"Prophecies?"
"That's what Father told me."
For several moments, Iduna wavered between shock and skepticism. The struggle showed on her face. Admittedly, Agnarr couldn't blame her. Runeard was hardly the most reliable person in the world and the person solely responsible for the curse on the Enchanted Forest. The conflict between the Northuldra and Arendelle.
The person who murdered Iduna's father.
"You're really going to take Runeard at his word?" Iduna spat out his father's name as if it were poison. "You really think he's telling the truth?"
"It would certainly fit the current situation. It would definitely explain things as are as our daughters were concerned, especially Elsa." Agnarr said cautiously. He knew his father would be a sore subject. In the afterlife, Iduna was furious and devastated to learn that her father-in-law was responsible for the death of her sole, remaining parent.
"And it would definitely explain Elsa's powers." Iduna agreed.
"Father said that Elsa fulfilled her prophecy when she became the Fifth Spirit." Agnarr said. He rubbed at his forehead in agitation. Why couldn't anything be simple?
"And he is certain the other prophecy is about Anna?" Iduna said.
"He was insistent." Agnarr admitted.
FLASHBACK
"Prophecies?" Agnarr said skeptically.
"Don't tell me you doubt their existence." Runeard said.
"Well, I certainly don't believe anyone could predict the future." Agnarr said.
"You know that magic exists." Runeard said.
"Well, yes." Agnarr conceded. "But I don't believe that actual seers exist."
"Didn't Grand Pabbie show you the future?" Runeard pointed out.
"..." Agnarr reddened in embarrassment. There was little he could say to that.
"Trust me Agnarr, the prophecies are true." Runeard said.
"What did she tell you?" Agnarr asked.
ANOTHER FLASHBACK
Skirr was sitting on her throne next to his.
She was happily adjusting her grip on her newborn son.
They just presented Agnarr to the entire court. Runeard exchanged proud smiles with his wife. For the first time in years, he was happy. He was happily married to the love of his life and they had a strapping son and heir.
The formal presentation of the new crown prince went well.
Runeard was so happy, he was almost able to forget Hefnd's curse.
Not wanting to repeat his father's mistakes, Runeard made sure to honor the neutral pact they had with the Northuldra. For years, he stewed in his anger and bitterness. All he could think about was getting revenge as soon as he came of age.
Then, Skirr came into his life.
He met her at his coronation ball.
Skirr more than lived up to her namesake. She was so beautiful and pure, an angel who deigned to walk amongst the unwashed masses and unworthy mortals. The same mortals weren't even worthy of looking at her. She had a wealth of golden blonde hair and enchanting forest-green eyes. In regards to looks, it was apparent Agnarr took after her.
She was so kind and caring.
So intelligent and formidable.
Runeard couldn't have asked for a better queen. With Agnarr in their lives, it felt like their family was complete. She was able to pierce the darkness in his heart. She gave him hope for the future, for the first time in years.
Maybe he could find another way to lift the curse.
He didn't want to burden his son and his descendants with it.
Runeard had just finished hearing a petition from one of his more prominent tradesmen when he realized the entire court just went silent. He glanced up and the blood started draining from his face. No, he thought desperately, this could NOT be happening!
A Northuldran woman started approaching the throne.
The crowd parted like the Red Sea for Moses.
The woman ignored the stares, insults and pointed whispers. Many courtiers present were old enough to remember what happened when Hefnd visited the throne room.
While the woman wasn't Hefnd, there was a strong resemblance.
She had the same blue eyes. But her hair was a dark red.
Runeard knew he had to proceed with caution. If this woman had the same powers as Hefnd, there was no sense in bringing another curse to Arendelle. The woman finally reached the dais and gave a formal bow. "Your Majesty." She said.
"Your name, please?" Runeard said cautiously.
"My name is Volva, sire." She replied.
"What brings you to Arendelle?" Runeard said.
"I am a Seeress, sire." Volva said.
"You can see into the future?" Runeard tried not to sound skeptical.
"I know it sounds hard to believe, Your Majesty, but I can." Volva said. "I can also see into the past. For example, I know that when you were a child, your mother gave birth to a sickly child. Fearing the stain on his reputation, your father arranged for the child to be drowned in a nearby river before word could spread of his existence."
"How did you know that?" Runeard was shocked and angered that she knew. Stoiske commanded his son and heir to keep what happened to his younger brother a secret. Even then, his father was more concerned about his image and reputation than his actual family.
"I receive powerful visions, Sire." Volva said.
"What brings you to court, then?" Runeard said. He would quell the rumors later. His father taught him the important of image, reputation and doing the necessary damage control. The royal family of Arendelle could NOT afford to look weak.
"It concerns your son." Volva said.
"You stay away from him!" Runeard shouted protectively.
"Don't you dare harm our son!" Skirr added coldly.
"Your son isn't in any danger!" Volva said quickly.
"Not yet, anyway." She thought darkly. Even now, her dreams were haunted by what would happen to Agnarr and his wife. They would fall to their deaths in a dark, churning sea as they futilely tried to reach Ahtohallan. Despite the obvious signs and hints telling them to turn back, nothing would deter the prideful couple from their quest. They would pay for their determined stupidity with their very lives.
"But you said the vision was about him." Runeard argued.
"No, this concerns his daughters." Volva said.
"He won't have a son and heir?" Runeard said, disappointed.
"No." Volva said. "But his daughters will have important destinies."
"What do their prophecies state?" Skirr asked.
"The first prophecy concerns the eldest." Volva said.
Runeard motioned for her to continue.
"Look to the North.
For North will bring the one touched by Winter.
Through her, comes the command of ice and snow.
She will struggle to control her powers. She will be raised in darkness and shadow.
Isolated and alone.
But through her, the five shall become one..."
"And the other?" Runeard pressed.
Anna started.
She realized she fell asleep while sitting in the corner of the chamber.
By now, the walls weren't showing any images. Anna found it ironic that she was having a dream within a dream. She stretched out her legs, grateful that she wasn't feeling any stiffness. She wiggled her toes and stretched out her arms.
By reflex, she shifted her head from side to side.
Getting rid of any possible cricks in her neck.
Anna rubbed at her throbbing temples. During her sleep, so to speak, she dreamed of many odd things. There were disjointed things, like mismatched pieces of a puzzle that refused to fit together. None of the images made any sense to her.
But she remembered each and every one of them.
They were also bloody and violent.
FLASH
A woman with a small, cold smile gasped as a man slit her throat.
FLASH
A man made to defend her when the same culprit impaled him with a sword.
FLASH
Screams filled the air as sounds of fighting echoed throughout the area.
FLASH
Women were struggling futilely as they were dragged to nearby alleyways, buildings and bushes.
FLASH
A soldier screamed as he was ran through by the sharp end of a bayonet from behind.
FLASH
People of high and low estate were screaming and panicking as they tried to hide. They would hide everywhere they could, but the soldiers-who clearly had different masters-would find them no matter where they hid.
END OF FLASHES
Anna would see various examples of violence. She didn't understand what was going on.
She was also trapped in the dream, unable to move a muscle. Fortunately, no one seemed to notice her. But she didn't like the dream. She didn't like it at all.
It was easily the worst nightmare she ever suffered.
Anna rose somewhat stiffly to her feet.
She knew that her mother was waiting for her. She also had a grim feeling that her father was here in Ahtohallan. But she wasn't sure that she wanted to see him.
She was still haunted by what happened the night of her birth.
Anna was jolted from her thoughts by the sound of a child giggling.
She quickly looked around the room. Her eyes widened as she found herself facing her younger self. Little Anna wasn't an image on a wall. She wasn't even a snowy version. She giggled as she stood several feet away from her older self. Her red hair was in tiny pigtails. She wore brown boots and a light green nightgown.
"Do you want to build a snowman?" She giggled. Then she turned and ran off.
"Wait!" Anna called after her.
She didn't even think that this could be reckless or stupid on her part. All she knew was that this was important. That her younger self was leading her somewhere important. Little Anna ignored her questions and calls. She just kept giggling and running as if this was one big, giant game.
It was all Anna could do to keep her younger self in sight.
Little Anna was faster than she looked.
Finally, the chase ended when both Annas found themselves in a large chamber they haven't seen before. The adult Anna stopped in her tracks, unable to believe what she was seeing. Five-year-old Anna had joined a small group consisting of her older self.
The various Annas differed in age and dress.
She counted five of them. What was going on?
Before she could demand an explanation, someone touched her head from behind. The next thing she knew, Anna was fainting away.
She fell to the floor, unconscious.