The Storm Rages On

Chapter Seventeen

Jewels

"What is this?" Anna asked, confused. "There's nothing here but another wall!" She looked at Arberish. "This doesn't make any sense!"

"Patience, Highness," Arberish said. "Remember the poem? The Door of Light will not appear until the equinox begins."

"And when will that be?" Anna asked. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I've lost all track of time in here. What if we're already too late? What if . . . What if we've missed it?"

"We haven't," Elsa said. "It is almost upon us, but we haven't missed it."

"How can you tell?" Alúvelin asked, looking at Elsa incredulously.

Elsa smiled at her older sister. "I . . . I don't know," she said. "But ever since the last challenge, I've felt . . . different. More aware. More confident. More certain than I have ever been. I can't explain it, but I . . . I can sense things I couldn't before." She closed her eyes, stretching out her hand to the wall. "Can you feel it, Alúvelin?" she whispered. "Can you feel it, Arberish? It's beckoning, waiting for us, ready to come forth."

The rest of the group looked at each other, their faces tinged with concern.

"Elsa, I . . . I don't know what you think you feel," Anna said, "but none of us can—"

"Shhh!" Elsa silenced the group. "It's coming!" Her eyes remained closed, her face brightening in anticipation. "Three . . . two . . . one . . ."

Without warning, a brilliant flash of illumination filled the chamber. Anna cried out, shielding her eyes from the blinding light.

Elsa's eyes remained closed. In her mind's eye, she could see the light cascading down the rock wall, dividing into rays, forming a large door. Ancient symbols appeared on the rock, the beautiful runes shimmering with an intense, unnatural glow.

The light subsided, leaving only the shining outline of the Door in its wake. Elsa opened her eyes, smiling.

"I told you," she said, turning to the others. "We didn't miss it."

Valanda moved to the door, her eyes wide. "This is . . . This is incredible! I never thought I would actually see the Door of Light!" Her gaze fell upon the ancient writing. She studied it, reading the text, nodding in understanding.

"What does it say?" Kristoff asked. "What do we need to do?"

"We don't do anything," Valanda replied. "It simply reads, 'Thou who hast proven thy worth, enter now and claim the three Sacred Jewels, as one, for thine own.'" She gestured to Elsa. "I believe the honor is yours, Elsa. You . . . You're the reason we have made it this far."

Elsa stepped forward, her hands glowing blue. Gently, she placed her palms on the two impressions on either side of the crack dividing the double doorway. Blue light and ice flowed from her, coursing over the door. A loud whistling sound filled the chamber. The blue light swirled, combining with the white glow emanating from the door. With a loud crack, the double doors swung open, revealing a large, gaping entryway.

"You did it!" Alúvelin whispered, embracing her sister. "You actually did it!"

"It was nothing," Elsa said, modestly shrugging her shoulders. She gestured to the open door. "Now, let's go! We're finally here!"

Valanda and Kristoff moved through the doorway, following Alúvelin. Anna came next, moving slowly, taking deep breaths.

"Are you all right?" Elsa asked, taking her sister's hand, steadying her.

"I . . .I'll be fine," Anna said. "I think I'm going to need a nice long rest after we're finished here." She groaned as both babies unleashed another short assault on her abdomen.

"Don't worry," Elsa said. "I'll make sure you get all the rest you need. After all, we want these two to be comfortable and well-rested when they are born, don't we?" She kissed Anna's belly, smiling. "Now, go on ahead. Arberish and I will be right behind you."

Anna looked at Elsa, smiling knowingly. "Just . . . Just so you know, Elsa . . . Not that you need my permission or anything, but . . . I just want you to know that I . . . that I approve. Of you and Arberish, I mean."

Elsa's ears burned. "Really? You don't think . . ."

"No, I don't," Anna said. "I . . . I'm a little surprised, but in a good way. I . . . I want you to be happy, Elsa. You deserve to find someone who will love you for who you are, who won't try to change you. Someone who respects you."

Elsa wrapped her arms around Anna, her attempt at an embrace stymied somewhat by Anna's belly. "Thank you," she whispered.

Anna kissed Elsa on the cheek. "We'll be waiting for the two of you in there." She exited the room, leaving Elsa alone with Arberish.

The mercenary-turned-minister moved forward, taking Elsa's hand. "I . . . I wanted to apologize for my earlier behavior. I shouldn't have . . . I mean, I shouldn't have just kissed you like that, without your permission. It was presumptuous of me. I had no right to—"

Arberish's attempt at an apology was silenced by Elsa's lips meeting his own. The queen leaned into the brann wielder, her eyes closed, not wanting the moment to ever end. After what seemed like an eternity, she pulled away, smiling. "Does that answer your question?"

Arberish nodded. "I . . . I just want to be certain, Majesty—"

"Elsa." The queen took his hand, holding it gently. "I want you to call me Elsa."

"I'm sorry. I want to be certain, Elsa, that this is what you want. That you truly would want to be with me, even though—"

"Yes," Elsa said. She looked Arberish in the eyes. "During my challenge, I realized something. These feelings I've had for you . . . I have had them for quite some time. This isn't just a first infatuation. I . . . I want to be with you, Arberish, in every sense of the word. I want to spend my life with you because . . . because every moment I have to spend away from you is unbearable. I can't stand not being near you. I feel so . . . so empty. I almost lose myself without you, Arberish." She brought her hand to Arberish's cheek, noticing that he did not flinch at all at the chill of her touch. "Because I love you."

Relief flooded Arberish's heart and mind. "I feel the same way, Elsa. I've known for so long . . . so long indeed, even though I've tried to deny it. I love you as well." He frowned. "But your people . . . What will they think? What will they say? I am not royalty, nor am I . . ." He turned away, cursing the streaks of gray running through his hair, the stress lines that littered his face. "How will they ever accept that you could love someone like me?"

Elsa laughed. "If they can accept the fact that their queen is able to summon ice and snow, I think they can accept that I'm in love with you." She turned Arberish to face her once more. "Don't you see? I'm tired of living in fear of what others may think. I don't care anymore. I am going to do what my heart tells me is right. And right now, it's telling me that I was meant to belong to you."

Arberish placed Elsa's face within his hands, pulling her close, kissing her forehead, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair, marveling at how calm she was. Neither of them moved, content to simply be in each other's presence.

A cry of astonishment filled their ears. Arberish pulled away, turning toward the open door. "We'd better go see what's going on. Whatever it is, it doesn't sound like it is good at all."

"I . . . I don't understand!"

Alúvelin looked before her, confusion on her brow. "This? This is what we've worked so hard for . . . suffered so much to obtain? This?!"

The six were huddled within a small antechamber, the only light being supplied by a pair of torches mounted on the wall. Before them, elevated slightly, was a small table, an altar on which lay three large, dull, lifeless rocks. Nothing about them indicated that they possessed any unique or special properties. No shine emanated from within, no glow burst forth when the light landed upon them. For all outward appearances, the stones looked no different than ordinary rocks one might find in countless locations throughout the Continent.

Anna shook her head. "This can't be what we've come so far for. It just can't! We must be missing something!" She turned to Arberish, eyes full of despair. "Please tell us there's something more we must do!"

Arberish was crestfallen. "I . . . I have nothing to offer, Your Highness. This . . . The legends said nothing about this."

"Mother?" Alúvelin took Valanda's hand, holding it tightly. "Did the scrolls tell you anything? What must we do to restore the stones? Do you know?!"

"No," Valanda whispered. "I . . . I am as stunned as all of you. I did not expect this at all."

"Maybe . . ." Kristoff said. "Maybe their power is gone. What if they've been locked away for too long? What if they no longer shine because they've been missing for such a long time? What if . . . What if there is nothing special about them anymore?"

"Well," Anna said. "At least now, the invaders won't be able to use them to destroy the Continent. We don't have to worry about that anymore."

"No," Alúvelin said. "But when they find them like this, they are going to be livid. They will unleash their fury upon any race they deem responsible, with or without the power of the Jewels." She looked toward the door to the antechamber. "They've got to be within the caverns by now. It is only a matter of time before they find this and . . . and . . ."

Anna groaned, fighting the familiar pain that ran through her. "After everything we've done, for it to end like this . . . I just can't believe it!"

Elsa looked at the altar, staring at the dull rocks, studying them. "I think . . . I think they just need . . . I know that's what it is!" Something was telling Elsa to approach the altar, to hold the jewels in her hands. Wordlessly, she moved forward.

"Elsa, what are you doing?" Alúvelin asked. "Don't you see it's a waste of time? The ancient power is gone. The Jewels are no more!"

"No," Elsa replied. She lifted one of the stones, its weight burdensome in her hand. "They are not powerless at all. They're just sleeping." She picked up the second jewel, cradling it gently in her arms. "Can't you see it? Can't you see the power radiating from them, just waiting to summoned?"

Arberish walked to the altar, standing next to Elsa. "Can you really see something?" he asked. "You can truly see the power still contained within them?"

"Yes," Elsa said. "All they need is to be brought together by someone who is worthy. That's what the inscription on the door meant." She nodded toward the final stone. "Can you help me?"

Arberish lifted the third stone, setting it in Elsa's arms next to the others. Nothing happened. The stones remained colorless, devoid of life.

"I . . . I'm sorry," Arberish whispered. "It was a valiant effort, but—"

The three stones suddenly began to glow, radiating from the inside, the light pulsating, growing stronger. Elsa's eyes went wide as the light suddenly burst forth from each stone, the light from one flowing into its siblings, forming a circle of pure magnificence.

The rest of the party watched in astonishment as Elsa was consumed by the glorious light. Her form disappeared, the entire altar bathed in ethereal luminesce.

Then, just as it had begun, the light disappeared. Elsa was visible once more, her arms trembling in awe. She turned to Arberish, smiling. "Look!" she whispered.

The stones shone brilliantly, every ray of light erupting forth into thousands of tiny pinpoints. The Jewels were no longer dull and colorless. Each now pulsed with its own bright hue: one red, one blue, one green.

"You did it!" Anna cried, rushing toward the altar, hardly believing what she had seen. "You did it!"

"Excellent work."

An unfamiliar voice sounded from behind them. The six turned around, astonished, overwhelmed.

Standing before them was a being of indescribable beauty. He resembled a man, but no man ever lived who possessed the perfection of his form, the reverential aura he radiated. Light shone from him, adding to the unearthly impression he set forth.

"Who . . . Who are you?" Valanda asked, finally finding her voice. "Are you here to take the Tritastónende for your own? You cannot have them!" She moved in front of Elsa, her hands red with flame.

"No," the being said, his voice indescribably wonderful, his laugh the purest sound any of the party had ever heard. "Nothing of that sort at all. I am here to congratulate you, nothing more."

"What are you?" Kristoff asked. "You are no man. To what race do you belong?"

The being smiled. "I'm the one who has been testing you this entire time." He held up his hands. "Please, forgive me for being so cruel at times, but it was the only way I could be certain that you . . . all of you . . . were truly worthy of claiming the Tritastónende." He laughed. "I never thought this day would come. I do not know exactly what to say."

"You still haven't answered our question," Alúvelin said, joining her mother in front of Elsa, her eyes wary. "Who . . . or what are you?"

"I am one of the Maíreth, the ancient guardians created by Almighty Vandrínereth so long ago to serve Him, to assist Him in the care of His Creation. For centuries, it has been my humble task to safeguard the Tritastónende, to ensure they do not fall into the hands of those who seek only to use their power to destroy." A pained look crossed his brow. "Many tried to claim them in the beginning. Many almost made it to where you are now. But they all were unworthy in one fashion or another." He smiled, the radiance threatening to overwhelm the party. "But you! You are the first who have succeeded!"

Elsa looked at the being. "Do you have a name? What are we to call you?"

The Maíreth laughed again. "I have had many names, given to me by many different races. But the one I like the most, the one that I have adopted as my true title, is Gábriel, 'Messenger of Truth.'"

Gábriel moved before Elsa, his shining hands gently caressing the Sacred Jewels. "Before you go, you must know what it exactly you have been entrusted with. First, you must understand that the Jewels each have a life force of their own. They are not tools to be exploited at your whim. Rather, you must convince them to use their power to assist you in accomplishing what you desire. Only by realizing this important truth can you truly unlock their full power."

Gábriel lifted the red stone, the light within swirling like flame. "This is Valdránavish, Master of Earth. With one breath, he can smite the land, molding it as he sees fit, conforming it to his will. Entire continents can be uprooted if he so chooses. Barren lands can be made fertile, green lands turned to ash at his command. His is a dangerous force that can either uplift or devastate, depending on how you work with him."

He set Valdránavish back in Elsa's arms, gingerly removing the blue jewel. "Elenóreweth," he said. "Mistress of Water. Her will can persuade oceans to rise and fall, rain to fall from the heavens, floodwaters to consume the land. Use her wisely and with great care, for her fury has brought about the fall of many great nations of the past."

The green gem came into Gábriel's hand. "The last of the three is Vinderdrómethen, Lord of the Winds. He is a mischievous one, the least mature of the three. Do not, I beg of you, unleash him without the strictest of instructions. For he is like the wind itself: free-spirited, undisciplined, wild, lustful for life. His power may aid you in your time of greatest need, but seek his assistance only in the direst of circumstances, for he has been known to leave a trail of destruction in his wake."

Gábriel returned the stone to Elsa's possession. "You will need this to carry them," he said. A large, plain sack appeared before them. "This is hardly a vessel worthy of carrying items of such power," the Maíreth said, "but we do not want to draw attention to yourselves as you journey homeward."

Elsa carefully laid the three Jewels within the sack, tying the top closed. Arberish lifted the sack, placing it over his shoulder.

Gábriel smiled. "I hope the Tritastónende will be safe in your care. You have an awesome responsibility upon you now. Remember their power. Remember the care and wisdom required to manage them."

"We will," Elsa said. "We seek only to keep them safe from those who would use their power to destroy this land."

Gábriel gestured toward the wall behind him. An opening appeared, a long staircase of rock just beyond. "This will lead you out of the caverns, returning you to the trail just outside the Vindervallen. You should be able to easily retrieve your horses from where you left them, then bear the Jewels back to your homeland."

The Maíreth raised his hands, holding them over the party. "I invoke the blessings of the Almighty God upon you. May your journey be safe, may your horses be swift." He turned to Anna. "May your children be born into a world of peace and safety, where violence between nations is no more, where all is as the Almighty God intended."

Gábriel bowed before them. "My task is now complete. I will return to the Sacred Halls of my Father, where I will eagerly await His next command. Farewell, Queen Elsa of Arendelle and companions. Be wise! Be powerful! Be courageous!"

The Maíreth vanished, the light within the antechamber returning to the dull glow provided by the torches.

Kristoff pointed toward the stairs. "Who's ready to leave? I know I am."

The party ascended the stairs quickly, eager to put the caverns behind them. Occasionally, the six had to stop to allow Anna to rest, but it was not long before they reached the summit of their climb. Before them stood a tunnel, light streaming from the other side.

"We made it!" Anna cried. "Finally!"

Alúvelin turned to her younger sister. "Are you all right? That was a lot of climbing for you."

"I'm fine!" Anna insisted. "I'm so glad to be out of there, I'm actually looking forward to riding my horse again."

Kristoff feigned astonishment. "Who are you, and what have you done with my wife?"

"Oh, stop it," Anna said. "I've walked enough over the past few hours to last two pregnancies, thank you very much."

Before anyone could stop her, Anna disappeared into the tunnel, her footsteps echoing behind her. The rest of the party followed after her, eager to feel sunshine upon their faces once more.

As they moved through the tunnel, a strange sensation rang in the back of Elsa's mind. She tried to ignore it, but the further they progressed, the more intensely it bothered her.

"Something's wrong," she whispered to Arberish. "I don't know how I know, but something's not right!"

The warning suddenly erupted into a furious scream in her ears. Turn back! Turn back! Hurry! Stop her! STOP HER!

"Anna!" Elsa cried, rushing ahead, trying to catch up with her sister before she exited the tunnel. "Anna! Turn around! Something's wrong! Something's—"

But Anna had already disappeared through the tunnel exit, as had Kristoff, Alúvelin, and Valanda. Elsa forced herself through, prepared to grab her companions and return to the tunnel—

Something sharp, metallic pressed against her throat. She was pulled from the exit forcefully, thrown to her knees next to Anna and Kristoff, Alúvelin and Valanda not far from them, sharing the same fate.

"Elsa? Elsa, what's—"

Arberish's voice was silenced as he, too, was captured, forced next to Elsa.

A large group of men stood before them, far too many to count. Their faces were marked with smiles of greed, their eyes staring eagerly at their prisoners.

"You were right," one of them said, turning to the hooded man at the front of the small army. "They found them for us after all! All we had to do was wait!"

Oh, no! Elsa's face lost all color. She looked to her companions, their eyes full of sorrow as they realized what they had done. We led them straight to us! We've delivered the Jewels right into their hands.

The hooded man moved forward, kneeling before Elsa and Anna. His face was obscured by the shadow cast by his cloak's hood. A mirthless laugh escaped from his throat. "Well, well. If it isn't the Snow Queen of Arendelle herself, and her younger sister, to boot!" He leaned forward, his chin now mere inches from Elsa's face, the stubble on his face shining red in the brilliant sunlight. "You have no idea just how long I have waited for this moment!"

"Who are you?" Elsa asked, her face defiant, her eyes blazing with contempt. "Stop hiding. Be a man and show us who you are. Or are you nothing more than a coward?"

The man laughed, pulling back his hood, his features now fully visible in the noonday sun. Involuntarily, Elsa and Anna let out cries of astonishment, not believing what they were seeing.

"You!"

AN: I have enjoyed creating the mythology behind the Jewels so much. Hopefully, it shows through in the text. More to come!