Summary: After years of solitude, Elsa now seeks to be the queen Arendelle deserves. But when Arendelle is invaded by a Southern King who is intent on deposing Elsa and claiming Arendelle, Elsa must muster all her courage to protect her country, and herself.
Chapter Seven
- Midnight Ride -
"You're not my Ria," the woman breathed as she raised a shaking hand and pushed back Elsa's hood.
Pushed loose, Elsa's hair fell over her face. She swept it out of the way and tried to still her heartbeat as she met the woman's scared brown eyes. The woman fell to her knees in front of her.
"Queen Elsa!" the woman exclaimed. "I'm sorry, I didn't – They let you go? No, they wouldn't – they wouldn't just let you go. Then how? You've escaped!"
Elsa bent down in front of the woman, motioning for her to be quiet. She could still hear the soldier's shouts from outside as they searched the street. "Shh, please. We need to be quiet."
The woman hushed as the soldier's shouts reached her ears too. They remained still, huddling on the floor until the last shout faded into the storm. Elsa sighed in relief and leaned against the door. The woman gathered herself up and stood, candle shaking haphazardly in her hands.
"How . . . how did you escape," she whispered, before shaking her head. "No, I don't need to know." She turned around and set the candle on a small wooden dining table. "It's better if I don't know."
The heavy thump of someone falling came from up the stairs.
"Ma!"
Elsa winced as someone stamped down the narrow staircase at the back of the room. A girl appeared at the stop of the stairs, leaning so far over the banister her ruddy hair dripped a torrent of storm water onto the wooden floor. "Ma, you'll never believe it; one of those bastard Ovelian ships is on fire!"
The girl cut off, suddenly aware of Elsa. A look of utter confusion crossed her face. Then her eyes widened, and she clasped a hand over her mouth. The movement made her rock forward; she had to grab the banister tightly to stop herself from falling.
"Get off that rail this instant!" the plump woman said. "You'll fall and break your fool neck."
"You're the queen!" the girl jittered excitedly, ignoring her mother. "How did you escape?"
"Ria!" the woman said sternly, face reddening.
The girl rocked back and sprinted down the stairs. The noise made Elsa wince.
"You are the queen, aren't you?" the girl asked, stopping in front of Elsa.
She looks like Anna, Elsa thought, as she took in the girl's appearance. She was a pretty girl, with big eyes and a splattering of small freckles across her nose. Tall too, almost taller than Elsa. The girl was dressed in a pair of tight breeches, with leather boots laced up to her knees. She wore a flowing blue shirt, laced up tightly, but with the sleeves rolled back past her wrists. Boys clothes. Elsa also spied the hilt of a small knife sticking out of the girl's waistband.
"I am," Elsa said.
The girl spasmed with joy. "I knew it!"
"Shh, Ria," the plump woman said sternly. "Do you want to bring soldiers down on us?"
Ria clamped a hand over her mouth.
"What have I told you about going out at night?" The woman said, rounding on her daughter. "You're dripping water everywhere! You'll be scrubbing the floors all day tomorrow, you hear."
"It's okay, Ma. No one saw me. I was careful!"
"On a night like tonight. . ." The woman shook her head and placed her fists on her hips. "And don't think I haven't noticed how you're dressed, Ria."
"I'm getting water everywhere too," Elsa said, looking down at the growing puddle around her feet.
"You're all right, dear." the woman said kindly.
"Mum, you can't call the queen, 'dear'," Ria said, appalled.
The woman placed a hand over her mouth and her eyes widened in a look so much like her daughter, Elsa could have laughed.
"It's okay, really," Elsa said. She looked Ria, who was shaking her wet head in disgust at her mother's slip of the tongue. "What did you say about a burning ship?"
"I almost forgot," Ria said, slapping her forehead. "One of the Ovelian ships is on fire, and another has been firing cannonballs at the others. You can see it from the roof."
"On fire?" Ria's mother repeated. "Please don't tell me it was you and those boys you've been running around with. Maximilian will hang you by your skinny necks!"
"It wasn't us, Mum," Ria protested. "And I'm not the only girl!"
"She never used to be like this," Ria's mother told Elsa. "She used to love wearing dresses and doing her hair. Now she loves breeches and running across the rooftops at night." She rounded on her daughter. "You'll be the death of me one day!"
"Please show me the ship," Elsa said.
Ria nodded enthusiastically and raced up the staircase. Elsa followed more slowly, but just as eagerly. The staircase opened into a narrow hallway, with a room on either side. Ria took Elsa into the room on the right, which Elsa assumed was Ria's bedroom. A cloak the same dark blue as the one Elsa was wearing dripped water onto the floor. Ria scooped it up as she dashed by and shrugged into it.
"We have to go through the window," she said, pointing at a small window only just large enough for someone slight to climb through. A discarded dress had been thrown across the small bed Elsa was sure Ria had outgrown.
Cold wind burst into the bedroom as Ria pushed open the window. She used a stool to push herself up and soon she was wriggling through the window. Elsa stood on the stool and followed. The tiles on the roof were slick. Elsa rose cautiously and followed Ria up to the very top of the roof.
"Over there." Ria said, pointing.
She needn't have bothered. Even through the storm, Elsa could see the orange flames burning furiously in the distance. It didn't matter how hard the storm's fury battered against the fire; it did not seem to be dying down. Nearby, bright lights flashed as fast as lightning, and as they watched, another ship exploded into flames. Elsa looked away from the fire at the docks and cast her eyes around until she saw another fire burning weakly nearby.
Red eyes flashed in front of Elsa's vision. Blood rushed to her head and her stomach lurched as she felt herself falling backwards.
Ria grabbed Elsa's arm. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Elsa said, blinking rapidly.
"You nearly fell."
"I'm okay."
The storm was rapidly extinguishing the fire at the bakery. She could just see a handful of red-cloaked soldiers rushing around the fires. She shielded her eyes from the rain and tried to find the patrol that had chased her. They can't have gone far, she thought, frowning. Maybe the fire at the docks has distracted them. As soon as she thought it, she dismissed it with a small shudder. I'm more valuable to them than a single ship.
"Let's go back inside," Elsa said.
Ria helped Elsa back through the window and closed it securely behind them. Ria's mother waited inside the bedroom holding the candle for light.
"I thank you for concealing me," Elsa told the woman gratefully. "What is your name?"
"Mary, Your Highness," the woman said.
"And I'm Ria," Ria chimed in brightly.
"I can't stay here," Elsa said. "If the Ovelians find me here, they'll take you too."
"Where will you go?" Mary asked, biting her lip.
"I need to get to the harbour," Elsa said. As fast as I can.
"Can't you just use your magic?" Ria asked.
Her words punched Elsa hard in the stomach. "I can't..."
"Why?"
"Ria!" Mary said, scandalised. "I'm sorry about her, Queen Elsa."
Ria suddenly snapped her fingers together. "I can take you to Noel," she said thoughtfully. "He can help you escape!"
"Who's Noel?" Elsa asked.
"Who's Noel?" Ria's mother's face went even redder.
Ria ignored her mother and said to Elsa. "Noel's been leading us ever since the Ovelians came. He showed us a bunch of secret paths beneath the town, and even took us into the old mines once. He knows Arendelle better than anyone I've ever met."
"Leading you?" Elsa raised an eyebrow.
"We play tricks on the Ovelians," Ria said enthusiastically.
"Tricks?"
Ria's mother shook her head.
"Mm-hmm." Ria nodded. "The other night we rolled three barrels full of manure down a hill, right into one of their patrols. It smelt so bad, but you should have seen those red bastards run!"
"Language, Ria!" Ria's mother exclaimed. "You're speaking to your queen!"
"Sorry," Ria said, looking down.
Elsa replied, "Do you really think this Noel can help?"
"He doesn't like the Ovelians much," Ria said. "He thinks they're scum. I'm sure he'll do whatever he can to keep you away from them."
"Can you tell me where he is?"
Ria chewed her lip. "Yeah, but . . . I don't think using the streets is a good idea."
Agreed. "Then how?"
"I'll have to take you across the roofs."
"Ria, no!" For the first time that night, Mary didn't sound angry with her daughter. Fear crippled Mary's voice, making her seem much smaller than she was.
"Ma, I gotta," Ria said. "I can show her the best way across the roofs. The Ovelians will never see us, I promise. Da would want us to help her, you know he would!"
Ria's mother lowered the candle and nodded hesitantly.
Ria leapt up.
"You be careful," Ria's mother said sternly. "And be safe!" She turned to Elsa, face twisted with concern. "You too, Your Majesty."
"Thank you," Elsa said. I won't forget this.
#
Five minutes out in the raw fury of the storm had Aedan wishing that his coat had a hood to protect him from the deluge pouring from the sky. It had been raging for hours now and still showed no sign of ceasing. His horse didn't like the rain either, but Roach didn't like tredding in puddles if he could avoid it. He had stamped, blowing his nose in protest, and pulled away when Aedan tried to lead it out of the warm stables and into the storm.
The burning ship was a beacon in the distance. Aedan stared at it as the patrol walked over the bridge leading into town. The fire was much bigger than Aedan had imagined it being. Especially with all this rain. But he was more concerned about the two hundred Arendellian soldiers who had somehow managed remain hidden despite Matrim's vigorous patrols. I suppose the storm is the only thing stopping them from setting fire to every ship in the bay.
Ornsten led the patrol east after they crossed the bridge, towards the smouldering ruin of a bakery. A smaller patrol, Aedan counted twelve men, were using buckets of rainwater to try and put out the worst of the flames. The storm took care of the rest.
Ornsten raised his fist. "Hold."
Aedan swung Roach around and dismounted, handing the reins to one of the soldiers. His wound twinged with pain as he stepped down.
"Who's leading this patrol?" Aedan asked one of the soldier's carrying a bucket.
"Ser Oakley," the soldier said quickly, avoiding Aedan's eyes.
"Where is he?"
"He went inside." The soldier hurried away.
Aedan looked at Ornsten and rolled his eyes.
The fire had taken most of the bakery's roof. What remained was scorched black. Even with the rain dampening the smell, the whole building stunk of smoke. Ser Oakley was inside the kitchens, where the slabs of stone and brick remained untouched by fire. He wore the same red cloak as Aedan and Ornsten, but his cloak had a gleaming golden chevron pinned to the front.
Ser Oakley grinned as he saw them approach. "Ser Ornsten," he said heartily. "And our beloved Champion, back from death."
"The soldiers look miserable," Aedan said, after they greeted Ser Oakley.
"Give it an hour and you'll feel miserable too. We've been out since midnight and it's rained the whole bloody time."
Ornsten murmured some sympathy before asking, "What happened to this place?"
Oakley shrugged. "I thought it might have been squirrel work, but the shites haven't shown any interest in starting fires. And unless the owners of this establishment were selling us bread, I can't think why squirrels would even touch this place." Oakley sighed. "When we arrived, one of the men spotted someone at the corner of the alley further up the street, but he escaped into the streets before we could question him. By the way, Sers, you should look in the basement before you go. I sent a man down there with a lantern."
A single lantern cast its small light down in the basement. Sacks of flour were piled neatly against the walls, and the room was littered with the white powder. Aedan's foot kicked a half empty sack, sending a puff of flour into the air. The soldier Oakley had sent down was using the lantern to peer through a large hole in the back wall. Broken bricks and pieces of mortar were scattered across the floor. The soldier looked back as Aedan approached.
"Did you go inside?" Aedan asked.
"For a way," the soldier replied. "I turned back when the path forked. There's sand everywhere. I think it goes under the bay."
"You're probably right."
"Ser, look at this." The soldier knelt and shined the lantern on a charcoal paw-print staining the stone. "They go up the stairs and are all through the passageway."
That'll be Alexia's dog, Aedan thought, brushing away a note of unease.
"What do you think happened?" the soldier asked.
"This was sorcery." Aedan said pointing at the pawprint. As for everything else...
"There's more over here," the soldier said and shined the lantern on a human footprint that had scorched the floor black. Aedan's stomach lurched as he thought once more of the fire consuming Alexia's body, how her hair had billowed out behind her and how her eyes gleamed with rage.
"Aedan!" Ornsten said loudly from upstairs. "Come see this."
Aedan straightened and looked away from Alexia's scorched footprint. It was almost a relief when he climbed the stairs and went back outside into the rain.
"I'm sure fire was Alexia's doing," Aedan said as he walked towards Ornsten. "She mentioned chasing Elsa through a secret passage under the bay. They must have escaped into the storm."
"There must be half-a-hundred places they could hide in this city," Ornsten said thoughtfully.
"That's if they intend to hide," Aedan said. "If it were me, I would make my way to the harbour before Maximilian's troops arrive to take it back."
"That's if they know the harbour has been attacked," Ornsten noted.
"It seems too much of a coincidence that the missing Arendellian soldiers besieged the harbour on the night Elsa is plucked from her cell. No, I think we can comfortably assume the attack was designed to assist Elsa's escape."
Ornsten nodded thoughtfully. "Agreed." He waved his hand at Ser Oakley. "Send one of your men to the palace, have a blockade established on every avenue leading to the harbour. I want soldiers posted on every alley and side street."
Oakley saluted and darted off, already barking orders at his patrolmen.
Aedan mounted Roach and pulled the horse alongside Ornsten. "I have a bad feeling about this," Aedan told him.
"I've had a bad feeling ever since we came to this snow-forsaken country," Ornsten retorted.
#
Elsa squeezed through Ria's bedroom window and once again crouched on the slick tiles. Ria held onto a rusty weathervane and poked her head over the side of the house. Elsa watched the girl's head move left, then right, before Ria used the weathervane to pull herself back to safety.
"It looks clear," Ria said in Elsa's ear. "I can't see any of the soldiers." She raised her hand and pointed towards a building in the distance. It had a large, sloping roof with a small steeple rising from the side closest to Elsa and Ria. "We need to get to that building over there. It's called the Bold Man's Inn."
"It doesn't seem too far away," Elsa said.
"It's not, not really," Ria said. "We have to move slowly because of the rain." She scrambled up to the very top of her roof, using her arms to pull herself forward. She slithered along the rooftop until she came to the short gap between her roof and the next house's. Elsa followed more slowly, holding on tightly as the rain threatened to slip her and make her fall into the street.
Ria looked around quickly, before standing and taking a long step onto the next roof. She held out her hand for Elsa.
Elsa approached the edge of the roof and felt her stomach lurch as she looked down.
"It's easier if you don't look," Ria said.
Elsa took Ria's outstretched hand stepped across the gap. For a moment, nothing lay between Elsa and the cobblestones below. A smile broke out on her face.
Ria dropped back to a crouch and slid across the roof, waving her hand for Elsa to follow.
"How old are you, Ria?" Elsa asked as they lay flat on their bellies on one of the rooftops. Ria had spotted an Ovelian soldier sprinting through the streets, heading towards the palace. If they had been using the streets he would have run right into them.
"Fifteen," Ria replied.
"You remind me of my sister."
Ria's big eyes widened. "Of Princess Anna?"
Elsa nodded and smiled.
"Wow," Ria said. She touched her hair. "My hair is just like hers, you know. It's only this blonde because Jorm poured lemon juice through it a few weeks ago."
"It's pretty," Elsa said kindly.
Ria grinned widely as she looked up. "Looks like that soldier ran past."
They crossed three more rooftops, getting closer and closer to the building with the steeple. Ria stopped at the edge of the last roof before the steeple and swore.
"What is it?" Elsa asked.
Ria looked over her shoulder and smiled weakly. "The ladder is on the other side."
"Ladder?"
"We use it to help us cross over. I left it on this side when I came back home, but someone must have crossed back over."
"Is there another way?" Elsa asked.
"There is, but..." Ria shook her head. "We'd have to go all the way back around to the other side. I didn't think anyone would come back this way."
Elsa's heart sank.
"I'll jump and swing the ladder over to you," Ria said. She stood and placed her foot on the edge on the roof.
"No, don't!"
"I've done it before. It's not as far as it seems," Ria said. "When I move the ladder over, slide it into that little hook here. It'll stop it from moving when you cross over."
Before Elsa could say anything else, Ria breathed deeply and launched herself into the open gap between the inn and the roof they were on. She hit the other side heavily, hands and feet scrambling for purchase on the slick tiles.
Elsa's hand flew to her mouth as Ria slipped towards the street below.
Suddenly, Ria grabbed onto something firm, halting her descent. Her legs dangled uselessly towards the ground. She hung there for a moment or two, before she gripped her handhold with both hands and pulled herself onto the roof.
When she was safely crouching, she raised her thumb at Elsa and grinned. She moved up to the flat part of the roof and pushed a thin wooden ladder across the gap. Elsa grabbed the end of the ladder and made sure the first rung was firmly wedged against the small metal hook Ria had pointed out.
Ria waved for Elsa to cross over.
Heart in her throat, Elsa went to her knees and crawled across the ladder. The wood was slick with water and groaned when Elsa put her weight on it - especially when she reached the middle.
"Almost there," Ria said encouragingly.
When Elsa was safely on the other side, Ria pulled the ladder back across the gap and left it on top of the roof's steep slope. From there it was easy to balance and make their way towards the steeple. The steeple was made of brick, with long, narrow gaps at regular intervals exposing the brass bell inside. Ria squeezed herself through one of those gaps and Elsa followed.
The incessant rain pounded against the steeple, filling Elsa ears with the sound of splattering water. Brick surrounded them on all sides, but the floor was wooden and flooded with rainwater. Ria knelt and fished her hands in the large puddles before clenching her teeth and wrenching a trapdoor up. Water gushed down the opening and into the darkened room below.
"It goes into a storage room," Ria said. "There's a ladder you can use to help you, but the drop isn't that bad if you want to just fall. I'll come down after you."
"I think I'll use the ladder. Thank you for doing this," Elsa said. "I owe you and your mother more than I can hope to repay."
Ria grinned widely. Elsa was sure the girl was blushing. "Naw, it's fine," Ria said.
"You were very brave, jumping across the gap like that."
"Ma would skin me alive if she found out."
"I promise not to tell."
"Thanks."
Elsa lowered herself through the trapdoor, feet searching for the ladder's rungs. She found them quickly and climbed down into the blackness. Ria followed quickly, closing the trapdoor behind her.
A lantern suddenly flared into life, illuminating stacks of wooden crates and furniture. The boxes were piled high, almost to the rafters. It looked like boxes had been haphazardly moved to create the narrow path leading towards the trapdoor.
A tall, red-haired boy about Ria's age gaped at them as he shined the lantern in their faces.
"Put that down, Jorm," Ria said sternly, placing her fists on her hips. She looked like a tall, skinny version of her mother.
"You're not s'posed to be here this late," Jorm said. "You're not s'posed to bring anyone here, either."
"What are you doing here, then," Ria asked, advancing on the boy. She suddenly drew herself to full height. "You're the one who moved the ladder, weren't you?"
"I-"
"I had to jump across the gap, Jorm! If I fell and broke my neck, how would you feel?"
Jorm's cheeks went scarlet. "It's not my-"
"Where's Noel." Ria cut across him. "Is he here?"
"He just got back, but-"
"Go get him. I'll be waiting."
Jorm just stared at her.
"What are you waiting for?" Ria snapped. "And leave the lantern. You don't want us to be stuck in the dark, do you?"
Jorm quickly placed the lantern on top of a crate and dashed through a wide doorway leading deeper into the inn.
"Sometimes you have to bully them," Ria said knowledgeably to Elsa. "'Take them in a firm hand', that's what Ma says."
"I . . . see," Elsa said.
Ria picked up the lantern Jorm had abandoned. "This is where we meet, us squirrels," Ria said, shining the light around the piles of crates. A round table surrounded by stools filled the only open space in the room. Ria put the lantern on the table and sat down on one of the stools.
"You're hurt," Elsa said suddenly. A long tear had ripped its way through Ria's breeches, exposing bleeding skin. Blood stained the girl's sleeves and hands too.
"It's not as bad as it looks." Ria shrugged. "I hit those roof tiles pretty hard. Bloody Jorm. That kid's never where he's supposed to be."
"Let me see," Elsa demanded. She took Ria's hands and rolled back the girl's sleeves. Scratches from the roof tiles lined Ria's slim forearms and some of the skin had been taken off from when she had slipped down.
"It's fine, really." Ria's ears went red and she squirmed with embarrassment.
Footsteps.
Elsa stepped away from the door as the most handsome man she had ever seen walked inside the storage room. Jorm slunk in behind, pointedly ignoring Ria's glares.
"Hi, Noel." Ria jumped to her feet and grinned at the man. "You'll never guess who-"
"Queen Elsa," Noel said. Noel's brown eyes glimmered with warmth as he took in Elsa's disheveled appearance. She thought that Noel had a jaw chiseled from every handsome hero in the old stories. He was broad-shouldered and muscled, but somehow still as lithe as a blade. He took her hand and kissed it gently. Elsa felt the foolish flutter of butterfly wings in her stomach. She imagined herself twirling Noel's thick brown curls with her finger, before something about the man's voice brought her back to her senses.
"You're Coronan," Elsa said, surprised. "I recognise your accent."
"That's right," Noel smiled. "You have a good ear."
"How did you get into the city? If the Ovelians heard you, they'd have you thrown in a cell."
"Or killed me, more likely," Noel said. "Fortunately, I was here before these dread Ovelians arrived on your beautiful shores."
"Before?" Elsa asked.
"When the news came that you were a sorceress, many people were curious – and cautious. Arendelle is a small kingdom and very far away, but even small kingdoms can rise if they are led by a determined ruler. And when that ruler happens to have magic. . ." Noel let his words hang for a moment. "My King and Queen decided that it was important to be discreet, so they sent me to watch you – to see what kind of ruler you turned out to be."
"You're a spy," Elsa said, eyes narrowing.
"Yes, I am."
"I didn't think such distrust ran between our kingdoms," Elsa said.
"Respectfully, my King and Queen knew your parents. They don't know you, and they didn't know what you were capable of. I saw the storm you hurtled against the Ovelians when they came. If you marched south with an army, with a storm like the one you threw against the Ovelians clearing your path, any army Corona raised to stop you would be swept aside."
"I don't have any desire to conquer Corona," Elsa protested, taken aback. "I don't want to conquer anywhere!"
"That's what I told my king and queen. I had that figured out before the end of my first month here. I'm quite sure Maximilian's spies told him the same." Noel smiled and looked between Elsa and Ria. "I assume Ria told you about me."
"She never told me you were a spy," Elsa said.
"She didn't know I was a spy."
Ria stared wide-eyed between Noel and Elsa. "I told her you help us play tricks on the Ovelians."
"My little group of saboteurs," Noel said affectionately. "They've performed remarkably. Now, I am curious how you managed to escape the palace with your magic sealed."
"How did you know about my magic?" Elsa asked.
Noel looked at her as though the answer was obvious. "I assume that if you still have your magic, then your escape would have come long before now."
Elsa shifted, embarrassed. Of course, it was obvious. "One of the lords drugged the jailers. The escape was his plan."
"Where is this lord? I'd be interested to speak with him."
"I . . . I don't know. We were separated."
"He picked an interesting night to act. How did he plan to escape the city?"
"He said he had a boat waiting outside the bay."
"In a storm like this?"
Elsa faltered. "I'm not sure he anticipated the storm."
"Perhaps not," Noel said. "But I wonder if he anticipated that Arendellian soldiers would seize control of the harbour."
"What?!" Ria and Jorm exclaimed in unison.
"I counted more than a hundred – the storm made it difficult to get an accurate number," Noel said. "They were barricading the entrances and turning cannons on the Ovelian ships when I left."
"He told me before we were separated that I needed to get to the docks as fast as I could," Elsa breathed.
"Then we must assume that he was aware of the attack," Noel said. "It seems too much a coincidence that those soldiers seized the docks on the same night you were to flee captivity."
"We should help her get to the soldiers!" Ria said eagerly.
Noel shook his head.
Elsa immediately knew that Noel was right. It's too late. I've taken too long.
"Why not?" Ria asked, enthusiasm faltering.
Noel looked at Elsa. "By now Maximilian would have roused his soldiers," Elsa said. And my soldiers will all be dead soon.
Noel nodded in approval. "Two thousand Ovelian soldiers march on the harbour as we speak," Noel said. "Arendellian soldiers are valiant fighters and hold a favourable position. They might be able to hold off the Ovelians for an hour, perhaps two, but the Ovelians will break their lines and drive them into the sea."
"Then what can we do?"
"We might not be able to escape to the docks, but the battle there will provide a distraction. We should be able to escape through the East Gate and flee into the forest before the Ovelians are any wiser."
"Isn't the East Gate guarded?"
"By a skeleton force, easily overpowered."
Ria clasped her hand over her mouth in excitement. Noel flashed a white-toothed grin at her.
"What about the rest of the army? Aren't they camped on the outskirts of the forest?"
"The First and Second legions are keeping peace in the countryside. In truth they're ensuring that your banner lords don't combine their soldiers and march on the city. Maximilian took two legions with him to take back the harbour. We don't have to worry about them until the battle is done. As for the Fifth legion, they are busy guarding the soldiers captured during the siege. Maximilian would not want those men roused and joining their comrades at the docks. They'll be watching captives, not the forest.
"Queen Elsa." Noel took her hands in his. "I would love nothing better than to help you escape Maximilian's red hands. I will see you out of this city and take you to my King and Queen in Corona. I swear."
His enthusiasm was infectious. Elsa felt a stupid smile growing on her face, but she shook it away and said, "But how are you going to overpower the guard at the gate without any men? Without my magic, I'm useless. I can't help you."
"Let me show you."
Noel led Elsa out of the storage room and through the darkened inn. He held the lantern in front of him to guide his way. Ria and Jorm followed, arguing in fierce whispers. The inn was deathly still. "The owners are kind enough to turn a blind eye to me and the squirrels as we come and go," Noel said quietly. "They're good people." He laughed. "They hate serving the Ovelians drinks, but they can hardly refuse."
"Are Ovelians here often?"
"Every day and night," Noel said. "They don't cause any trouble. Maximilian flogs the ones that do." Noel stopped outside of a thick, oaken door leading into the cellar. He grinned at Elsa, before raising his fist and knocking. "It's Noel," he said, loud enough to be heard from the other side.
"You're not getting any more of that whiskey," a hard voice came from the other side. "Madam says you haven't paid for the last quart you drank."
"I'm not here for drink," Noel said.
The cellar door opened smoothly. A large man with his shirt-sleeves rolled up filled the doorway. A thick moustache curled over his upper lip, and the rest of his face with covered in thick stubble. "Then what do you want?"
Behind him, a dozen more men lounged about the cellar. Some were playing cards on a round table just like the one from upstairs, others were sitting on the floor, polishing their weapons and armour, or mending tears in their blue-green coats. The rest were wrapped up in their coats and sleeping on the wooden floors.
Noel edged to the side and looked at Elsa. "Take off your hood," he said.
The man's grey eyes moved curiously from Noel to Elsa. He peered into the depths of her hood before his eyes widened and he fell to one knee in front of her. "Queen Elsa," he breathed. "You're free."
Elsa reached up and pushed her blue hood back. Her damp hair shone in the soft candlelight.
One of the men playing cards looked curiously at the door. His mouth gaped open and he stood up so fast he nearly upended the table.
"Watch it!" one of the men he was playing with said in annoyance. He followed the other man's eyes and his mouth fell open too. He dropped to his knee and kneeled.
One by one, the soldiers saw Elsa by the door. The ones sleeping were kicked awake, until they were all kneeling in front of her.
Fierce hope flared in Elsa's chest. Maybe everything will be okay.
"I don't have any soldiers, Elsa," Noel said. "But you do."
#
Noel stayed by Elsa's side as they followed the Arendellian soldiers through the town towards the East Gate. He had donned an Ovelian soldier's red cloak, which he had buttoned to his neck. Stealing a cloak had been easy, he explained to her, but he hadn't been able to get his hands on a set of Ovelian armour yet. The Arendellian soldiers had dressed quickly, donning their armour and blue cloaks. They had readily accepted Noel's plan of taking the East Gate. Elsa thought they even seemed excited.
"Some of us have been in that cellar since the city was taken," the first soldier to kneel had told her while his comrades readied themselves. "The Ovelians tied you to a horse and threatened to cut you in half if we didn't lay down out arms. One of the most monstrous men I've ever seen walked beside you, holding a giant, bloody axe. He wanted nothing more than to kill you. I thought hiding with the hope of being able to do something to help was better than surrendering."
The Arendellian soldiers stopped briefly and waited for a large Ovelian patrol lead by two men on horseback to walk by. Some of the Ovelians held long poles with lanterns hanging from the top to light their way. When the patrol disappeared around a corner, the Arendellians kept moving.
"Be wary of that patrol coming back," Noel warned.
The Arendellian soldier with the thick moustache nodded in agreement and sent a soldier to tail the patrol. "Keep your distance," he said. "Follow them for ten minutes, then make your way to the gate. If they turn back this way, then run your arse off."
The soldier saluted before disappearing into the night.
They made their way up a long, slippery hill paved with wet stones. Noel leaned in close to Elsa and said, "This is the hill where my squirrels rolled barrels of manure at an Ovelian patrol."
Elsa smiled tightly. "Were you there with them?"
"No." Noel shook his head. "I used the distraction to send a bird south with a message. The Ovelians have been shooting down any white bird they see. In all of the commotion, my bird managed to slip through." He smiled back at her. "You'll adore, Corona, Your Majesty."
"Oh?"
"Every year during the summer months, the people light paper lanterns and release them into the sky. They shine like the stars, Elsa. It's very beautiful."
"The lanterns were for the lost princess, weren't they?"
"Lost, but now found. Now every year the people light the lanterns to celebrate the princess's return."
"I would like to see it one day."
"You will," Noel said certainly.
"Perhaps you can tell me more about Corona on the journey south?"
"I would enjoy that, Your Majesty."
They stopped the shadow of a building around the corner from the East Gate. "The soldiers will all be inside the gatehouse," Noel said, just loud enough to be heard over the storm.
"How many?" the soldier with the moustache asked.
"Perhaps a half-dozen," Noel replied. "I doubt there will be more than that. I'll kill the first and draw out the others. Attack when they come for me. We will overwhelm them and take control of the gatehouse." He looked at the two Arendellian soldier's set to guard Elsa. "Protect her with your lives," Noel said. "If she falls or is recaptured then everything we have done tonight will be for nothing."
"Be careful, Noel," Elsa said.
The Coronan smiled his most winning smile and Elsa felt those butterflies stir again. "Your concern warms my heart," he said as he took her hand and kissed it. Elsa heard grumbling from some of the Arendellian soldiers.
"Stay close to me, My Queen," the Arendellian soldier with the thick moustache said.
Elsa watched Noel hunch into his coat and hurry towards the East Gate. He raised his fist and hammered on the guardhouse door.
"Who goes?" an Ovelian called out to Noel.
"I've a message from Lord Matrim!" Noel snapped in a thick Ovelian accent. "Open up – this rain's sliding down my arse."
The Ovelian laughed and Elsa saw a light appear at the guardhouse door as a soldier pulled it open. "What does Lord Matrim want?"
Noel stepped forward and plunged a knife through the Ovelian's throat. Shouts of alarm rose through the guardhouse as Noel swung the dying soldier around and pushed him out into the rain.
The Arendellian soldiers around Elsa rose to their feet and dashed towards the gatehouse. Noel flung away his red Ovelian cloak and drew his sword. "Come, you bastards," Noel yelled.
Elsa gasped as one of the Ovelians pulled his sword from his scabbard and aimed a heavy chop at Noel's head. Noel sidestepped the blow and countered swiftly. The Ovelian fell back, blood streaming from a great gash through his chest.
"Close the door," an Ovelian from inside yelled. "Keep them out!"
The Arendellian soldiers fell upon them.
A large Arendellian soldier carrying a thick, wooden shield with the Arendelle crest painted on it charged into the gatehouse, using the shield to batter away sword-thrusts and slashes. The rest of the soldiers poured in behind him. Noel went in afterwards.
Furious shouts and cries of pain mixed with the crack of thunder and the howling wind, forming a terrible symphony. The two soldiers guarding Elsa shifted uncomfortably, and moved their weapons in their scabbards, as though eager to join their comrades in the fighting.
Elsa squeezed her hands into fists. If only I had my magic...
Noel burst from the guardhouse, quickly followed by a handful of Arendelle's soldiers. They looked up at the wall, before Noel pointed quickly and cried out, "Look, there!"
An Ovelian soldier ran along the top of the wall. Suddenly, he turned and leapt out into open air. He handed heavily onto a tiled roof.
"Shoot him down," Noel shouted.
The Ovelian turned on his back and slid off the roof, landing on a patch of grassy cobblestones on all fours. He shook his head, as if dazed, before turning and sprinting down the hill. His feet kicked up rainwater and slipped with every step, but the soldier did not halt his headlong pace.
"Shoot him," Noel shouted again.
One of the Arendellian soldiers fit a crossbow bolt to his weapon and levelled it at the Ovelian. The storm took the soldier's bolt as he fired it after the Ovelian, forcing the bolt over the soldier's head.
The Arendellian with the crossbow swore and knelt to rewind his crossbow, while a second arbalist stepped forward and shot another crossbow bolt after the Ovelian. The storm dashed it on the ground next to the Ovelians feet. It only spurred the Ovelian's footsteps as he vanished into the darkness.
"He'll bring that patrol down on us," Noel swore. He turned to the Ovelian soldiers who had followed him outside. "Clear out that guardhouse and get that portcullis open. I mean to be in those woods before they arrive."
#
"Wait. Please wait!"
"Ser Ornsten," one of the soldier's holding a lantern said. "Someone's chasing us."
Ornsten held up his fist, bringing the patrol to a halt. Aedan pulled Roach around and watched a skinny soldier sprint towards them. Blood stained the soldier's face. As soon as skidded to a stop in front of Ornsten, he collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. It reminded Aedan so much of the messenger from earlier he half-heartedly looked for an arrow sticking out of the man's back.
"Ser," the young soldier panted. "The East Gate is under attack!"
"How many?" Ornsten swung down from his horse and knelt beside the soldier.
"Tem - twelve, maybe more," the soldier said, gasping. "I think there's a Coronan with them. I heard the accent."
What would a Coronan be doing attacking the East Gate? Aedan breathed sharply and looked at Ornsten. Ornsten's brow was furrowed in a deep frown. He met Aedan's eyes and Aedan knew he had made the same connection.
Excitement filled Aedan's chest.
"To the gate!" Ornsten shouted, raising his spear high.
#
Elsa's legs shook as she walked out from under the shadow of the building the Ovelian soldier had jumped on to. The soldiers guarding her flanked her on either side, swords and shields at the ready in case a red-cloaked soldier came her way. Elsa didn't think that was going to happen. Pained shouts and the clash of swords still burst from the guardhouse.
When the fighting finally died down, Noel came out of the guardhouse and wiped his bloody sword blade on the red coat he had discarded earlier. The Arendellian soldiers followed him out, cleaning their sword blades, or tending to wounds.
"They jammed the portcullis mechanism with an axe," Noel told Elsa. "Some of the men are working on getting it free, but it could take a little time."
"We don't have time," Elsa said.
"Don't I know it," Noel replied. He raised his chin and looked down the hill.
Elsa followed his eyes, and her heart sank.
The Ovelian patrol they had hidden from earlier raced up the hill with their weapons drawn and shields unhooked.
Noel gritted his teeth. "Protect your queen!"
"Arbalists," the mustached Arendellian shouted.
The soldiers with crossbows stepped forward, hefted their weapons, and aimed carefully. The rest of the soldiers shouldered their shields and formed a wall between the approaching Ovelians and the portcullis.
"Loose!"
The arbalists fired their crossbows. Elsa watched the bolts fly into the Ovelian ranks, thudding and splitting against shields. The storm lifted one of the arrows, turning its path. It slipped between two shields and slammed into a shoulder.
"That won't do," Noel said under his breath.
The portcullis stirred and began to rise.
The arbalists loosed another volley at the Ovelians, but this time each bolt was caught on their raised shields. Elsa could hear the Ovelian commander shouting orders over the storm.
The Ovelians quickened their step.
Elsa winced as Ovelian shields smashed against the Arendellian line. Spears rose and stabbed downwards, seeking any unprotected flesh. An Arendellian soldier pitched forward, mouth bubbling with blood as an Ovelian pulled away his blood-slick spear.
"Faster," Noel whispered urgently. He was staring at the portcullis as it rose inch by painfully slow inch.
One of the Ovelians on horseback spun his horse around and used his spear to carve a hole in the Arendellian line. Red cloaks forced themselves through.
"Quickly, Elsa." Noel grabbed Elsa's arm and pulled her down. "Crawl under."
Elsa didn't protest. She flung herself to the ground and wriggled under the spikes. She could feel the sharp metal prick her clothing and catching on. She pulled loose and heard her cloak tear. Noel was right behind her. He rolled under the portcullis and clambered to his feet.
He took her hand in his. "We can lose them in the woods," he shouted.
Elsa didn't hear him. Blood pounded in her ears. All the excitement and adrenaline and mind-numbing fear from the night burst through her legs, granting her more energy than she ever thought she had. She could see the dark outline of the forest in the distance. It was clouded by the fierce rain, but to Elsa it shone like a beacon.
Arendellian soldiers ducked under the portcullis, retreating to where they had more room to fight. The Ovelians followed, using their shields and spears as cover to ward away any Arendellian soldiers who tried to take advantage.
"Drop the portcullis!" Elsa heard Noel scream over his shoulder. "Don't let them come through."
The storm swept his words towards the woods and the portcullis continued to rise.
One of the Ovelians on horseback dismounted and led his horse under the rising portcullis. The red-cloaked soldiers forced the Arendellians away, so their jabbing weapons couldn't touch him.
"Keep running," Noel yelled.
The Ovelian broke through the Arendellian line, swung back onto his horse, and galloped after Elsa and Noel.
"Hide in the forest," Noel said as he slowed to a stop and turned to face the approaching Ovelian. "I'll come find you."
"What about you?" Elsa cried.
"Don't worry about me!"
The wind swept up the steady sound of hoof-beats and pushed them towards her. She looked over her shoulder and saw Noel raise his sword, putting himself between Elsa and the Ovelian. The Ovelian jerked his reins, forcing his horse to slide to the left. His spear lashed out and fended away Noel's sword. The clash of steel spurred Elsa to greater speed.
She ducked her head, running as fast as she could as the sound of hooves grew louder.
Something hard smashed against her ankle, forcing it against her opposite leg. She fell forward and slid through the muddy grass.
Shaking, she pushed herself to her knees. Waves of pain flowed through her foot so badly it forced tears into her eyes. Something thick and wet dripped down her nose and into her eyes. She touched the liquid with her fingers, and they came away slick with red blood.
"Apologies for the ill-treatment, Queen Elsa." The Ovelian said. "I don't think that broke your ankle, but I'll check on it in a moment. Let me deal with your man first."
"Deal with me?" Noel's voice was tight with laughter.
"Ah, the Coronan," the Ovelian said.
Elsa tried to stand, but the pain in her ankle forced her back to the ground with a heavy groan. Blood had rushed into her ankle, painting it purple and black, and forcing it to twice its normal size. Her head felt twice its usual size too. Elsa had to blink rapidly to dispel the darkness creeping in at the sides of her vision. A dull ringing roared in her ears.
Grimacing, she looked up and watched Noel and the Ovelian spearman circle each other.
"Thank you for bringing the horse," Noel said. "I'll take it after I've killed you. It will make the journey south much quicker."
The Ovelian leapt forward, jabbing with his spear.
Noel dodged forward and moved into the Ovelian's guard. He slashed at his chest, but the Ovelian blocked it with his spear haft. He swung his spear blade back and retreated a few steps, keeping Noel in range of his spear.
Noel clenched his teeth and raised his sword high, striking downwards to try and hack at the spear's wooden haft.
The Ovelian's feet danced in the mud and rain as they pivoted and struck. His spear clanged against Noel's breastplate, leaving a long white scratch in the armour.
Elsa tried to shift back as the Ovelian's jabs drove Noel towards her. Her mind was so clouded she barely registered when her hand touched a large stone sticking out of the grass. She wrapped her fingers around it and pulled it out of the ground.
Noel sprang forward and struck low. The Ovelian dodged to the side and tried to keep Noel at a distance, but the Noel refused to give him the time he needed.
Elsa dragged the stone around and squeezed it tightly. The stone was slick with rain. She drew her arm back and threw it as hard as she could.
The stone smashed against The Ovelian's back and fell uselessly to the ground. The Ovelian half-turned, surprised.
Noel slipped in and rang the Ovelian's head with the pommel of his sword. He collapsed to the ground, spear slipping from limp fingers.
"Thank you, Elsa," Noel said breathlessly.
Elsa tried to reply, but her tongue felt like it had grown three sizen. The black spots around her eyes were growing larger. It felt like hundreds of tiny hammers were pounding her head.
Noel stood over the Ovelian and raised his sword.
In the distance, Elsa saw a white sword moving towards them.
Lennox?
Noel reversed his grip on his sword and stabbed downwards, but the white blade blocked his stroke, and a heavy boot kicked the Noel away.
But Lennox is dead. The thought came to her slowly as she fell back and let the black spots overwhelm her.
The hundreds of little hammers ceased.
#
"I've heard quite a lot about you over these last few years," the Coronan said with a wide grin. He wiped mud away from his face, and then turned his sword in the air, pointing it at Aedan's heart. "Your reputation proceeds you."
"I can't say the same for you," Aedan replied as he dismounted Roach. He glanced at Ornsten, lying still in the mud. Blood trickled down his face, mixing with the mud and rain. Ornsten's eyes were open and blinking rapidly. Keep him distracted.
Noel smirked. "I am Noel, proud servant of the Kingdom of Corona."
"A spy, you mean?"
"We all have our trades. Tell me, Aedan, what did you say to the seneschal of Crescent Fortress that convinced him to surrender without bloodshed? I've always wondered."
"Come closer, and I'll whisper it in your ear."
Noel smirked. "Are you sure you wish to fight me? You can barely stand." He didn't wait for Aedan's answer. He swept forward, and Aedan went to meet him.
It was clear from the first clash that Noel had some talent with a sword. His cuts were precise, designed to scratch and maim with a flick of his wrist, and when Aedan was bleeding and weakened, he would thrust his sword home. Yet, Whisper was fluid in Aedan's hand, and he cast each of Noel's attacks aside with little effort at all.
"You seem tired," Noel taunted as they circled each other.
Aedan's legs chose that moment to tremble. It had been easy to ignore the ache of his atrophied muscles while on horseback but dueling in the rain and mud . . . he wouldn't last if he allowed Noel to drag this out. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ornsten shake his head and rise to his knees. I don't need to last long. I just need to keep him distracted. The thought pained him, loathe as he was to admit. Had he been fit, this spy would already be dead.
With a roar, Aedan threw himself towards the Coronan, channeling all his reserves into a surge. His sword danced, turning aside Noel's cuts while moving smoothly to attack. Noel's face furrowed with concentration, and he was forced to step backwards with each blow.
Ornsten had his spear in hand now.
Aedan's stomach was a hollow shell now. It groaned as if it had turned in on itself. Each movement deepened his hunger, until it was all Aedan could feel, even through his adrenaline and the thrill of combat. It wouldn't be long until Noel noticed and took advantage. Come on, Orns!
Ornsten stepped behind Noel and raised his spear.
Noel suddenly gasped and launched himself to the side. Ornsten's spear stabbed at empty air. Noel turned his dive into a smooth roll and regained his feet. He backed away, trying to keep both Ovelians in his line of sight.
"Lay down your sword," Aedan shouted.
"Put it down," Ornsten bellowed.
The Coronan snarled, and glanced at Elsa, who lay on her side in the mud, unmoving, and stepped back. He turned and sprinted towards the forest. Ornsten started forward, spear raised in pursuit, but Aedan held him back. "Leave him," he said. "We won't be able to catch him in there."
The Coronan cleared the forest line and disappeared into the trees.
Aedan exhaled heavily and let his sword-arm droop. His muscles burned and his legs shook so badly his knees clapped together. "Are you okay," he asked Ornsten.
"It's just a scratch," said Ornsten. He touched the swollen lump above his eyebrow and winced. "What about you?"
"I could eat a horse and its foal, but I'll live. I'm more concerned about Elsa." He stumbled over to the fallen queen and knelt (dropped) beside her. Blood stained Elsa's face from a small gash on her scalp. He wiped away the blood and mud as best he could and was relieved to see her chest rise and fall. She could have been sleeping. She really is a beauty, Aedan thought idly.
It took both soldiers to lift Elsa and place her on Roach's back. With Aedan in the state he was, he couldn't have managed it himself. Roach accepted Elsa's weight happily, although he sniggered and stamped his hooves when Aedan swung on behind her. "Are you sure you don't want to be the one to take her back?" Aedan asked Ornsten.
"I'd be dead and that Coronan spy would have escaped with Elsa if you hadn't arrived when you did," Ornsten replied. "You deserve the glory . . . this time." He said the last with a grin. Aedan added it to the list of Ornsten's admirable qualities – he didn't let pride get in his way. "Looks like we lost half the patrol," Ornsten said, as he led his horse next to Aedan.
The skirmish at the gate has been won. The remaining soldiers moved among the fallen, bending to help the wounded and covering the dead with their cloaks. Many of the Arendellian soldiers were dead, aside from a few who were on their knees with their arms bound, having thrown down their weapons when it was clear the fight had been lost.
Elsa stirred and her head fell back against Aedan's chest.
"We need to get her back to the palace," Aedan said.
Ornsten nodded and swung his horse around. He went ahead, his voice rising above the storm as he addressed his soldiers.
Aedan looked at the forest, unease building in his stomach. "Next time we meet, you won't live to see another day," he promised.
Then, Aedan turned Roach around and cantered back to the gate.