Disclaimer: Frozen and all recognizable characters are owned by Disney. (Though I'm pretty sure you all knew that, already. ^_^ )
Summary: Rather than talking to paintings, after Elsa shut her out, Anna took to playing with her invisible friend, Mara. Only, as she grew up, Mara didn't go away.
Author's Note: It LIIIIIIIVES! ;)
"...what?"
The backlash from the lightning blast must have hit her harder than she'd thought, Anna decided. Mara wasn't making any sense at all.
A wraith can do a lot of things, Anna, Mara told her, but controlling the weather is not one of them.
"Well, I can't do that, either," Anna pointed out. Mara was silent. "I... can't do that," she said again, less confidently.
Perhaps you couldn't do so. That would seem to have changed. She paused. You truly didn't know? I had thought you were merely in denial, and didn't want to say anything in front of your sister.
"No!" Anna stood up, wavering on her feet until she found her balance. "Of course I didn't... I mean, I've never been able to do that before, and nothing's changed, so... I don't understand what you're talking about. How...?" It didn't make any sense. Elsa was the one with the powers, not her. She'd been fine with that - she'd seen up close exactly how badly they'd screwed up her sister's life.
This is not a situation I've ever encountered, before, Mara told her. I have guesses. Ideas. Theories. We can talk about it later.
"No, we can talk about it now," Anna countered. Why put it off? Yeah, they needed to get moving, but she could easily walk and talk.
Anna, we're not alone.
"What?" She felt Mara directing her attention behind her, and (carefully) turned to see that, sure enough, they had company: a tall, blonde man she vaguely thought she'd seen in town that morning (for all of two seconds, and she hadn't really paid him any specific attention). He had on a blue shirt with a darker blue vest, brown pants, and boots. And, much to her relief, there was the reindeer - Sven, she presumed - standing next to him, looking none the worse for wear. "Oh! Was that you before? I'm glad you're alright."
The ringing in her ears was slowly diminishing, but it was still leaving his voice muted and all but unintelligible. "Yeah, I'm... I'm not getting any of that," she said, probably speaking a bit too loudly. "There was this really loud boom, and... Yeah. But, um, can you thank your friend, for me? That was very brave of him. You did call him Sven, right?" It was always possible that had been someone else talking, before, or that it had been directed at someone who wasn't a reindeer. Or both.
The blonde man nodded slowly, clearly understanding that she wasn't exactly operating at her best just then. He came closer - and goodness, he was tall, wasn't he? - but Sven started getting nervous about halfway, and the man stopped, instantly wary. Well, it was good to see that he trusted his friend's instincts so completely, Anna supposed. That would only help to keep him alive out here in the wilderness.
True, Mara agreed. Particularly with supernatural predators about. Unfortunately, it doesn't do us much good.
There was that. Though, really, the fewer people they dragged into trouble with them, the better, as far as she was concerned.
Granted. I'm still a bit... disoriented, after the fight, though. Perhaps he can at least offer you directions to the shop we were heading for?
That sounded like a plan to her. She hadn't missed Mara's unspoken reminder to try and act like she was out there by herself, either. "I'm a bit... turned around, from all the fighting and chasing and such." She gestured vaguely toward the aufhocker. She hadn't really been thinking to use the fact that she'd been the big, scary, evil monster's target - and had killed it before it could hurt anyone else, like his reindeer friend - to improve his opinion of her, since that sort of manipulative thinking was simply alien to her. Mara hadn't been about to suggest it, either, but she did at least recognize that it emphasized the potential benefits of their actions, and approved. Anna decided not to think about that, just then. "I was trying to get to a shop nearby. Do you know where it is? I... kind of need to replace my wardrobe." Which wasn't just an excuse, she realized sadly. All the running and fighting and being knocked around had left her lovely dress filthy and torn. She wasn't sure that even the royal seamstress could fix it. She also needed more appropriate footwear, really. How her shoes - chosen for how well they went with her dress and that they didn't make her feet hurt when worn for lengthy periods of time, not for hiking or fighting - had stayed on during everything that had happened since she'd left the castle, she had no idea. She didn't mention her need of other supplies, though. Mara didn't want her to give too much away, such as where they might be going or how long they might be there.
She'd also found that Mara didn't like strangers around, especially during stressful situations. At least now she had a slightly better idea why.
The man nodded again, looked off to the side, then hesitated, likely trying to figure out how to convey directions to someone who couldn't hear a word he was saying without anything to write them on. He turned back to Anna and mouthed, 'Come with me,' making a beckoning gesture before heading off in another direction with Sven.
Actually, he'd probably said it aloud, she realized, she just hadn't heard him. She wasn't sure why he was going in a different direction than he'd been looking before (she presumed the shop was that way, at least), but, with no better ideas, she followed him. Her first few steps were a little wobbly, but she regained her balance quickly enough, jogging until she'd caught up with him, though being careful to keep her distance from Sven, so as not to agitate him unduly. She wished she could just explain, so they'd both know there was nothing to be afraid of.
Unless they've heard of me, Mara told her. In which case you'd just be doing the exact opposite.
They'd adore her if they got to know her, Anna was certain.
I can't manifest visibly - or audibly, for that matter - for even the length of a casual conversation. Not on my own.
Then, she could with help? That was interesting, and something she was going to have to make sure to come back to later. Who knew? Maybe there was something among the occult books in Elsa's study (that her sister didn't seem to think she'd ever noticed) that might be of some help with that. Assuming she was allowed back in the castle after all this was over.
I'm sure you will be, Mara said reassuringly. Provided we live through this, of course.
Well, they'd evidently finally found something Mara didn't know how to do well: motivational speaking.
Even if she hadn't been looking for any signs of her sister, the massive green flash of light and thunderous explosion of sound from within the forest surrounding the North Mountain would have immediately attracted Elsa's attention. Unfortunately, the fact that it had been so visible meant that everyone and everything else looking for Anna (and/or Mara) would have seen it, too, and the two of them would have known it. If they'd risked doing something so obvious anyway... "Something else has already found them," she realized, urging her horse to go faster.
"It seems likely," Carlos agreed. As much as Elsa hadn't really wanted to bring him along, she had to admit (though only to herself) that she was somewhat glad he was there, if they were going to be riding into trouble. She hadn't wanted to bring any of her guards, not knowing if any of them had also been affected by the demon. As much as she'd chafed at any delay, she had made herself wait to depart after her sister until she'd seen for herself that the amulet Carlos had given the Prime Minister had freed his mind from its control. As quickly as she'd been able to, she'd explained the situation to him and let him know the Bishop would be continuing the task of helping those they knew to have been influenced. (The Captain of the Guard had been the first one he'd intended to help, so that he'd have assistance in dealing with the others.) Once she was sure he'd be able to handle matters inside the castle (as well as assigning guards, once they were confirmed to be uninfluenced, to keep watch over Prince Hans; she had already issued that order, but once she had a better idea of what they were dealing with, she'd had them recalled before any potential spies could give them away), she'd left him in charge while she'd gone after Anna.
She hadn't explained much of anything where Anna's departure was concerned, and loyal subject that he was, he hadn't asked.
Carlos had supplied his own horse, retrieved from a stable in town, a large black stallion that had more than been able to catch up with the swiftest steed the castle's stablemaster had been able to provide. (Despite her words to Gerda, she didn't ride often enough to require a horse of her own, and that was one of the few activities Anna had never even suggested they try. Anna had never said as much, but based on what she'd read, Elsa suspected that the horses got spooked when Mara was around.) "How did you get into the castle?" she asked abruptly, as much to try and distract herself from worrying that her sister might be in danger right that second (and potentially losing control of her magic in the process) as because she genuinely wanted to know. "If have a hole in our security, I need to know what it is."
"I wouldn't have been able to get inside so easily on any other day," he assured her. "The open gates, combined with the sheer number of guests, meant that anyone could get in to get a look at the new Queen - by design, I suspect."
True enough, she reflected ruefully. While she wouldn't be reinstituting her father's open gate policy long term anytime soon, she'd known that on this one day, she hadn't really had much choice. Inviting the citizenry to meet the new monarch was a tradition that stretched all the way back to the founding of Arendelle. She couldn't have avoided doing so - particularly with all the foreign dignitaries - without raising some major red flags. "Even so, I would prefer not to make a habit out of this sort of thing."
"We can discuss some unobtrusive methods of keeping out hostile beings that your guards might not be able to detect after this matter is resolved, Your Majesty."
"If anything happens to my sister, I doubt I'll be terribly receptive to your presence anywhere in my country," she warned.
"I understand," he replied, though she doubted he truly did. Given everything she and Anna had gone through, no one really could. "I don't have any siblings myself, but there are those in the Order who do. I know how much they can mean."
That wasn't quite the same at all, but she didn't say so. There was something in his tone that she recognized. "What happened?"
They rode in silence for a long moment, and she worried that her question might have been too oblique. That wasn't it, though. "My parents died when I was young," he finally replied. "I was raised by the head of the local branch of the Order."
Admittedly, there hadn't been any way she could have known that, but she still felt bad for asking and potentially poking at old wounds. "My apologies, Señor Araya."
He waved off her concern. "You could hardly have known," he said, unknowingly echoing her thoughts. "They gave their lives in the service of saving others." His grammar was a bit stilted, perhaps, not seeming to translate from Spanish to Norse very well, but she understood what he meant. "All I can do is try to live up to the example they set for me."
"Preferably while remaining alive?"
He chuckled once. "Quite." His demeanor grew more serious. "Because of that, I grew up knowing exactly how dangerous and unforgiving this world can be, and how easy it can be to lose the ones you love to the forces of darkness... to say nothing of how much that hurts. So you have my word that I will do everything in my power to bring your sister back to you, Your Majesty."
The strangest thing? Not only did she believe him - which was unusual by itself, given how wary of strangers her childhood had left her - but she actually felt better. Calmer. "Thank you, Señor Araya."
He shook his head. "Thank me once she's safe and sound," he disagreed. Changing the subject, he asked, "Do you have any idea where she might be heading? It would seem evident she's seeking to draw any hostile attention away from you and the rest of Arendelle, but I find it hard to believe she would flee toward the mountains without a definite destination in mind."
"You don't know my sister," Elsa told him, shaking her head sadly. "That is absolutely something she would do. From what little I know of her, though, Mara would insist on an actual plan, to say nothing of remembering to procure supplies. Back when she first made her presence known, before anyone knew what she really was, my father liked to joke that she was Anna's long-dormant sense of self-preservation, finally given voice, and... even now, I can't quite disagree. Whatever her reasons for it, Anna's well-being - physical and emotional - seems to be her top priority. Honestly, if she wasn't lurking inside her and wasn't so violent in her protectiveness, I'd have much less of a problem with her." With a rueful smile, she added, "I can hardly throw stones when it comes to the supernatural, after all."
"A wraith that doesn't serve the forces of evil would be something no one in the Order has ever encountered," Carlos told her, voice carefully neutral.
"Tell me something. If a wraith did turn against its former masters, what would happen to it?" she asked. She was pretty sure they both knew the answer, and it would help explain why Mara had done everything she could to drop off the face of the Earth as far as whatever evil Hans was working for knew.
"True enough," he admitted. "Though I should think they, or anyone they might have befriended, would have left some kind of record in at least one instance. And there would have to be some kind of catalyst, as this Mara claims your sister was for her."
"Maybe we can ask her about it when we catch up to them." Which was easier said than done. They'd been heading more or less in a straight line toward where they'd seen the light, but once they entered the forest proper, they were forced to slow down, and it became harder to tell exactly where the light had been. Regular means of tracking Anna through the forest would be impossible unless they randomly came across the spot where she'd touched down after her literal flight from the castle, and while it was possible they might find part of her trail if there had been some kind of fight, that basically amounted to just hoping they got lucky... and Elsa didn't know about Carlos, but her luck typically didn't run on the good side. Her earlier remark about throwing stones had sparked a thought, however. First, though, she and Carlos needed to get something straight. "So, Señor Araya," she began. "You claim your organization hunts down the monsters, creatures, and demons that pray upon the innocent, yes?"
"We do," he replied evenly, not seeming at all offended by her open skepticism. She somewhat envied that kind of confidence, truthfully.
"Setting aside the question of Mara, you do realize there are other beings, other powers out there that are not aligned with the forces of evil, do you not?"
"In a world that includes helpful witches and good fairies, it would be impossible not to." He drew his horse to a halt, forcing her to do the same. "Why do you ask?"
"Because there is one place Anna might go, if she felt she had no choice but to ask someone for help. She's never been there while conscious, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Mara knew how to find them."
"Find whom, precisely?"
She stared at him for a long moment. "You need to understand something," she finally replied. "If I tell you this, if I bring you there, you will not raise a hand against them, and if you believe your Order would, due to false stories or their not being human, you would not tell them what you've seen. If you can't promise me that, then you will not be permitted to accompany me." Her eyes hardened. "And if you attempt to do so anyway, you will be locked up in the castle dungeon for the rest of your life - however short that may be." She hated saying things like that - hated that she needed to - but she was not about to expose her allies, the ones to whom she owed her beloved sister's life, to a danger like the Order of Saint George could potentially pose.
Carlos may not have known her reasons, or what she was thinking, but he clearly did understand that she was entirely serious. "As I've told you, Your Majesty, we stand between humanity and the forces of darkness. If the ones of whom you speak are not included among their number, they have nothing to fear from us," he told her, gravely serious. He paused a moment, then, eyes twinkling ever-so-slightly, added, "Frankly, given the sheer number of beings serving the darkness already, we're hardly inclined to go around starting new fights. We're stretched thin enough as it is. That's why I'm here alone." And had ridden off into the forest with someone that he knew had magic powers of unspecified strength. Yes, he was likely heavily armed and well trained, but she could easily have gotten the drop on him a number of times, already, and was potentially about to lead him into a situation where he'd be vastly outnumbered and outgunned. Yet, he was willing to follow her. To trust her.
She supposed she could do no less than return the favor. "Good." She paused to get her bearings, then prodded her horse into motion in a new direction. "Have you ever heard of the stone trolls of Arendelle?"
As it turned out, her as-yet unidentified new friend had been leading her toward a sled. A sled that had a few blocks of ice on it. Anna presumed that meant he was an ice harvester, which explained a few things, she supposed, but unfortunately also reminded her of her sister, and how she'd left things, which she'd really been trying not to think about.
Sven hadn't seemed happy having her on board (or having Mara around, rather, but they were occupying the same physical space, so the distinction hardly mattered), but hadn't put up any real fight. Anna was glad. She didn't like the thought of making her rescuer uncomfortable, but until her hearing had recovered enough to be able to hold a conversation, she could hardly explain things to either of them. It would really be best for all concerned if they just brought her to the shop and went on their way.
They were, at least, making better time than she had been on foot. She was also glad for the chance to sit down, as she was still tired and sore from the fight. Zipping along through the forest at speed was kind of fun, too. Any other time, she'd have been immensely enjoying herself. (She also would have introduced herself, and gotten the ice harvester's name in return. Her parents had warned her against strangers, true, but between Mara's protective nature and her own theoretical weather controlling abilities, she wasn't really worried, there.)
By the time there was a light in the distance that she presumed to be the shop they were heading for, the ringing in her ears had diminished further, to the point where she could hear the runners sliding across the dirt and the clops of Sven's hoofbeats. She cleared her throat experimentally, pleased when she heard something. It still wasn't clear, but it was better than nothing. She caught what's-his-name start just a bit in surprise, realizing he'd evidently been lost in his own thoughts, as well. "My name's Anna, by the way." She was still speaking too loudly, she knew, but at least she could make out most of what she'd said.
When he introduced himself in turn, she realized her hearing hadn't recovered that much. What had he said his name was? "Christopher?" she guessed, though the face he made in response told her she hadn't gotten it right. Oh, well. She'd smacked her head pretty good when she'd been knocked down, so she was sure her brain had gotten rattled around. Maybe it just wasn't up to interpreting words unless she already knew them? "Look, um, Chris," she began, because even when he'd repeated his name, slower and more clearly, she was still hearing Christopher, and figured Chris was close enough to whatever his real name was that he wouldn't get too upset about it. "I wanted to thank you for this. I know you don't have any real reason to help me, or really even trust me, and you could have just pointed me in the right direction and gone on your way, so I do appreciate the help."
He stared at her for a long moment, either trying to wrap his mind around what she'd said, or trying to figure out how to phrase his reply so that she'd be able to understand it. The only man she'd had stare at her for any length of time recently (the old Duke from Weselton notwithstanding) had been Hans, and this was very different. Hans had left her flustered and stumbling for words, while Christopher was regarding her like she was a puzzle he wasn't sure that he wanted to solve. Oddly enough, she thought she liked that better, if only because it was entirely honest.
"I'll admit, I'm honestly not sure what to make of you." He spoke slowly and clearly, and even with her distorted hearing she could detect the caution in his voice. "You're spooking Sven, and he does not spook easily. On the other hand, you did kill that... whatever it was, before it could hurt him or anyone else. And I'd love to know how you did that."
"Me, too," she admitted. Simple honesty seemed like the way to go with this man, and she hadn't really wanted to lie to anyone in any event. "That isn't something I've ever done before. I can only guess... magic. But I don't know how." And Mara, knowing her tendency to speak to her aloud when they were talking, hadn't offered any of her own guesses or theories.
"...I may know some people who can help."
She looked at him in surprise. "You do?"
Mara sighed. You realize that, around here, there's only one group he could be talking about, right?
Wha...? Oh. Apparently, they might just be paying the trolls a visit, after all.
"Yeah," he said, unaware of the silent conversation going on next to him. "We'll talk about that after we're done shopping." He drew the sled to a halt, and she realized she hadn't noticed that they'd arrived at the shop, which a sign helpfully identified as 'Wandering Oaken's Trading Post (and Sauna)'. She wasn't quite sure what a sauna was, but suspected she didn't need one just then. That it was a trading post, however, reassured her that she would be able to get what she needed. She hadn't exactly stopped by her room to grab any money before leaving the castle, after all, but she knew the necklace she was wearing was worth quite a bit. (Her dress was a bit too damaged to be resold, but the fabric alone might fetch her a fair price, especially if she threw in her shoes. "Because I won't be taking you one more foot until you explain what it is about you that Sven doesn't like."
"I suppose that's fair," she admitted, carefully climbing out of the sled. It turned out he was actually selling the last few ice blocks to the shop's owner - presumably the Oaken that the sign mentioned - so he'd been heading this way anyway. That actually made her feel a bit better, as she hadn't wanted to disrupt his livelihood just because she had trouble planning things out in advance. She had to admit, he was a decent enough traveling companion.
She could only hope he'd still speak to her once she'd told him what he wanted to know.