The Storm Rages On
Chapter Sixteen
Birthright
"Elsa! Elsa, wake up!"
Elsa slowly opened her eyes, trying to focus as a pair of hands shook her, disturbing her slumber.
"Go away," she mumbled, burying her head in her pillow. "Anna, leave me alone. It's too early!"
A pair of bright blue eyes appeared before her own, shining brightly. "Come on, sleepyhead! You're going to be late for your first day!"
"First day . . . of what?"
Anna laughed. "You're joking, right? Your first day as queen, of course!"
Wait . . . What?!
Elsa sat up in bed, her heart pounding. She looked at Anna, crying out in shock upon seeing her sister's flat abdomen.
"Anna! You . . . You're not . . . Where are the babies?!"
Anna looked at her, confused. "What are you talking about, Elsa?" She folded her arms, a knowing smile appearing on her face. "You were dreaming again, weren't you?"
"No, I wasn't!" Elsa insisted. She looked around, realizing she was back in her bedroom, back in Arendelle. "How did we get here? What's going on?!"
Anna took her sister's hand, gently stroking it. "I think I know what's going on," she said. "You're still recovering from the party last night, aren't you? I've never seen you so sociable before! You were so much fun!"
Elsa shook her head. "Anna. Listen to me. Something's wrong. Something's very, very wrong. Where are Alúvelin and Valanda? Where's Arberish? Where's Kristoff, Anna?"
Anna was genuinely confused. "I don't know any of those people," she said. "Were they people you met at the party last night? Because if they were, they've probably left for home by now, and—"
Elsa threw up her hands. "No! That's not what—" She stopped, her mind racing. "Wait. The party last night? What . . . What party?"
Anna opened Elsa's closet, pulling out a long, green dress, laying it on the bed. "Your coronation party, silly. Don't tell me you've forgotten already!"
"I . . . I . . . I don't know," Elsa whispered, burying her face in her hands.
"Oh, don't worry your beautiful brown head over it," Anna said. "I'm sure that after you've had breakfast, you'll be back to your old self."
Elsa looked at Anna, concerned. "Blonde, Anna. My hair is blonde. You know that."
Anna cocked her head, starting to grow worried over her sister's unusual behavior. "I think . . . you must have had a little too much fun at the party last night. I know you've talked for years about wanting to be blonde, but I thought you would at least remember—"
Elsa stood, hurrying to the mirror. She gasped in astonishment, in disbelief.
The face staring back at her was not her own. It was similar to her own face, of course, but the chin, the jawline . . . all of the small details were wrong! Most distressing of all were her eyes, her hair! Instead of blue eyes and platinum locks, she was graced with brown eyes and chestnut hair.
"Anna, who do you see in the mirror?" Elsa whispered. "Who do you see?"
"Why, you, of course," Anna said, placing her hand on Elsa's shoulder. "I see you, just like I've always seen you."
"But . . . my eyes! They're brown, just like . . ."
"Just like Father's," Anna finished. "And your hair . . . You know I've always been jealous of your hair. It reminds me so much of Mother's."
Elsa began to breathe heavily, her heart pounding, perspiration forming on her brow. She reached inside herself, willing the coldness to calm her, but she felt nothing. Where are you? she thought, panic beginning to overwhelm her. Where are you?!
"Anna . . . my powers! I can't feel them! What's . . . What's happened to me?!"
Anna took Elsa's hand, stroking it gently, trying to calm her. "What powers, Elsa? You're not making any sense!"
"My powers!" Elsa screamed. "You've seen them! I can summon ice and snow! But now I can't! Why, Anna? Why?!"
She fell to the bed, sobbing, her body shaking in terror.
"Shhh!" Anna gently wrapped her arms around Elsa, pulling her close. "It's okay. It's okay. I understand. You're stressed. You're worried about making sure you do a good job as queen. That's probably why you've been having the nightmares lately."
Elsa coughed, clearing her throat. "Nightmares?"
"I've heard you," Anna said. "You . . . You wake up in the night screaming. Last night, you were crying for someone named Arberish to help you. The night before, you were begging someone named Alúvelin to forgive you." She stroked her sister's brown hair. "But they're only dreams, Elsa. They're not real. Don't let them get to you."
Is . . . Is this possible? Elsa stared at Anna, her eyes dull, confused. Has my entire life been just a dream? I . . . I don't know! I don't know what to think! I don't look like me! I don't have my powers! Maybe . . . Maybe it was all a dream after all . . .
"You're right, Anna," Elsa said, forcing herself to breathe. Yes! a voice rang in her ears. It was all just a horrible, horrible dream. Too incredible to possibly be real. This is what is real!
Elsa looked at her sister, a small smile appearing on her face."I need to just let them go. Now, didn't you say I'm running late?"
"Your Majesty, I . . . I don't know what to say!"
Minister Andersen looked at Elsa, a look of astonishment on his face.
"You heard me, Minister," Elsa said. "We can solve the drought problem by temporarily diverting the river to the plains. All we need are some able-bodied men to dig a small irrigation channel. Then, once the plains have been sufficiently watered, we block off the channel, returning the flow to normal. It shouldn't take long. The farmers will have their crops watered, while the fishermen can return to work after a few days. Everyone wins."
"How . . . How did you think of this?" Andersen asked. "I am truly astounded, Majesty. It is only your first day, and yet you have come up with the most ingenious solutions to our most pressing matters. It's like . . . It's like you've done this for years."
Elsa brushed a lock of hair from her eyes, grimacing as she remembered it was brown now. "I . . . I guess I've just spent a lot of time . . . thinking about how to be queen," she said.
"Are . . . Are you all right, Majesty?" Andersen asked.
Elsa smiled at him. "Of course, Minister. Why do you ask?"
Andersen smiled. "You just seem . . . happier than I've seen you in a long time. So peaceful. So content."
Elsa nodded. "I feel . . . I feel like, for the first time, I'm who I was born to be. I'm not afraid anymore, Andersen. I don't have to be."
Andersen gestured to the doorway. "I think, Majesty, you have someone here who would like to see you."
Elsa looked up, a grin breaking out on her face. "Hey!"
Anna ran up to her, embracing her. "Hey yourself, 'Your Majesty'!" She beamed at her older sister. "How are things going? How is your first day?"
"Wonderful." Elsa looked at Anna, taking in her features. "I mean it, Anna. Everything is perfect. Better than I ever could have expected!"
"That's wonderful!" Anna said. She looked at Elsa. "You look . . . You look incredible! I mean it. I haven't seen you this happy in years!"
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Elsa paused, her brow furrowing. "Anna, do you remember anything . . . unusual happening when we were little? Did I . . . Did I keep my distance from you for any reason?"
"Are you kidding?" Anna took Elsa's hand. "You really are a bit frazzled, aren't you? You know we've been together for years! We do everything together." She frowned. "Don't tell me now that you're queen you want to stop being so close."
"No, of course not!" Elsa said, rising. "Just the opposite. I . . . I want to stay close to you, the way we were meant to be. It's what I've always wanted."
Elsa paused, her mind suddenly growing cloudy. For a moment, she was certain she could hear a small voice whispering in her ear. She shook her head, sending the disturbance back into the void that was her subconscious.
She laughed, throwing back her head in amusement. I can't believe I actually thought I had a different life. That I had some kind of magical powers over ice and snow. Why would I possibly want that, when what I have now is perfect?
Elsa was jolted back to reality by a loud explosion that thundered through the palace. What . . . What could possibly . . .?
Anna looked at Elsa, her eyes wide with fear. "Did you hear that?"
"Yes. Yes I did," Elsa said. She turned to Andersen. "I want our guards to seal off the front entrance to the palace. Whatever's happening, we mustn't let anyone—"
The throne room door exploded, large splinters and wooden fragments flying through the air. Involuntarily, Elsa and Anna dove to the ground, Elsa instinctively covering her younger sister, shielding her.
Heavy footsteps rang through the throne room. Elsa looked up to see a dozen men in black attire, swords drawn, their faces grim, unflinching.
The leader stepped forward. "Where is Queen Elsa? I wish to have an audience with her at once."
"How dare you!" Andersen stood before the leader, his face red with rage. "Queen Elsa is not here at the moment! What right do you have to just barge into our land without—"
"Silence, old man!" The leader struck Andersen, backhanding him across the face, sending the minister flying across the room. Sneering, the leader looked down at the two frightened women. "Now, then. Which of you is Queen Elsa?"
He bent down, grabbing Anna by her hair, pulling her to her feet. "Is it you?" He looked her over. "You look awfully young to be queen." His eyes darkened, a cold smile forming on his lips. "I can think of several other uses for you, however. Perhaps we should get better acquainted . . ."
Anna could barely contain her terror. She looked at Elsa, silently pleading for help. "No," she whispered. "Please, no! Don't!"
"Leave her alone!" Elsa rose, facing the leader. "Release her at once! I am the one you want!"
The leader complied, shoving Anna aside. "Now then, that is more like it. You look much more like a queen to me."
"I am Queen Elsa of Arendelle. State your business at once!"
The leader laughed. "Our business? Your Majesty, let me make the situation a little clearer to you. We are in the business of . . . how do you say . . . hostile takeovers. If we see something we want, we simply take it." He brought his sword to Elsa's throat. "Have I made my point?"
"Elsa," Anna whispered. "Just give him what he wants! Please!"
Elsa's eyes darkened. "I will not be intimidated by you, foreigner," she said. "You do not scare me in the least."
Involuntarily, Elsa raised her hand, as if expecting something to happen. She glanced down, realizing that she looked like an absolute fool. What are you doing? Why did you do that? Did you think your hand would intimidate him? What is wrong with you?
I . . . I thought . . . Something isn't right! I should be able to do . . . something!
Elsa staggered backwards, clutching her head, her mind at war with itself.
The leader of the attackers laughed. "Well, then. I guess this is easier than I thought." He gestured to two of his lieutenants. "Take the queen and the princess away. You may do what you will with them, but do not kill them. They may yet serve a greater purpose."
Anna cried out as one of the attackers took hold of her, pinning her arms behind her. "Elsa! Elsa, help me! Don't let him violate me! Please, Elsa! Help me!"
Elsa collapsed to the floor, her head throbbing, her mind a jumbled, confused mess.
You can't do anything! It's hopeless! You never had any special abilities! It wasn't real!
NO! the other part of her mind screamed. Don't listen to them! This is the illusion! Fight through it! You have the power! You know you do! Use it! Break free!
The voices continued their argument, each side fighting with the other for dominance. Give up! You can't win! . . . NO! Fight! Remember! . . . Shut up! You can't do anything! You're worthless! . . . Remember! Remember who you are! Remember Alúvelin, Valanda, Kristoff, Arberish. Remember Anna . . . Remember the babies!
Elsa's head snapped up, her eyes widening. Arberish? He . . . He's real! I . . . I love him! And Anna . . . Her babies are real! They need me! What am I doing?
"Get up, Your Majesty!" The attacker grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet.
"Get away from me!" Elsa cried, pushing him away, desperately trying to sort out the chaos reigning in her own mind.
Enraged, the attacker swung his fist, connecting with her jaw, sending her to the ground once more. "Do not try that again, you stubborn bitch!" he spat, kicking her repeatedly.
"Elsa! Elsa, please!" Anna cried, her attacker dragging her toward the throne room door. "Help me!"
Elsa lay on the floor, shaking her head, trying to quell the chaos that still raged within her mind. She cried out in pain as over and over and over again her attacker kicked her, knocking the wind from her lungs, bruising her torso.
It's over! Just accept it! You can't do anything!
NO! the defiant voice screamed in her brain. You have to remember! You have a life! A good life worth fighting for, with people who love you! Fight back! Fight back!
"AAAAGGGHHH!" Elsa pulled herself to her knees, desperately trying to reconcile the two disparate storms assaulting her senses.
GIVE UP! the one voice roared. IT'S OVER!
NO, ELSA! REMEMBER! REMEMBER! REMEMBER!
Elsa stretched her arms out, a single name burning like a flame in her brain, growing stronger and stronger. "ISARN!" she screamed. Where did that come from? Suddenly, memories surged through her mind, overwhelming her, rising to the surface. "FATHER! FORGIVE ME! GIVE ME BACK MY BIRTHRIGHT! PLEASE!"
Her attacker and the leader stared at her, confounded. "Oh, to hell with it," the leader said. "Just kill her now and be done with it."
"NO!" Anna screamed, fighting to escape. "Elsa! Elsa! NO!"
The maelstrom in Elsa's mind suddenly cleared. A familiar feeling welled up inside of her, filling her, soothing her. Remember! Remember! Remember! REMEMBER!
Her attacker raised his sword, prepared to sever the queen's head from her body. He brought the blade down, the iron sword whistling as it moved through the air.
"NO!" Anna screamed, turning her eyes away in horror.
The blade rang out as it met resistance. The attacker's jaw dropped in astonishment. "What . . . What the hell . . .?!"
Elsa stood tall, her hands glowing blue, the blade impaled upon a blue sphere surrounding her palms. Her eyes narrowed, glaring at the man with unbridled fury. "Didn't your mother ever warn you . . . about the dangers . . . of playing . . . with ice?!"
Forcefully, she extended her arms, flinging them to her sides. Ice and snow poured into the throne room, shattering the windows, flying toward the invaders. A furious burst of wind poured over the room, flinging the remaining attackers back against the walls. Their screams of pain filled the hall as they slumped to the floor.
"Elsa!" Anna rushed to her sister, holding her tightly. Without warning, Anna brought her hand to her mouth in surprise. "Elsa! Your hair . . . Your eyes . . . Look!"
Elsa bent down, picking up a shard of glass from the nearby shattered window. Trembling, she brought the glass in front of her face. A tear flowed down her cheek as she saw her face, her own face, her features exactly as she remembered them, her eyes blue once more, her hair the purest blonde imaginable.
A moan of pain rang throughout the throne room. Elsa and Anna turned, finding the leader on the floor, attempting to crawl away in disgrace.
Elsa reached him in two long strides. She grabbed the man by his collar, hoisting him before her face.
"You almost had me," she said, her voice cold, harsh. "I almost fell for it. But then I remembered the people in my life. The people I love . . . the people who love me! You could never take that away from me, no matter how hard you tried. That is why you failed."
She dropped the man to the floor, closing her eyes. Blue light flowed over her, modifying her clothing, shaping it into her familiar blue snow dress. She looked to the ceiling, fist raised in defiance. "I am Elsa of Arendelle, the Snow Queen, daughter of Isarn, the ice bærer! I have proven myself to you. Now, end this illusion, before I end it for you!"
The throne room began to slowly fade, hard, cold rock appearing where brick and wood had stood moments before.
"Elsa?" The illusory Anna looked at Elsa, a sad look on her face.
"I'm sorry," Elsa said. "But you are not really my sister. You're just an illusion sent to try to trick me. It's time for you to go."
"I know." Anna looked at her, a strange expression on her face. "But before I do, I just wanted to say . . . You are truly worthy of the Sacred Jewels. Bear them well. May you use them to guide this Continent to a golden age of peace and prosperity."
"I will," Elsa said softly. "I swear."
Anna smiled, fading into nothingness. "God be with you . . ."
Elsa looked around, seeing the open door hewn into the rock. She moved through it, eager to escape the confines of the chamber.
"I'm here," Elsa said as she exited the tunnel. "I made it."
"Elsa!" Anna took her hand, holding it tightly. "You're all right! We were all so worried when you didn't make it out!"
Elsa smiled. "It's all right, Anna. I just . . . I was just delayed a little, nothing more." She kissed her sister on the cheek. "It's good to see you again." She brought her head to Anna's abdomen, kissing it. "And it's so nice to see you two as well." Her greeting was rewarded with two mighty kicks, causing Anna to wince. "Sorry," Elsa said. "Sorry about that!"
She looked about the group, smiling as she saw Kristoff, Alúvelin, Valanda. She moved toward the man standing at the rear of the party.
"You . . .You're not hurt?" Arberish asked, looking Elsa over.
"I'm all right," Elsa said. "I . . . I just . . . I was wondering if you would let me . . . I mean . . ."
Burying her nerves, Elsa leaned forward, placing a tender kiss on Arberish's cheek. The brann wielder's face flushed slightly. Elsa backed away, her ears burning with embarrassment. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "That . . . That was uncalled for. I shouldn't have . . ."
Before she could say anymore, Arberish took her hands, pulling her close to him. He cupped one hand around the back of Elsa's head, kissing her intensely on the lips.
Elsa's eyes closed as she allowed Arberish's warmth to flow through her. She no longer cared what anyone else said or thought. This is what I want, she thought. This feels so right!
Anna, Alúvelin, and Valanda looked on in astonishment. "Did you know about this?" Anna whispered.
"No," Alúvelin and Valanda replied. "Not at all."
"Ladies," Kristoff said, holding up his hands. "Let's give them some privacy, all right?"
"It's okay, Kristoff," Elsa said, turning back to the group. "We . . . We'll explain later. Right now, though, we have to finish our task." She looked at the ceiling. "Where are you? We've done as you've asked. We've completed the challenges. Now, where are the Jewels?"
A hole formed in the wall before them, rock descending into the ground. "Proceed," the voice said. "You have come farther than I ever anticipated. You truly are worthy of guarding the Tritastónende. Proceed into the next chamber. Your long-desired prize awaits you there."
Elsa turned to the rest of the party. "We've finally made it!" she said softly. "Now, let's finish what we came here for. Let us become the new guardians of the Sacred Jewels!"
AN: More to come!