mother said I could help make her some porridge when we get there." A small quiet voice came out. She was still frightened by what had occurred just moments ago.

The Queen smiled softly at her daughter tilting her chin gently to look at her mother. "We can also make some fresh cinnamon cookies if you'd like." She said as she wiped her tear streaked cheeks.

Kairi instantly brightened up "Cookies?! Can we make some for grandpa too?"

The Queen chuckled "Of course honey. I'm sure he would love that."

As the cute scene before Talin has happening one of his men rode up beside him. "I'm sorry to interrupt Sir but, I think you should come see this."

Talin nodded to his soldier "Excuse me your Highness. I must get back to my duties. After we scout a bit more we shall continue onward."

The Queen gave her approval. "Of course Talin. I leave things in your hands. Well both be fine here."

Talin nodded and rode along with his soldier. He led them up to a tree that had fresh but, unusual carving. "We found this Sir. It seems to be a symbol relating to the ancient ice legends we all heard as kids."

Talin hopped off his horse and walked up to the tree. He put his hand up tracing the carving. It was in the shape of a bird with a flowing long tail. This was definitely from the story of the ice witch that was told when he was a kid. They use this bird symbol as the cover for the story book but, why was it here. "Men we need to keep our eyes open. I fear this attack was just the beginning."

Talin hopped back on his horse when he heard a scream. Talin spun around to see that one of his men was frozen solid. "Cero!" He rode toward his now frozen friend. "MEN! EYES PEELED! WERE NOT ALONE!"

"Over there!"

Talin turned toward his right and couldn't believe his eyes. There in the trees was a large ice blue bird. It's feathers gleamed in the sunlight just like ice itself would. It's tail feathers were long and majestic. They too gleamed in the sun. The head was was like a peacock. With feathers pluming from the top of its head. The bird sat on the branch proud and unmoving. Talin motioned with his hand "Men. Guards! Protect the Queen!" Talin knew this was no ordinary bird.

As the men started to moved, so did the bird. It stretched out it's large wings and took off into the sky. The bird then flew straight down toward the men opening its beak and then without warning two of the men froze. Their skin turned pale and frosted over. Talin eyes his surroundings. Only 8 men left. "Protect yourselves with your shield!" Talin have the orders but two more men froze before they could raise them.

This is not good. Not good at all. Talin needed to think of something quick. "Archers! When you can get a ear shot take it!"

Three men pulled out their bows while another soldier was frozen.

The Queen heard the soldiers yelling and slowing peaked through the curtain. She couldn't see what was happening until one of the soldiers was frozen. The bird had flown in close and the sun reflecting off its wings drew the attention of the Queen. She was thankful that Kairi had fallen asleep in her lap. She didn't need to be scared anymore then what she was. The Queen closed the curtain and leaned back in her seat. A worried look crossed her face as she stroked her daughters hair. "Don't worry my child. I will always protect you." She leaned down and kissed her head. She heard more yelling and soon it was quiet. She knew nothing of the men were alive. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then let it out slowly. She moved Kairi on the seat, grabbed the spare sword that was kept under the seat, and stood. She slowly opened the carriage door and stepped out. To her amazement, she saw the frozen like soldiers who were now frozen statues. She spotted Talin lying on his back , his head facing her. "Talin." She whispered. She saw a faint fog come from his mouth but his skin was pale white. She touched his face and it felt ice cold.

She stood up knowing all to well what had happened. She eyed the trees for any sign of the bird. Just then a sorrowful tune filled the air. She followed the sound to see the bird singing it's melody high in the trees. Ulma closed her eyes and listened. There was a familiarity to the song. One that she heard since she was a little girl. She knew what this song was and what it had in store for her. A voice the rang out singing along to the melody. Ulma opened her eyes as the voice filled the sky.

A night in winter, is as cold as ice.

A dark night sky, with no moon in sight.

A land shimmering a white night glow,

but the heart is as black as coal.

A stone cold heart, you will now see.

A stone cold heart, a curse from me.

A stone cold heart, destruction will come.

A heart that is cursed, forever you shall be.

Ulma stood guard, sword at her side. She knew very well that this wasn't going to end well. All she knew was that she had to protect her daughter at all cost. Ulma brought the sword ready for what may come and called out to the voice. "Who are you and what do you want?"

All she could hear was a malice laughter. The bird started to flap its wing and took off for another tree branch wear someone in a dark navy cloak with gold outlining stood. The hood was over their head but as soon as the bird landed on the persons arm they pulled down the hood relieving an older woman. She looked to be in her younger twenties but, she was very beautiful. Her hair was as dark as the night sky. Long and sleek, it flowed down to her waist as it blew in the wind. Her eyes were and amber shade of yellow but, they were beautiful. The mysterious woman smiled down at Ulma. "Why hello dear. It's so good to finally meet you."

Ulma backed up a few steps but, her courage was still strong. "And who might you be? I was enjoying a carriage ride but, unfortunately you disturbed ride. What did you want?"

The woman looked down at Ulma and sneered. "Why my dear Ulma, you and I are family! It hurts my feelings that who don't know who I am." she pretended to pout.

Ulma stood her ground, "I don't know who you are but, it would explain why you knew that song. If your truly part of my family, who did you learn it from?"

The mysterious woman jumped down from the tree landing perfectly on the ground. She wasn't fazed one bit by the jump. She brushed her hair behind her. "Well, for your information, I am your great grandmothers sister."

Ulma lifted the sword pointing it at her. "If your her sister, why do you look like your twenty?"

The woman just shook her head. "Magic my dear. Magic. After I found the book of the ancients, I decided to use their power as my own. Of course, my sister wouldn't have anything to do with it. She said it would only cause problems. She believed that this book would be the end of me." She the scoffed, "END OF ME?! Just LOOK at me. It's like I never even aged a day in my life." She placed her hands on her cheeks and smiled. "I can stay like this forever. Young and beautiful."

Ulma lowered her sword a bit. Sure she was trained with a sword but holding it out for a long period of time can wear anyone out. She had to save her strength. "Magic is never a good thing. It may seem fine now but, one day, it will turn on you and you will never be able to escape it."

She just roller her eyes "Please. First I get this from my sister and now you." She let out a sigh. "Anyway, I'm not here for a lovely family reunion. I'm here to fulfill a long lost tale And I choose you to be apart of it. So you better get ready."

Ulma could feel ever hair on her body stand. Something was coming and it wasn't good. The mysterious woman put a small whistle to her mouth and blew. The bird flew down to her and awaited her orders "You know what to do. Go grab that little brat and bring her to me." The bird then flew off to the carriage.

Ulma charged toward the carriage "Don't you dare lay a finger on her!"

The mysterious woman thought for a second. "Isolde, on second thought. Why dont you freeze the legs of Ulma here." The bird flew up and let out a loud screech. I swung around launching its ice flare from its beak, freezing Ulma in place.

"Let me out of this at once! Don'y you dare do anything to Kairi!" Ulma raged.

The woman walked up to Ulma and cupped her chin. "You and your family will feel the wrath of Lena."

Ulma jerked her head away. "So that's your name. Thinking back my grandmother warned me of an evil that might take place. Who would have thought it would be from my family."

Lena walk toward the carriage. "Isolde, grab the girl and bring her to me." The bird flew in and grabbed the little girl. You could hear Kairi scream from fright of being carried away by the bird. Isolde dropped Kairi right in front of Lena. Kairi looked up crying at the strange woman.

Ulma tried to move the bottom hald of her body but it wasn't any good. She was stuck. "Kairi!"

Kairi swung her heard around "MOMMY!" Kairi tried to stand up to run to her mother but Isolde landed in front of her blocking Kairi from her mother. Kairi began to cry backing away from the scary bird before her but, she only bumped into Lena. Kairi tried to run away but Isolde kept getting in her way. Kairi then slumped to the cold, wet, snowy ground covering her head. She could hear her mother calling her name, telling her that it was going to be ok. To be brave.

"Oh sweet Kairi. Is this bird scaring you?" Lena then leaned down placing a hand on Kairi. "My dear. I can make that all go away. I can take away that scariness for you. I can make all that pain disappear."

Ulma began to growl. "What do you plan on doing to her, you witch."

Lena looked to Ulma "Just a little spell I found in my little book. Iv'e been meaning to try it out and your daughter is the perfect thing I need for it. Now watch Ulma. Watch as your world starts to crumble." Kairi was crying loudly in the background while Ulma was screaming for her daughter. Lena tuned them both out. Her plan was starting to set in motion.

Heart so fragile and soft. Head my words and discard your worries, your fears, your emotions.

Become as hard as stone. Become a heart unmoving. Become a heart as cold as ice!

A swirling of snow built up from underneath Kairi. Like a swirling snow tornado engulfed her and then a bright light shown in the midst. Isolde then opened his beak and shot his flare into the swirling tornado. Ulma screaming in the background, while Lena was laughing away. The snow then disappeared, leaving Kairi laying in the snow unconscious. Lena slowed her laughter and looked and the sleeping girl. She patted her head. "Don't worry Ulma. Your daughter is fine. She's just emotionless now. Nothing in this world can break her of this spell. Also if she even tried to break the spell her heart will turn her to ice." Lena stood up and walked over toward Ulma. "Your time as Queen is over."

"Ulma was about to yell something but, Isolde froze her in place. Lena cackled in amusement. "Perfect timing as always Isolde." The bird flew up and landed on her arm. "Let us go. In time we shall meet sweet little Kairi again and when that time comes, the kingdom will have slowly started to freeze due to out lovely princess here. Everyone will have died because of her." Lena bean laughing again as snow blew up from the wind and Lena disappeard in the blowing snow, leaving everyone there, frozen.