The Storm Rages On
Chapter Thirteen
Courage, Part One
The six travelled forward, following the path before them. Kristoff held Anna's hand tightly, refusing to let her go. Arberish walked before the pair, leading the way, looking about nervously. Alúvelin and Valanda followed, with Elsa guarding the way behind them.
". . . So, you see, we're going to be parents a lot sooner than we thought." Anna finished explaining to Kristoff, Elsa, and Arberish. She smiled weakly. "Surprise!"
Kristoff was flabbergasted. "I . . . I don't . . . I don't know what to say." He turned back, looking at Valanda and Alúvelin. "You're certain about this? That they are . . ."
"Yes," Alúvelin said. "We have seen them. They are healthy, but they are far more mature than Anna's natural cycle would suggest. They will not need much longer inside her womb."
Kristoff shook his head, stunned. "I . . . I don't understand! How . . . How could . . ."
His eyes suddenly turned dark. Letting go of Anna's hand, he moved beyond Alúvelin and Valanda, stopping before Elsa. "You! What did you do?!"
Elsa was speechless. "I . . . I didn't do anything! Why do you think—"
"What other explanation is there?!" Kristoff was shouting now. "You did something to your mother when she was pregnant with you, didn't you? You passed something on to her, and now Anna's carrying it. Which means . . . Which means our children have it!"
"Kristoff, stop!" Anna cried. "Stop it right now! It's not her fault!"
"The hell it isn't!" Kristoff was overwhelmed with anger, with fear for his children's safety. "How else do you explain this?" He was raving in outrage, not thinking about his words, not caring if what he said was true or not. "You couldn't be happy just keeping your powers to yourself, could you? You had to make sure my children would be just like you! Well, I don't want that! I don't want my children to be like you, to be fre—"
He stopped himself, realizing what he was saying. The group had stopped moving, standing in horrified silence.
"Go ahead," Elsa whispered, her eyes downcast. "Say it. Freaks like me."
Kristoff shook his head, eyes widening, rational thought returning to his mind, as if waking from a dream. His anger was replaced by embarrassment, by shame, by horror at the harshness of his words. "Elsa . . . Elsa, I . . . I'm—"
"No. You're right." Elsa was heartbroken, her eyes brimming with tears. "Whatever's going on with your babies, it has to be my fault. It's the only explanation." She looked at Anna. "I'm so sorry. I . . . I . . ."
She stopped, breathing deeply, forcing herself back into the moment, back to the situation at hand. She looked ahead down the hall. "I think we're almost there. Let's keep moving. The sooner we get past this challenge, the sooner we can go home."
Elsa moved silently to the front of the party, not pausing to look at anyone else along the way.
Anna glared at Kristoff, her face full of fury. "I think you should walk by Arberish for a while," she said, her voice tinged with anger. "I'm not happy with you at all."
"Anna, I'm sorry. I was just worried. I lost my temper. I—"
"Not now!" Anna hissed. "Just . . . Just leave me alone for a while." She looked at him, shaking her head. "I can't believe you. I thought you would love our children no matter what. I didn't think you would care if something like this happened. I . . . I just can't . . ."
Cursing himself, Kristoff moved next to Arberish, berating himself in his mind over and over again for his irrational outburst. I can't believe I said that! I'm sorry! I was just scared, I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean it!
Elsa suddenly stopped, looking quizzically at the path ahead.
"What's wrong?" Alúvelin asked. "With the path, I mean . . ."
Elsa pointed to the wall before him. "There are four doors here. Which one do we take?"
"Precisely," the voice rang out. "Which one indeed?"
Valanda threw up her hands. "Enough with your games!" she cried. "Just give us a straight answer for once! Which way do we go?"
"Which way?" Laughter rang in their ears. "Why, you may go each way, and no way at all, and still arrive at the same place!"
"What does that even mean?" Arberish snapped. "Your act is becoming tiresome!"
"I'm sorry. I forget to whom I speak. I told you that each of you must be tested for the final challenge. Well, the time has come. Four doors, four paths. Each lead to the same place, but will you make it through?"
"We already know!" Elsa said. "We must face our darkest fears if we are to pass."
"Not exactly. Like I told you before, 'fear' is but one translation of the phrase. More accurate ones would be . . . 'temptations.' 'Desires.' 'Possibilities.'"
The six looked at each other, confounded. "'Possibilities'?" Alúvelin asked. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"You shall see," the voice said. "But now, I am afraid I must split you apart once again."
"NO!" Elsa cried. "Not this time! You can't—"
"Watch out!" Anna screamed, pointing to the ceiling.
Large walls of solid stone plummeted toward the floor, moving fast enough to crush anyone foolish enough to remain in their path. The six dove out of the way, dust falling upon the chamber.
Several seconds of silence passed. Elsa stood, looking around, realizing she was alone in front of one of the doors. The stone wall stood to her side, blocking her path to the others, mocking her. "Is . . . Is everyone all right? Who's together?"
"We are!" Alúvelin and Valanda called out in unison. "We're fine!"
"Kristoff's with me!" Arberish said. "It looks like we're going to be partners on this one."
"Anna? Where are you? Anna?!" Elsa called.
"I'm here!" Anna said. "I'm all by myself!"
Kristoff cursed. "Hang on! I'm going to find a way to get to you! I can probably climb this wall . . . somehow . . ." How exactly escaped him, for the wall was perfectly smooth, devoid of any possible footholds or handholds.
"No! There's no time!" Anna called. "We're just going to have to go through the doors as we are."
Kristoff shook his head. "Anna! Elsa! Before we go, I . . . I want to say . . . I mean, I'm—"
"We know," Elsa said. "It's all right, Kristoff. Don't worry about it." Elsa looked ahead. "Listen, everyone. Focus. We don't know what's through these doors. It could be anything. Just remember: He's trying to make us question ourselves. Fight through whatever he throws at you. I . . . I'll see you on the other side."
Wordlessly, the divided party moved through their own doors, hoping and praying they were prepared for what lay before them. As they entered, their vision was obscured by an unearthly glow, then—
"Where are we? What is this place?"
Kristoff looked around, glancing at Arberish.
"I . . . I do not know," Arberish replied, his eyes narrow with uncertainty.
They were standing in a formal bedchamber, lavishly decorated, signifying the wealth its owner clearly possessed. The finest silk fabrics lay upon the bed. The furniture and other décor were of the highest order, handcrafted, encrusted with gold, beautiful beyond description.
"What sort of test is this?" Arberish said softly. He looked to the ceiling. "What is this?" he called to the voice, not really expecting an answer. "What are we supposed to do here?"
"Oh . . . Oh, my!"
A familiar voice sounded from behind them, familiar and yet . . . yet different. Kristoff and Arberish turned around, gasping in astonishment.
"Elsa?" Kristoff said, barely able to form the words, so great was his surprise. "What . . . What's going on? How did you get here? What are you . . . What . . .?"
Elsa stood before them, smiling. Her usually braided hair now hung free, cascading in brilliant blonde waves down her back. Purple eye shadow contrasted with the brilliant blue pouring forth from her pupils. Her dress sparkled and shone in the brilliant sunlight. Kristoff noticed that, unlike her typical attire, Elsa's dress was sleeveless, the brilliant blue fabric beginning just below her shoulders.
More worrisome to Arberish, however, was not Elsa's attire, but the look in her eyes. The Elsa standing before them was not the reserved, poised Elsa they knew. This Elsa's eyes blazed with fire, with desire, with longing.
Elsa moved toward the men slowly, her hips swaying back and forth as she moved, emphasizing the close cut of her dress. "Oh, Kristoff! Arberish! Thank goodness you're here! I've missed both of you so much!"
Kristoff's face flushed as Elsa placed an unnatural stress on the final word, her voice dripping with . . . No! It can't be! Elsa would never—
Elsa stood directly before Kristoff, her blue eyes boring into his own, unnerving him. "Elsa . . . Elsa, what are you—"
"Shhh!" Elsa brought her finger to Kristoff's lips, the iciness of her touch silencing him immediately. "Don't speak. Just listen!" Her eyes closed and she shuddered, as if a burning sensation coursed over her entire form. She opened her eyes again, staring at Kristoff with such intensity, such . . . lust? "I need you, Kristoff!" she whispered.
Kristoff was overwhelmed. "Elsa, what . . . what are you saying? What—"
"Don't listen to her, son!" Arberish barked, stepping in front of Kristoff. "This isn't Elsa. It is an illusion, nothing more. She's trying to sway you, to test you."
Elsa pouted, folding her arms over her chest, her breathing slowing, emphasizing the slow rise and fall of her breasts. "Oh, Arberish!" she murmured, her throat slowly rolling each syllable. "Don't worry! I need you as well!"
"Be silent!" Arberish commanded. "You will not succeed. I don't know what you think you are trying to prove, but—"
Elsa groaned, eyes rolling into the back of her head, the lustful timbre of her voice sending shudders down the spine of both men. "Let's not pretend, gentlemen. You've both had thoughts about me. Impure, inappropriate, lustful thoughts . . ." She opened her eyes, a wicked grin on her face. "Don't try to deny it! Don't think I haven't noticed!"
Kristoff's face was pale, his hands trembling. No! It's not true! I haven't . . . She couldn't possibly know . . . could she?!
Elsa's eyes widened in triumph. "You see? I can read you like a book, Kristoff! You know what I say is true!" She gestured about the bedchamber, her voice becoming soft, smooth, flowing like honey. "No one has to know, Kristoff. Anna doesn't have to know. What happens here, stays here. Think about it! When was the last time your wife gave herself to you? And when she did, did she do it willingly, or out of a sense of duty?" She wrapped her arms around Kristoff's neck, pulling herself within centimeters of his face. "I can be whatever you want me to be!" she whispered, her breath heavy on Kristoff's ear. "I can indulge your darkest fantasies! Just tell me what you want, and it's yours!"
She closed her teeth on Kristoff's ear, nibbling gently. Kristoff's eyes rolled into his head, his heart pounding, his ears ringing. "You've worked so hard to provide for her, Kristoff. So very hard indeed! I know how to show my appreciation! I would never take you for granted!"
"That's enough!" Arberish grabbed Elsa's arm, pulling her away from a trembling Kristoff. He glared at her, his face stern, unflinching. "Leave us, whatever you are! We will not give in to your temptation!"
Elsa laughed. "So says the mighty Arberish, the great mercenary and warrior of the brann wielders!" She advanced upon him, slipping her right arm out of her dress. "I know what it is you desire deep within your heart, Arberish. You may pretend to be a man of honor, but I know the truth! I know how much you desire the Snow Queen of Arendelle! Do you think she would ever be with you?" She removed her left arm from its restraint, her dress held up now only by her hands purposefully positioned on her chest. "Let me be everything you've ever wanted from her, Arberish!" she whispered, practically begging. "I can feel your desire flowing within you! Share it with me!"
Raising her hands, Elsa allowed her dress to fall to the ground, revealing her uncovered form, her pale white skin practically shining, radiant. "I have never been with a man, Arberish," she whispered. "Teach me! Show me what it is to make love! You can be my first! I give this honor to you willingly!"
Kristoff gazed at the older man, his own heartbeat ringing in his ears. "Arberish, don't listen to her! She's not real! Do you hear me? She's not real!"
Elsa knelt before Arberish. "Please, Arberish! Please! I need you!"
"NO!" Arberish stood tall, his eyes blazing. He looked to the ceiling. "A valiant effort, I must say," he said. "I'll admit, we were both almost tempted. But our answer . . . is no!"
Fire flew from his hands, engulfing Elsa in an intense orange glow.
"You fools!" she cried, her body dissipating into nothingness. "I could have satisfied your deepest longings! You could have had anything you ever wanted! Anything!"
Kristoff and Arberish shielded their eyes as a brilliant flash of light filled the room. Opening them once again, they saw the bedchamber was gone, replaced by nothing more than rock.
Arberish looked at Kristoff. "Are . . . Are you all right?"
"Yes," Kristoff said, his eyes gazing into the distance. He breathed heavily. "She was right, you know. I have had thoughts, however brief . . ." He turned to Arberish. "I would never act on them, but . . ."
"As long as you know that, you have nothing to fear," Arberish said. He looked away. "I must admit, I, too, have had . . . my moments as well."
Kristoff nodded. "It's understandable. She is a very attractive woman."
"No," Arberish said. "It's more than just that. I find myself . . . thinking about her in a most . . . unusual manner lately."
Kristoff stared at him, his jaw dropping. "Really? You . . . You mean . . .?"
Arberish glared at him. "Not a word of this to anyone! Do you understand, son? Swear it!"
Kristoff nodded. "I . . . I won't say a word. I promise."
"Good." Arberish gestured to the door ahead. "Let's proceed. Hopefully, the others are faring well in their challenges. I can only hope they are able to resist whatever temptations lie before them."
The two men moved toward the exit, awaiting the arrival of their companions among the darkness and the cold, harsh rock.
AN: I have had to split this chapter into three parts due to length, so just be aware of that. I know Kristoff's reaction at the beginning may seem harsh and OOC, but I don't think it is unrealistic for a father, especially one as worried and afraid as Kristoff, to lash out unreasonably at someone due to their own helplessness, their desire to protect their children, even though there is nothing they can do. I will admit, I have done it myself to people who did not deserve it. More to come!