A Tail with a Shadow
Well... It's been a while.
First of all, let me give you guys a massive overdue apology for the huge gap since the last upload.
The truth is that I just hit a massive writers block and I just didn't want to force any writing as it would most likely awful.
Recently my circumstances have massively changed and i have a new job working or Transport for London, so that has kept me busy. However during quiet periods this story is always on my mind and I have spent time building up ideas as to where to go with this story and now I am very excited as to what to do next.
I am going to give 100% effort to the rest of the story. I feel like this is a good early halfway point, maybe 40-45% done, but I just don't know as to where this novel will be going, which is a massively exciting thing for me!
Thank you for being so patient with me; one of my pet peevs is when a story is just left without any reason from the author... which is exactly what I have done to you.
So I can only apologies once more, work has already began on the next chapter, so it's on it's way!
Please leave a review if you feel like this chapter, or you just want to shout at me for being so late... like- LITERALLY a year late...
Enjoy this next chapter... I hope you enjoy it; it has taken a year...
One damn year...
:'(
I'm in agony...
Shade and I have been training for a long time now. Well, actually it's only been a few days, but the sheer amount of training we have gone through had been astronomical! Every morning I'd awaken in my chambers, have a 'trainers breakfast' as Shade called it, and meet him on the shelf for training. All day. It's taking its toll on my body; all by muscles ache to the point where I feel I am injured, but I feel stronger. The freezing air outside has aided in my stamina too and, although it is very hard to train outside on my lungs, I'm starting to get used to it.
Physical Training would last a few hours, then we'd get food at noon and go straight back out, meaning I had to readjust to the freezing temperatures again. It all benefits me I guess. Once lunch is finished we'd start on technical training.
Where Physical Training aims to strengthen my body, Technical Training improves the methods and technique in the arena. We'd spar for a while, remembering I'm still aching from the morning's Physical, then use various weapons on dummies and each other. I do enjoy the technical side of training, it allows me to temporarily forget who I am and what I've done in the past focusing on seeing myself improve at what I am good at. Shade sees the improvements too as he comments on my performance throughout, providing criticism and compliments where needed.
Today is our last day as the tournament is later today. I had my hearty breakfast, mainly containing fish and potato, and I'm outside, ready to train. This morning is different however, Shade isn't here, and Kristoff is. He's back in the shackles like before, only not as heavily secured. I imagine he is too weak to pose as any threat now. I decide to use this time to find out a little more about why he is present in the tournament, if he even knows why. Not only that, but with what I've done to Anna, I feel obliged to make sure he is... Kind of okay.
"Kristoff." I say sharply in greeting.
"Hans." He acknowledges without looking my way, "No gifts for your master's pet this time?" I can't tell if he is joking or not, I feel so nervous talking to him.
"Sorry, with the recent crackdown on food, you've gotten all that I could get." It's true, I sometimes smuggle him food when he was being kept in the Arena. I'm sure that shade noticed, but I don't think he minded.
"Fair enough. And... You know- thanks for that." He says bluntly, "But it doesn't change anything. You know that I'd kill you the second I have the chance." He says slightly twitching, making his chains rattle. I can't decide whether it's the cold or the pure hatred he must have for me right now.
His words hit me hard, but I understand. "I don't expect it to. And trust me, your shackles are for my protection, not Cyril's."
"Cyril didn't leave Anna for dead and try and kill Queen Elsa."
"I know. That was me, and I know that selfish actions cannot be backed by words to a chained man, but I am sorry. I regret along it. If I could take it all back I would in a heartbeat whatever the cost. I swear it"
He just "hmph's" to himself. I feel like this could genuinely be a positive response given the circumstances, but I also believe that his last statement was too, the one about killing me when he can.
"Kristoff, do you know why you're out here?" I ask.
"Is that supposed to be funny? You know exactly what Cyril's planning." He mutters. He did also slightly glance at me then too.
"I meant the tournament. Has Cyril said why he wants you to be present during the fighting?"
"I don't know- a scare tactic maybe?" He says.
"I just think it's strange that he is keeping you in there to watch. No offence but you can't deny that I would be easier to just keep you out here."
"Like I said I don't know. But I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."
"I guess." I say, "Well I must go, I need to find my partner." I say looking to the large door behind me.
"Your bestie Shade? He was here not long ago."
"He was?" Ah man! Did I miss him? Am I late?
"Yup. He walked out here, saw me, left straight away. I must look intimidating..."
"Damn, he must have wondered where I am..." I mutter under my breath.
"I think it's cute you've got someone that cares about you that much," he starts, "try not to kill this one." Boy he doesn't hold back...
Just then Shade appears in the doorway behind me and walks over to us, "Sorry I'm late Hans." He says out of breath.
"Not a problem! I've just got here."
"Good," he says composing himself, I've been looking for another place for us to train; I didn't know Lord Cyril planned on bringing his prisoner back here."
"Kristoff." I carefully say to him.
"Sorry?" Shade says.
"He's going to be here for a while, calling him by his name does seem easier doesn't it?" I'm not sure why I'm defending him like this.
"Point." He says, "Either way, I've been searching as I didn't realise that... Kristoff, was back here."
"You boys can fight, I don't mind. You want me to sing for you? I can sing, you know?" Kristoff says with a slyness. It does make me chuckle slightly.
"Watch your tongue if you want to keep it." Shade ordered. Jeez that was a bit harsh... "Although it looks like we'll have to stay here, everywhere else is taken. People are starting to take this seriously apparently."
"We'll all of our gear is here already so we may as well!"
"Makes sense I guess."
We start setting up in the usual fashion that we do at the start of each session; setting up the dummies in formation and checking the equipment. I know my way around them now, what settings to use and where they all go.
We then get straight into the Physical Routine which involves sets of different workouts involving push-ups, weighted push ups, sit ups and weighted sit ups. They're getting easier though Shade always makes me do more now that I'm not struggling. As a rule, we go until we're fatigued and I always have to wait a while longer for him to finish. Kristoff just kinda sits there and watches. Awkwardly... I really want to know why he's here...
"Hey Shade," I whisper finishing my first set of push ups, "Why is Kristoff back out here now?"
"I believe it is because Lord Cyril is prepping the main hall for the arena."
"Ah I see…" It's kind of strange doing a vigorous work out in front of someone just sitting and watching but I just learn to ignore it.
We continue with our workout regime until we finish the final set of weighted sit ups. My stomach, previously weighed down by fish and potato, is now empty and it feels like I'm running on fumes. So it gives me much satisfaction in knowing that next up is lunch. Most of the competition have theirs indoors but Shade has ours brought to us; he really wants to stay separate from them!
Lunch, again, consisted of fish and water. Back at home and even Arendelle I got a choice of many dishes to have, but after each workout I'll eat anything, even if it's just fish. However this time it's in a sandwich so at least it breaks it up a little.
It doesn't take long for us to finish our meal and allow our stomachs to settle before we head into the Technical side of our training. Kristoff is still here, although he seems to be deep in his own thought. I can't help but ponder what someone in his position could be thinking about. Could it be Anna? Are they that close? She is very compassionate; I should know.
She gave me her heart, and I crushed it.
"What was that back there? What happened?" Anna asks with a bite.
"Someone must have found out we were travelling and tried to intercept us." Seb says, "The barman tipped us off. We owe it to him that we're still alive!"
"Still alive?" I say, " Who where they? Why would they want us dead if Cyril has called us to him? It doesn't make sense!"
"I don't know, but it can't be good." He says, "For now let us just get to the docks and leave, as soon as possible..."
"Agreed," Anna says keenly, "we need to get to Kristoff soon before Cyril grows impatient."
"I think we'll be okay," Seb answers, "Cyril had gone through great lengths to get Kristoff, he'll wait as long as he needs to."
"But we'd be helping if we moved so let us go!" I say, thinking of Anna.
Anna looks towards the road to decide whereabouts we are, so I see the opportunity.
"Seb," I ask carefully making sure Anna is out of earshot, "What happened back there?" I say gesturing to his clothing.
His clothing is dark due to the rain, but I can make out scuffs and tears that were definitely not there before. The colours are difficult to make out, so I'm going to hope that it's just a muddy stain...
"I think they were bounty hunters," he said, "I saw no guild or alliance markings on them and they were slow and clumsy; they had no training. Word must have already spread that you're missing. This may be harder than we first thought."
"Bounty hunters?" I exclaim, "in Arendelle's territories?"
"Yes, remember we're not actually in Arendelle anymore, the surrounding territories won't be as welcoming. We must stay alert." He says, just before he starts to look around quite frantically, "Where's A?"
"She went to the road to get our bearings." I say to him, "You know, being buried in hay messes up your awareness!"
He shuffles past me and hurries to the road and grabs Anna, bringing her back into the cover of the foliage. "We can't go wandering off. Stick together until we get to the docks."
I've never seen him this alert! Something serious must have gone down back there.
"Okay, you got it. But next time you want to kidnap us please give us a bit of warning!" Anna said, still brushing off some hay from her clothes.
"Well hopefully I won't have to do it again," Seb says apologetically, "but it was the only realistic way I could make you two disappear!"
"It did work well to be fair." I smile at him, "So thank you, but you understand that I am hopeful the journey to the docks will be a little less strenuous from now on!"
Back on the road we start to cautiously make our way towards the Docks to meet the Athena. Seb says that it should already have left Timberwood and should be moored for an hour or so before we get there. Apparently no one will notice that the ship will have gone missing but that's not really my concern at the moment, that'd be Anna.
The rest of our journey is relatively uninteresting. Our way mainly consists of a rough road of pebbles and small stones that Anna occasionally kicks just in front of her out of boredom. Seb often turns to see if we are being followed, but anything following us is hiding very well because we can't see them. Our path is rarely obscured as we are flanked by a thick treeline and the road is open, with the odd traveller and cart passing by, extending a passive nod in greeting, to which Seb returns and Anna and I remain hidden inside our cowls.
"Do we have any food?" Anna asks a moment later.
"Food?" Seb repeated, "No I didn't pick any up from the tavern."
"I kept some from the tents 'A'," I say to lighten the spirits as I start rooting through my Knapsack, "Let's see… I have Sandwiches… an apple, wait- two apples… and a chocolate biscuit."
"That'll do!" Says my hungry sister as she grabs a sandwich and one of the apples; the bright red one.
The rest of the way only holds quiet in the air, with the odd chomp on an apple from my left side. We reach the end of the road, where we are greeted by a signpost that says "To Arendelle", pointing back the way we came, and "Dock" pointing just ahead to a path that leads into a small clearing off to the side.
"You smell that?" Anna says giving the air a sniff.
"The sea." Seb responds, "Not far now."
We filter into this clearing and begin making our way along this path, but something seems off...
This path is so clean and fresh, like it's brand new. The atmosphere has changed a lot too, like it's getting darker even though the tree line hasn't changed. I can tell that Seb can sense something too as he seems on edge.
My heart stops as I hear footsteps behind us that weren't there previously. I glance over to see a figure seemingly emerge from thin air as I'm sure he wasn't there seconds before.
Our pace quickens slightly as we start to head deeper into the path's travel, to find that our follower also hastens his stride. We were obviously being tailed, but now our stalker has revealed himself. Just as another man reveals himself ahead of us, though he is walking towards us; we have been flanked.
"S?" Anna says unnerved as we tighten our ranks.
"Stay close to me." Seb mutters to us.
As we approach the figure, our pace slows and our ranks tighten. Eventually we are halted in our path. The figure in front of us also halts, as does our
follower. Both appear to be unarmed.
A few moments pass where no one speaks and we stand in silence, Anna's grip on my hand tightening, as Seb is the first to speak.
"Good day sir," he outs with a false greeting and a tense tongue. "Can we help you?" He says, again with confidence, though his hand never leaves the grip of his saber.
"It is a good day sir. A good day for us hunters I see." he says in a strong English accent.
Hunters? I think.
"Ah- well," Seb begins in reply, "As men, we are all hunters yes? Collecting and gathering for our families and fellow townsfolk?"
"You clearly misunderstand sir." Our tail says from behind us as he edges closer, "Hunters we are, yes. Though we are all more accustomed to collecting something far more valuable than food and resources for settlements aren't we?" He says glancing towards Anna and I.
"You see, we prefer gold." Says the other, "and we all have our own ways of making it don't we?"
"Bounty hunters!" Anna whispers to me.
"The red-head's right!" Says our blocker, "and whether or not you've heard mate, the state of Arendelle has a warrent out, and they would pay out nicely for these two..."
No we're out of time! The warrant for us must have already gone out!
"We have no intention to harm you, our business is not with you friend," says our flanker to Seb, "rest assured, your trip will be just as successful without these two."
"You know?" Seb chuckled, "I might have believed that if you weren't clutching that dagger under your coat."
On closer inspection, that man does look like he's holding something but I didn't even notice!
"Hehe-" the man grins, "you have a keen eye. Hunter? fisherman?"
"Maybe even more than that." asks the other, pointing out Seb's sabre tucked away in his sheathe.
"We all have our secrets, I think I'll keep mine." Seb replies sharply.
"What's a secret in the world we live in?" The man in front says. " All secrets will be revealed one day or another. It all depends on how much you pay for them."
"Example:" our tail continues, "we'd never have found out about this little trip these two are planning had we not spent wisely."
Someone told them we'd left already! How many others know by now?
"Who told you?" I ask authoritively.
"We all have our secrets my queen." He replies.
"Enough pleasantries," the one in front said calmly, "Are you going to allow us to take our prize we've been rightfully tracking for the best of the last three days?"
"You know I can't do that." Seb says bluntly.
"That-" says the follower, accompanied with the familiar sound of a sword being drawn, "will be your last mistake."
Just then the one in front charged with impressive speed and slashed with a dagger at Seb. Seb releases his grip on his sheathed blade and simply catches both of the attacker's wrists, halting his attack, and knocks him to the ground with a headbutt, disarming him of his dagger. All in one swift movement.
The other then readies a full sized sword and starts hacking and slashing at the air around Seb maniacally. Seb's simple sidesteps and shuffles left to right again and again make the attecker's swings look feeble, and rushed. Obviously fatigued already, the hunter slows his veined onslaught, but once again, Seb shuffles. This time though he bolts around the man and grabs him from behind; one arm wraps around his neck, the other grabs his sword arm at the wrist and squeezes hard.
The attacker whimpers as his grip on his sword is lessened and it fails to the floor with a metallic 'clank'! He then then gives his opponent a swift shove and he falls and trips on his partner, who still hadn't gotten to his feet.
They both scramble and help each other upright and then turn to Seb.
"That was without my sword guys," Seb says, "Do not make me draw it. Next time I won't be so forgiving."
With that the hunters, both slouched and withdrawn timidly, carefully reach to pick up the dropped sword on the ground at Seb's feet. He slowly picks it up by the blade tip; a sign of surrender, this man won't try again.
Seb then tosses the dagger at the feet of the other man, who tries to quickly scramble to grab it, but decides that it is too dangerously close to Seb to try. They clamber to their feet, and pivot away from us and flee.
"Alright Seb!" Anna cries in delight, with a fist pump giving him a big hug that I could tell he wasn't ready for...
"It's- no problem- guys..." He forces out, winded from Anna's firm grasp.
"Hehe- okay sis that's enough! Let our hero go!" I say for him.
She releases her grip on Seb and his breathing slowly returns to normal. "Bet you're glad I came now huh?" He says with a grin.
"Definitely..." I giggle to him. I notice he is becoming more and more informal around me recently, but I do prefer it. It means he's getting more and more comfortable around me, which is good. It means I can be more comfortable around him too.
He is right though. I start to wonder just how far we actually would have come if Anna and I had just snuck out without aid. Would we only have gotten as far as the inn? Or would we even have managed to find the place without Seb guiding us there?! I was so busy thinking of fixing everything for Anna that I didn't even stop to consider the consequences of us hastily leaving without caution.
"That should keep the rest of our journey to the docks quiet for now," Seb starts, "until those thugs return to whomever it was that sent them in the first place."
"But they said they were just bounty hunters right?" Anna asks, "Aren't they just lone wolfs?"
"They did yes, but lone hunters never come as well equipped as they did." He does have a point; they had very premium gear with them. No bounty hunters can afford this kind of weaponry." he said brandishing the felled dagger of one of the crooks.
"Did you steal that from them?" Anna asks, shocked.
"They donated it to us when they chose to attack us." he said. "besides it will do better in our hands." He says as he hands the weapon to a very shocked Anna, and much to my surprise as well...
"Wha?!" she exclaims, "No. no- I can't take this! It's a knife! You- you kill people with this thing!"
"Look," he starts, "I'd rather you didn't have to carry weapons at all. But if it comes down to it and we need to defend ourselves, I have my sabre and your sister has her powers. Better have a weapon then not need it, than need one and not have one."
He is right in his sense but I don't know how I feel about my little sister carrying a dagger around. It really is starting to hit me just how scary the real world outside of Arendelle really is. this is going to be quite an adventure.
"Right," Seb starts, "I think it's about time we head off? I don't know about you but I'm starting to get a bit tired of these woods."
"I agree," I say, "we should keep moving.
Anna nods and nervously sheathes the dagger in the back of her coat by her lower back, though it takes her a few tries to even do this. i can tell by the way that she is holding it that she's not too pleased by the fact that she is having to carry around a dagger and hide it from everyone, but then again we shouldn't encounter any others on our way not.
Shouldn't being the key word.
We all begin to continue down the docks; Seb walks in front, Anna in the middle and I bring up the rear. The atmosphere and General mood about a party seems to have changed with the recent encounter. I think it's opened Anna and my eyes as to how dangerous the world really is. Back in Arendelle we were loved and appreciated as rulers, but out here is completely different. People literally see us as money, and it seems like they'll stop at nothing until they cash in on their prize.
After what seems like an age of walking and tripping through rough gravel and stone pathways, clearly not designed for regular use, we find a break in the tree line. We're instantly met by a fierce smell of salt, fish and general scents you'd expect from a busy dock. A wide bay, with a few different spaces for ships to moor at, is hugged by the ocean, lapping at the shoreline with waves that only look to be around waist height. Though it has less than the previous village, these moors appear much wider and some have enormous cargo ships already roped up and loading. Some parts of the docks have huge cranes that are operated by using what looks like a complicated combination of ropes and pulleys that hoist various shapes and sizes of cargo on and off the decks. There are few small buildings around clearly aiming at the wholesale of food such as fish and bread to hungry workers. There's a larger house closer to the sea's edge that seems slightly busier than the rest. It also has a tall red and white lighthouse protruding from its roof. This is the one closest to us.
"Is that where you need to go to meet your friend about our ship 'S'" I ask him.
"It is. And look at that! right on schedule!" he says as he points to the moor farthest to the left, where a medium sized vessel is pulling in with a green statuette of a mermaid on its front with hair as red as the setting sun.
"The Athena!" Anna gasps, "Can we at least get on it now?"
"Not just yet." he says, "I need to check in with my contact in the lighthouse. We need to find a spot for you two."
"Preferably one where we aren't likely to get jumped this time?" I say, giving Seb a smug, childish grin.
"Here's hoping eh?" he says with a smile.
"Wait- what?!" Anna exclaims, "You are joking right? We'll be okay here?"
Well it all depends on just how good Arendelle's security and guard force are at send sending out wanted posters and warrants out to it's neighbors.
"Well, you're the captain of the guard; how good are they?" Anna asks.
"The best on the continent." he says scanning the area in front of us.
Anna gives a sigh of dismay, as we both check our hoods and scarves covering our faces are in check before we head closer.
Seb begins to pace out of the treeline and towards the crowd when I hear Anna give a squeal of terror behind me. I spin around to see a figure with his hand on my sister's shoulder. Seb has also pivoted and partly drew his sabre.
"Thought you guys would come through here." the figure says in a slight German accent.
"Let go of her now." I say bluntly, but seb puts his hand on my raised arm in withdrawal.
"Arnold?" Seb whispers. I also see that he has sheathed his sword.
"Sebastian." the man confirms, "It's been a while." He releases what seemed like a gentle grip on Anna's shoulders, while I extinguish the fiery ball of frost I had prepared behind my back. Since when I could make fiery ice blasts?
This 'Arnold' character was of average build, with curly brown hair that almost reminds me of our cousin's back in Corona. He is wearing fine clothes and carrying a knapsack on his back, and he carries a rather strong smell of fish... He seems to be a worker here, and his job pays well.
"Too long my friend!" Seb replies, "How are Bertha and Miles?"
"They are well!" he smiles, "And they'll be even better knowing they can meet Arendelle's finest Royals!" he says holding his hands out to us.
"Of course!" Seb says taken aback as he turns to us, "Allow me to introduce my good friend Arnold! We met during an expedition of Arendelle's surroundings when I was just a patrolman."
"And now look at you!" he says, "Captain of the guard!" he says smiling, though his smile fades as he continues, "Though I only wish this meeting had been under better circumstances." referring to us.
"That's a point!" Anna says, "What do you mean you 'thought you'd find us here'?"
"Forgive me my princess," he says with a subtle bow, "You guide has more friends in the ranks than he thinks!"
"What do you mean?" Seb asks, confused.
"I received word from Gregor that you might be headed hear and that you will want to be kept hidden away from his own guards." he starts. "He also explained about Kristoff, so I figured that's where you guys are heading. He's delaying sending out search parties to find you as long as he can, but his hands will soon be tied."
"Well I'll be; he remembered."
"Isn't Gregor your second in command?" I ask.
"He is, and it looks like he sussed that I will have wanted to go alone with you two, so he's giving us all the help he can from his perspective."
"How on earth could he figure that out?" I ask.
"A long time ago we made a deal, him and I. "If I were to ever to disappear with a member of the royal family it is on an incognito basis. He should not worry and, instead, try and keep the guard force at bay for as long as possible."
"Awesome!" Anna says, "We have to promote him when we get back!"
"Errrm…" I start, "That position is taken?" I saw, awkwardly pointing to Seb, who innocently grins. The next position is Guard Captain.
"Oh yeah…" She says. "Pay rise then!"
"Is she ready to go then?" Seb says to Arnold. "The Athena?"
"Almost." he says, "She needs unloading and then loading with fish. Turns out that, even as Harbourmaster, I can't just give you a military transport vessel..."
"Who'd have thought?" Seb says jokingly.
"What?" I say. "Does this mean we can't leave?"
"Hang on my queen," says Seb with a soothing tone, "If I know anything about Arnold, it's that he always has a back-up."
"You know me well!" he says, "I've leased her from Arendelle to take a shipment of fish to Corona, that'll be your cover. I've also contacted the Harbour there, they'll be expecting the delivery and, to their knowledge, the paperwork will all be sorted, so there'll be no need for you to hang around. You'll just be dumping the ship and heading off."
"See?" Seb says, "we're in good hands."
"Only the best for Arendelle!" Arnold states, "Now who's hungry? Long journey like that you'll be wanting a warm meal right? You can stay in my quarters until the Athena is ready to sail?"
"Oh that sounds amazing!" I say.
"I can't even remember the last time I had a hot meal!" Anna says.
"We've only been on the road for a few days!" Seb says.
"And Seb made us bacon and eggs like, a day ago!"
After a long pause for thought, Anna seems to change her mind, "Can we just go?"
"Certainly!" Arnold says, "This way!"
He leads us into the crowd and we enter stealth mode. Anna and I put our cowls and hoods up, obscuring us from prying eyes. Seb walks in front as usual with Arnold at his side, exchanging views on the current surroundings that are very foreign to my sister and I. Our dock back in Arendelle is nothing like this one; the main difference being that it would house ships for royals and welcome dignitaries from other countries to our kingdom. This of course meant that great care was taken to ensure that it was kept clean and maintained at an excellent standard to give a good impression to visitors. This one however is clearly more for industrial usage, as it appears to be quite run down and messy, with piles of ropes, nets and huge clamps that I assume are for use with the cranes.
It doesn't take us long to reach Arnold's house. I realise it is the lighthouse that we spotted earlier.
"Here we are!" Arnold says as we approach the door. "Oh- please remove your shoes before stepping off of the mat inside; Bertha gets really antsy when there are muddy footprints all over the house…"
"Understood." Seb says with a grin.
Arnold puts his hand on the doorknob, then quickly retracts back to us, "Oh- and please don't touch the Ornaments, furniture with blue ribbons on it, the cooking utensils hanging from the ceiling over the table as they're antique, the new dog's house as it's just been painted with a fresh coat, the fur coats on the back of the kitchen door as they've just been treated…" he pauses in thought for a moment, "-or the walls in the living room."
"Got it!" Seb says with confidence.
Arnold then turns to the door again, and turns to us once more… "In fact it's probably best if you-"
"-Don't touch anything?" Anna and I both say in unison.
"That could work!" Arnold says, finally throwing his door open, where it becomes immediately apparent as to why there are such strict rules.
Step into the lighthouse for the first time and you'd think you'd stepped into the wrong building. The soft looking white carpet welcomes all but mud as it looks as though it has just been cleaned for hours; there's no sign of any wear or dirt on it whatsoever. Warm, wooden walls and a roaring log fire flanks beautiful red furniture and a small but tidy kitchen with a large stove in the middle with what smells like a turkey roasting with vegetables in a pan at boil on the hob. The scrumptious scent of the turkey reminds me that my stomach is practically empty, though I didn't want to say anything in front of Anna because knowing her she'll go without for me.
It's a lighthouse that has been converted into a very cosy house for who is clearly a very hardworking man. Bertha, whom I assume is his wife, is busy at work on the dinner rushing around, darting between cupboards and drawers pulling out various equipment and food to prepare.
"Honey that smells delicious!" Says Arnold.
"It's your favourite!" Bertha chimes before turning to us panicking "Oh- my goodness! You did come!- not that we expected you to come your majesties- not that we wouldn't welcome you; you're all welcome here!- I mean if you're not staying then of course you can leave when you'd like- not that I want to get rid of you-"
"Bertha!" Arnold says, "They're staying for dinner, relax!"
"Only if that's okay?" Anna says.
"If we're not intruding?" I ask to be sure.
"Of course you can! It's an honour to have you for dinner at our house! Heck I might put up posters saying 'royals were here'!"
We three exchange an awkward look; that really wouldn't help our case.
"Please have a seat!" Bertha says pulling up two chairs for us.
Sebastian takes of our coats and scarves and drapes them over a rail near the fireplace to dry. We also slip our boots off, remembering Arnold's instructions and head towards the front room
Anna and I both take a seat in the regal red cushioned chairs which both have large, soft pillows on either side, flanking us with paralleled comfort. Taking our weight off our feet, we both sigh with relief as Arnold clunks down two tankers of steaming cocoa in front of us.
"Thank you!" We both say as we take the cups and start sipping away.
The chocolate flavour instantly takes over us both and we slump even further into the chair in ecstasy… I can trace the drink as it flows down into my belly, warming me up from the inside. One of the small luxuries that I miss from being back home, one that Anna and I always used to share with each other.
"Oh that's heaven…" Anna says quietly as she too succumbs to the sweet fragrances and flavours from the concoction of sweet cocoa and milk that is generously recharging our energy. I think back to all the times I would hear through my closed bedroom door the sounds of Anna and my parents at the dining table enjoying fresh batches of Gerda's homemade cocoa. Gerda would often bring some up to me aswell but I would have given anything to enjoy those moments together as a family. The one good thing I can pick out of this trip so far is that I really have been able to spend some quality time with my sister. I've also been able to become closer to Sebastian recently and that in its own way is an adventure for me. I'm pretty sure I am developing... feelings for him, though I'm not sure what to do with them. My absolute priority this time is my sister's wellbeing no matter what, but look how well that turned out last time.
"Queen Elsa?" I hear Arnold's voice, "Are you still with us your majesty?"
Again, my imaginative mind taking me away from what's going on around me, "Oh!- Sorry, I got lost in the hot chocolate!" I lied. "What were we talking about?"
"Princess Anna was just telling us about how you plan on dropping in to say hi to your cousin in Corona."
"Yeah!" Anna said, "It's been so long! We only recently found letters that had been sent to us from them over the last few years. It's going to be so strange to see them, and the first time we'll meet Eugene in person as well!"
"Aren't you just a little bit nervous though?" I can't help but ask, "I mean we have never met them before properly!"
"I… I guess I am a little, but I am still very excited at the same time!"
"Yeah… I'm sure it'll be fine!"
"Well we have to cross that ocean first…" Anna said with a sulk.
"What's wrong with it your majesty?" Arnold asks, "It's only a short hop and it isn't stormy season!"
"That's the route that took down our parents' ship down." I say. I'm not overly fond of that route either.
"Well like I said," Seb begins, "I will commandeer the ship the whole way there and it will be but a short skip over the sea!"
"Thank you Seb, it really means a lot." I say to him, gently paming his hand with mine.
"Uh-oh." Seb says from the kitchen, studying a piece of paper.
"What's uh-oh?" Anna asks worried.
"The team leader called in sick this morning so the loading up of the Athena has only just started. Won't be done until tomorrow."
"Wait- what!?" I say. Anna gives me a strange look for some reason…
"So we won't be able to leave until tomorrow?" Anna says looking worryingly.
"Doesn't look like it." Seb says.
"Guys?!" Anna says angrily, "Where is the sense of urgency? Kristoff is in serious trouble in case we have forgotten?"
"Anna, there's nothing we can do about it." I say trying to calm her, "We'll just have to find a place to stay until the morning."
"You're both more than welcome to sleep here!" Arnold says, "The young ones are staying at a friends tonight so both of their rooms are free-"
"We'll all stay in the same one." Anna interrupts. "If- if that's okay?"
"It's not a problem at all!" Arnold says.
The fact that Anna wants us all to stay in the same room tells Mel that she still doesn't feel too safe without either me or Sebastian. Still, couldn't hurt for us all to stay close to each other for the time being. I treasure every moment I can spend with her; I still don't have any idea how this journey will end for me.
"Well, supper is served!" Bertha says carrying in a steaming hot, golden and brown roasted turkey that looks cooked to perfection. "Now, you guys dig in while I go and prepare the room for you!" she says setting down the turkey on the table in between the four of us. "You can have Miles' room, it's the biggest one!" And with that, she takes off up the stairs.
"Well guys, let's dig in!" Seb says as he picks up a fork ready to eat. Before he gets anywhere however, Arnold clears his throat in a way that tells us he wants to speak first.
"I don't know what you guys are like back home but here we pray before we eat." he says holding his hands up to his sides.
We were not religious, but I am always open to hear other's beliefs and faiths. I love seeing people so passionate about religion!
Seb takes ahold of Arnold's hand in his right and gently takes mine in his left. His hands surprise me at how warm they are. Then again, mine are always freezing so I guess it's a nice compromise. I also take Anna's in my left, and she links back to Arnold in her left.
"For the food we are about to receive," Arnold begins as we all duck our heads, "May the Lord accept our thanks. May the lord also watch over our friends on their journey, and guide them through any obstacles that they may encounter. Amen."
"Amen." We all repeat.
"Thank you Arnold," Anna say, "That was beautiful!"
"My pleasure your highness! he says back, "Now lets eat! I'm sure you guys are starving!" He's not wrong.
We start to plate up our meals. Arnold begins Carving the turkey while we all put potatoes and vegetables on our plates. There are also glasses of water that we all sip at while slices of turkey are placed on our plates. The warm, succulent flavours from both the tender meat and gravy escape into the air and tease my rumbling stomach.
"Mmm… Arnold that smells amazing!" I say.
"Thank you! Well, I can't accept credit. Bertha makes an amazing roast!"
"Speaking of Bertha," Anna asks, "Where is she? Won't her food be getting cold?"
"No it's fine, she can bring it to boil to warm it up again!" Arnold says, "She wants to make sure that everyone is happy with the rooms!"
"You really are too kind Arnold." I say with genuity, lapping up the breast of Turkey in some of the most amazing gravy I have ever tasted As royals I am most aware of the expected etiquette that we are expected to uphold when in public, however as we are technically incognito, we let that slide here.
"Honestly, the pleasure is all mine your majesty." Arnold says.
We continue to demolish the food that was so preciously sat in front of us and discuss what has happened since we departed from home. Kristoff, the Oaken's Inn, the men that ambushed us at the village and the forest path. Arnold tells us about how Miles wants to become a guard for Arendelle after he leaves his studies. I assured him that I would ensure that he receives the "best reference possible from the Arendelle Royal Family". By that I mean that Seb will definitely hire him and take him under his wing… A look and a wink from Seb confirms this.
My mind does wander to Kristoff. There's no one in this world that I trust with my sister more than him, yet he is the one in peril at this moment. I really hope he is okay; after everything that has happened to her Anna finally has the life she deserves, only for it to be torn apart by this new enemy. This Lord Cyril's intentions are a mystery to me, I just hope that when we arrive to this High Isles place that I am able to fix this.
"So," Arnold begins to Seb "Captain of the guard?"
"That's right!" Seb replies, "I climbed through the ranks since I left the orphanage there and had my final exams nine months ago."
"Which he absolutely nailed!" I say for him. It's true, I saw his score when I looked through the royal staff minutes; he'd gotten the highest score a guard captain applicant had received in over twenty years!
"Well I'm not surprised!" Arnold says, "I remember when I last heard from you, you were thinking about shooting for Commander, but you went all the way!"
"Well during my training to become Commander, King Agnarr noticed I was exceeding expectations so he had me placed on the Captain's course. My friend and fellow guard Gregor helped me train throughout the tasks I had to complete. When I got my Captaincy I surprised him by promoting him to my Senior Officer."
"Wow! That's fantastic!" he says.
"It was a great promotion and he really is shining in his position. Goodness knows how he has managed to hold off sending parties out looking for the Queen and Princess."
"We really must thank him when we get back." Anna says.
"Well…" Sebastian says, "I think that, now we have a bit of time on our hands, we should consider what it will be like when we return."
"What do you mean?" Anna asks, adding some more potatoes to her plate.
"I expect that action will be taken against myself for allowing this to happen under my watch. As the stand-in Captain, he will be forced to build a case against me for allowing harm to come to you both, and it will most likely result in my expulsion from the service and exiled from the kingdom."
"Well don't worry," Anna says, "We won't let that happen! Right Elsa?"
"Absolutely!" I agree, "I will make sure that everything is sorted out for you."
"With all due respect your majesty," Seb begins, "you should not have to use your royal power to try and dig me out of trouble."
"Well I'm going to, so deal with it." I say, grinning like a spoilt child.
"Queen Elsa-"
"Just Elsa," I interrupt, "And no, I'm not going to let you talk me out of this one. You've risked so much more than you should have for us. I will not just sit back and watch you have to pay for helping us."
"Amen!" Anna chanted, "And if I had power over Elsa as a royal then I would definitely help out!"
I think he has given up, because instead of arguing his case, he just looks at me and smiles, "Thank you Elsa."
"Don't thank me, you're the one we're indebted to Seb." I say, getting lost in his deep blue eyes for a moment. We seem to have these moments fairly frequently nowadays.
Just as we finish our last mouthful, Bertha comes running down the stairs, "Okay! The room is all ready for you, your majesties and Captain."
"Thank you so much, we really can't thank you enough." I say.
"No thanks are necessary!" she says, "There's hot water as well so you can all bathe before bed!"
"That will definitely be needed for me!" Seb says.
"Us too!" Anna says rubbing her full belly as it tries to process all the food it has just taken on.
"Especially for this smelly one!" I say, giving Anna a playful poke in the side.
"Hey I don't smell that bad! I have rose scented hair!" She said in defence, giving her hair a boastful and sassy sway, spraying the table with water droplets that smell of strong fish.
"Point made." I say.
"I'll let you girls have first pick at the hot water." Seb said. I am quite happy at his surrender here; I envisioned a brutal battle to decide who had first rights to the water.
"Anna, do you mind if I go first?" I ask with pleading eyes.
"Of course!" she says, "I can help clean up the dishes!" We always had our dishes washed for us back at home but I remember Anna telling me that she'd often help out Kai and Gerda when she was bored around the palace.
"I guess I'll head up now then." I say, I really am looking forward to this bath, I need to wash my hair so badly! "Thank you for the dinner Bertha! It was truly delightful!"
"It was my pleasure my Queen!" She says gleaming, "I'm glad that you enjoyed it!"
I head upstairs to look for the bathroom. The homey feel to the house continues up the stairs and through the halls. Neat wooden planks make up the walls on either side of the walkway and the floor is made out of soft, green carpet. I see a big door that is labelled 'Lighthouse' so I leave that be. A little further I walk and pass another door that was left open. I peek inside to find a snug room with a double bed and another smaller mattress on the floor. I take it that this is going to be our room for the night, and it does look very comfortable. My mission for now though is to find a nice warm bath.
A little further down and I find the bathroom. All gleaming white surfaces with blue tiles for the back wall and a small basin with a cabinet on the wall just above it. Dotted around the room there are small ornaments of white and light blue, with ships and anchors being the reoccurring theme. the bath tub was at the back with the design of the taps and edges giving a Swedish ambiance. I wonder if much of this stuff was imported from the shipyard?
I slide the lock closed and start running the bath. The tub is a little smaller than the one back in the palace, but only a tiny bit. Luckily Anna and I have always had a slim, small figure, but I imagine that the sheer broadness of Seb's shoulders may cause him some discomfort. The image of him struggling a little in this tub does make me giggle a little bit.
I get drawn back into reality via the citrus-scented bath solution that I am using; strong green apple and a mix of zingy lemon calms my body already, and reminds me just how fatigued I actually am! The journey so far has definitely taken it's toll on Anna and I. Seb has had extensive training in this sort of field and therefor is more than capable to handle these conditions and activities we will most likely undertake, but we girls are just going to have to muscle through it. Anna's strength is her passion and her will to get moving and get things done for people, whereas mine I feel is more based on my power as an Ice Queen. Every moment I have to resort to using my power just reminds me once more about how I almost killed my own sister, so I limit it as much as I can.
That being said, I am starting to get the hang of suppressing my abilities. Even now, while I remember the awful past we've had, I am controlling my power. I feel as though I am in control. For once I am actually in charge of my curse that as been controlling me all my life. For now I'll keep this to myself however, it seems the best option and I don't want to get too confident with it just yet.
A year...
So in case you didn't realise this chapter took a year to upload...
Again, I am so sorry this has taken so darn long, but I'm gonna pull my finger out, and start dedicating time to getting my motivation up ready for the next half of this story.
Thank you all for being so patient with me so far, if you did enjoy this chapter please leave me a review and let me know what you think, and any improvements you think I should have done...
Until next time...
Which will not be another year.