Hello, if this is your first time reading one of my stories centered around Frozen then you should know that this is the only one that matters. This is a rewrite and final draft of a book I've been working on for over a decade, while the original is still on my page, I very much consider this version superior and prefer it as my own canon. But if making comparisons between the two is something you enjoy then you are more than welcome to do so.
To those of you who are returning readers from the previous version know this: this version will follow many of the same beats as the original but there will also be a lot of differences and at the same time more substance to the narrative. Characters may have altered personalities and names while events may play out differently, but I hope you'll find there is more to enjoy overall.
As a last note I would ask that any returning readers who see where the story is going try to minimize spoilers for new readers by keeping their questions to private messaging rather than the reviews.
That is all I will say now, please enjoy:
Frozen: The Crocus and the Crow
Chapter 1: A Stranger in Arendelle
Just over two years have passed since the Great Thaw. Arendelle prospered under Elsa's rule, just as it had under her father, despite having broken ties with their former ally the dukedom of Weselton. Gone was the gulf that had separated queen and princess, as sisters they discovered the true meaning of selfless love and a home within each other. But now something stirred in the young queen's heart; a longing that had occupied her thoughts for some time, a longing that was inextricably linked to her powers.
She stood on the Balcony of her study now, looking out at the city for some time before turning her palms upwards and running a hand over the other as she studied her pale skin. So lost in thought she was that she failed to notice Anna creeping up behind her with a devious expression. Elsa was knocked from her musings when her sister seized her from behind in a tight hug before lifting her slightly off the ground.
After a short gasp followed by laughter Elsa tried and failed to sound annoyed, "Anna! What are you doing!?"
Anna swung her back and forth, "Taking Advantage of you not paying attention so I can hit you with a surprise attack!"
She could no longer contain her own laughter, "Ok! Ok! I'm defeated, I yield!"
They both laughed as Anna relented, setting her back down so they could face one another. With a satisfied smile the princess dusted her hands before resting them on her hips, "Now what are you doing up here all by yourself? The city won't fall apart if you stop staring at it."
She rolled her eyes, "I'm fine Anna, I was just thinking is all."
Anna rolled her own eyes in return and chuckled, "Thinking. Thinking. 'Thinking' like you've been all week?"
Elsa shook her head, "Honestly it's nothing, I don't even remember what it was about."
The princess raised an eyebrow, she remained unconvinced. "Well...I just wanted to remind you that Kristoff, Olaf and Sven will be back today."
"My, three weeks went by fast."
Anna then took her hands in her own, "But. We still have some time before they get back, so why don't you tell me all about what's bothering you."
"Anna, I told you it was-"
She was stopped short by her sister's disbelieving smirk; Elsa knew she wasn't a good liar, surrendering to her sister's persistence, she smiled, "Very well." she looked down at their joined hands before breathing in deeply and looking up at her with troubled eyes, "What am I Anna?"
Anna was stunned by the question, her eyes darted side to side before smiling and shrugging, "My sister. The queen of Arendelle. Really, really pretty...really pale." Elsa smiled half heartedly at her sister's levity, the princess gripped her hands tighter and spoke more genuinely, "You are the most amazing person I know, the best friend anyone could ask for and the best ruler any kingdom could ever have...do you need to be anything else?"
"Need? No, but..." A small frustrated sigh escaped as her eyes wandered.
Anna tilted her head to catch her gaze, "This is about your powers, isn't it."
Elsa met her eyes and smiled, "Anna you helped me gain control of my powers, conquer my fear. You don't know how freeing that day was for me." She released her sister's hands and her smile faded as she moved towards the balcony, once again looking down at her palms with forlorn eyes, "But I still feel trapped by the thought that as far as I know; I'm the only person in the world with these powers. Why do I have these powers? Where did they come from and am I the only one?" she closed her fists and looked to the horizon, "Is there someone out there like me, going through what I went through…and do they feel the same way?"
Anna walked to her sister, placing a hand on her shoulder to turn her back, "The whole world knows about your powers now Elsa and I think whoever it is that's out there, is probably searching for you right now." Elsa's eyes were filled with some hope at her sister's words, the princess smiled wider as she took her sister's hand, shaking it lightly, "We figured this out Elsa, we'll figure this out too."
She smiled back, "Okay Anna."
There was a knock on the door that startled them both. Anna released Elsa's hand who cleared her throat before straightening herself, "Come in."
The door opened and the castle overseer stepped through and bowed, "Your majesties."
Elsa smiled, "Kai, is something wrong?"
"Not as yet your majesty but I have received a report from the city watch I feel compelled to share."
She clasped her hands behind her back, "Go on."
"Some hours ago, a merchant vessel arrived at harbor and apparently a 'vagabond' disembarked from the vessel, who we now know had bartered for passage here to Arendelle. The man was described to be wearing a hooded cloak that concealed most of his personage, but the guard could see he was armed with a weapon at his side."
Anna looked to Elsa who slowly nodded her understanding, "And you believe this man to be a threat to Arendelle's security?"
"I cannot say as to whether or not they are a threat, only that they have the potential to be. Perhaps they are simply passing through, or perhaps not.
She brought her hands forward, interlocking her fingers, "Very well. Have the guards extend an invitation to this 'vagabond'. That the queen of Arendelle requires an audience."
"At once your majesty." he bowed before exiting the room.
Elsa inhaled as she turned back to her sister, "Well it seems I must attend to a potential 'ruffian'."
Anna intertwined her arm with her sister's "Mind if I tag along?" Before Elsa could speak against it, she held up her other hand, "I promise I'll behave."
"You better." The queen smiled, giving Anna's hand a light squeeze as they left the study to await their 'guest' in the throne room.
OoO
Aldren watched from beneath his hood as the innkeep counted the coins. Finishing, he weighed the money in his hand, "A bit short for one of the nicer rooms and-"
"I'm not picky."
The landlord huffed slightly before pulling a key from his belt and pointing, "Head upstairs, take a left and it'll be the third door on the right, it's a bit run down but it's a roof over your head...might I ask who is staying?"
"You might." he said, taking the key and moving past the landlord.
Before he could leave entirely the innkeep called out, "You come to Arendelle to meet the queen?"
He turned back to him, his brow furrowed, "I highly doubt her majesty would have any time nor desire to meet someone of my standing."
The man shrugged, "Wouldn't be hard, she's out in the city often."
"Even so, why should I want to meet her?"
He looked at him in disbelief, "You must be living under a deep sea rock if you haven't heard."
Aldren rolled his eyes, "Ah yes, these tales I've heard about her, 'fantastic powers.'"
"Seeing is believing."
"I've seen quite a lot, I doubt anything here will surprise me."
He laughed slightly, "Alright then stranger, you'll see soon enough. Oh! And between us, you might want to get those looked at." he pointed to his own eye.
Aldren smiled dryly and tilted his head, "I'm afraid the doctor's tell me it's terminal."
The landlord's expression dropped slightly as he turned away, "Oh...sorry to hear, that's too bad."
"Indeed." he said under his breath as he took his leave. Following the directions, he reached the room and as expected it was in need of some serious upkeep, but it would do. A simple bed along with a desk and chair were all that occupied the room until he stepped in. Closing the door behind him he craned his neck from side to side and leaned against the door, breathing in the relief of solitude...
He sat to consider removing his boots when there was a firm knock on the door. He quietly groaned aloud, "Oh, for Valhalla's sake!" Reluctantly he stood to open the door, surprised to see five palace guards outside his door. He kept his head low but gave them a small smile, "Afternoon."
The one in front stepped forward, an unremarkable looking individual with pale skin, brown hair and eyes, "Afternoon, her majesty Queen Elsa requests your presence at the palace."
Aldren lifted his head ever so slightly towards the guards, glancing up and smirking at the ridiculous hat they all wore, "And what have I done to earn such a privilege in the short time I've been here?"
"Her majesty only wishes to speak with a new arrival in the kingdom of Arendelle." The guardsman's gloved hand moved upwards to the guard of his sword.
Aldren could feel the unease in them as he slowly scanned left to right, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. "You don't get many armed travelers through here, do you?" he stated coyly.
"This way please" the guard replied with a slight frown, gesturing for Aldren to follow.
He deeply sighed before nodding lazily, "Of course".
The guard in front turned heel, leading the way for Aldren to follow while the others flanked him. Eventually they reached the open gates of the castle courtyard past what looked to be a chapel of some kind. When they climbed the short steps to the palace doors the guard in front stopped and turned, holding out his hand
"Your sword please."
Aldren recognized that this was not a request and consented. He reached to his left side, causing the guards to all take a step back and tighten their grip on their own weapons. He held his free hand out where they could see, slowly unclasping the buckles beneath his cloak with the other, then placing the scabbard in the lead guard's hand.
Taking it in both hands the guard seemed surprised by how light the weapon was, despite being a large sword. He then partially unsheathed the blade revealing a series of elegant and foreign runes upon the gleaming blade just above the guard. The guard, rather than being rounded or blunt, was a cross composed of two edged spikes. The hilt was bound tightly with dark leather while the underside of the guard and the pommel were wrapped in steel sheets shaped in the likeness of autumn leaves. When the guard's eyes continued to linger on the weapon in fascination Aldren cleared his throat, "Before you kiss my sword you should know that she's seeing someone."
Flustered, the guard grimaced slightly, "It's an aggressive looking weapon."
He smiled slightly, "Well…we are made for each other."
The guard eyed him suspiciously but said nothing as he opened the doors and gestured for him to follow.
Aldren couldn't recall ever hearing of this queen Elsa until recently, the eldest daughter of the deceased king and queen. He had heard the stories about her on his voyage to the northern kingdom; some that she was a sorceress of overwhelming power, others that she was a winter witch with flesh made of snow and a heart of pure ice. Such stories about royals and other people of high station were often wild exaggerations or lies of ego, but experience had taught him to regard both rumors and magic with respect and caution. In any case, the truth would be revealed to him soon enough.
The doors to the throne room were opened before him and he spotted several more guards that lined the hall on the path to the queen's seat. When he turned his head to the throne he was admittedly caught off guard, the woman that sat there was to put it bluntly… beautiful. Her body which sat tall and erect in a regal yet reserved manner, was wrapped in a sparkling teal dress that fit her slender form perfectly. Her eyes were a brilliant icy blue that watched him with both curiosity and suspicion. Her platinum blonde hair, bound in a lengthy braid rested over her shoulder to nearly match her snow white skin. To describe her aloud would be to embarrass himself like a smitten schoolboy, even if she lacked magical abilities, she certainly evoked the spirit of winter's beauty in visage alone if nothing else.
So striking was she that he nearly failed to notice the other two people that stood to either side of her; the first to her right was a rather plump man in a green tailcoat, likely the castle overseer. The other, a woman in a long-sleeved olive and green dress, her skin was similarly light but not nearly as pale and dotted with barely visible freckles, her eyes more green than blue with her auburn hair tied in two braids rather than one. The differences were negligible as she was nearly the spitting image of the queen, just as beautiful. Too old to be her daughter so he safely assumed them to be sisters, making her the princess.
He was halted a distance away from the throne as two guards still watched him from either side. The two monarchs smiled as the queen nodded. "Greetings traveler, I am Elsa, Queen of Arendelle and this is my sister Anna, the princess of Arendelle and we welcome you to our home."
Aldren bowed while keeping his head as low as possible. "Thank you, your majesties. Kind of you to have me brought to the castle with an escort, I've never felt safer."
She smirked slightly, seemingly amused despite the impudence of his comment. She rose from her seat and walked forward a few steps. "Please understand that having you brought here is only precautionary, we don't often receive travelers that we aren't already familiar with...or that come to our city so armed." she said, glancing at the sword her guard held in his hands, "A mercenary I would venture, yes?"
"My sword is for sale…from time to time."
Her eyes narrowed as she brought her hands together, "And were you hired to come here to Arendelle?"
"Ah...you wish to know if I'm here on 'business'?" he lifted his head a little higher towards her, "Well I'm not here to kill anyone today your majesty, least of all you."
The queen and her overseer shared a momentary glance, "That was one of my concerns...what is your name?" her tone softened again.
"Aldren, your majesty."
She raised an eyebrow, "Just 'Aldren'?"
He nodded. She looked off to the side briefly before looking back to him, "Aldren, that's an old name…an Arendellian name."
He gave no tells but he had tensed enough that she took notice. The smile returned to her face, "How long have you been away from home?"
He lowered his head, "Longer than you have reigned queen I imagine, much longer."
The queen was silent for a moment as she appeared to be contemplating before descending the steps to stand at his level, "Remove your hood please, I wish to see your face"
His head snapped back up before he sighed quietly, "May I ask why, your majesty?"
She lowered her gaze, "So that I may remember it."
He knew that he had no choice but to comply, reaching up he grabbed the edges of his hood, pulling it back...
OoO
Elsa took in the sight of the stranger; a young man, some years her senior maybe but no more, as tall and nearly as broad as Kristoff now that she was able to properly gauge his size. Short black hair covered his scalp while the skin of his tanned face was covered largely by an unkempt beard. But his most prominent feature, one that took her by utter surprise were his eyes. The irises were a bright, deep crimson that pierced through her, yet despite this she couldn't help but peer past the intensity of them and see all too familiar glints of anxiety.
She was caught staring as Aldren grinned knowingly, "I assure you they are real your majesty, a defect I was born with."
Elsa mentally shook herself from her short trance, "Oh-um, apologies."
His attention was drawn to the princess as she cleared her throat and took a few steps forward to stand next to her sister, "Um, you're very tan for an Arendellian too, most of us don't have that much color in our skin." she said with a nervous smile, trying her best to break up the silence.
He clasped his hands together, "It happens when one spends years away from the long snows of the north and more time on warmer seas. Or when one takes the time to go outside, your majesty." he said in a slightly teasing tone towards the queen.
She folded her arms and smirked, "I go outside quite regularly, good sir."
"So I've heard. How blessed the people of Arendelle must feel, being graced by your presence so regularly."
She remained untouched by his dry wit as she only smiled in return, "It is I who is blessed by their grace and love."
He smiled back, "Indeed."
She cocked her head, "What else did you hear?"
He shrugged, "Only good things I assure you, in any event I hope I've alleviated your concerns about me, your majesty."
She nodded, "You have."
He glanced at the guard behind Elsa holding his weapon, "May I ask that you return my sword before I take my leave?"
Raising her hand, the guards to his sides eased off, standing further back with hands off their weapons. She turned to the guard, "Arvid." He approached and handed the weapon off to her, holding it in both hands she began to transfer it to Aldren's. But just as he was about to grasp the scabbard she withdrew the weapon, denying him. Both he and her sister looked at her confused, Elsa now stared into his crimson eyes with such intent that he recoiled slightly, visibly unnerved as he took a step back.
She took a step forward, "Is there something else I should know about you, Aldren?"
He cocked his head, "Your majesty?".
"Your eyes. Is there something more attached to them?" She lowered her gaze, "I'm starting to think you know very well what I mean."
He grimaced, his eyes narrowed and his hands closed into fists at his sides, the princess noticed the growing tension and attempted to intervene, "Elsa."
She motioned to her sister to wait before returning to face Aldren, "It's a simple question, why should the answer be so complicated?"
The queen took a step forward, perhaps too quickly as he took another back and spoke in a guarded, hostile tone, "What game are you playing at?"
She spoke firmly, "I am not playing any 'game'."
He stood tall, his face showing obvious disdain as he held out his hand, "I'll ask again, your majesty. Return my weapon and I will take my leave of the palace and of Arendelle, it is clear enough I have already overstayed my welcome."
She stepped forward again, reaching her hand out, "I only want-"
He quickly recoiled his arm back, turning with his side to her now, his irises suddenly became alight with a bristling orange glow like that of hot coals. This prompted a reaction from the guard around the room in drawn weapons while closing the distance slightly. Aldren growled lowly, his eyes shifting between the guards closing in on him while the two sisters shared a look of astonishment at what they had seen in his eyes. He slowly lowered his gaze towards the royal sisters, "I think I know what it is you want! And I will not be exploited!"
She blinked, baffled by his sudden wrath, "Exploited?" What do you-" She stopped, suddenly focusing on something else between them, Aldren and the princess followed her gaze, spotting dust drifting down in front of them. The three looked upwards, all of them catching sight of a figure about to pounce down on them from the rafters above.
He shoved them both out of the way and jumped backwards himself, hearing a 'thunk' as a sharp sword bit into the floor where they had been standing. They looked upon a warrior in crimson red armor whose eyes and upper face were hidden by a steel helm while their mouth was exposed. Pale lips peeled back revealing the four canines lengthened into sharp fangs as they snarled first at him and then at the sisters, turning to attack them.
Elsa put Anna behind her, lowering her gaze she raised a hand to defend them but just before she could the sword in her other hand flew from its scabbard past the attacker. The attacker turned back to Aldren, next they heard a sharp gasp as a gleaming blade erupted from out of the attackers back. Aldren's free hand grasped the back of their neck as he drove the blade deeper, his teeth gritted in a snarl that lessened when he looked at them and the shock in their eyes. He moved his hand from their neck to push against their chest, removing the corpse from his blade. They had little time to process what had happened as the would-be assassin fell dead and several more dropped from above, enough to overwhelm the guards around them.
Aldren snatched his cloak from his shoulders, revealing his mercenary armor. " You should run!" he shouted to the queen and princess as he swung the cloak around the head of another assassin, blinding them and pulling them into his blade.
Without a second thought Elsa dropped the scabbard and grabbed her sister's arm, pulling her back towards Kai and a pair of guards, "Get her out of here!"
"Elsa what are you doing?!"
"Anna go! I'll be alright!"
As Kai and the guards ushered the princess to the outskirts of the battle, Elsa turned back to the conflict to see one of the assassins break past the defensive line the guards were trying to hold. Narrowing her eyes, she thrust her hands forward and a bolt of icy magic slammed into her assailant's chest, sending them wheeling through the air overhead of the fighting before crashing to the floor. She saw an attacker pushing one of her guards to the floor and lifting their weapon to kill them. Elsa fired a bolt of ice and knocked the weapon from his hands, then extended icy spikes from the floor that pinned his body to the wall behind him.
Striding out into the fray two more attackers charged her and so her hands, which glowed with power, thrust outwards once again.
OoO
Anna watched her sister in dread as Kai and the guards attempted to guide her away from the fighting to one of the side entrances. "This way princess!" But just as they would have reached the door another warrior dropped down from above directly in their path, standing a head taller than the guards as they rose to full height and clad in heavy armor wielding a large sickle in one hand. His armor was more worn and faded, though largely the same as the others.
The first of her guards charged the foe with sword in hand but the warrior simply avoided the attack and punched him across the jaw, knocking him to the floor. Kai pulled Anna back as the second guard engaged, only to have his weapon struck away and be slashed downward across the chest. The strike dropped the guard to his hands and knees after which the brute grabbed his head and threw him aside into one of the pillars.
The warrior started to close the distance between him and the princess as Kai shoved her behind him, "Your majesty, run!" As he turned, he was backhanded across the face with such force he flew into the stairs at the base of the throne and fell limp.
"Kai!" Anna wanted to go to his aide, but the assailant was between her and the overseer. As he stepped closer, he drew a second sickle from his back and Anna swallowed hard, paralyzed by fear despite knowing she should run. As he drew his weapons back to strike, the guard who had previously been punched to the floor, recovered and with a shout struck him across the shoulder. The warrior growled, stumbling slightly as sparks shot out from the steel. He quickly turned and blocked the guards' next strike with both weapons.
Anna was able to escape her fear and began searching quickly for anything she could use to help, she looked to one of the slain guards. Running over to the body she took up their sword as well as their dagger from its sheath. She turned back in time only to witness the warrior sweep the guards legs out from underneath him with one sickle and pin him to the floor through the chest with the other, then roar savagely into the face of the dying man.
She let out a shuddering gasp and the killer turned back to her, removing his weapon from the dead guard and striding towards her again. She held out the sword and dagger, unsure of how to wield them as her arms noticeably shook. The assassin smiled cruelly and laughed before easily knocking the sword from her grasp with his own weapon, leaving her with only the dagger, "Truagh! (Pitiful)"
As she backed up, she bumped into someone and looking over her shoulder she saw the back of another crimson armored enemy. Noticing her he attempted an awkward swing in her direction, but she ducked past him and ran into the crowd. This one gave chase and as she managed to weave her way to the other side of the battle, but he caught up and tripped her to the ground. He grabbed her arm and raising her to stand he pulled her close, drawing his weapon back to strike.
In a split-second reaction Anna cried out and stabbed her dagger into the attacker's neck with as much force as she could manage. As his grip on her arm failed, she fell back on her hands, the knife still in an iron grip as the blade left his neck. She breathed heavily as she watched him stumble back and grasp at the wound in his throat. The world around her seemed to slow in time as she witnessed the life leaving her attacker, the thought repeating in her mind over and over again, faster than she could truly process...she had just killed someone.
OoO
Aldren made his way across the throne room, methodically striking down any of the crimson attackers who tried to intercept him. He knew not what was occurring here or why but he had entertained this wretched place long enough. Just as he was nearing the door a last enemy locked blades with him, he responded with a quick jab to their throat. As they gasped for air he raised his weapon high and brought it down on their neck, dropping them to the floor. Rolling his shoulders he reached for the door when a terrified cry from a young voice caught his ear, he looked back to see the princess on her back facing away from him and a large warrior wielding dual sickles heading right for her.
He clenched his eyes shut and growled before turning to run back to the battle, "Dammit!"
OoO
Anna was brought back to reality by the sickly thud of her assailant's body against the ground, pushed aside by the larger foe. Anna tried to crawl backwards away from him, but he was quickly upon her, standing above he raised his weapons to crush her beneath their blades. Anna could feel her heart in her throat, her desperate breaths wracked her body as she raised her arms though knowing it would not save her, her eyes winced shut as she braced for the end.
But all that came was the sound of metal clanging and then screeching together, her eyes opened to see Aldren's blade stopping the two sickles just above her. Both warriors arms shook as they pushed against one another, the assassin snarled and looked at Aldren before his expression became shocked at his eyes. Aldren spoke through gritted teeth, "You and everyone else today!"
Taking advantage of their shock he shoved the assassin's weapons upward before delivering a hard hook with his free hand to his jaw. The blow sent the brute stumbling backwards several feet, dropping to one knee and releasing a weapon to hold a hand to his bleeding mouth.
While there was an opening Aldren turned to the princess and held a hand to her while keeping an eye on the enemy. Shakily she took his hand and he pulled her to her feet. They both looked to see the brute shake his head, spitting out a bloody fang before retrieving his other weapon and rising. Aldren looked over his shoulder at the shaken woman, he gently pushed her behind him, "Go. Get somewhere safe. I will handle this."
She nodded and obeyed, running to take cover behind one of the pillars at the sides of the throne room where she would be hidden but could still see Aldren. She watched as the assassin approached him.
Aldren turned back to his opponent who raised one of their sickles angrily towards him, "Eadar-theangair! (Interloper!)"
He smirked challengingly, holding his weapon forward in both hands, "I get that alot."
The brute swung his blades together, sparks flying from the impact before he roared and leaped forward to clash weapons with Aldren.
OoO
A red armored enemy was struck in the chest by magic that encased him in ice, Elsa used the wind to throw him upwards into the rafters-the ice around him shattering before he fell back to the floor. She peered behind her and gasped in horror when she saw Kai unmoving on the floor near the throne and the two guards dead. She couldn't see Anna and frantically searched the fighting for some sign that her sister was still here, that she was alright.
She found Anna. However, her fears were not alleviated at the sight of her sister watching from behind a pillar as Aldren dueled with an assassin who was much larger than the others. Without a second thought she ran into the fray, pushing past anyone that was in her way. Before she made it through one of them took a swing at her and she jumped out of the way, taking several steps back before firing two bolts from her hands. Her attack anticipated this and was able to avoid both projectiles, they then rushed forward - kicking her in the stomach. The blow knocked the wind from her, forcing her backwards and to her knees as the enemy raised his sword above her head. In a desperate move she spread ice across the floor underneath him causing him to lose his footing and fall forward.
It was now a race for who could make it to their feet first, Elsa struggling past the pain in her abdomen whilst her assailant slipped and flailed against the ice. She was up first while the assassin managed to get one knee under him and swung forward, but his arm was stopped dead; caught in her grasp. Ice spread from her hand across his gauntlet, freezing the armor before she gritted her teeth, squeezing down hard causing the frozen metal to crack and bend. He cried out in anguish as his grip on the weapon failed, only then she released his arm and he fell forward still moaning. She huffed angrily and swiped her arm sideways, a gust of wind tossing him away from her.
She immediately turned her focus back to reaching her sister across the room.
OoO
The brute swung down with both sickles and Aldren's blade met them before pushing back and swiping across his breastplate. His opponent attempted several frenzied strikes that he simply avoided, the last of which he caught against the end of his sword-allowing him to twist the weapon from their grasp. He struck down on the warrior who blocked his sword with the remaining sickle. Aldren then wedged his guard against the curve of the weapon and wrested that one from his grasp too. He drew back to thrust and finish his opponent, but the assassin managed to catch the blade under one arm and punched Aldren across the face before throwing the sword from his grasp.
Both unarmed now the brute grasped Aldren's neck and head butted him before seizing his head in both hands and hissing, attempting to squeeze the life from his skull. Aldren growled slightly before slamming both his arms downward on their forearms and uppercutting them. The foe lost his grip with one hand allowing Aldren to draw a dagger from his hip and slash at the hand as it reached for his head. As they reeled back, he drew a second dagger and sliced the hand still around his head. Free from their grasp he leaped forward and stabbed down into the brute's shoulder-forcing them to one knee. He drew back with the other blade and aimed for their throat but was thwarted when they lunged forward anyway and tackled him to the floor.
The dagger was knocked from his grasp and his enemy bared down on him with a snarl, trying to strangle him. Unable to loosen the tightening grip around his throat Aldren grabbed for the dagger still in the warrior's shoulder, but was unable to reach far enough. Running out of air and out of options, his eyes began to glow as they had. With sudden and terrible strength he reached for the brute's collar and pulled him in for a headbutt that left a crack in the helm. Dazed, his grip on Aldren's throat lessened. Aldren kicked him back and both rose to their feet. The brute attempted a punch with either hand, but both fists were caught in Aldren's grip.
A slight orange glow emanated from Aldren's palms and the surface of his foe's metal gloves began to scorch, making him roar in pain. Aldren released one of the fists and with a savage growl he threw a forceful punch straight into his chest that lifted the assassin off his feet as it dented the breastplate. The brute retained balance but had no time to recover as he was tackled to the ground by the Arendellian who held his collar with one hand and proceeded to deliver several brutal downwards strikes into his opponent's head with the other, leaving burning dents with every blow. Despite this the assassin managed to shove the Arendellian off with both hands before rising to his own feet, albeit uneasily.
Aldren rose to one knee to continue the assault when suddenly the brutes' back arched from the bright flash that exploded behind him and sent him flying over Aldren's head towards the room's entrance. His gaze followed the warrior's body as he rolled away. Slowly he looked up from his place on the floor, surprised to see queen Elsa breathing heavily as she gripped his sword tightly in her hands with both the blade and guard emitting a bright blue glow that slowly dimmed.
With Aldren and Elsa's combined strengths, along with that final stroke, the battle in the throne room had been won. Aldren's eyes remained locked on his sword in her hands before shifting to the further evidence of her power around the room. He looked back to her, some awe showing in his eyes at the realization that all he'd heard was true. Then he remembered what was happening before all this occurred and, lowering his chin, he turned away to hide his eyes from her. Elsa looked away from him to her sister who nodded back and so the queen moved to aid her wounded guards.
Aldren then looked to the princess as she slowly emerged from her place behind the pillar to stand next to him. Horror lingered in her eyes as she looked out at the carnage and pain. He noticed her right arm shaking especially and looking down he saw the knife she held in a white knuckle grip, the blade still slick with blood. Slowly he reached to grasp around her hand and as he did her free hand shot to his wrist in defense. She stared through him, tears brimming in her eyes as her breath quickened again.
He gave her a reassuring glance as he moved to gently pry the knife from her grasp, tossing it away. He grasped her quivering hand and as she gripped back he looked to her weary face, seeing a speckled streak of blood run diagonally across her skin. He reached his free hand up to brush a strand of her hair away and try to wipe some of the blood. He spoke as softly as he could to try and soothe her, "You're alright, you're alright…it's over now."
With a shaky breath she released his hand to grasp her own wrist while he rubbed her back gently. Looking forward he saw the queen approach with his sword still in hand, her eyes held a mix of concern for her sister and suspicion towards him. He responded to neither, instead turning away towards the body of the brute to retrieve his knife.
As he moved away Elsa rushed to her sister and looked her over for any injuries, "Are you hurt?" noticing the blood she went to rub it away with her sleeve while searching for a wound on her face or neck.
Anna shook her head, "N-no Elsa it's...not mine." The Elder sister paused and nodded slowly, Anna steadied her breaths, "I'm okay, Elsa, really. You?"
"I'm fine Anna." Elsa pulled her close with her free arm and breathed a sigh of relief. She then turned to the remaining guards, "Bring reinforcements and get aid for the wounded!" At her command two of the guards quickly left the room to do so.
The sisters shared another look of relief before they turned to Aldren who had returned with his knife from the defeated assassin. Elsa's eyes narrowed at the sight of the dagger in his hand, she looked back to him, "I didn't know you had those."
He looked down and wiped either side of the blade against his steel bracer, "With respect your majesty, your guards should have searched me better."
This comment evoked looks of offense and shame from Arvid and the remaining guards. Elsa then turned her attention to Kai who walked uneasily towards them while holding a hand over his injured eye and bloody nose, "Your majesties are you alright?"
She scoffed and approached, putting her hands on his shoulders, "We're fine Kai but you're going to see the physician with the others."
"Please your majesty I insist I'm fine-"
"And I insist that you take care of yourself." she stated firmly.
"Go Kai. We'll be alright." Anna added. The overseer nodded reluctantly, as a guard came to help him.
Aldren walked towards them with a small smile, "You're both uninjured, that is good."
He reached out to ask for his sword but she drew it back from him, his hand recoiled and he looked back to her with his smile fading. She only held his gaze as one of the guards brought her the weapons scabbard, taking it, she sheathed the weapon before handing it back to the guard. She brought her hands together, "Please find suitable accommodations for our guest to wait until I'm ready to speak to him again."
The guards began to close in on him, though as he looked at them they hesitated slightly. His eyes shifted to his sword and then to the queen. He could see in her eyes that looked between him and the dagger in his hands, she wondered if she had made a gamble she couldn't win.
Suddenly his smile returned as he flipped the blade around in his hand and held the handle out for a guard to take, "Of course." One of them took it and he bowed his head to them before turning to allow the guards to lead him from the throne room, casting one last glance to the queen before doing so.
The sisters watched him leave with the guards and as soon as he was out of earshot Anna who had regained her senses spoke out, "Elsa he saved my life! You wouldn't have reached me in time if it wasn't for him."
Elsa looked down as she considered her words before meeting her sister's gaze again, "That may be Anna, but until I know what role he may have played in what happened here I won't allow him to leave, nor walk the castle grounds armed. I'm doing this to keep us safe Anna, that is always my first concern."
"I know but-"
"Do you trust me?" she took her sister's hands in hers, looking her in the eye.
"You know I do." she said, almost offended.
Elsa nodded and motioned to a trusted guard, who quickly approached as she spoke to him, "Arvid, take five men and go to the ports to meet the ice harvesters when they return. Bring Kristoff, Olaf and Sven to the palace and if he argues tell him it is his queen's command, go."
He bowed and left her presence. Elsa turned toward the throne when she noticed one of the assassin's start to rise from the floor still alive who she recognized as the last that attempted to attack her directly. Three of her guards drew swords and prepared to finish him off.
"Stop!" she held out her hand, "I want him alive, take him to the dungeons and put him in chains."
Sheathing their swords, they grabbed the injured enemy by his arms and began dragging him from the room. Their attention turned back to the entrance when the large brute also stirred, crawling towards them to reach one of his sickles on the floor. She lowered her gaze and approached him with a guard on either side and, just as his hand grasped the weapon, he looked up at her, baring his teeth and growling. In response she made a ball of ice the size of a boulder and slammed it down into his head, the object shattered and left the warrior unconscious.
She kicked the sickle away from his hand, "Him too." she sneered.
As they moved in she noticed the chunks of ice closest to his head melting, she held out a hand, "Wait.'' They did so and she knelt down, reaching out a hand towards the assassin's helm but quickly withdrawing as she felt the lingering heat rising from the metal. She looked off in the direction Aldren had been escorted for a moment before rising and nodding to the guards to take the prisoner away.
She walked back to Anna, having given her last order for now, her eyes softened, and she pulled her sister into embrace, "It'll be alright Anna, I won't let anyone hurt us." she held her tighter, "I swear it."
Anna squeezed her back as her tears began to flow. Despite the conflict being over, her heart continued to race, she was no fool and she knew their luck...their troubles had only just begun.