Chapter 26-The Four Seasons
When Anna found the councilors, there was nothing to be done about the public introduction; they can't make the necessary preparation until the majority of the wounded has been tended to and order is restored. In order to lessen the chaos of traffic, Elsa decided that some of the homes in town will have to be use for temporary space. They long have over capacitated the ballroom; guest rooms are cramped with narrow cracks, hardly suitable for walking through, and even the widest hallways was filled. So she ordered Commander Gorm to go outside and have some of the soldiers use the nearby homes; some of the medical members will be departing with him shortly. But before leaving, Elsa strictly instructed Gorm to make it very clear, that no act of looting is to be made. If any such act is committed, then they can forget about getting treatment, and their punishment will be left for the two commanders to decide.
An hour-and-a-half had passed before Gorm returned, having left a reliable lieutenant in charge. "Your Majesty, has Commander Atlas and the Spirit return yet?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Elsa answered, rather shakenly. She was helping to bandage a man's arm alongside Merida, by holding onto the slant while Merida wraps the bandages.
"They should be back soon," Merida said, without ever taking her eyes off her work. With the last wrap she ties the ends of the bandage to secure the hold. "There. Though what a waste, we can be saving all these supplies if only Bellflower was allowed to heal these guys."
"Now don't you go starting Spirit," said Gorm, waiving a finger in her direction. "Nothing is to be done until a decision is made."
Merida turns sharply with her eyes narrow, slapping away his hand. "The name is Merida. And watch who you're pointing your finger at. I'm no child, and I am one to be reckoning with."
"Listen to her," Jack warns. He was walking towards them after finishing his recent task, with his sleeves push up, and was wiping away the moist blood from his hands with a rag. "She's nice overall, but doesn't have much patience for some people."
"Please, enough," Elsa said sternly. "Merida, I understand how you feel but don't go making wrong lasting impressions. And Commander, I expected you to behave better then this, and to give the proper respect to our allies." Gorm didn't say anything; his eyes were filled with frustration. Elsa sighs heavily. "Do you have so little faith in my decision as your Queen? Do you believe our search was for not?"
Gorm's eyes soften, and he said calmly, "I have every faith in you Your Majesty…But that is it, my faith is with you, not with them." Elsa smiles at that. She was grateful to Hiccup for stopping Lukas and herself from removing Gorm and Atlas from their position. Now that she has thought of it more, he was right, that it would've been a bad mistake in more ways than one to have lost them. If Hiccup's trial fails, then we must find another way to convince them, Elsa thought to herself.
"Well then Commander Gorm," said Jack, "prepare to have a change of heart." His staff was tucked under the cot of the man Elsa and Merida was tending to. In a swift motion, he slips his feet under and pulls it out with the help of his magic, by creating ice along its path for a smoother slide. Once by his side, Jack manage to place his right feet under it, and with a light lift, the staff shot into a standing position long enough for him to take a hold of it. The sudden appearance of ice had startled Gorm. He looks towards his Queen hoping for an answer, but her smile only widens. "No time to be stun Commander, look, they're back."
Looking towards the door, Elsa saw Hiccup was looking around for them; meanwhile, Atlas carries a peculiar expression. He looks less stern then when she first met him; his head was hung a little low, and he seems a bit more relax; his eyes seems different as well, as if they have somehow become clearer. Hiccup quickly made his way towards them after spotting them. Rapunzel, Eugene, Lukas, and Anna, reached the group around the same time as Hiccup did after being informed by Jack.
"Well, how did the trial go?" asks Gorm impatiently.
For the first few minutes, Atlas didn't say anything. His gaze was kept towards the ground. A second later, he lifts up has head and looks over all the Guardians, particularly Rapunzel. His voice was firm but there was sincerity in it. "…You have my apologies Bellflower, all of you, have my apologies,"
"Then we can assume you've reach a favorable decision?" prompt Lukas.
He turns to face Elsa and Lukas, meeting them with full eye contact and with his head held high once again. "…I would like to discuss the matter about their participation in this war at a later time, but for now…Bellflower is free to use her healing magic."
"Yes!" said Rapunzel, "Quick, come with me Eugene, and you too Jack." The two men followed her as she makes her way to the front of the ballroom.
"Commander Atlas, what did the boy do to convince you?" asks Gorm.
Atlas looks at Hiccup, and was joined by the others with their gaze, including Gorm. "I didn't really do much, just took him for ride," Hiccup answers with a sheepish smile.
"A ride?! How could a ride change anyone's mind?"
"Would you like to give it a try Commander Gorm?" Hiccup asks, "after all, it is your turn to bear witness to my trial."
"Show me boy," he said sternly.
"And here we go again," Merida comment sarcastically, while taking a seat on a short stool. Without a word to his friends, Hiccup led Gorm pass Rapunzel and the others and straight out of the ballroom.
Atlas watch the small group but was confused as to what they were up to, however, he was impressed by the length of Bellflower's hair as she unbraids it with a magical comb. "Tell me Your Highness," addressing Lukas, "what exactly are they planning on doing?"
"I have good idea of it, but am not quite sure," he admitted. "Elsa, Anna, can she heal this many all at once?"
"You'll see!" Anna said excitedly. "It is going to be amazing!"
XxXxXx
Eugene, at the top of his volume, shouted for all activities to stop. He had to give the order a few more times before all came to a standstill, with the only exceptions of movements and noises coming from outside the ballroom. When complete attention was at his disposal, Eugene quickly explains that the girl on his left was Bellflower, and the hooded man to his right was Jack. He announced that Bellflower has magical healing powers, but will need all the wounded to be in contact with her in order to heal; all the staffs and medics are required tp be still, to not move around so much as to disrupt the flow of magic. To give support to Eugene and the others, both Elsa and Lukas order their people to cooperates with them, and bear with the stranger's method of healing.
When cooperation was secured, Jack jumps into action. He didn't hesitate to show the people that he too, possess similar magic to that of Queen Elsa. Creating ice as his path and melting them when he passes, Jack skated with speed—forward a few feet before rounding back, circling behind Rapunzel; she turned when he did so that her back was facing the room, and he swung his staff at her pile of hair. There was a blast of wind and her hair was blown forward, unraveling the hair from its neat pile as it was held in the air by Jack's magic. Even faster, Jack skated all over the ballroom, even on the walls, spreading Rapunzel's hair to all the wounded while miraculously avoid hitting anyone and anything. Most of the staffs and medics were caught off by Jack's speed and magic, and would shriek slightly when he rushes pass them. Some by instinct, would clutch their bodies together, or stiffen in reaction in expectation of an impact.
The spreading of Rapunzel's hair was finished within three minutes, about thirty minutes faster than when Elsa and the others were spreading it in the forest. Once finished, Jack returns to his place beside Eugene and announced to the wounded that no matter what, they mustn't break contact with Bellflower's hair until her healing magic is complete, not unless they want a full recovery.
When Rapunzel started to perform her healing magic, it was received in identical reaction to that of the evacuation group. All the people were too scared to move, let alone utter a sound, and the wounded had no strength left to move away. Rapunzel perform her magic similar to when she did it the first time; she continues to hum when she sang the last lyrics of her song, and only stop when Jack told her to. He was hovering around the ballroom, keeping track of those who are healed and those who still needed more time.
After the healing was completed, the people were at awe with the magic. 'Incredible' they uttered, 'What wonderful magic,' some of them murmured. There was nothing but praises for the magic. One of the soldiers, to whom Elsa could not locate, said, "A miracle…truly a miracle…" Elsa didn't know if she could call this magic a miracle, but then again, what Rapunzel did and the magic she possess are beyond astounding. It dawned on her that Rapunzel is powerful, and she hasn't reached her full potential yet. Same with the young Guardians, they too have yet to reach full potential but were all still powerful, and they had only recreantly become Guardians. Elsa brought her hands together and claps them against her chest, If Rapunzel is this strong and is only mortal…then the others, and Pitch…
"It is a good thing they're fighting for us," said a soldier to Atlas. The two were whispering to each other but Elsa over heard them, and decided to key in on their conversation.
"Or at least fighting with us," Atlas reply, "I had witness one of their comrade's magic before this, and for that one alone, I'm just glad they are not our enemy."
It hurts to hear them discus these things when Elsa felt bad for just thinking such thoughts herself. She recalls Jack's memory of the dark creation, and instinctively looks over at him. He was zooming around recollecting Rapunzel's hair. He pauses for a moment after catching Elsa looking at him; he smiles at her, and then quickly resumed his work. The captain of the medical team rushes up to Elsa, snapping her out of her thought. "Your Majesty, this is remarkable!"
"Y-yes, indeed it is."
"We must have the room clear immediately—there are still many who needs to be heal."
"Then please make haste with your task."
"I will Your Majesty—I will!" The medic took off, quickly rushing about the ballroom, snapping staffs and medical members out of their amazement and fascination of Rapunzel's magic, ordering them to clear the newly healed soldiers out, and to hurry in those who are still wounded.
XxXxXx
Some of the unwounded soldiers had witness Rapunzel's magic while standing outside the ballroom, waiting impatiently to get their comrades inside and get them some help. Those who have seen her magic began to quickly spread the news of a woman name Bellflower, and her remarkable healing ability. They also spread the word of a young man name Jack, who was clad in shades of blue, and carries around a shepherd's staff with a hood drawn to shield his face. He could fly they say like a snowflake, and mentions that he too have ice magic like the Queen. There was talk of a female shrouded in a deep blue cloak, a soldier claimed he saw her having red wild hair, but wasn't sur. This strange female seems out of place, especially with the sword she has fasten on one side of her hips, while the other supported a quiver along with a bow resting against her back. There was some who claimed to have seen a small boy with the strangers; he wore a fur vest over a green tunic, and carries with him a silver plated shield; many were confused with that one, for why would such a boy—a child be in the castle at all.
By the time all the wounded at the castle were healed, it was two hours passed twelve. Hiccup and Gorm had return an hour before, just in time for the Commander to witness Rapunzel's magic, as well as watch the rumors of Hiccup and his friends spread around, stretching into town like a beastly fire.
Rapunzel was exhausted and wanted nothing more than rest; however, her job was far from being done. The medical captain was persistent on having her make trips to their remaining medical stations for more healing. Rapunzel had no choice but to agree, it was still with-in her capability of her Pact to heal. Though she did lay out one condition for going, and that was to at least have an hour to herself, so then she could wash her hair. Lukas was hoping to have the public introduction as soon as she returns, and tries to convince her that her hair wasn't in need of washing yet, which was true, other men could use a good washing then her. But Elsa granted her condition, though asked if she could only take about forty minutes to wash her hair.
Merida told Rapunzel to take Angus instead of a regular horse, that way she can get to places faster and return sooner. She went without Eugene this time, only taking her rucksack with her, and the medical captain to 'point' her way. They soar off with a tare, with Rapunzel riding front and the medic clinging tightly to her.
XxXxXx
The courtyard was big, but was not big enough. There's no free open space in town; a good cubic square at one spot or another but they were still not big enough. So the councilors decided to hold the introduction at port. It's the widest and biggest space that would encompass the majority of soldiers to see the strangers. A medium size stage was quickly set up for them. Jack, Rapunzel, Merida, and Hiccup were lined-up in the middle of the stage, with Elsa, Anna, Lukas, and Eugene with the doll, lined up front; Commander Gorm and Atlas and the councilmen were position at the back.
The crowd was rambunctious; they were all waiting to hear what Queen Elsa and Prince Lukas has to say about today's battle, about the enemy, as well as eager to learn more about their new allies. When it was nearly time to start, Elsa thought back to when she and the others were still on the ship in Tooth's realm; they had quickly decided on a cover story on how they met the young Guardians, including a mini discussion on how to present Jack and the others. However, it was poorly made and there was no guarantee that things would go smoothly with the announcement of spirits being part, and slightly, being involved with causing the war.
As Lukas steps forward, he raises a hand to quiet the soldiers. "…My fellow men," he starts, "my fellow allies in arms; as you all know the Southern Isle Kingdom and the Kingdom of Arendelle was threaten with a declaration of war four day ago, by none other than Prince Hans. In order to fight against his founded black magic, Queen Elsa and I had set sail in search of allies—but for what sort of allies we had no clue. For who would help the Southern Kingdom and the Arendelle Kingdom in this unnatural war? We were blessed with the aid of Corona but who else, who else was going to help us…? We sailed south towards Denmark; Arendelle was on good terms with them as trading partners, and so we had hoped to have their aid. On our way there four strangers came to us—out in the middle of the sea! They came suddenly descending from the heaven stopping our journey. They stopped us—freezing the waters that surrounded us." At that, the gathered soldiers erupted in mummers. They were interested in how the strangers could have possibly reached their leaders, let alone find them out at sea. The men were also curious as to how powerful this Jack is if he could freeze a large mass of water to stop a ship from moving.
"Show them to us!" someone cried, which ignited a whole mass of other shouts. "Bring these strangers forward!" "Bring forth the strangers!" "Come now, let us meet them!"
"Quiet, quiet all of you!" shouted Lukas. It took a bit of time to get the men to tone down before he could continue speaking. "Listen well all of you! They came so suddenly we took them as enemies but they did not attack, they came bearing no threat but an offer of strength, they came with no motive to exploit but to help."
"Then why are they helping us?!" someone asks. "There must be motive!" another cry.
"It is to stop Pitch," voiced Elsa. The men became confused, for who is this Pitch person? Their voice resumes to that of questioning mummers. Lukas steps back into place, allowing Elsa to step forward and speak. "To whom this Pitch you are all wondering about, he is no man or beast. He is a dark spirit with great power." The mummers grew in volume. "He and Hans have formed an alliance, in which Hans is borrowing Pitch's magic; the creatures you've all fought today came from Pitch's black magic."
"Then what are we to do?!—" "How are we to fight an evil entity?!" "—The strangers—our new allies!" "Yes, the strangers!" "—What can they do?!—They are only humans!" "Are they human Your Majesty? Are they human?" "Humans or creatures Your Majesty?!"
Elsa was frightened by the questions and volume of the men, but she forces herself to maintain composure. With a snap, she froze part of the front stage covering it in thick ice, silencing the men. Once quite, she unfreezes the stage and proceeded in answering. "…Our new allies are spirits." There was an uproar. The men were once again shouting their questions and comments. Instead of creating ice again, Elsa waited patiently for the crowd to quite, with all the while her brows being slanted and her eyes were narrowed, showing she wasn't the slightest amused with their constant interruptions. When the crowd was quiet enough, she signals Lukas to step up and stand beside her. Meanwhile, the others moved to the side allowing the young Guardians to move to the front. The crowd drop cold in silence. It was hard to tell if the soldiers were scared or unimpressed, seeing how Jack and Merida was still hidden by their clothes, and from the looks of it, Hiccup is receiving the most unfavorable looks.
When they were in position, Elsa resumes with the introduction of the Guardians. "…Yes…they are spirits. But none of you have anything to fear from them; all they wish to do is stop Pitch, for if Hans succeed in conquering both the Southern Isle and the Arendelle Kingdom, then in return for the use of his magic, Hans must aid Pitch in his desire for the destruction of spirits and all other creatures like the ones before you."
"But how can Hans possibly be of use to the spirit Pitch?" a soldier ask.
"Because this spirit feeds off of fear." said Lukas, "fear in which all of you: your wives, your children, your elders, friends, will feed him once the two kingdoms falls! We will all live in terror of Hans and his black magic—Pitch's magic. And the more fear there is the stronger Pitch becomes, stronger than anything imaginable—and strong enough to destroy all that he desire to vanish from this world!"
There was a dead silence in the air. None of the soldiers could bring themselves to make a sound, some of them have even stopped breathing for second; the air was just caught within their throat unable to swallow or choke out. Elsa resumes speaking, "We can't allow Hans to win no matter what, our future depends on it, and the future of our new allies depends on it as well." She smiles at the crowed before stepping towards the young Guardians. "There is nothing to fear from our friends here, most of you have heard of them before." The men looked at her in a brand new contorted confusion. "Some of you have heard of their legend, some through myths or tails, but these strangers are no strangers at all." Elsa placed a hand on Rapunzel's shoulder to encourage her to step forward.
Rapunzel was smiling at them with excitement. As she moves forward, she hums quietly to make her hair glow for special effects, working well in attracting the soldiers' attention. "My name is Bellflower," she starts, "and I am the Spirit of Spring." From the corner of her eye, Elsa saw Jack discreetly swilling the bottom end of his staff; at the same time, Merida, with a hand tuck behind her back, was rubbing her fingers together producing a sunset color glow from her skin.
Suddenly, a gentle warm breeze took the area by surprise. The wind wrapped around Rapunzel's hair and lightly lifts it off the stage. Her hair's full length was on displayed all around the platform as it stretches overhead. To Elsa, at no matter what angle she looks at it, Rapunzel's hair looks like a lush golden river in the sky. It is so beautiful and so enchanting, that it made Elsa remember one of Rapunzel's memories: the lanterns in Corona, when many are released into the air on one special night. "I am an assistance of Mother Nature; where ever she gives life on earth, I help to maintain that life; through means of helping it to grow, helping it to feel alive, or other times, healing it back to health." At the mention of healing, many of the soldiers smiled pleasantly at the memory of the spirit's magic, grateful to her and her healing ability.
Next was Jack. Instead of stepping forward, he held up his staff and brought it right back down tapping the stage. At contact, there was a loud crackling sound as frost forms under his feet, and a brush of cold air whipping the crowd, startling them by the sudden drop in temperature. Jack grins in response and slowly starts to float up. "Most of you should know me well enough, or at least have herd of me." The soldiers watched him carefully, curious as to whom this spirits is, and how is it possible that could have so much confidence that any of them should know him.
Reaching a foot higher than Rapunzel's hair, Jack stops his lift. His grin thickens as he pulls back his hood, finally reviling his face, along with his pale complexion and snow white hair. Seeing how the men were taken aback by his appearance, Jack chucked; he also took the opportunity to loosely swing his staff behind his shoulder before bringing it forward, letting the head of the staff drop straight down—producing a teasing gust of snowflakes.
He sends them towards the soldiers, in which some of the men stumbled backward in trying to avoid the nearing snow, but would only go about three steps or so before hitting the man behind them. Many of the snowflakes touched their targets' nose, stunning them. The men had felt something there for an instant but it was gone just as soon as it appeared. Their nose felt a bit colder now, like they had just been given a tiny nip by the air. The wind came again. Much softer. And with it, carries a voice whispering into the men's ears. "Jack Frost is nipping at your nose." Almost simultaneously, the soldiers snapped their heads up towards Jack, realization dawning on them as heavy as if a bolder were to have been dropped on them.
Merida takes her turn next, drawing the men's attention to her by giving out a whistle that shot sharply through the air. Hearing the whistle, Angus gave out a cry and stood on his hind legs. By request he was placed by the left side of the stage and looks as though he was about to jump right on, but Merida whistles again, much lower this time, signaling Angus to restrain himself. "Now that I have your attention, allow me to introduce myself." She pulls back her hood and unlatched the string that held her cloak, revealing her full self.
The crowd erupted in mummers. "Suprize-suprize are we?" Merida snaps her finger, igniting a spark of flames that traveled from her hand, down her body, and burst forward when it reached her feet towards the edge of the stage, leaving only scorch marks on the wood when the flames disappeared. In reaction, the soldiers closest to the front of the stage stumbled backward in fright; with utter silence following instantly after the flames were gone. "My name is Merida, the Spirit of Summer. Wherever I pass I bring summer along with me, and it will linger for as long as I wish for it to last." Around the base of her dress a ring of fire started to form. Instead of the intense heat her flames usually brings—even the tiniest of a sparks, these flames were warm and they did not burn; they traveled up her body clothing her in a new garment, as well as making hair glow in its' color. "Now my flames can burn hotter than anything on earth, second best to that of an actual sun. But I guarantee you all that my flames are for not of pain or destruction, it is for warmth—for strength, strengths in which I will use for you all." Before the eyes of everyone, she was the image of pleasantry, of pure sunset red. And the soldiers are no longer looking at her with doubt, suspicion, or even with intimidation, but with fascination. When she started to walk, bits of flames fell from her dress like burnt wood chips; there for only seconds, before burning away without leaving any traces of it behind.
Merida walks all the way over to Angus and mounted him in one jump. She then urged him to move to the front of the stage, and the soldiers up front made way for the two of them. She stops him at the head as she strung an arrow, aimed it high over town and releases it. As the arrow flew far past the town—looking like it would never land; from its bottom end the arrow left a tail of visible heat waves, doing well to turn Jack's cold air back to Arendelle's wonderful summer atmosphere. The warm heat lasted for a moment before returning back to spring's air
Hiccup's turn was up next. While the soldiers were still gazing after Merida's arrow, Elsa turns slightly over towards Hiccup, curious as to what he'll do. She wasn't sure how—but somehow, Hiccup ended up tripping when he was taking a step forward; his shield was slung right off of his back and landed against the wooden stage, gaining the soldiers attention, but they were unimpressed with the awkward start. "Uh—well—hi," Hiccup said, quickly standing right back up and returning his shield to its place, "Sooo, my name is Hiccup—" A few of the men chuckled quietly after hearing his name, in return, earning them an unfavorable look from both Lukas and Elsa, as well as the two commanders. "Yyyeah—no, I hear you guys, Hiccup is a really strange name, and it's a silly one as well. But perhaps some of you may have known me by my other names from Viking legends and stories; say, like, The Slayer of The Red Death, or, Dragon Master."
In the far distance, someone shouted, "Dragon Master? So you're a slayer of dragons?!" This resulted in a gale of laughter from the bulk of the soldiers. Elsa was furious by the disrespect they were showing to Hiccup, and was expecting the other Guardians to feel the same. However, she saw that they were amused by the reaction, all of them having at one point, shaken their heads or rolling their eyes with a small smile on their face.
"Ha ha ha, yep, I was expecting this," said Hiccup, but none of the soldiers could hear that comment beyond their own laughs. Hiccup drew in a big breath and placed both his hands around his mouth. The sound came not from deep within his stomach, but within his throat; a piercing roar mimicking that of a Night Fury. His roar brought the soldiers halting dead in their laughs. The air at the moment was empty of any noise. Remote from the port all the way from the castle, Hiccup's roar was replied. Almost instantly to follow—starting at the castle, a commotion was building. The men were on full alarm, for whatever was replying to Hiccup's call was heading straight their way, and it was confirmed when Hiccup roared again and was once more replied, though it was much closer and louder than before. Starting from the back, some of the men were forced to move out of the way for the fast incoming beast. The creature made its way towards its caller and leaped right onto the stage. Majority of the soldiers have drawn their sword and was ready to fight the animal, but didn't dare to make the first attack after seeing what it was. They were facing a real live dragon: its teeth and claws bear in ready at them. and with the back of its skin glowing a bluish color.
"Please, allow me to rephrase myself," Hiccup resumes, as he climes onto Toothless' back. "I am known as Dragon Master—not as in Slayer, but Dragon Rider. However, no matter what my name is or the titles I go by, I am still the Spirit of Autumn—the meaning of change." His voice was becoming louder, and was gaining confidence the more he speaks. "I have helped changed a lasting 1000 year war, from killing to peace, from hatred to friendship, and here—" he waves a hand towards his fellow spirits, "together, we can help change the odds to your favor in this war. We can help protect your friends and family, and save your kingdom—both kingdoms from the clutches of Pitch and Hans." As a final statement, Toothless lets out another roar before firing some kind of electric fire towards the sky. The attack blasted upon reaching its full intended height, creating a visible ring of its exploding force—strong enough to be felt but not harm anyone.
Elsa was surprised with how quickly the soldiers were to change their attitudes after a small display of strength, but in any case, it worked. Now the men are cheering their lungs out for the young Guardians. Jack floated back down to the stage, bringing Rapunzel's hair down with him; Merida extinguished her flames, and the glow emanating from Toothless' skin faded away while he resumes a less threatening position. Jack signals the crowd to quiet, and when they did, Jack told them about how the Southern Isle ships were sunken and about the three missing navy sailors. He reminded them that the fight from here on out will still be tough, and the battles to come will be harder than ever, but they must all stand fast and true to the end. He then asks everyone to give a moment of silence, in honor for the missing sailors, and for those who have passed in today's battle.
The silence they all gave wasn't sad. Instead, through the Pact's magic, Elsa and Anna could feel Merida doing something and gaining something from the men. The best that Elsa could describe it was determination. She sensed that the men—in this very silent moment for the deceased, were determined more than ever to win against Hans, and their new enemy Pitch. For just this one moment, they were all united.