The Storm Rages On

Chapter Six

Translation

"I cannot believe you are considering this."

Valanda stood at the window, looking out over the mountains. She turned, looking at Alúvelin seated on the throne.

"Mother, please," Alúvelin said, sighing. She looked to Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Arberish, her eyes begging for their help in explaining. "We have no choice."

"There's always a choice!" Valanda said. "How can you be willing to just abandon our homeland? To send our people into exile?"

"Your Highness," Arberish said. "Things have changed greatly over the last three decades, and not for the better. Our population has dwindled. Our men are not as skilled in battle as they once were. We do not have the strength to repel an invasion of the magnitude that is surely coming."

Valanda looked at Elsa and Anna. "And Arendelle? She is unwilling to aid us?"

Elsa took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "According the rumors Arberish has heard, we have a matter of days, at best, before the treasure seekers storm the mountains for the Tritastónende. There is no time to send word to my generals. Our nearest outpost is four days away." She looked at Valanda intently. "I am so sorry, but we have no choice. If you want your people to survive, they must evacuate immediately."

Valanda nodded, her eyes full of sorrow. "I . . . I'm sorry. I do not mean to question your judgment. You . . . All of you are far more experienced than I. I . . . I just cannot accept that this is the end, that these lands that have been ours for centuries will soon be ours no longer."

Anna took Valanda's hand, holding it tightly. "We will find a new land for your people, Valanda. We promise! Everything is going to be all right. You'll see."

Valanda shook her head. "And then what? If these madmen succeed in finding the Sacred Jewels, what is to stop them from unleashing their power upon the entire Continent? Can your men stop an army equipped with that kind of power?"

Alúvelin threw up her hands. "I do not know what you would have us do differently." She looked at Valanda, her eyes boring directly into her own. "Mother, please do not take this the wrong way, but . . . but you are not Empress. I am. I am ultimately responsible for our people's safety. Believe me, if there was anything we could be doing differently, we would do so without hesitation."

Valanda turned to all five of them. "Well, then, I have a suggestion. Why don't we beat the invaders at their own game? Why don't we find the Tritastónende ourselves?"

Kristoff shook his head. "We've already discussed this. The only clues to their location lie in the ancient scrolls of the brann wielders. Ancient scrolls that no living person can read!"

Arberish nodded. "The only one with that information is the leader of the invading force. I have heard that somehow, someway, he managed to find the only known copy of that information translated into the Common Tongue, memorized it, and destroyed it. He alone knows the location of the Sacred Jewels. We cannot simply wait for him to attack, then follow him to their resting place. By that point, it will be too late. We could never overpower his men and claim the Jewels for our own, not even if the four of us combined all our power over fire and ice."

A strange smile crept onto Valanda's face. "You forget, Arberish, that I was always fascinated by the history and mythology of our people. I am more than familiar with the ancient scrolls. I have read them before and I can read them again."

Elsa, Anna, Alúvelin, and Kristoff let out a collective gasp. "You . . . You can read the brann wielders' ancient language?" Elsa asked.

"Of course," Valanda said. "All members of the royal family were expected to learn to read it. How else would we be able to retain our heritage?"

Alúvelin shook her head, her eyes dark with anger. "Clearly, Valdarnaweth had no desire to remember. Otherwise, she would have permitted me to learn as I should have . . . as my birthright required."

"This changes everything," Arberish said. "If . . . If Your Highness can read the ancient scrolls, decipher the location of the Jewels, we . . . we could have just enough of a head start that we could reach them before the invaders do."

Valanda turned to Alúvelin. "I need access to the archives. Immediately. I think I know exactly what to look for . . ."

Anna paced the room yet again. "What is taking her so long?"

"You know," Alúvelin said, "that rug is an ancient heirloom. You're going to wear a hole in it at the rate you're going."

"Sorry," Anna said. "I can't just sit still."

"You've never been able to sit still," Elsa said.

"That's true," Anna conceded. "But it's more than just that. The baby . . . She won't let me. She keeps turning somersaults or something in there."

Alúvelin frowned. "I thought women of Arendelle typically bore their children for nine months before delivering."

"Yes? So?" Anna asked.

"Well, you're only about four months, correct? How are you feeling movement this early? It should still be too soon."

Anna shot Elsa a panicked look. "Is she right? What's wrong? What's wrong with my baby?"

Elsa glared at Alúvelin, her eyes scolding her sister for her lack of tact. "I'm sure it's nothing. You're just . . . You're just a little stressed, that's all. You're probably just imagining you feel movement, as a way for your mind to think about something else. I'm sure everything is fine." She paused, turning to Kristoff, who was now holding Anna tightly in his arms, whispering in her ear, consoling her. "Why don't you take her out for some air? I'm sure that would help her—and the baby—to feel better."

Kristoff nodded. "Come on, Anna. Let's get outside. It's a little too . . . warm in here for my tastes." He glared at Alúvelin as he and Anna left the room.

As soon as husband and wife were gone, Alúvelin spoke. "Elsa, I'm sorry. I . . . I didn't—"

"Do you even think before you speak?!" Elsa asked, her eyes narrow slits boring into Alúvelin's soul. "Why did you have to do that? There's nothing that can be done for Anna here. Why would you even think about worrying her?"

Alúvelin realized that there was no defense for her words, that she had been out of line. "I . . . I didn't mean to upset her. I was just concerned, that's all. I thought—"

"Next time, keep your concern to yourself!" Elsa snapped. She stood directly in front of Alúvelin. The Empress realized that, although she was slightly taller than Elsa, at that moment Elsa towered over her, her anger radiating from her, making her gaze truly terrifying.

"I'm sorry," Alúvelin whispered. "I just . . . I don't have much experience dealing with social situations. I don't know exactly what's acceptable and what's not. I was only trying to help! I didn't mean anything by it, I swear!"

Elsa's anger subsided, replaced by empathy, understanding. "I know," she said. "I know all too well." Memories of her bedroom, of solitude fluttered through her mind. She placed her fingers under Alúvelin's chin, tilting her sister's face toward her own. "Just keep in mind that Anna's going through what every new mother goes through. Every decision she makes, she has to think about her baby first. Please, just remember that."

The Empress nodded. "I will. I won't scare her again. I promise."

They turned toward the entrance to the throne room, voices in the hall growing steadily louder. The door opened. Anna stormed in, followed by Kristoff.

". . . That's why I don't think you should . . . never mind." Kristoff finished, realizing his wife had no intention of following his advice.

Alúvelin stood. "Anna, I . . . I'm sorry. I didn't . . . I mean, you probably are still upset with me, and you should be, because what I said was so out of line, and—"

"It's fine," Anna said, her voice flat. "Don't worry about it."

Elsa could tell instantly that it was most certainly not fine with Anna. She glanced at Alúvelin, tilting her head slightly toward Anna, trying to make sure the Empress picked up on the hint.

Alúvelin noticed and continued. "No, it's not all right. You . . . You have so much to worry about already. You don't need me upsetting you. And I . . . I didn't have a lot of social interaction when I was young, so sometimes I say things without realizing how they sound . . ." She stamped her foot, frustrated, unable to put into words what she was trying to say. An idea came upon her. Slowly, gently, she brought her hands to Anna's stomach, closing her eyes.

"What . . . What are you doing?" Anna asked.

"Shhh!" Alúvelin concentrated, allowing the power that ran through her to flow into her hands. "This is an ancient technique our midwives use. The fire inside of us allows us to feel the natural heat all living things produce. It gives us the ability to feel growing life inside the womb, to sense it, to tell if everything is all right."

Anna held her breath, uncertain if Alúvelin was serious or if she was just trying to make her feel better. If she's making this up, it's very convincing. She looks like she's genuinely searching for something.

Alúvelin let out a gasp, smiling. "Hello, little one," she whispered. "I found you!" The heat from the infant in the womb flowed into the Empress. She could sense every detail of the growing child, could see it in her mind's eye. "She's fine," Alúvelin whispered. "It's a girl, and she is just fine."

Kristoff let out a sigh of relief, placing his arm around Anna. "A girl," he whispered. "You were right!"

"I always am," Anna said, smiling.

Suddenly, Alúvelin gasped. "What is this? What is . . . Oh, my!"

"What?!" Panic ran through Anna. Kristoff involuntarily tightened his grip on his wife's shoulder, bracing for the worst.

"What is it?" Anna asked, grabbing Elsa's hand, squeezing it tightly, silently begging her sister for the strength to endure whatever horrible news Alúvelin was about to deliver.

"I think . . . I think I know why you can feel the baby moving so soon," Alúvelin said. "I think I know what's going on."

"What?!" Kristoff was beside himself. "What's wrong? Tell us!"

A smile crossed Alúvelin's face, her hands still resting on Anna's abdomen. "She is not alone. She has a brother with her."

Anna's face turned white. Her hands shook, her knees growing weak. It was all she could do to form a brief, coherent sentence. "What did you say?"

"You're having twins," Alúvelin said, looking into Anna's eyes, her face beaming with pride. "A boy and a girl."

Elsa wasn't sure which of the parents were more shocked. Anna sank to the floor, one hand held to her temple. Kristoff, on the other hand, had bent over, holding his head between his legs, trying to take deep enough breaths to steady himself.

Alúvelin frowned. She turned to Elsa, worried. "What did I do wrong?" she asked, her voice hurt. "I thought . . . I thought they would be happy! Why are they so upset?"

Elsa smiled. She took Alúvelin's hand, pulling her sister close. "They're not upset," she explained. "They're very, very happy. They're just a little . . . overwhelmed right now."

Anna and Kristoff turned to each other, each of them wide-eyed, their minds spinning. "Are you all right?" Anna asked.

"I think so," Kristoff said. "I just can't . . . How do . . ."

The two embraced each other, kissed each other, held each other close, tears of joy streaming down their faces.

A knock at the door startled all four of them from their bliss. Arberish stood at the doorway. "Valanda is ready to see you. She has found what we need."

"How did you do it?" Elsa was amazed at the young woman's accomplishment. "How did you sift through all of this," she gestured to piles of ancient texts littering the desk, "and find this information so quickly?"

Valanda smiled. "As a child, I spent hours in here, studying the scrolls, memorizing the legends. It was a secret passion of mine. I practically memorized the location of the scrolls by what myths they contained. It wasn't hard for me to find these. They were exactly where I left them."

She looked at Anna and Kristoff, studying their faces. "Are you two all right? You seem . . . overwhelmed."

"They just received some . . . unexpected news," Elsa said. "Anna is pregnant with twins."

Valanda gasped. She turned to Alúvelin. "You? You sensed this?"

Alúvelin nodded. "Yes. It wasn't difficult. Both babies are growing healthily."

"That's . . . That's wonderful!" Valanda wrapped her arms around Anna, holding her tightly. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Anna whispered. "We're still a little . . . surprised."

Valanda laughed. "That's to be expected." She turned back to the scrolls. "Anyway, I went back through all the documents I thought would be relevant, but I couldn't find anything. Then, I remembered an ancient poem I read years ago. It didn't make sense to me at the time, but after I reread it today, after I put the words into context, I believe . . . I believe it refers to the Tritastónende. The manuscript dates from about the same time the Jewels disappeared. It almost has to be about them! It makes too much sense for it not to!"

"A poem?" Arberish asked. "What sort of poem?"

Valanda smiled. "A very well-crafted poem. It gave me all sorts of fits as I was translating it into the Common Tongue. The meter was particularly difficult to capture, but I think . . . I think I've done it justice. It tells exactly how to find the Jewels, so pay close attention!"

The Princess of the brann wielders opened a sheet of parchment and proceeded to read:

On Erthbrännen Eve, a Door of Light
Is made manifest on this sacred night.
Deep in the mountains ye must go
Where wind blows strong and water flows.

Three Jewels inside await thy hand
To master water, air, and land.
But none shall enter, none shall see,
Unless pure of heart and full of courage ye be.

For the door remains shut and will not move
Lest thrice thy worthiness thou dost prove.
Three trials most deadly thou must face
To cross the line and win this race.

First, thy wisdom thou must show
To answer three riddles is thy goal.
But be sure correct is thy reply
For one mistake and thou shalt surely die.

Second, thy power must be displayed.
The Hall of Death thou art to brave.
With deadly traps and guardians five,
Only the strongest shall survive.

Last, the greatest task before thee lies.
Thy courage must be shown in great supply.
Thy deepest fears thou must overcome
If the Jewels of Power are to be won.

But should thou conquer these challenges three,
The Door of Light shall open unto thee.
Inside the Jewels art thine to claim.
Bear them well in His holy name.

The group sat in silence, the ancient words flowing in their minds, their complex instructions ringing in their ears.

Kristoff finally spoke. "Erthbrännen Eve? What is that?"

"It is the vernal equinox," Arberish said. "One of only two days of the year in which day and night are of equal length. It is an ancient holiday among our people, in which we celebrate the conclusion of winter and the beginning of the summer that is to follow."

Elsa thought for a moment. "That means . . . The equinox! It will be here in five days!"

"Five days?" Anna frowned. "We have to find this door in five days?"

Alúvelin furrowed her brow, thinking. "'Where wind blows strong and water flows' . . ." Her eyes brightened. "Hand me that map!" she ordered Kristoff.

Kristoff handed her a map of the mountains that was lying on the desk. Alúvelin snatched it, studying it. "This . . . This has to be the location!" She placed the map back on the desk, her finger pointing to her discovery. "Don't you think, Arberish?"

The minister looked at the map, nodding. "It must be," he said. "I can think of no other place in the mountains that meets those criteria."

"Where? Where is it?" Elsa asked.

"This is the Vindervallen," Alúvelin said. "A secluded valley located deep within the mountains. According to legend, within the valley lies a cave full of dangerous traps and riddles. None of our people have dared venture there in centuries, for those that did before never returned."

Valanda nodded. "The Door of Light must be located within that cave. The three challenges must be the traps the legends speak of. If we overcome the challenges, we should reach the Door at the end of the cave."

Kristoff stared at the group. "What is with you brann wielders and your death wishes? This sounds like a suicide mission! I say we leave it alone. If this group of invaders wants the Jewels so badly, they can go through the three challenges for them on their own. If it's like anything you're describing, they probably won't survive."

"But they will still destroy our land . . . our people in the process," Alúvelin said. "Do you think they will go out of their way to avoid us, even if they have directions to the cave? No. They will see us as a threat and launch a preemptive strike, whether before or after they acquire the Jewels."

Elsa nodded, her face grim. "Then we have no choice. We must risk this. We must find the Tritastónende before they do."

AN: More to come!