Quickly, Iduna glanced at her husband.
He was still too lost in thought, she noticed with quiet relief.
Iduna glanced down at the icy floors of Ahtohallan with guilt and regret marring her lovely features. Her eyes darkened with her distress. Technically, she never cheated on Agnarr. But she DID spend time with another male, enjoying his charm and company.
She couldn't help it.
She felt drawn to him like a moth to the flame.
Of course, there was another element besides guilt. Iduna knew the dark lessons the more twisted versions of the old fairy tales tried to impart upon unwary readers. Aunt Anna warned her repeatedly the dark entity couldn't be trusted.
Magic came with a heavy price tag attached.
Even the entity warned her that his help came with a price.
But she was too far gone and desperate to let his warning sink in. She admittedly wasn't thinking clearly as she felt her life drain away.
He came through with his end of the bargain.
But she didn't fulfill hers.
Once Iduna came to, she dismissed everything she experienced as fever dreams, as mere figments of her imagination. Then she focused on getting better and spending time with her baby. The road to recovery wasn't easy.
While the entity brought her back to life, he didn't heal her completely.
The weeks she spent in that coma have taken their toll.
Not only did her muscles somewhat atrophy, she needed time to recover from her fever and her traumatic experiences she incurred from giving birth to Anna. But Iduna was determined to get better despite the odds stacked against her.
She had two children counting on her.
One of which was only a newborn baby.
It was almost laughingly easy to forget about her stupid bargain. Iduna became preoccupied with getting better, spending time with her daughters, ruling Arendelle and trying to live her life. Then, after the accident, she focused her energies on research.
Of helping to rule Arendelle and Elsa cope with her powers.
Iduna didn't encounter the entity again.
Until she and Agnarr went on that stupid, ill-fated journey in an equally futile bid to reach Ahtohallan. Both felt that Ahtohallan was the source of Elsa's powers.
The best way to find answers to help her control her abilities.
The trip was a hellish one from the start.
Iduna knew they should have realized they were heading into danger the moment that storm hit. But they didn't care. They were much too invested into their research and journey to stop and turn back now. Helping Elsa mattered more than anything else.
Even then, she thought guiltily, Anna didn't enter, or even register in, their thoughts.
Not even subconsciously, she suspected.
It was the very night their ship would sink into the ocean. Iduna, unable to stand the rocking of the ship and the turbulent waves of the Dark Sea, decided to take a nap.
But her sleep was far from a restful one.
FLASHBACK
Iduna was confused.
She wasn't on the ship.
Nor was she at the palace or anywhere in Arendelle that she recognized. She wasn't in the Enchanted Forest either, for that matter. Instead, she found herself in a vaguely familiar lush and beautiful forest.
A curious sense of icy dread skirted up and down her spine.
Why did she feel a sense of déja vu?
Intellectually, Iduna knew she shouldn't feel that she had been here before. This wasn't a land she recognized. But something told her she HAD been here previously.
Which didn't make sense.
How could she possibly have been here before?
"Iduna." She whirled around. She became paler than the moon.
"You."
He looked the same. His smile was as charming as ever, but there was a sinister edge to it that she never noticed before. It was slowly but surely dawning on her that what she dismissed as fever dreams were anything BUT.
Everything was coming rushing back.
"Yes, me." He favored her with a mocking smile. "Do you remember me NOW, Iduna?"
She wished that she didn't.
Alarm bells were ringing in her mind. All of Aunt Anna's warnings from her childhood also returned to the forefront of her mind. The doctors were wrong, she thought wildly.
Her recovery wasn't a medical miracle.
Or a gift from God.
No, her so-called recovery was based entirely upon Ginnarr's whims. He saved her life yes, but it came at a cost. Iduna stupidly forgot about the bargain she recklessly made with him.
Words have power.
It was a lesson that Aunt Anna tried to sink into her brain more often than not.
By promising Ginnarr anything he wanted in return for saving her life, Iduna left the payment open to interpretation. What if what he wanted was more than she could give?
What if it was something dangerous?
Or something near and dear to her heart?
"Yes, I remember." Iduna said.
"Oh good, I thought I'd have to waste my time even more by having to jar your so-called memory." Even though she was in the presence of a possibly dangerous entity, his smug, insufferable arrogance instinctively made her bristle in response. "We made a bargain, if you'll recall."
"Yes." Iduna knew better than to lie.
"But you forgot." A dangerous note entered his suddenly silky voice.
"I thought it was a fever dream." Iduna admitted.
"Well, it matters not." Iduna didn't believe that for a minute. She knew Ginnarr's ego would never stand for being forgotten. "What matters NOW, is the issue of my payment."
"I can't pay you now." Iduna said. "But I can as soon as I return to Arendelle."
"That's not good enough." Ginnarr said. "I need more than your shallow, unreliable word that I would receive my payment."
"I am not shallow or unreliable!" Iduna's temper erupted despite herself.
"How could I trust you?" Ginnarr said. "You were quick to forget our deal."
"Yes, well." Iduna coughed in embarrassed acknowledgement. There was little she could say to that. "But I swear you'll get your payment. Gold, wealth, lands, titles, whatever you want."
"Who said I had any need for your mortal trappings?" Ginnarr sneered.
"What?" Iduna blinked, confused.
"Any of your so-called pretty little trinkets, I can create myself." Ginnarr casually examined his fingernails, as if they were discussing the weather. "No, I require something else. Or should I say...someONE else."
"Wh-wh-what?" Iduna stammered uncharacteristically, taking a step backwards out of reflex more than anything else.
"A life for a life." Ginnarr said.
"Who?" Iduna clearly dreaded the answer.
"What I want, is Anna." Ginnarr said.
"No, you stay away from her!" Iduna cried, pointing a finger at his face. Intellectually, she knew there was precious little she could do to stop Ginnarr from taking Anna if he wanted. But her instincts as a mother were flaring to the surface. She didn't care what he said to her. Iduna would do everything in her power to keep her precious daughter from this demon. Anything.
"Iduna, Iduna, Iduna." Ginnarr said, acting like he was chiding a recalcitrant child. "I don't think you quite understand the danger you are in. We made a bargain. I would save your life in EXCHANGE FOR ANYTHING I WANT. You promised that whatever I desire is mine. I saved your life. Now, you think you could deny me what is rightfully mine without consequence?"
"No, I don't care what you do to me." Iduna said. "You stay away from her!"
"Do not presume to give ME orders!" Ginnarr hissed, his eyes flaring with warning.
Before Iduna could blink, she was hurled straight into the air. She didn't even have time to cry out before she hit the ground, hard. She groaned in pain and stunned disbelief, trying to understand what the hell just happened.
"You stupid bitch." Ginnarr snarled. He pointed his finger at her. Iduna screamed as she felt black lightning attack her body, from head to toe. "I saved your life. Do you know that you were originally destined to die? Yet if it wasn't for MY intervention, you would be dead. Your daughters would grow up without a mother. Your insipid husband would suffer alone without his wife. And you humans wonder why I hold your species in contempt."
Iduna was in too much pain to answer when he finally stopped.
She panted for breath as she stared weakly at the sky.
"Even now, you and your husband stand at the brink of the abyss." Ginnarr continued. "But I can be generous. I can save both of your lives and return you safely to Arendelle. All you have to do is give me what is rightfully mine in return."
"No, I don't believe you." Iduna refused to believe that she and Agnarr were running into their doom. They HAD to succeed, for Elsa's sake. "You won't get Anna. I refuse."
"So be it."
Then it all went black.
FLASHBACK ENDS
Iduna winced in guilt.
She should have known that Ginnarr was telling the truth.
When she woke, she forgot all about her dream. She didn't remember Ginnarr, the forest or their discussion about Anna. The next few hours were spent in a frantic rush to save their lives as their ship started to sink into the ocean.
Due to her arrogance, she and Agnarr lost their lives.
Iduna should have known better than to challenge something so deadly and dangerous.
But at the same time, how could she possibly condemn her second child to this entity? She didn't know why he wanted her, but his reasons couldn't possibly be anything good.
Well, it didn't matter in the end, did it?
She and Agnarr died.
Elsa and Anna were left without parents. But even then, their focus was on the former rather than the latter. In other words, all they cared about was helping Elsa achieve her destiny as the Fifth Spirit.
Even then, Anna didn't enter into their minds.
Like she never mattered in the first place.
Iduna never MEANT to forget about her. Unfortunately, Elsa was always their number one priority from the moment she was born. Their eldest daughter always needed their help.
But Anna needed them too.
They were HER parents as well.
Anna was left to her own devices and suffered tremendously as a result. Iduna was especially worried as Anna had a dangerous prophecy of her own to fulfill.
Well, first things first, she mused.
First, they had to find her.
Gerda and Dagmar wanted to examine more of the drawings.
Unfortunately, Elsa and Kristoff chose that moment to return.
Smothering a curse-and yet thankful for Kai's warning-the maids rushed out of Gerda's quarters and straight to Anna's chambers. Fortunately, the queen was still asleep. They returned the drawings to both Anna's secret compartment in her wardrobe and her desk.
They pressed the button to close the former.
Working quickly, they straightened Anna's chambers until it was completely clean.
The sisters were able to resume their duties with practiced ease. But Gerda was only going through the motions more than anything else.
She was still shaken over the fact that Anna knew about that tree.
Only the older generations knew about Forbudte.
Gerda shuddered. For all of his faults and warmongering ambitions, Stoiske had good reason to ban all knowledge of this tree. The tree was the cause of Arendelle's misfortune.
It all started with King Brynjar.
He was the one who wanted to take Arendelle to new heights.
Somehow, he managed to find the map to Forbudte. She didn't know how or where, as it was a closely guarded secret. He rode out in the middle of the night, with only a few soldiers in tow to act as bodyguards. One such soldier was Gerda's grandfather, Bjorn.
Bjorn confided in his wife, Bergjlot.
Both were oblivious as their daughter, Alvilda, overheard their conversation.
Alvilda wrote about the conversation in the diary that Gerda would eventually inherit. Bjorn had his reservations about going to that tree.
But he couldn't disobey his king.
Bergjlot begged him not to go.
She had a grim feeling it would be the last time she saw him if he agreed to go. Bjorn made a fateful decision after he agreed to accompany the king.
They tearfully made love before Bergjlot bid him farewell.
He would be unaware of what he left behind in her belly.
Bjorn would write about his observations in his journal, the same journal that Alvilda would eventually inherit. Mother and daughter waited anxiously for news about Bjorn.
Then, barely a month after he first set out, the king himself showed up.
The normally cocky and arrogant man looked pale and shaken.
Alvilda wrote about as much detail as she could. The king only returned with two fellow soldiers. They used a wagon to return Bjorn's body to the family.
He looked like he'd been attacked by wild animals.
Fortunately, her father's journal was still in his satchel.
Bergjlot barely existed after that. She remained in a zombified state, only eating and drinking enough to take care of her unborn child. Other family had to step in to support them financially. Alvilda worked as a chamber maid for the royal family.
It was a lowly pittance when it came to salary.
But Alvilda had to do what she could to support the family.
In her free time, she would read her father's journal. Bjorn had always been an observant man and wrote as much detail about their journey to Forbudte as he could.
He even included drawings, landmarks and an amateur map he created himself.
Brynjar was described as a man driven by obsession and desperation.
While he loved his wife, Queen Asta, she was a frail, sickly woman. They didn't have an heir of their own. She kept on suffering from a series of miscarriages and stillbirths.
He consulted doctors all over the world.
But no one could help his wife.
Driven by desperation, Brynjar consulted a map that was kept carefully hidden in the royal archives. The map was passed down in the royal family, since Arendelle was one of the parties that defeated the demon and entrapped it to that damnable tree.
Once Gerda had a break, she retreated to her quarters.
Then she knelt by a loose floorboard and removed it.
She reached inside and pulled out her grandfather's journal. Bergjlot only lived long enough to give birth to Gerda's father, Bjorn. Bergjlot managed to embrace her newborn son and christen him after his father, before she passed away.
With an eerily content smile on her face.
Alvilda and Bjorn Jr would be taken in by Bergjlot's sister, Embla.
Gerda had a few hours before she had to resume her duties. She lit the lamp on her small desk and sat down. Then she feverishly flipped through the pages of the journal.
Until she found the right one.
FLASHBACK
His Majesty is driven by a desperation I have never seen before.
He barely gives us enough time to rest every time we set up camp.
Even then, he drives the entire party forward for hours on end. It is only when His Majesty is on the very brink of exhaustion that he grudgingly agrees to settle down for the night.
Or when we, alongside our horses, need food and drink.
Not to mention rest. Lots and lots of rest.
Not that I necessarily know what the mission is all about. The king has always been a secretive man and this is no exception. He only consults with his trusted advisor, Zaan.
But I feel a keen sense of dread.
Even my dear Bergjlot had a bad feeling about our trip.
The closer we got to the forbidden lands, I couldn't help but feel my dread increase. Everyone knew better than to approach Forbudte. But I was sworn to obey the king.
I felt compelled.
I felt like I had no choice.
All of us were exhausted. But the king refused to countenance even a hint of a suggestion in regards to turning back. He was adamant about going to Forbudte.
Oh, I wished I had listened to my wife.
But I knew it was too late now.
When we reached Forbudte, all of us felt our dread increase. The entire land felt soaked in pure evil. The sun stopped shining the moment we crossed that border.
The entire time, I felt like we were being watched.
Like a predator would its juicy prey.
Then, sooner than I would have liked, we found ourselves approaching THAT tree. Words cannot adequately describe the accursed thing. I felt like wetting myself even as my knees were shaking. What I was feeling was even WORSE than during my first battle.
Brynjar tried to remain stoic as he approached the tree.
Then he knelt at its base and reached out.
Foolishly, in my opinion, he touched the bark.
"Tree of Forbudte, I have a request."
"What is it you seek, King of Arendelle."
Even its voice sent chills up and down my spine.
It was so dark, twisted and EVIL.
"I wish for a son and heir." Brynjar said. "My poor wife has suffered from a series of miscarriages and stillbirths. I have consulted many doctors from around the world. But they are doubtful that she would ever successfully bring a child, preferably a son, to term."
"I can give you what you seek." The entity said. "But there is a price."
"You could have the entire wealth of the kingdom, if need be."
"I have no need for your petty trinkets. Come closer and I'll whisper my price."
I had a BAD feeling about this.
But Brynjar dutifully approached the tree and pressed his ear against the bark. Then he stepped back and nodded. "Then the bargain has been struck."
FLASHBACK ENDS
Gerda wiped at her eyes with a handkerchief she inherited from her mother, Zaina.
Bergjlot's awful premonition came true.
The royal party was about to leave the borders of Forbudte when they were ambushed by a bunch of evil demons. It was the last thing Bjorn wrote about before he abruptly stopped.
No doubt it was due to the fact that he was being slaughtered.
Gerda blamed the king for what happened to her grandfather.
Fortunately for Gerda's family, Bjorn's best friend Rafal quickly hid the journal in the satchel before Brynjar learned about it. She had a grim feeling that at least part of the initial payment required a blood sacrifice.
Her grandfather paid the ultimate price for Brynjar's ambitions.
His loyalty and longtime service to the king was repaid in blood.
Gerda bitterly remembered what happened after that. The entire kingdom celebrated when the queen became with child barely a few weeks later. Brynjar beamed with happiness.
For months, it seemed like all was well for the royal couple.
Then, it all shattered when the queen died after giving birth to Stoiske.
Once again, a small contingent accompanied the king to Forbudte. Rafal happened to be in the royal party. He would later admit that Brynjar would visit the tree multiple times during Asta's pregnancy. Brynjar would agree to more bargains with the tree.
In exchange for wealth, power and increasing Arendelle's might.
But when Asta died, Brynjar became mad with rage.
FLASHBACK
Rafal would occasionally cast concerned eyes in the king's direction.
He wasn't alone.
Obasi and Odalis-who were fraternal twin brothers-were equally wary. But they dutifully followed the king back to Forbudte. It didn't hurt the three soldiers were the only survivors alongside Brynjar and Zaan of the initial massacre.
No one dared to say a word.
Not even Zaan.
No one would blame them as Brynjar rode like a man possessed. This time, he had to be carefully coaxed into giving everyone time to eat and sleep. The horses were driven to exhaustion as Brynjar didn't want to stop for anything.
Losing Asta was a blow he would never recover from.
She was the only light in his life.
While he was happy that he had a son and heir, Brynjar was furious that Asta paid for his desires with her life. This wasn't the deal he agreed upon!
Brynjar was about to learn a harsh lesson.
Especially about the power of words.
In other words, you need to be careful with the exact wording of your wish before you strike a bargain with something as evil and cunning like the entity bound to the tree.
Brynjar's open-ended deals gave the entity way too many loopholes to exploit.
It also felt pleasure in causing more pain and chaos.
Due to Brynjar's breakneck speed, the small party reached Forbudte sooner than normal. Brynjar didn't kneel at the tree's base or show any other type of supplication.
Instead, he ranted and raved at the tree.
Demanding that the entity provide an explanation.
"HOW DARE YOU!" Brynjar was shouting. "YOU TOOK AWAY MY LOVE, THE ONLY LIGHT I HAVE IN THIS MISERABLE, MISBEGOTTEN WORLD. THIS WAS NOT WHAT WE AGREED UPON! ASTA WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO DIE! COME OUT AND SHOW YOURSELF, YOU BLOODY COWARD!"
Wrong choice of words.
A foul pressure filled the air.
The royal party fell to their knees. Everyone clutched at their throats, struggling to breathe as the pressure increased. The tree started to glow with evil, malignant intent.
"Foolish mortal." The entity snarled. "You know what I'm capable of and have the gall, the unmitigated arrogance, to insult me? Remember our deal, little king. I promised that you would have a son and heir. The queen's ultimate condition was never mentioned in our deal."
Brynjar's eyes widened in horrified realization even as he struggled to breathe.
"I have fulfilled my end of the bargain." The entity continued. "Fortunately for you, little king, I already received my payment for services rendered."
"I...don't...understand." Brynjar managed to rasp.
"In return for your son and heir, I would receive what you value most." The entity said. There was a mocking lilt in the entity's voice that ignited Brynjar's temper.
"Asta." He realized.
"Precisely." The entity purred. "Fortunately for you, I am in a good mood despite your foolish insults and misplaced aggression. You have my leave to go with your lives intact. Never return until it is time for the rest of our bargains to be fulfilled."
If only that was the end of it.
Brynjar wasn't having it.
The sooner the pressure stopped, Brynjar (stupidly) leapt to his feet and pointed an accusing finger at the tree. He continued to yell and insult as he demanded that Asta be brought back to life. Brynjar also refused to fulfill the rest of the deals he had made.
The pressure returned stronger than ever.
"Foolish little king." The entity snarled once more. "You have enjoyed peace and plenty in your dreary kingdom for nine months, due to MY generosity and you dare insult me. Me, a being of an ancient race. A creature who existed long before your dirty ancestors were mucking about in the dirt! Return to Arendelle, little king. For breaking our bargains, you will suffer a thousand-fold. You think you are suffering now since you don't have your insipid little wife? You don't know the meaning of the word."
The next thing the small party knew, they were back at the palace.
FLASHBACK ENDS
Gerda closed the journal with a resolute snap.
She returned it to its hiding place and replaced the loose floorboard.
Brynjar was the one who caused so much pain and misery for Arendelle. The royal family wasn't the only one to suffer their fair share of tragedy. Poor Aunt Alvilda would never marry or have children of her own.
Almost immediately after Brynjar verbally attacked the entity, a dark and twisted plague swept swiftly through the kingdom with lightning speed. Many Arendellians lost their lives, including Aunt Alvilda.
It was a violent plague that made those it afflicted suffer for weeks on end from fever dreams, blistering boils and endless pain. You would also vomit copious amounts of blood and there was always the risk of spreading the plague to others. It was akin to the Black Plague from the Middle Ages.
Then, the small kingdom was plagued by a local gang of bandits.
Gerda would lose a cousin to these marauders.
Brynjar was too busy planning his campaigns against the Northuldra and the Enchanted Forest to take note of what was assaulting his kingdom underneath his very nose.
It took the bandits taking a local noble and his family hostage for Brynjar to act.
Gerda felt bitter that Brynjar only acted when a nobleman was threatened.
These were but a few examples of what the entity inflicted upon Arendelle and her subjects.
When Brynjar himself was struck down with a mysterious illness, Gerda had a feeling the entity was behind it. Unfortunately, Stoiske inherited his father's madness.
It was almost like Queen Asta's death started a countdown.
Arendelle definitely suffered its fair share of misery over the decades.
It was only now that things were starting to calm down. But Gerda knew that to be a vicious lie. Otherwise, why would the queen be drawing about that damnable tree?
She got to her feet and resumed her duties.
"NO!" Volva exclaimed, sitting up in alarm and fear.
"My lady!" Laeknir woke up at the same time.
Volva was cursing herself as she rose somewhat shakily to her feet and ran to her granddaughter's side. She KNEW this moment was coming. She knew that the entity would try to attack Anna as soon as they let down their guard.
Yet, she had somehow forgotten all about her vision.
Which was admittedly stupid on her part.
Laeknir was right at her heels. Both women were afraid that the entity got to Anna and cast horrible spells all over her. They knelt at either side of her. Volva quickly touched her forehead and closed her eyes. She braced herself for the worst.
Incredibly enough, she didn't detect anything wrong.
But Volva didn't relax as the demon was a cunning trickster.
"Ahtohallan, did the entity get to her?"
As if in answer, Ahtohallan began to show the women what happened.
Both slumped in relief at the wall that formed between Anna and the demon. Volva didn't think anything of it. She assumed that Ahtohallan protected her granddaughter.
In the future, she would kick herself for assuming things.
In any event, all that mattered was that Anna was okay.
As if to confirm her thoughts, Anna groaned, turning her head from side to side and rubbing at her eyes as she came to. Slowly, carefully, she rose to a sitting position.
She opened her eyes under the same precautions.
"Who are you?" Anna asked.
"Hello, Anna. I'm your grandmother, Volva. This is my apprentice, Laeknir."
With that Anna's training finally got underway.
Volva would school her in how to control her visions in the waking sphere.
During her time with Laeknir, Anna would learn how to treat and bandage wounds. Since she didn't have any healing powers to speak of, Laeknir could only teach her so much.
But what she could learn, Anna was determined to master as much as possible.
Unfortunately, since Volva wasn't an empath, she couldn't teach Anna how to control her ability. In that sphere, she had no choice but to learn control on her own.
Fortunately, Jord promised that she would help in that regard. Every night, when she had a dream within a dream, so to speak, Jord would aid her in learning how to develop control over her empathic abilities so that the emotions of others wouldn't overwhelm her.
During her down time, Anna would reflect on her conversation with Jord.
FLASHBACK
"A journey of my own?" Anna repeated. "I don't understand."
"As I've said before, you have a destiny, Anna." Jord said. "Elsa has her own separate destiny as the Fifth Spirit. But she required help in order to achieve it."
"So why would I go on my own?" Anna asked. "It took all of us to tame the spirits."
"It was no accident that you stopped Elsa before she could tame the earth giants." Jord explained. "She could have tamed them yes, but then she wouldn't have known the truth about the dam and your grandfather's foul intentions for the leader of the Northuldra."
"That only confirms that we're stronger together as a group." Anna said.
"Anna, your sister cannot leave." Jord said.
"Why not? I need her help." Anna said.
"No, you don't." Jord said.
"I don't understand." Anna said.
"First of all, Elsa must remain with the Northuldra, Ahtohallan and the Enchanted Forest." Jord said. "She is the Fifth Spirit. Second, you did not require her aid when you saved her from Hans' killing blow. Third, you tamed the earth giants. True, you needed help from Kristoff, Sven and the Arendellian guards. But you triumphed without Elsa."
"But Elsa became frozen when she tried to go out on her own." Anna argued.
"Anna, Elsa cannot help you." Jord said. "This is your destiny, not hers."
"Destiny." Anna said. "What IS my destiny?"
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you." Jord said.
"Let me guess, the Powers That Be?" Anna asked sarcastically.
"Yes." Jord said.
"But I can't do it alone." Anna argued. "Look at what happened to Grand Pabbie."
"You won't be alone." Jord said. "Trust in your visions, Anna. Once you're fully trained, they would guide you. I'll give whatever aid I can. Every night, you will receive more training from your grandmother and her apprentice. Once you begin your journey, have Kristoff, Sven, a huntsman and a soldier accompany you."
FLASHBACK ENDS
While Anna was unhappy that she had to go on her own, she understood.
Fate could not be denied in some ways.
As much as she resented the fact that Elsa had to move away to the Enchanted Forest and Ahtohallan, she understood that Elsa had duties.
How could she be the bridge between humanity and magic if she left her post?
Anna also felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Oh sure, she was worrying about her destiny that Jord refused to elucidate about. But she was curiously happy and relieved at the same time.
She had powers.
She had a purpose OUTSIDE Elsa.
Despite Grand Pabbie's so-called predictions, Anna was more than her sister's powerless extension. She remembered thinking that Elsa referred to the both of them as a bridge. That the odds were heavily stacked in Elsa's favor.
That there was a huge gap between them.
But no more.
Anna finally felt like she was starting to close the gap. For so long, she was in Elsa's shadow. Don't get her wrong, she loved her sister. But both of their adventures were about aiding Elsa in some shape or form.
This time, Anna had a purpose of her own.
She couldn't wait to start her journey.
It wasn't only about discovering her destiny. It was about discovering her purpose and realizing her identity. For so long, Anna has put others before herself.
Now, she was coming into her own.
She could feel it.
Ginnarr leaned back in satisfaction.
Well, at least his spirit did.
There were limits to his interactions with the outside world. Oh sure, he was far superior and powerful to mere mortals. But no thanks to these infernal chains, his physical body was trapped in this hellhole. Patience, he counseled himself. Patience.
Despite Ahtohallan's best efforts, the chains would weaken eventually.
It was foretold. Not even Ahtohallan could challenge Fate.
In any event, he was content watching Anna learn how to develop her powers. His future queen was coming along swimmingly. She was more clever and intelligent than people gave her credit for, especially her insipid sister and equally dull fiancé.
He snickered.
It was fun, creating all of those obstacles in their way.
Oh, it was so tempting making the obstacles more dangerous. But he was never one to rush the fun if he could get away with it. Being bored was anathema to him.
So he would find ways to amuse himself.
Like when he tricked Iduna into falling for him.
Ginnarr shook his head in mock pity when he thought about Iduna. He didn't even need to exercise any considerable talent towards seducing her. Oh, they never kissed or anything beyond that. But it was far too easy to ensnare her attentions and affections.
So much for her love and loyalty to Agnarr.
He snarled.
As much as that sequence of events amused him, he was equally infuriated that his plan failed. The stupid woman forgot all about their bargain. When he confronted her the second time, she had the nerve, the arrogance, to deny him what was rightfully his.
He suspected Ahtohallan helped make sure she forgot everything to begin with.
It was his personal pleasure to make sure Iduna and Agnarr perished at sea.
Creating a violent storm was child's play. It also helped that Ahtohallan was unbalanced and limited since Runeard was stupid enough to kill that tribal leader.
Messing with Runeard's head and carefully nurturing his fear and anger was definitely one of his better schemes, if he said so himself. He knew the Elemental Spirits would react violently as the upset to nature occurred, threatening the balance.
Ahtohallan was damaged and the Enchanted Forest was cursed.
He knew the damage and curse wouldn't last forever.
But the ensuing decades gave him more than enough time to set certain things in motion. For the most part, everything came together like clockwork.
Still, even he would get bitter reminders that he wasn't all powerful.
Grand Pabbie was one of his biggest successes...and failures.
Since Grand Pabbie was a sleeper agent, there were times the troll elder could act entirely of his own free will. Ginnarr gave orders that Elsa was not to be allowed to develop her powers. He carefully nurtured Grand Pabbie's fears and stoked his desires to carry their plans out for the common good. But it soon became obvious that Ginnarr's plan backfired.
Yes, Elsa was kept confined to her chambers.
Too fearful of herself to become a danger to Ginnarr in the future.
But in his zeal to keep Elsa alone and isolated, Grand Pabbie damaged Anna in the process. With her own powers suppressed, Anna had no natural shield to protect herself.
Much less her mind.
It was why her psyche fractured.
The only reason Ginnarr couldn't interfere even more was not only due to the chains binding him to the tree. There were moments even he couldn't act against Fate.
Anna's fractured state was, unfortunately, destined to happen.
Ginnarr genuinely regretted the pain and suffering Anna endured as she grew.
He couldn't wait until he had Grand Pabbie in his clutches. His fruitful imagination conjured all sorts of punishments he could inflict upon the arrogant, troublesome troll elder.
He also planned on eventually ensnaring the souls of Agnarr and Iduna.
Both of them would pay for what they put Anna through. He swore it.
Gabor inhaled and exhaled.
The stag quickly lifted his head, alert and wary.
Silently, Gabor released the arrow. The stag tensed to run, but the noble animal was too late before the arrow pierced its heart. The stag grunted before falling to the ground.
Dead as a doornail.
Gaius, his brother, was waiting at home with their mother, Genette.
Their father, Galel, was a prosperous farmer who ran a thriving estate at the borders between Arendelle and the Enchanted Forest. Genette was a member of a prominent Northuldran tribe. She happened to be gathering herbs outside the forest when the curse kicked in.
She escaped the fate of her brethren by sheer, dumb luck.
Fortunately for Genette, a kindly Arendellian family took her in.
She trained to become a healer. Galel was out hunting one day in the woods when he was struck down by a stag, ironically enough. Genette, who was out gathering herbs, found him and took him back to her cabin, where she healed him. One thing led to another and they fell in love.
Gabor's twin sisters, Olena and Odelia, already moved out.
They were married with families of their own.
Galel taught Gabor how to keep the farm running, to hunt and live off the land. It fell to Gabor to take care of the family while Father was on a business trip.
Like now.
He was out selling their wares in a neighboring town.
Poor Gaius wouldn't have been of much help, as he was blind. But he had a different form of sight that he inherited from the Northuldran side of the family.
With practiced ease, Gabor hefted the stag over his shoulder.
Gaius repeatedly warned him that he had a destiny and it was tied to Queen Anna.
For Gabor, it was hard to believe. While he was the son of a thriving farmer, he was still a commoner. What would he have to do with the Queen of Arendelle, of all people?
Then again, Gaius was never wrong.
All he could do was go about his daily life until fate came a-knocking.
Lieutenant Eamon felt grateful to be home.
At last, Arendelle was looming into view.
Queen Anna never wasted a minute from the very second since her coronation. She immediately dispatched several trusted soldiers and ambassadors to various islands and countries. Her targets were more tropical islands and regions.
Since Arendelle had plenty of ice, their cold crop would come highly in demand.
Not surprisingly, the young queen was correct.
Anna was eager to create new alliances and trade agreements. Of course, everything was in the beginning stages. But the signs were promising that she would succeed.
Eamon was sent to the Western Isles.
They were a popular destination, renowned for its beautiful views and beaches.
But ice was a product they were in constant demand of. King Eanraig all but leapt at the opportunity to get more ice for his kingdom. Eamon was returning to the queen with the king's proposal. Eamon knew Anna was eager to get more revenue for Arendelle.
Especially since Weselton had betrayed them.
Of course, the queen wasn't doing this for greedy reasons.
Arendelle's economy needed to recover from years of isolation and lockdown. Anna was also eager to start many rehabilitation projects for roads, houses and buildings.
To build or repair the orphanages.
To get people off the streets.
To help orphans get families.
To help the common folk get jobs of their own.
For that she would need money. Her proposed trade agreements were an excellent start and Arendelle could certainly use the money. Eamon couldn't wait to share the good news.
Unaware of the shift in his own destiny.
Like Gabor, his destiny was tied to the queen as well...
It was time, Sachi knew.
She had read the signs and portents.
She had witnessed the dreams and the omens.
Ginnarr was planning his final assault upon Earth.
Just as her ancestor Sahar foretold upon her deathbed centuries before, Ahtohallan's chains on that accursed tree would weaken to the point that Ginnarr would be released.
Fortunately, they had some time.
But would it be enough?
Resolute, Sachi gathered her few belongings and shoved them into her satchel. She and her people were a wandering band of nomads who wouldn't settle in one place.
It was a deliberate choice on their part.
Her spells were powerful enough to keep Ginnarr from tracking them down.
His reasons would be twofold. One, he would view their powers and spells as a threat to his vile plans for Earth. Two, he would desire vengeance, as Sachi and her people were direct descendants of the original Sorcerers who helped imprison Ginnarr in that tree.
Sachi was well aware of the prophecies surrounding Elsa and Anna.
Especially the latter.
Anna was integral in the war to come. Even now, she was training her powers, but that wouldn't be enough. Fortunately, she and Elsa were descendants of a powerful witch named Hefnd. Both of them had sleeping magical powers lying deep down inside.
Dormant, for the time being.
It would be up to her to train them.
Well, she amended, she would focus on Anna. She was destined to accompany the queen on her fateful journey. Her sister Samorn would train Elsa. Time was of the essence.
No one was surprised to see Sachi and Samorn prepare for their journeys.
The power of Sight ran in their bloodline, after all.
One of their sisters, Sanaz, could be trusted to run things during their absence. She would also contact the other wandering tribes to let them know they had to prepare for battle.
Sachi wasn't fool enough to deny that she was afraid.
Ginnarr would, unfortunately, make for a powerful, formidable opponent.
But he couldn't be allowed to run amok and destroy the earth itself with his love for gold, chaos and causing pain. So many suffered and died in his zeal to break his chains.
He had no conscious, empathy or moral compass to speak of.
But he DID have a weakness, namely Anna herself.
He was obsessed with her, from the moment she was born. While they were on opposite ends of the spectrum, they were intricately linked nevertheless. It was a perverse, symbiotic circle of sorts as Anna represented life and vitality, while Ginnarr was the epitome of death, chaos and destruction. It was almost as if one couldn't exist without the other.
Sachi shuddered.
Ginnarr couldn't be allowed to convert Anna as his queen.
If he succeeded, well, the earth wouldn't the only world that was doomed.
Officer Eban exchanged frustrated glances with his partner, Idan.
Both of them were rather exasperated with Constable Ibrahim, their boss.
Over the past several weeks, two local girls have gone missing. Unfortunately, Ibrahim hailed from an aristocratic family and thought commoners were little better than dirt beneath his boots. He didn't think much of the fact that two young women were gone.
Well, he amended, THREE young women were missing.
They came from different families and walks of life.
The first young woman was the daughter of a local farmer. Salome wasn't known for being a troublemaker, much less prone to running away. Her parents loved her dearly.
From all accounts, she was a great help around the farm.
She was never late for her chores.
Her mother went to wake her up one morning and was horrified to discover that she hadn't even slept in her bed. She looked all over the farm, but there was no sign of her.
She had equally pisspoor luck in the village.
Desperate, she went to the police.
Other than a vague promise to look into it, Ibrahim didn't do anything. It didn't matter to him if a peasant lived or died. Then, two weeks later, another young woman was missing. Vana was an orphan who worked for a local tavern. She was a hard worker.
From all accounts, the customers adored her.
She arrived promptly at her job like clockwork.
When she didn't appear for three days, her boss became worried and reported her missing. A quick search of the room she rented revealed nothing.
Once again, Ibrahim did nothing.
Then, three more weeks went by.
Finally, barely a few days ago, another young woman was missing. This time, Ibrahim was actually interested as she happened to be a cousin of his. Rayen not only came from a prominent family, she was the daughter of the local mayor, Immanuel.
It made Eban bitter that it took the possible kidnapping of a wealthy young woman for Ibrahim to get off his pompous arse and take an interest in the investigation.
Eban was frustrated for another reason:
Salome was his fiancée.
He worked his behind off to provide a good life for her and save up enough money. They had a long-term engagement as Eban only earned so much on a policeman's salary.
Her father, Ingvar, wanted him to have more money.
Before he consented to the marriage.
Unfortunately, there was no evidence of foul play. If the young women were kidnapped-and he fully believed they were-the perpetrators were too clever to leave behind any clues to speak of. It was frustrating, to say the least.
But Eban refused to give up.
His gut told him the disappearances were connected.
Unfortunately, Ibrahim was acting like there was only ONE disappearance to be concerned with. As far as he was concerned, Salome and Vana decided to run away.
Besides, who would honestly care about a couple of peasants, he thought bitterly.
Instead, the "good" constable was ordering all the officers under his command to focus their efforts on rescuing his cousin. After all, Eban thought sarcastically, she was a woman of good family who would never even THINK of running away.
Once again, it all came down to class and politics.
Eban sighed.
As much as it galled him, he couldn't afford to lose his job. At least Rayen's disappearance forced Ibrahim to start the investigation.
With luck, they would find Salome and Vana.
He could only hope and pray they were still alive.
Olaf was...confused.
Yes, he thought, confused was the right word.
Even now, the complexities of the human condition eluded him. He thought that everything was headed for a happy ending after everyone reunited following the shattering of the dam and Elsa managing to stop the flood before it could destroy Arendelle.
It seemed like everything was coming together:
Elsa became the Fifth Spirit and moved to the Enchanted Forest.
Anna and Kristoff became engaged.
Then Anna was officiated as Queen of Arendelle.
Olaf knew he was far more mature and wiser than when Elsa first created him. But as close as he was to Anna, he never once sensed that anything was wrong with her in the weeks following her coronation. Anna seemed as happy, cheerful and forgiving as ever.
She would either be preoccupied with her royal duties.
Or spend her free time with Olaf, Kristoff and Sven.
Now, it felt like everything was unraveling before his very eyes like a quilt. Anna and Elsa were arguing over who knows what. Kristoff was angry with the trolls for whatever reason. Anna was still in her chambers, sleeping away.
Kristoff would tell Olaf that Anna was emotionally and physically drained.
It finally caught up with her and she needed to rest as a result.
Olaf felt lost, not unlike a child as he wandered aimlessly around the hallways of the palace. It felt like everything was changing and he wasn't sure he liked it.
He hated that he felt so...useless.
Yes, useless was the correct word.
Anna and Elsa were clearly upset and angry with each other. No one would tell him the reason why and it was frustrating, to say the least.
Olaf felt his head ache just from thinking about it.
It was times like this that made him glad he wasn't human.
But he wasn't accustomed to dealing with such emotional turmoil. Due to the fact that he existed thanks to Elsa's magic, he had a special connection with her.
It was how he was able to sense something wasn't right with her before she froze.
Elsa's emotions were all over the place.
Olaf was still in the midst of his study regarding human emotion. While he could identity some of what she was feeling, he couldn't interpret the others. It was confusing.
"Some things never change..." He sang sadly.
He remembered Anna saying thusly, once upon a time.
But everything was changing and not all of it was positive. Anna and Elsa had an argument they wouldn't tell anyone about. Kristoff and Elsa were angry with the trolls.
What in the world was going on?
Contrary to popular belief, there were many Northuldran settlements.
All of which lived OUTSIDE the Enchanted Forest.
But all of them learned their lesson about living too close to Arendelle. Everyone knew about the slaughter of Hefnd's village. They had no wish to join their ranks.
Within days, the various tribes packed up their things and emigrated elsewhere.
They knew that Stoiske and his descendants would be on the warpath.
Hatred against the Northuldra were at an all-time high in Arendelle. It didn't help that Hefnd was stupid enough to compact with a cunning, dangerous demon named Ginnarr.
Or that she cursed Arendelle's royal line for what happened to her daughters.
Her village.
But magic ran throughout the various tribes. It would happen from time to time as their people were accustomed to interacting with the elemental spirits in the forest.
Many of them would gain the power of Sight.
All of them could read the signs and portents.
Ever since the Great Emigration many decades before, the Northuldra hadn't been idle. Not only did they train for war, they researched as many spells as they could that would help in the inevitable battle against Ginnarr. They would have to be careful about this.
Ginnarr wouldn't be caught with the same trick twice.
The only reason humanity triumphed before was because Ginnarr underestimated them.
Seiðr slowly opened her eyes. Her tribe was actually thriving on a series of islands. Her ancestor-who she was named after-had directed their tribe to these islands, which were now called the Summer Isles. It was rich in wood, game and food.
It was also rich with tradeable goods.
The fair winds and calm seas made the Summer Isles a great destination for trade.
But the wood was especially important as it helped their tribe create a formidable armada. Everyone knew the current Queen of Arendelle would arrive sooner or later.
Oh, how Seiðr wished that she could prevent the war to come.
But bad things happened to seers who tried to interfere with the time stream.
It was only a matter of time before Ginnarr was able to free himself once more. While they had some time before he did so, Seiðr could only hope and pray the queen was ready.
Ginnarr couldn't be allowed to conquer the world.
At least Anna was finally whole and training her powers.
Seiðr clenched her teeth. She knew that Ginnarr was pulling Grand Pabbie's strings. But Ginnarr made the mistake of allowing the rock troll too much freedom. While both of them had the same goal-which was containing Elsa and her powers-they used vastly different methods.
Yes, Ginnarr got what he wanted.
But Anna suffered as a result.
In his zeal to keep Elsa isolated in her chambers, Grand Pabbie used Anna as a pawn. She had a grim feeling that when Elsa struck her sister in the head, it wasn't an accident.
Oh, the young princess wasn't to blame.
But Grand Pabbie evidently feared the influence Anna wielded on her sister.
Anna was a very powerful source of life and energy. She was the one to encourage her sister to develop her abilities. Her innocent love of magic was like a major balm for Elsa.
Providing some relief for wounds she wasn't aware she had.
Seiðr knew that Grand Pabbie wouldn't stand for this.
As a result, the bond between sisters suffered tremendous damage. Elsa was a prisoner in her chambers. Anna herself was neglected and shoved aside. The entire palace was in lockdown and Arendelle barely stayed afloat due to Agnarr's foolish isolationist policies.
The stupid king had no idea how many times Arendelle nearly came to war.
Opportunistic enemies sought to take advantage of the situation.
While Grand Pabbie's methods left much to be desired, at least he kept the kingdom and the young princesses safe. It would have been disastrous if anything happened to them.
Elsa was needed to become the Fifth Spirit.
Anna was needed in the war to come.
Seiðr sighed. There was a great burden placed upon seers. Yes, they could receive visions of the past, present and future. But they were constantly haunted by the visions they witnessed. Even when they achieved control, there was no stopping of the visions.
Even if they witnessed terrible wars and bloody conflicts.
It was why they lost their innocence at a young age.
Anna was lucky that she was making up for lost time at Ahtohallan. Otherwise, she would not have been ready to face her destiny. Instead, she would have been lost in her mind.
Traumatized by visions she couldn't control.
No thanks to Grand Pabbie's machinations.
Seiðr shuddered. The worst possible event to witness was your own demise. Even worse, there was nothing you could say or do to prevent it. The Powers That Be would punish you SEVERELY if you foolishly attempted to alter your fate.
At least she had siblings of her own to continue the family line.
Seiðr knew she would eventually accompany the queen on her journey.
There was also one other thing she was certain of.
She wouldn't survive the war.
JUST BEFORE KRISTOFF AND ELSA ARRIVED...
Kai all but stumbled into the kitchens.
He needed a stiff drink.
The cooks ignored him. Kai was a familiar face about the palace and they knew there were times he needed to imbibe a little in order to keep his sanity.
Especially when you worked in a palace for someone who had powers over ice and snow.
But it wasn't Elsa's antics that were driving his current need for alcohol.
Kai had cornered his wife only a few minutes ago. He knew that something was wrong with her. Surely he could ascertain his wife's moods after several decades of marriage.
At first, Gerda wanted to deny that anything was wrong.
But Kai wasn't having it.
FLASHBACK
"Gerda." Looking around carefully, Kai gently grasped his wife's arm and guided her to a small, empty room that left lesser chances for eyes and ears. But even in a palace like Arendelle, they had to be careful. Spies would use any chances to gather information.
As the old saying went, even walls have ears.
"What is going on?" Kai asked after locking the door after them.
"Nothing's wrong." Gerda insisted. But she had always been a terrible liar. This proved to be no exception as she dabbed at her watering eyes with a handkerchief.
"Gerda, please." Kai begged. "I know something's wrong. What is it?"
"The queen knows." Gerda said, looking down at the floor.
"About what?" Kai gently lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes.
"The tree." Gerda admitted. Kai stumbled backwards in shock.
"When? How? WHY?" Kai didn't want to believe that Anna knew about THAT accursed tree. Memories of the past threatened to return. He thought it was all dead and buried!
"Anna has an aptitude for art." Gerda explained. "I was cleaning her chambers when I saw her drawings on her desk. I also saw some drawings in a secret compartment that she has in her wardrobe. She has had nightmares for years, as you well know. Something would compel her to draw what she witnessed. I think she's been dreaming about the tree."
"But how?" Kai said. "Stoiske demanded that all portraits and books mentioning or even HINTING at the tree should be put to the torch. It was the one decree I actually liked."
"Do you think there's something we missed?" Gerda asked.
"It's possible." Kai muttered. "Stoiske was careful. But even the palace has many secrets that we aren't aware of. Anna might have stumbled upon something when she was young."
"She might have seen a portrait." Gerda said, flinching in guilt. Both of them felt ashamed for contributing to Anna's loneliness, by not being there for her as often as they should. "The tree is definitely scary enough to induce nightmares."
"Do you think it's in the portrait room?" Kai wondered.
"I don't think so." Gerda said. "I dust there regularly. There's nothing."
"But she had to have seen it somewhere." Kai insisted.
"Not to mention she never talked about it before." Gerda said.
"I think she did." Kai said guiltily. He tried-and failed-to suppress his embarrassed flush. "But we didn't believe her. We thought she was making it up."
"Kai, there are many things we don't know about her." Gerda said. "Anna tried so many times to tell us about the things she has witnessed in her dreams. But the king and queen had no time for her, as busy as they were with Elsa. We were busy with our growing list of myriad duties. Not to mention trying to calm Elsa down when her powers got out of control."
"But how could she know about the tree?" Kai asked. "Not even the king was aware."
"I don't know." Gerda said. "Kai, I know you're going to hate this."
"No, I won't ask her!" Kai said. "The past needs to remain dead and buried!"
"But it isn't dead and buried, Kai." Gerda said sadly. "Look at her desk."
"Her desk?" Kai asked, confused. Due to his shock over the mention of the tree, he had temporarily forgotten about the drawings his wife found on the queen's desk until she mentioned them again.
"Yes, her desk." Gerda said. "You'll find some of the drawings there."
FLASHBACK ENDS
Kai followed his wife's instructions and tiptoed into Anna's room.
Thankfully, the queen was still asleep.
With resolute strides, he headed for the queen's desk and feverishly scanned the surface. Sure enough, there was a pile of drawings that Gerda hastily returned.
It was piled somewhat haphazardly in his wife's haste to avoid being caught.
Chancing a glance over his shoulder, Kai made sure Anna wasn't awake.
Satisfied, Kai quietly picked up the pile of drawings and leafed through them. He paled and it took all of his strength not to faint in shock and horror.
Gerda was right.
Somehow, someway, Anna knew about the tree in Forbudte.
Kai barely suppressed the urge to vomit as he stacked the drawings more neatly before returning them to their original spot on the desk. This was disastrous.
Kai then left the room as quietly as he had entered it.
Afterwards, he headed straight for the kitchens.
He approached the liquor cabinet and poured himself a cheap tumbler of apple brandy. He gulped down its contents in a single trip and then poured another.
He couldn't help trembling in fear.
All he could do was hope and pray that no one discovered HIS secrets.
While Gerda lost some of her family to the demon housed within the tree, Kai's family was connected in another way. No one-except for Gerda-knew he came from a wealthy family.
But he ran off decades before.
He wanted nothing to do with his family's more...vile practices and traditions.
Kai absently sipped his drink, not really registering the taste. Not even his children knew the truth and he planned on keeping it that way.
He took another sip.
Kai had a grim feeling that the secrets of the past were about to become unraveled.
And he would be correct.
Meanwhile, one of the maids entered Anna's room to inform her that Elsa and Kristoff had arrived.
"Care to run that by me again, Your Highness?"
Elsa grimaced as she exchanged exhausted yet exasperated glances with Kristoff.
Normally, she would take umbrage at General Matthias' presumptuous tone. But even she had to admit the situation was rather ridiculous. By now, she had dismissed the Nokk, the icy reins and matching sleigh for Sven.
Now, she was standing only a few feet away from Kristoff and Sven.
With the huge block of ice containing Grand Pabbie between them.
Elsa tried to suppress her annoyance and impatience, but it was difficult. It seemed like the journey back to the palace took forever. Normally, it would only take a couple of hours at most. But they encountered strange obstacles along the way:
Fallen trees.
Damaged paths due to large boulders.
Messages from Honeymaren via Gale, asking where she was.
It was as if someone or something was determined to prevent their reaching the palace.
By the time they reached the palace, it was almost lunchtime. Elsa could hear her stomach growling and knew Kristoff was suffering from the same affliction.
Elsa suppressed her hunger.
She wanted to see her little sister.
Unfortunately, she knew that she and Kristoff made for a strange sight. After all, Grand Pabbie was viewed as a benevolent, kindly being and just ruler for the trolls.
"I don't have time to explain, General." Elsa said. "Just know that Grand Pabbie is a traitor. I need for you to take several soldiers and transport him to the dungeons."
"Your Highness, Kristoff, is this some kind of joke?"
"I'm afraid it isn't, General." Kristoff looked sad, angry and exhausted at the same time. "Elsa is right. Grand Pabbie isn't what he seems. Please take him to the dungeons until Anna can decide what to do with him."
"All right." Matthias relented and motioned for several soldiers to take Grand Pabbie to the cells. They nodded and complied. All four of them grunted, grimacing, their knees threatening to buckle under the strain. But they managed to work together and get Grand Pabbie out of there. Kristoff looked visibly calmer now that his so-called father figure was no longer in sight. He was about to open his mouth to demand an explanation when one of the soldiers came rushing from the palace to whisper in his ear. His eyes widened in alarm before his face turned grim. "Now, I'm afraid you cannot see Her Majesty."
"What? Why not?" Elsa blinked.
"She is still asleep." Matthias explained.
"You haven't tried to wake her?" Elsa knew her little sister. Anna would oversleep unless she was prompted by Kai or one of the servants.
"That's just it. We CAN'T wake her up." Matthias admitted. The soldier who came to deliver the news nodded, as if to confirm his words.
As was mentioned before, time was on Ginnarr's side.
He was more ancient and powerful than people knew.
Ginnarr had multiple ways of spilling innocent blood and luring idiots to their deaths. The ironic thing was, there WAS a treasure hidden deep underneath the bowels of the tree. He kept it under lock and key, with his physical form acting as a deterrent.
There was no way he would let filthy, unworthy peasants touch HIS gold.
As the old saying went, there was more than one way to skin a cat.
Barely a few caves away from the chambers housing his gold and jewels, was a large, ceremonial chamber. Carvings of his likeness had been carefully chiseled in the rocky walls.
Marble statues of Ginnarr littered the chamber.
Torches were spaced throughout to provide the necessary illumination.
Located at the heart of the chamber was a large iron door. It was kept painfully wrapped tight with glowing chains that radiated light and purity.
Ugh.
Just the thought made him want to vomit.
The iron door kept his physical form at bay. Unfortunately, it would be quite awhile before he was freed. When Elsa became the Fifth Spirit, she helped to heal Ahtohallan itself.
With the elements in balance once more, Ahtohallan became stronger than ever.
But he refused to give up, not now when he was SO close...
Like any god, he attracted a number of followers over the centuries despite his imprisonment. He had members from high and low estate. It didn't matter if you were a king or a lowly farmer, as long as you worshipped him and obeyed his orders without question.
Ginnarr acted slowly and carefully throughout the centuries.
Causing minor conflicts to erupt here and there.
Putting his pawns in positions of power. Making sure his aforementioned minor conflicts provided the necessary inducement towards the disruption of potential alliances.
Alliances that would only cause problems for him in the future.
No one ever suspected that someone was manipulating things from the shadows.
As much as it sickened him to rely on worthless mortals, at least the members of his cult were useful. They either helped the conflicts and wars along so he could gather the necessary blood...or they would bring the victims straight to his chamber.
Right in front of the iron door was a marble altar. It had intricate carvings and ancient symbols.
Tight manacles were secured at the four corners of the altar.
He reveled in the whimpers of his captives. All three of them were bound and gagged, unable to move or say a word. He knew the more depraved of his followers wanted to "sample" the goods, so to speak. Normally, he would have no problem indulging them.
But he couldn't let them devalue the merchandise.
Goði nodded at the unspoken signal from his lord and master.
The high priest motioned for his acolytes to bring the first woman forward. She struggled and writhed ineffectually in their clutches as they tore off her clothes. They kept her gagged as they untied her hands and brought her struggling form to the altar.
Tears poured like rivers down her cheeks.
Her pleas for mercy were muffled thanks to her gag.
The acolytes were unmoved as they pinned her in place with their bodies after they lay her across the altar. Carefully, they secured her wrists and ankles so she couldn't escape.
Goði began chanting in the ancient tongue.
His acolytes formed a circle around the altar.
They began bowing and rising in a sitting position from their kneeled places on the floor. Like Goði, they were chanting in the ancient tongue. It was a language lost to time.
It was so old, it wasn't even considered myth and legend anymore.
Which only proves how old Ginnarr truly was.
Solemnly, Goði reached into the folds of his robes and pulled out an athame dagger. He sneered in disgust as he took in the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Pathetic.
It was why he held women in contempt.
The ungrateful chit should be glad that she was serving a higher call. But no, she HAD to whimper and beg that she didn't want to die. She was chosen to serve a divine purpose. A purpose far beyond her station and worthiness.
And THIS was how she showed her gratitude?
This was what he got for trying to be a nice guy!
"O Mighty Ginnarr." He intoned. "God of Chaos, Bloodshed and Destruction. I humbly beg your indulgence and pray that this unworthy sacrifice is enough to begin its divine purpose in releasing thee from thy foul prison. So that thou may cleanse this world of the blasphemers, infidels and non-believers. O Great Ginnarr, I deliver this virgin unto thee!"
Then he brought down the dagger.