Chapter Four

/

Standing over the vast armory of Arendelle, Dragna watched as boys as young as fifteen were being fitted with armor and swords. Twiddling away at a chunk of wood, Dragna wondered how many of these children will die in the coming weeks. This is the largest military action in the realm since the Battle of Cats Hill, that ended the Great Renaissance of the Old Kingdoms.

"A coin for your thoughts?" The sweet voice of Dragna's queen said from behind him.

Looking back to his Queen, Dragna gave a small nod and turned back to looking over the arming of the conscripts. "You don't want to know my thoughts, my Queen."

Resting her hands on the railing from the balcony, Elsa looked down to the armory. "How many of my kingdom's sons and fathers will never see their families again?"

Putting down the block of wood, Dragna gave a heavy sigh, "More than enough. How can I help you my Queen?"

"Any word on Anna?" Elsa whispered.

Throwing the knife down to the ground it stuck into the wooden floor easily. "You know there hasn't. My scouts have been running into dozens of advanced forces."

"Who are the Raven's Eye?" Elsa asked as she held up a report.

Dragna was more frustrated at himself than the Queen. He leaned forward on the railing and thought on how to answer the Queen he kissed. His emotions were a total mess. He pined for Anna, the girl he watched turn into a woman and fell in love with over the years. Only to learn she fell in love with someone else before he had a chance to express his feelings. The Queen her served was the very reason he was forced to watch her, and not be there when she needed him the most.

Looking to Elsa, Dragna finally said, "They are a very old guild of mercenaries, and assassins. They were founded towards the end of the Era of Darkness within the Old Kingdoms, Toulouse I believe. They have never operated this side of the North Sea."

Playing with the edge of the paper in her hand, Elsa felt bad for Dragna, for he was already losing friends in this war. "We lost seven scouts to just three of these Raven's Eyes."

Being remained of his latest loss, Dragna pushed off the railing and turned his back on his Queen. "They fight like they are possessed, like they have no fear. With each encounter they grow stronger, and darker. My men were trying to take prisoners, they were very resistant to the idea."

"Who have you sent to look for Anna?" Elsa asked as she continued to observe the activity within the armory.

Leaning against the wall, Dragna studied Elsa, in her newly created magical armor, it seemed to have an aura of frost around it, the cape also radiated with a cool breeze. "Karina. Going that deep into occupied territory was a dangerous mission that I should be going on." Elsa peered back to see the hint of anger behind Dragna's eyes.

"Karina. Elsa recognized the name, "Daughter of Oaken Tennfjord." Looking down to the armory Elsa bit her lip in thought. "Is it wise to send the daughter to a Peer of the Realm on such a dangerous mission?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Dragna was aware of the politics behind it all, Oaken was odd enough with his personal peculiars, but he has been the strongest support of the Queen within the Stortinget. He was popular and well liked, and the leader of the Arendelle Merchants Guild. His daughter, Karina was a bit of a recluse, and risk taker. She wanted nothing to do with her father's multiple business, and didn't just join the Arendelle army, but was dead set on joining its most elite force, the Arendelle Scouts.

"Despite her age, she is one of my best scouts. She is a natural tracker, and knows the country side, thanks to her father. Being a woman, will help her slip easier behind enemy lines. She made it across the Kvina River before you took out the bridges. If anyone can find Anna, it will be her."

Turning to face Dragna, Elsa blushed slightly and said, "We should talk about what happened the other day." Dragna said nothing, he simply stared at Elsa debating if he should really give his opinion on the matter. Elsa looked down to her armor, it made her feel more powerful, and confident, she looked back to Dragna and said, "You blame me don't you?"

"For what, your majesty?" Dragna said in a cool emotionless tone.

Elsa focused on her emotions, she knew it was very easy for her fear to manifest snow, ice, wind, and cold air. "Two weeks before my coronation, I ordered you to escort our envoy to Mercia. I did so for one of the most childish and ridiculous reasons imaginable. You choose Anna over me. I am truly sorry for that Dragna."

Dragna knew Elsa was using great effort to maintain control of her powers, two years ago, she could of never of maintained such discipline. "I am a servant to the throne of Arendelle. Emotional spats come with the territory. My times in the Scouts have taught me to never dwell over what could have been. I am not upset, that Princess Anna found her true love, I am happy for her. I doubt I could of ever of won her heart the way Kristoff has. What I do not understand is you. Why do you continue to isolate your true feelings from the world, for your sister's benefit, the kingdoms benefits, or for me?"

There was no easy way to answer Dragna, Elsa however wasn't going to lie. "I do it for all of those reasons. Anna needs to be focusing getting back the happiness I took from her for thirteen years, the Kingdom needs to be focusing on its recovery, and I need to be focused on helping both those things, not worrying over my feelings for you."

It made him feel petty for being upset at Elsa, but it seemed like her hobby had always been toying with his emotions. Dragna relaxed a bit and there was no sense being upset with his queen. She was to blame for his misery, but he was the blame for hers. "For my sake, I hope Karina finds Princess Anna. I don't want this, kissing to calm you down, to turn into a habit." Pushing off the wall, Dragna stepped forward and leaned in to be inches from Elsa's face causing her to blush and have flurries float down from above. "Don't want you to start liking it. You need to focus on Anna's happiness, and the Kingdom's needs, your majesty."

Just as Elsa began to lean into Dragna he marched off without a second thought or glance. This caused Elsa to stumble forward, catching herself she turned and glared at the back of Dragna. When a snowflake fell on her nose she blew it off with a putter of her lips and with a wave of her hand the flurries vanished. "Jerk.

/

/

Covering her ears, Anna squeezed her eyes shut doing everything to block out the moans and whimpers of the would be assassin Airi. Flinging to a sitting position, Anna had an urge to strangle Airi, or used Ranger's frying pan. She looked over to Airi to see Ranger was sitting over her trying to feed her water. Now Anna felt guilty, and that made her frown. She fell back down onto the blanket, she rubbed her eyes as snow continued to fall. She remembered that despite her sister's powers winter was never her favorite season.

When Airi screamed Anna rolled her eyes, her emotions were confused, and her mind felt fatigue. Upon the second scream, Anna rose and gave a small sigh. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Looking over to the Princess, Flynn looked absolutely miserable. Even though Airi was only a fraction as bad as Rapunzel, it brought horrible memories of watching the woman he loved suffer. "How is your herbalism?"

Feeling useless Anna bowed her head. She looked down to the streak in her braided hair. "When I last had this streak, it was because Elsa struck my head with her powers. The Rock Trolls casted a spell on me to forget Elsa had powers to save me. For thirteen years I had magic in me. I never felt sick after the spell was broken when I sacrificed myself to save Elsa."

Sitting back, Flynn watched as Airi shivered and with cold sweats. "I am not an expert on esoteric studies, but the difference is you had a spell cast upon you, you where effected by magic. Airi was not the effect, but the cause. She was casting magic within her, and doing so on a daily basis. The longer you are filled with magic the more addicted one becomes, the worse the withdraw."

Crawling over to be by Airi's side, Anna knelt down next to her and stroked the girl's hair. "It's sad to see a girl so young be in so much pain."

"You only have like two years on her Princess." Flynn replied.

"Really?" Anna for a moment thought either she was much older or Airi was much younger. Rubbing her shoulders, Anna felt a chill. When Flynn went to take off his cloak, Anna held up her hand and shook her head. "I am okay Ranger."

Leaning again a tree, Anna once more looked down to the streak in her hair. "Do you think I forgot something?"

Looking up from Airi, Flynn was confused, "Huh?"

Playing with the streak, Anna found herself being unhappy it returned "I mean my sister obviously didn't strike me with her powers, and unless your frying pan is endowed with unknown magical powers, maybe it came back because I forgot something."

After a moment of thought, and looking to Anna and then to Airi, then to Anna once more Flynn replied, "Look Princess, I don't know why your streak came back. Can you think of anything that you forgot?"

Giggling, Anna smiled and said, "How can I remember what I have forgotten, if I've forgot it in the first place?"

Raising a finger, Flynn went to question the question but paused. Lowering his hand, Flynn sighed, "I don't know. I've only known you for three days, and things have gotten complicated now that Elsa knocked out that bridge."

Looking up into the night sky, Anna smiled, "She has kept it cool enough for it to snow three feet, but just warm enough that the Kvina River hasn't frozen over. Elsa is amazing."

"Yeah she is fantastic, turned a four or five-day trip into twelve." Flynn replied. Looking back down to Airi, Flynn bit his lip and he took a cloth from beside him and placed it over her nose pinching it.

Anna took Airi's hand squeezed it tightly. After clearing Airi's nose of blood, Flynn looked about in frustration. "We need Passion Flower, or Ginseng."

"Those are very exotic and expensive herbs." Anna whispered. "Maybe Oaken's Trading Post, but that stuff is still really rare Ranger." Looking about the darkened forest, Anna once more wished she paid more attention during her tutoring sessions. Suddenly Anna had a realization. "Kreftkjuke."

"That's a mushroom isn't it?" Flynn stated in confusion. "She is suffering from magic withdraw last thing we need is her hallucinating."

"Angelica." Anna countered. She watched, as Flynn thought about. "It will help her sleep."

"Fine." Flynn stated as he watched Airi twitch.

Anna stood and looked over to Flynn's pack and pulled out a small satchel. "Seems like you packed everything." Flynn smiled at the comment, and Anna returned it with one of her own.

He also held out three crossbow bolts and put them in the satchel. He tossed it to her and she shouldered it, then picked up and slung the crossbow over her back. "Do you need anything?"

"Some fine liquor, and a rare steak would be great."

Chuckling, Anna began to walk through the woods. She brought her hands up and blew into them for warmth. "Angelica, tall large plant with white or greenish-white flowers."

Looking about Anna took in a deep breath before she looked back to the campsite and sneered. After getting some distances Anna stopped and leaned against a tree grabbing her head with both hands she winced in pain. "What is wrong with me."

Twitching her head, an Anna began to smile, "Nothing is wrong with me."

Pulling on her pigtails, she turned around and hit her head against the tree, "This isn't me, this isn't me."

"It could be?"

The familiar voice had Anna turn around quickly to the sight of her sister, standing before her. Tears filled Anna's eyes and she ran towards her, when she passed right through her, she quickly struck her head against a tree knocking her flat on his back. She looked back to see that her sister wasn't there.

"I am seeing things now maybe I am on mushrooms," Anna mumbled. Slowly getting back up, Anna brushed herself clear of snow. When she reached her hair, she paused and looked down to the white streak in her hair. "You are mocking me aren't you."

Grinding her teeth, Anna tried to stop it but couldn't her head twitched, "I am only mocking myself. I shouldn't be resisting this, I liked killing that scum. I should do it again." Looking to her left Anna rushed down a small hill to a small stream bank, she knelt by a small plant. "Water Hemlock. I could kill that bratty teenager."

Pulling out the plant she broke off the roots and placed it in her satchel. As she started walking back up the hill, she paused. "I don't want to kill anyone." Punching her head, Anna hissed. "I understand now." As tears begin to form in her eyes, Anna looked down. She clenched her hand over her heart. "Could it be within me?"

Narrowing her eyes, Anna looked up and smiled. "Well, if it isn't my old friend." Relaxing, Anna walked over to a Raven that sat on a low hanging branch. Stroking the neck of the bird with the back of her hand, Anna whispered, "We still have so much work to do, are the other's working hard I hope." After the bird squawked, Anna gave a small sigh. "This is your spell after all." A second squawk and Anna looked down to her hair. "You think?" Anna began to undo her braids, as she did she kept her eye on the Raven. "Haven't seen any Angelica around here? I can't let the idiot suffer." The bird gave Anna a skeptical look. "Yet." As the Raven began turn on the branch, Anna rose her finger, "Also find a quicker way to cross the river. My bitch of a sister is trying to freeze me again."

The bird took off and Anna began to follow its path, while continuing to undo her hair braids. When her hair was finally undone she ran her hands through it, to pull out the knots. After walking for nearly ten minutes Anna watched as the Raven landed on a branch of a tree and squawked. Just as Anna reached the tree she smiled at the sight of an Angelica shrub.

As she went to bend down to get it, her legs began to tremble, Anna hissed and clenched her heart. "I cannot fight the darkness. I let it in because I wanted it, I need it."

Falling to the ground, Anna moaned in pain. "No I don't. I never wanted any of this. I have to fight, I must fight. I will never let darkness consume me." Curling into the fetal position Anna wanted to scream for help but was fighting a battle within her own heart. When it she was nearly at the breaking point, Anna's body suddenly relaxed.

Opening her eyes, Anna looked about confused. "What is happening to me." Finding her hair was unbraided, she felt nervous as she didn't remember when she pulled them out. Sitting up, she said to herself, "Everything is okay." She looked over to see she was sitting next to an Angelica bush. "I am sure it is nothing. I just blacked out, and don't remember walking to the exact location I needed to be?" It didn't take long for Anna to realize that her logic was flawed. Gathering Angelica and placing it in the satchel, Anna began to retrace her steps, and grew more and more worried the further she was from camp.

When she returned she saw Kristoff was tending the small fire. He smiled as she approached and said, "I was afraid that you got lost."

Pausing, Anna rubbed the back of her head, and she could still feel the bump, from when Flynn struck her with the frying pan. "Hey, Ranger. I am not mad or anything, but are there any side effects other than you know unconsciousness, lumps on the head from being hit by a frying pan?"

"Haven't really put together a detailed study." Flynn responded as he knelt over Airi. Anna came to his side, handing him the Angelica herb. After thanking Anna, Flynn began to break up and crush the plant. "Is everything okay?"

Sitting back down and holding her hands out to the fire, Anna gave a puzzling look. "Nothing I guess. Just been feeling really off maybe, it's hard to explain because I don't remember or maybe I don't feel like I remember some things, but I do, but I am not sure if it is like really what happened."

The longwinded sentence of what to Flynn sounded like uncomprehendable nonsense had him pause for a moment. "Maybe?"

Giving a sigh, Anna smiled, "Good, it's not just me."

Flynn wasn't sure if he should correct her or not. He finished crushing the herb and placed it in a small kettle that was resting on the edge of the fire. "You should get some rest."

"I want to help," Anna declared. "Even though you used me as bait, and I was forced to killing someone, you did it all to help a friend. Even though you didn't have to, you are helping me and my kingdom. You should rest Ranger, I will watch over Airi."

He wanted to reject Anna's proposal outright, but he had been up for almost three days now, and he simply couldn't resist his need to rest. "Okay, but if you need anything wake me okay."

Nodding her head, Anna attentively sat by Airi's side. Flynn got up and moved over to an old tree stump, and he sat back down leaning against it and put his hood up over his head.

"Good night Ranger," Anna spoke in a soft gentle tone. "Sweat dreams."

With a heavy sigh, Flynn made sure his sword was at his side before he said, "Good night Princess." He closed his eyes for the most part, leaving one open a sliver and staring at Anna as she used the rag to clear Airi's face of sweat. At a low whisper, Flynn said, "Anything to report?"

Un-camouflaging himself, Pascal scurried onto Flynn's knee and turned a crimson red and gave a snarled look. Flynn face tensed, showing that he understood what the chameleon was expressing. Pascal quickly went up and into Flynn's hood for warmth. Drawing his sword even

closer, Flynn glared as the bright, joyful, and beautiful princess. "Please God, don't force me to kill her."

/

/

It was awkward for Kristoff as he rode horseback, though Rapunzel assured her that every horse, and in his case reindeer are the same. Serv was what he was far more comfortable riding. Since catapulting himself off the social latter to near royalty he had no problem riding Norwegian Fjords, the native horse breed of Arendelle. The larger Andalusian, that he was riding, felt uncomfortable.

They weren't even native to the northern Germanic region. The breed that was the Royal breed of the Kingdom of Corona is native to the Iberian Peninsula over five hundred miles away. History writes that the founding family of the kingdom fought during the Era of Darkness in Andalusia of the Spanish region. To prevent cross breeding they imported a dozen pure Andalusians which are the ancestors of all the palace horses of Corona.

Rapunzel seemed to have no problem riding her brilliant white horse named Maximus whose protective nature almost got Kristoff kicked in the head, when he helped Rapunzel on to him. Riding beside her was what Kristoff was beginning to discover was more than a simple Handmaiden, but the Princess's best friend and confidant, Cassandra. When they reached what looked like a dead end in the forest, Rapunzel rose a screen of dangling vines and hesitantly smiled. "Watch your heads."

The tunnel was wide and had a low smooth ceiling from being an ancient lava flow. Kristoff felt more comfortable simply getting off his horse and walking it into the cave with a lantern at his side. Rapunzel and Cassandra followed suit and dismounted. Both Cassandra and Kristoff could tell Rapunzel was nervous. It wasn't long before they exited the other end and all three stared up to a pictures cove with a brilliant waterfall and stream running through it. Rapunzel paused and stared up to the tower in the center that was cast in a greyish light from the moon.

"Welcome home Raps." Cassandra said with a nervous laugh trying to break the tension.

Looking back through the tunnel and back to the tower, Kristoff was very confused. "That's it? We are less than a day's ride from the capital."

"Perception filter." Rapunzel stated softly. "The entrance and the cove itself has a magical spell cast upon it. It protects those not wanting to be found, and stops those who are looking for something to be found. The Kingdom marched an army right past this place several times and never found it. The only other way to find it, is if you've been here before."

"Or lived here for eighteen years." Cassandra noted.

After walking Maximus to stream to get a drink, Rapunzel waited for her followers to do the same. She shouldered a satchel she took from a riding pouch. She then pulled out the crystal vile Kristoff saw in the throne room. It was now glowing a faint blue, Rapunzel attached it to a silver chain and placed it around her neck.

Letting Rapunzel take the lead, Kristoff walked beside Cassandra to give Rapunzel the time she needed to cope with returning to her prison. Leaning over to Cassandra, Kristoff said, so that is a magical tear?"

"You were paying attention when we told you the story." Cassandra asked?

Nodding his head, Kristoff was feeling under siege by how he was being treated, much like Elsa treated him. "Yeah, yeah, she had magical hair that was seventy feet long and Prince Eugene cut it off to save her from the witch Gothal. In return to save Prince Eugene she used a single tear to bring him back to life."

Nodding her head Cassandra smiled. "Well a few weeks after returning to the kingdom Rapunzel fell violently ill. After a month of no improvements, the Prince went on a month long quest and found the Fey folk. A fairy returned to the Kingdom and drew out the other tear locked within the Princess. With the last bit of magic taken out of Rapunzel she finally recovered."

"So that tear has the same power that Rapunzel had?" Kristoff asked.

They had reached the wall of the tower, as Rapunzel placed her hand upon it, she replied. "It is all that remains of the drop of sunlight that fell to the earth three hundred years ago. God's gift was squandered and wasted."

Walking around to the rear of the tower, Rapunzel stared into the darkened entrance. With a lantern in hand, Rapunzel took a deep breath and entered into the tower. After a long narrow staircase and two ladders, Rapunzel slowly entered into the common living area of her formal home.

Once inside, she helped up both Cassandra and Kristoff. Cassandra immediately stared in shock at the sight of the dark brown hair that covered the floor. Kristoff wasn't shocked by the hair, but to all the art his lantern revealed on the wall. It was so happy and beautiful, it made Kristoff smile. For Rapunzel she simple stared down to the sight of a massive blood stain and shattered glass. The air was stale, the surfaces were covered in dust, and it was truly haunting for Rapunzel.

Coming up to Rapunzel's side Kristoff was hesitant to give any physical comfort, he saw how scared and sad she was. He was also admired by how brave she was to return to this dark place. "How long has it been?"

"Five years." Cassandra replied for her emotionally distressed Princess.

Angling the lantern to the staircase, Rapunzel held it outward and walked towards the steps. With Kristoff and Cassandra following her, she reached the top and wouldn't even look towards her formal room, and placed her hand on the door to her formal mothers. When she pushed on it and found it locked, Rapunzel smiled. "Typical."

Looking behind her, Rapunzel stepped back and said, "She never did trust me."

Holding out his lantern Kristoff said, "May I?" Nodding her head, Rapunzel took the lantern. With a swift kick to the door, it was nearly taken off of its hinges as it flung open. The lock burst into pieces and blew apart across the wood floor. Taking back his lantern, Kristoff gave a small bow. "My ladies."

Rapunzel smiled, but it didn't wash all the pain off of her face. She entered the room and lowered her own lantern and held up the crystal and saw it was now pulsing a soft golden color.

Cassandra entered second and stared at the vile. "What does that mean?"

"Magic reacts to similar magic." Rapunzel replied as she looked about Gothal's room. Lacking in any of Rapunzel's art, she was allowed very little access to this room growing up. The times she ever was in the room, she remembered a few things. One of which was a few old book Mother Gothal would do her best to keep hidden from her. Looking about the room, Rapunzel wondered where she would put them.

Taking off the necklace, Rapunzel held it up and walked about the room and paused when she reached the bed to see the glow flicker slightly. Putting the necklace back on, she looked back to the others, and all three removed the old bed. Kneeling at the floorboards Rapunzel pulled one off and coughed at the dust she kicked up. After pulling off two more planks of wood.

Kristoff knelt opposite of Rapunzel and hovered his lantern over the opening. "Books."

Pulling out one, Rapunzel, opened the first page to see very familiar handwriting. The book was old, but well kept. She turned through a few pages and when a leaf fell out onto her lap, her eyes grew wide. She leapt to her feet to knock off the leaf and stumbled backwards until she fell down. With the book falling onto her chest.

Rushing to Rapunzel's side, Cassandra took her hand. "What is wrong Raps? What happened?"

Sitting up, Rapunzel rubbed the back of her head and looked to the leaf. It still looked as if it was freshly picked. Handing her handmaiden, the book, Rapunzel walked over to the leaf and stared down at it. "I need a knife."

Kristoff quickly pulled out his knife flipped it so the handle was facing the princess. Taking the knife, Rapunzel placed the blade in her palm and sliced it open with a hiss.

"Princess!" Both Cassandra and Kristoff said.

Holding her now bleeding palm over the flower, Rapunzel closed her eyes and softly sung.

"Flower gleam and glow,

Let your power shine,

Make the clock reverse,

Bring back what once was mine,

Heal what has been hurt,

Change the fates' design,

Save what has been lost,

Bring back what once was mine…

Cassandra and Kristoff stared in amazement as the leaf began to glow. Opening her eyes, Rapunzel was crying as she uttered, "What once was mine."

Turning her hand over, she stared down to her fully healed palm. Cassandra covered her open mouth. "The healing incantation!"

Nodding her head, Rapunzel walked over and took the book she gave Cassandra. Opening it, she placed it on a table and opened it. Kristoff walked over and looked down in the book. "It's in Prussian isn't it."

"Mother Gothal's native language." Rapunzel said as she looked over the book. "It looks like she documented everything since discovering the Suntear flower." Flipping through the pages she paused at a page. "Oh my God."

Picking up the leaf and walking over to Rapunzel said, "What is wrong?"

Looking over the next few pages, Rapunzel was speechless. She rubbed her hair, and after a moment to collect herself she finally replied, "According to Mother Gothal, she discovered more than just the Healing Incantation, she discovered over a dozen different spells."

As Rapunzel and Cassandra looked over the book, Kristoff walked back over to the hiding spot and pulled out the other three books. Sitting on the bed, he looked at the first two to find them in a language he didn't know. The third however was one he did, an old dialect of Norwegian one he learned from his family. Opening it, he read the first few lines of the book and bit his lip. He looked up to the girls. He was tempted to simply hide the book, fearing it might fracture what he thought was truth about his adoptive family, "The Grand Grimoire of the North Vol. I of V."

As he flipped through the pages he realized that this was the reason they came. He slowly began to read it out loud. "In the final days of the final war, in the final winter of her mistress's reign, the black comet Oera Linda delivered a gift upon the darkened earth. Upon this captured star a blood promise was made to shatter the crystal repelled the dark."

Looking up Kristoff saw he had the attention of the Princess and her handmaiden. Kristoff looked back down to the book and continued. "No matter how powerful the light, nothing will stop our darkest reign. For though the shadow could be cast away, the rage of emptiness that dwell in all will come again. Before the glorious return, the undying will die, an unholy fear will freeze all hearts, love will betray hearts, happiness with turn on good. The crystal will shatter, and during the fall of kingdoms dawn, darkness will rise to end the light."

Sitting down next to Kristoff, Rapunzel saw raw emotion dwelling within his heart. Placing a hand over his that held the book, Rapunzel whispered, "Is everything okay?"

"This was written by Grand Erodjan." Kristoff whispered. "He is the grandfather of Grand Pabbie, Elder of the Rock Trolls. The closet I had to a father."

Leaning forward, Rapunzel did her best to consul Kristoff, "People change Kristoff, I am sure your Grand Pabbie is just a caring and loving and peaceful as you know he is."

"Who do you think the prophecy was talking about?" Cassandra wondered. "The glorious return of who?"

"The return has already happened." Rapunzel sighed as she slowly took the book from Kristoff's hand and closed it. Standing, she looked over to her handmaiden. "The glorious return of Oera Linda."

Rubbing the back of his head, Kristoff whispered, "When was that?"

Bowing her head, Rapunzel gave a heavy sigh. "Twenty-three years ago. During the months of Elsa and my birth."

When Kristoff looked up he stared at the back of the book in Rapunzel's hand. He quickly stood and pulled it from her staring at the seal on it. It was faded, but undeniable. "The seal of the Southern Isles. This book came from their royal library."

"One of five." Rapunzel murmured.

Looking up from the book, Kristoff came to the realization. "He knew. That son of a bitch knew of the prophecy." Anger was filling in side of him. "That bastard."

"The Undying will die." Rapunzel stated softly as she looked about the room. "An unholy fear would freeze all hearts, Queen Elsa, but love did not betray heart. I know what they are doing."

Quickly going to the table she put the first book, Rapunzel placed the lead on a page and closed it, she looked back to everyone and said with excitement. "They are trying to restart the prophecy. They are trying to bring back the Era of Darkness."

"How?" Cassandra asked.

Looking to the book in Kristoff's hands, Rapunzel replied, "I don't know. But I know where we can find out."

As Rapunzel began to gather other items within the room Kristoff called out, "Wait!" The princess stopped and looked to Kristoff. "Is this book enough to have your father send his armies to aid Arendelle?!"

Rapunzel looked to Cassandra who gazed back unsure on how to help guide her answer, she finally looked to Kristoff and replied, "Let's find out."