"Your Highness! Kristoff! Stop!"
Kristoff and Elsa paid no heed to Matthias' cries.
As soon as they heard the alarming news about Anna, they raced to her room as fast as they could. Wild horses couldn't have dragged them away if they tried.
The maids gave startled cries as they went off to either side of the halls.
Otherwise, they would have been bowled over.
After what seemed like an eternity-but was only a few minutes-they reached Anna's chambers and burst in without warning. Kristoff raced to his fiancée's side and knelt down.
He gently tried to shake her awake.
"Anna? Anna!"
But true to Matthias' word, she remained asleep.
Kristoff exchanged frustrated, worried glances with Elsa, who sat by her sister on the bed and grabbed her by the shoulder. She, too, remained gentle as she tried to awaken Anna.
But she had as much success as Kristoff.
In other words, none.
The ONLY thing that reassured them was that Anna was tossing and turning. She was also muttering unintelligible words under her breath. Elsa placed her ear by Anna's lips.
But she couldn't make out what she was saying.
Both glanced up as Doctor Heinrich arrived with two nurses in tow.
Carefully, the doctor urged Kristoff and Elsa out of the room. After all, Kristoff was the queen's fiancé and Elsa was still a princess of Arendelle.
Reluctantly, they obeyed.
Neither wanted to leave Anna's side, but they knew they had to let the doctor do his job or they would only get in his way. But they refused to leave the general vicinity.
Kristoff and Elsa started pacing.
But in opposite directions.
Neither of them felt like talking. Kristoff felt guilty, berating himself for leaving Anna's side in the first place. Elsa was chastising herself for making her confrontation with Grand Pabbie her first priority. Anna should have come first, period.
Every so often, Elsa would wring her hands.
Unable to help herself.
Kristoff would have snapped at her, asking her to stop if he wasn't doing the same thing. Occasionally, they would glance at the doors. But they remained stubbornly shut.
Mocking them with their silence.
But they refused to leave. Not until they got some answers.
Doctor Heinrich was a longtime physician for the royal family.
He even helped to deliver Agnarr, Elsa and Anna.
It took awhile for Stoiske to trust him. Even then, the infamously cold king wasn't a very trusting man. He took the previous doctor's place after Queen Asta died from childbirth. Heinrich suppressed a since. For months, Stoiske had the doctor's head rotting on a spike to serve as an example to those who crossed him.
Years after Runeard assumed the throne, it took all of Heinrich's skill to avoid getting beheaded when Agnarr's mother died after trying-and failing-to give birth to a second son, the spare heir to the throne. Fortunately for the "good" doctor, a Northuldran midwife was responsible.
Even better, the stupid woman was compelled to take her own life.
If people were allowed to examine her too closely, they would realize something.
Like the fact that she wasn't in control. Hefnd placed her niece under control in a hypnotized state to kill the queen and her second child. Runeard would chalk it all up to the curse.
His hatred against the Northuldra would increase.
Heinrich smirked.
His master was very clever. By inciting more conflict between Arendelle and the Northuldra, more blood would be available for him to feast upon. Thereby weakening his accursed chains even further. Hefnd's doppelganger was more than enough to do the job.
Really, the stupid woman was practically asking to be ensnared by his master's roots.
Her desire for vengeance consumed her completely.
Heinrich suppressed a scowl as he and his nurses carefully examined the queen. He would have preferred to devote all of his energies towards tending to the newborn princess.
Rather than her simpering and insipid mother.
But he couldn't afford to break his cover.
With no choice, Heinrich had to focus on healing Iduna. Fortunately, his master understood his conflict and intervened directly to save Anna's life. He shuddered.
If his master's wrath was terrible now...
It would have seemed like a temper tantrum by comparison if Anna perished.
Carefully, Heinrich focused on his primary duty: making sure she was alive and well. Other than her strange refusal to wake up, Anna was perfectly healthy. Heinrich was about to attempt to awaken her when he was contacted by his master via his secret mark on his chest.
"Don't!" Ginnarr commanded.
"My lord?" Heinrich asked mentally even as he continued his examinations to avoid unwanted scrutiny by his annoying, gossipy and admittedly nosy nurses.
"Do not wake her up." Ginnarr said.
"May I ask why, my lord?" Heinrich asked carefully, not wanting to provoke His wrath.
"My future queen is getting trained in how to use some of her powers." Ginnarr explained. "As much as it pains me, her mind and soul must remain in Ahtohallan until she is ready to begin her journey. In the meantime, make up some affliction or other but do everything in your power to assure Anna's pathetic sister and her equally inept suitor that she would be fine in due time."
"Yes, my lord." Heinrich said.
His master then cut their mental connection.
"I don't know WHY you're excited about this."
Vǫrðr pointedly ignored the barbed question from his younger sister, Galia.
As if in answer, Galia threw up her hands in exasperation and plopped herself onto her stomach on Vǫrðr's bed. On some level, he could understand his sister's frustration.
After all, it wasn't as if it was GOOD news that Ginnarr was stirring.
Everyone in their family knew this day would come.
Their ancestor, whom Vǫrðr was named after, was part of the group who helped imprison Ginnarr to that tree in Forbudte. In fact, he was the one to discover the spell necessary.
Just like his ancestor, Vǫrðr was a powerful Sorcerer.
Before he died, their ancestor hadn't been idle.
None of the Sorcerers were idle. While some branched off into separate tribes, others would band together. They formed an organization known simply as the Bóndi, whose sole purpose was to destroy Ginnarr once and for all when-not if-he escaped. To avoid getting picked off, they would hide behind spells, wards and disguises.
Vǫrðr sent his followers all over the world.
They formed separate branches of their group.
They raised armies, procreated so they could add to their number of practitioners and conquered entire lands, countries and kingdoms. They created businesses, weapons and raised as much wealth as possible. They would need revenue in the war to come.
And it WOULD be war.
A war that threatened to engulf the entire planet.
Fortunately, they had the power of Sight. Everyone knew a pair of sisters would be born unto a royal family somewhere. They would be important and needed in the war to come.
Especially the younger one.
She would be Marked by nature.
For centuries, the society searched for the sisters. Vǫrðr and his family despaired of ever finding them. Until they heard rumors about the princesses of Arendelle.
How the younger sibling had a streak of white in her red locks.
The moment Vǫrðr saw a portrait of them, he knew.
Their organization spanned the entire globe. He already had his soldiers sharpening their swords. The Sorcerers were working on their magic and their subjects were building vast, formidable armadas. Soon, word spread and the entire organization was up in arms.
He himself would soon be on his way to Arendelle.
With a very special gift.
Galia watched with boredom as he crossed over to his desk and caressed the top of an ornately carved chest. It had intricate carvings and sparkled with precious gems lit from the overhead torches and chandeliers. She rested her chin onto her hand.
Absently, she drummed her fingers on the top of her book with her free hand.
Her brother was obsessed with that stupid chest.
Dreaming about one's soulmate came from their mother's side of the family. Galia hated that her mother Gaia was fated to be married to Vǫrðr, her brother's namesake.
It showed how little imagination her father's family possessed.
Every male descendant shared the name of their ancestor!
While her brother wasn't the heir to every country under their purview, he WAS the future leader of their society. It also didn't help that he was crown prince to a vast country. No, she amended sourly, it was more like a growing empire.
One that encompassed many small countries and surrounding islands.
They certainly didn't lack for wealth and power.
Vǫrðr had no shortage of women throwing themselves at him. He was handsome enough, what with his auburn locks and stormy grey eyes. But they were raised to save themselves for their soulmate and Vǫrðr was no exception. But he didn't have an ordinary soulmate.
Or so he claimed.
His future bride was the only person who could open that chest.
Vǫrðr wasn't blind. He knew his sister couldn't possibly understand what the fuss all about as far as SHE was concerned. While Galia had powers of her own, she didn't have the Sight.
He did.
He knew that he had to act fast.
Vǫrðr was STILL furious that some other man already laid claim to her heart. But he couldn't deny that her other suitor was a kind, decent man. He had already done so much for her and her sister, it wasn't even funny. But he wouldn't do anything to the man as he had a role to play in the war to come.
Not to mention that it would be pretty low to slay a man whose only crime was loving the same woman he did. It would also spit on everything his parents instilled in him.
Admittedly, pursuing her was dangerous.
As Ginnarr coveted her for himself.
But Vǫrðr had been dreaming about her for years. He refused to give up now that he finally knew her identity. She was special. He knew it from the moment he first saw her.
Dreamed about her, even.
But she was the ultimate key to victory against Ginnarr.
Vǫrðr shuddered. If Ginnarr succeeded in his plans, then nothing would be safe. He must NOT be allowed to seduce her to his side. Vǫrðr refused to let him succeed.
He swore it.
Agnarr glanced quickly at his wife.
She was still lost in thought, he noted with relief.
It wasn't just the guilt and shame regarding how he treated BOTH of his daughters like garbage weighing him down, like an anchor from a ship cast down at sea.
Quickly, he shoved aside the memories of what happened in the Dark Sea.
But it was rather difficult.
It also wasn't merely the shame of trying to smother Anna with a pillow when she was a helpless infant. There were many times he was left to his own devices following the accident.
Driven by desperation, he would go through his grandfather's private papers.
They were hidden deep within the royal archives.
While most of the records from his great-grandfather's reign were a jumbled mess, he managed to stumble upon an ancient book. He could feel his mind racing and his heartbeat increasing due to his excitement. He couldn't quite bring himself to hope.
But could this be the key?
FLASHBACK
Agnarr started to smile.
He flipped through the book.
While he couldn't translate the language, he couldn't help noting that it was similar to the Northuldran tongue. He would have it taken to an expert.
Then he would order the man's silence.
But if he was correct, he might have found the key to Elsa controlling her powers!
Agnarr was about to leave with his prize, when a map fell from the book and went sedately to the floor, landing by his feet. For some reason, the map was more compelling.
As if hypnotized, Agnarr put the book back and grabbed the map.
Quickly, he raced out of the royal archives.
Fortunately, Iduna was taking her afternoon nap. Ordering Kai and Gerda to look after the children in his absence, Agnarr mounted his horse after packing some essentials and shoving them into a satchel. Time was off the essence as he rode far away from Arendelle.
No one stopped him, to his relief.
But he had one hand on his dagger in case of brigands.
Agnarr carefully followed the map. He was glad that he blew off Kai and Gerda with some phony excuse. He had a feeling they would have only tried to get in his way.
To stop him.
And he couldn't afford to let that happen.
He didn't know how long he traveled. Time seemed to have lost all meaning for the ruler of Arendelle. He got lost many times and had to consult the map repeatedly.
Until finally, he reached the deserts of Forbudte.
When he tried to cross the border, his horse went to a stop.
Annoyed, Agnarr tried to urge his horse onward, but the damnable creature refused to cross into the desert. Screaming his annoyance to the heavens, Agnarr dismounted and tethered his horse to a long rein. "Fine!" He snapped at the horse. "I'll go on foot!"
It was a long journey.
But Agnarr refused to stop.
Every so often, he would take sips from his waterskin. He kept one hand on his dagger at all times, but he was never attacked. Finally, he reached his eventual destination.
A withered, evil tree made entirely out of wood blacker than ash.
With clawlike hands.
Agnarr knelt at the tree's roots and placed his hand on the bark.
"Who dares to wake me?" A gravelly voice intoned.
"It is I, Agnarr, King of Arendelle." Agnarr said.
"What is it you see, mortal king?" The voice asked.
"I seek help." Agnarr said.
"What help do you seek, mortal?" The voice asked.
"My daughter, Elsa." Agnarr said. "I need to help her control her powers."
"I can give you what you seek." The voice purred. "But nothing comes for free."
"What do you desire?" Agnarr asked.
"Not what." The voice corrected. "Who?"
"No, you're not getting Elsa, or my wife!" Agnarr said.
"No, I seek your OTHER daughter, Anna." The voice said.
Agnarr paused.
Did he dare?
As much as he regretted trying to kill off his daughter when she was only a baby, it didn't necessarily mean he wanted her around. Yes, his wife was still alive.
But she wasn't necessarily undamaged.
She could never carry another child to term.
Iduna told him repeatedly that it wasn't Anna's fault. But Agnarr just couldn't bring himself to love her, much less care about her. Their lives were going swimmingly before Anna came along. She ruined things from the very moment she was conceived, he thought, fuming.
This was his chance!
His chance to get rid of her once and for all!
"Yes, I-"
But Agnarr never got to agree to the deal.
Something screamed in rage as an unseen force carried Agnarr far away in a sudden, violent tempest. The next thing he knew, he was back in Arendelle, with no one the wiser.
Including himself.
He forgot all about his trip and the map was destroyed.
FLASHBACK ENDS
Agnarr flinched.
He nearly sold his soul to a being worse than the devil.
No, he amended, he nearly sold his second daughter to a being worse than the devil. Even then, he still blamed Anna for what happened to his wife. As much as he tried to deny it, his anger and bitterness towards her only grew over the years.
Agnarr forgot all about his stupid bargain.
Until he reached the afterlife.
For once, she felt like she was in control.
For Anna, it was a foreign sensation.
If she wasn't being shoved to the side by Father, shooed away by Elsa and left to her own devices by Mother, Anna was tormented by her nightmares. The same nightmares that everyone insisted were only figments of her imagination. It hurt.
By God, did it hurt.
As it meant that no one took her seriously.
Anna glanced down at the floor. With her memories intact, she could remember all of the times that people have mocked her. Implying that she had nothing but air in her head.
Oh, the servants acted subservient enough.
But she wasn't stupid.
She could remember the jeers and whispers, the snickers and stares. While she skipped gaily through the halls, acting like everything was hunky-dory, they would congregate in small groups. They would stare and whisper. Eye her with judgmental condemnation.
It felt like she had no one she could turn to.
Mother and Father ignored her. Elsa would shut doors in her face.
It was times like those that made her wish Mother and Father had brothers and sisters. That she had actual cousins she could play with. She couldn't venture outside the palace.
Especially since the accident.
Talking to the portraits only helped so much.
Grand Pabbie's fracturing of her psyche didn't help matters. It also didn't help that Anna had to face each traumatic event that caused the splinter in her mind in the first place.
Now, it was different.
She could see visions for the first time in her life OUTSIDE her nightmares.
It also helped having her grandmother around. In between sessions, Anna would hear stories about her ancestors and life in the Northuldra tribe. She especially wanted to hear stories about her mother when she was just a child. She wanted to understand Iduna.
For Anna, having a sympathetic ear was a foreign sensation.
Not to mention getting actual love and encouragement from a relative.
She knew Mother and Father loved her to a certain degree, but Elsa would always come first in their eyes. They never gave Anna any real support or encouragement.
All of their energies went into helping Elsa with her powers.
Now, Anna finally had a mentor of her own.
Volva became the mother figure she desperately needed. Things improved between Elsa and Anna, but old habits died hard. Elsa, perhaps out of self preservation more than anything else, kept a distance from her. She kept up her reserved personality. Kept her secrets.
Such as hearing Mother's voice.
Elsa was still somewhat wrapped up in her own problems and feared her powers.
Don't get her wrong, Anna didn't think Elsa was a selfish person. But she was so preoccupied with her own turmoil, she didn't notice Anna's. She didn't sense that Anna desperately needed love and encouragement from the only family member she had left.
Having Volva around was a balm on wounds she didn't even know she had.
But Anna didn't kid herself. She knew she had a long way to go.
The visions were also a blessing AND a curse. The visions that haunted her made her understand why Volva had that lost look in her eyes. Why she said that visions would make seers lose their innocence. Anna now understood all too well what her grandmother meant.
Her visions were horrific.
All she could see was violence, war and bloodshed.
The tree that haunted her for as long as she could remember was connected somehow. She could sense it. The earth faced a potential calamity in regards to its future.
But she had hope.
She would also get visions of her future journey.
In all of her visions, she didn't see Elsa in any of them. Instead, she would see her sister remaining behind. She could see Kristoff, Sven, a soldier and a huntsman.
There was also a woman.
Someone with dark blonde hair and emerald-green eyes.
But this wasn't an ordinary woman. She had magical powers of her own. However, they weren't powers over the elements like Elsa's. It was like the woman from her nightmares.
A woman known as Hefnd.
When Anna mentioned the name to Volva, her grandmother paled.
Before quickly changing the subject.
Something told Anna she wouldn't know the reason for Volva's reactions for awhile.
Anna also enjoyed spending time with Laeknir. The healer was a friendly woman who, like her grandmother, was taken far too soon in a rather violent fashion.
But Volva repeatedly told her it was destined to happen.
"Bad things happen to seers and their loved ones if they try to cheat Death."
Volva admitted that she would constantly get nightmares of her own demise. Anna shuddered. She, too, would feel constantly dirty and polluted if she had a similar end.
As Anna's control grew, so did the scope and magnitude of her visions.
It was like gaining sight after being blind for so long.
Anna witnessed so many events, it made her own problems and difficulties seem trivial by comparison. There was one event in particular that interested and repelled her at the same time. It was annoying, really, as all she would get were rather brief flashes.
Like she was being given different pieces of a puzzle that refused to form together.
But there was a battle of sorts.
A battle between powerful beings who all made humans seem like crawling ants more than anything else. Then, there seemed to be some sort of rip in the cosmos.
One being gave an enraged, powerful scream before he was tossed inside.
The rip closed.
He continued to scream his defiance as he was hurled towards Earth. He landed right in the middle of a lush, beautiful land with vast forests, calm seas and thriving markets.
For Anna, this place was familiar to her.
But she couldn't place how or when.
Anna wasn't stupid. She had a feeling this being, whoever he was, was connected to the tree that haunted her dreams. Of course, her visions weren't the only things she was working on. As promised, Jord would aid her in regards to her empathic abilities.
She was beginning to form a shield.
It was like a portcullis she would raise and lower at will.
It would help her sense another person's emotions, but they wouldn't be allowed to overwhelm her as they did in the past. Her abilities were both a blessing and a curse.
She could easily sense the being's emotions.
The one who crashed on Earth.
He was so full of rage, bitterness and betrayal, it was nauseating. But she couldn't help but feel sorry for him, as there was an undercurrent of loneliness due to his exile.
Especially since he wasn't among his own kind.
He didn't belong here.
Most people would think her insane for pitying such an evil entity. But to Anna, even evil entities had other feelings besides petty, stereotypical desires for wealth, power and world domination. Even Lucifer didn't start out as the devil.
At one point in time, he was one of God's top angels.
To her, lumping this being into one category felt...wrong.
Due to her visions, she was rapidly learning that things weren't as black and white as she originally thought. There were multiple shades of grey in between.
The tree continued to haunt her.
But it was almost like she was seeing BEYOND the tree.
It was more complex than she originally thought. It was allowed to spread its roots everywhere. To her horror, it would soak up the blood left behind by battles and wars.
Like a sponge would water.
It seemed to feed on the blood and carnage left behind by humanity.
Once again, Anna felt like she was being given different pieces of a puzzle that refused to form together. It was enlightening, frustrating and confusing at the same time.
All she could do was be patient.
Unfortunately, patience wasn't one of her strong suits and never would be.
However, there was something else that puzzled Anna. It haunted her at the same time. Volva would repeatedly tell her that any seer worth their salt would witness their death.
Anna knew what kind of life she would prefer.
She wanted to marry Kristoff, have some children and grow old together.
She wanted to watch fondly from the balcony of the palace as their grandchildren played together in the gardens, shrieking with laughter. She wanted to hold hands with Kristoff as they lay in bed together, side by side, closing their eyes peacefully.
For the last time.
Even when her abilities were suppressed, she should have gotten SOMETHING.
Anna would witness what would eventually happen to people like Matthias, Kai and Gerda. She would see unhelpfully vague HINTS of Elsa and Kristoff's future.
But of her inevitable end...there was no sign.