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**Disclaimer: The following chapter contains elements of abuse and legal allegations regarding violence. Reader discretion is advised. **
Elsa stood in the dungeon stairway, peering out one of the windows that lined the fjord. Behind her, Mattias handed a pile of clean linens to Dominic through the cell bars while reading the prisoner his rites. The sound of clothing sliding across skin met Elsa's ears.
"Has my father arrived yet?" Dominic asked.
Elsa turned around, somewhat surprised by the flatness of his tone. "No, he hasn't," she responded. She clasped her hands together. "The trial will continue at the designated time regardless of his presence or not."
Dominic straightened a cuff silently. He stared at the floor. "If he's not here yet, then he's not coming at all," he said quietly. Mattias and Elsa exchanged startled glances.
"Any information you indulge in our presence can and will be used against you during the trial," Mattias warned, his dark brown eyes focusing on the young man before him.
The prisoner turned around while straightening his shirt collar. "Then I better tell the truth," he replied. Elsa felt a flicker of surprise go through her chest, but she kept her facial expression neutral. She had gone down to the dungeon with Mattias as an extra safeguard just in case Dominic had something up his sleeve. However, as she watched him straighten his cream-colored shirt, she observed that Dominic was behaving in the same manner he had with Marie: desolate, defeated.
Elsa took in a deep breath. He's fooled us before, she thought to herself, taking a step forward. We can't be too careful. The nightmare she had of killing him flashed across her mind. She let that anger surge her forward as she raised a hand into the air. "Take one step out of line," she seethed, her hand igniting with ice. Dominic suddenly grimaced as the wound on his torso began to thaw. He clung to the cell's stone wall, an exasperated laugh escaping him.
"You never cease to amaze me," he rasped. She withdrew her hand and nodded to Mattias, who reached for a set of keys on his belt. Dominic placed his hands on the wall as the general unlocked the cell. The prisoner was cuffed with heavy iron bands and pulled by the arm out of the cell. Mattias motioned to Elsa to lead the way up the dungeon stairs, to which she complied. As they ascended the stairs, the temperature increased, the humidity beginning to cling to the stone walls. She heard Dominic grunt behind her. "You could always use your powers to cool the courtroom down," he suggested.
"Quiet," Mattias snarled, gripping him even more tightly by the arm.
Elsa raised her hand. "You're right. I could use my powers," she replied, flicking her fingers. A loud groan of pain erupted from Dominic as she slightly thawed his wound once more. She peered back at him, a slight smile coming over her lips.
An hour passed. Elsa watched as Anna peered at the courtroom through a crack in the courtroom's council room. Elsa did not have to look to understand that the courtroom was packed. Anna sighed and shut the door. "Entertainment at its finest," the young queen muttered over the copious number of voices.
Elsa nodded. "It's an exciting week for certain." She gave her sister a comforting look. Anna was dressed in the same dark green and black dress she wore for her coronation, along with a copper-colored crown. Pride swelled in Elsa's heart for her sister, for she looked radiant and regal. Elsa was dressed in a dark grey dress that she often wore in business meetings.
Anna briefly touched the crown on her head. "It's time," she stated. A guard opened the door to the courtroom.
"All rise," Mattias commanded loudly on the other side of the door. Elsa followed her sister out of the back room and was immediately hit with a heatwave. Arendellian citizens, Northuldra and rock trolls alike were packed into the pews of the courtroom, with many people standing by the walls as well. The courtroom was about the size of the chapel. Every window was open to try and get as much fresh air as possible, but with the sheer amount of people along with the rising temperature outside, it was in vain. Anna made her way to a long table on the left side of the courtroom as people shuffled to their feet. The queen flung her cape to the side as she stood in front of the throne. She sat down, Elsa following suit in a smaller chair next to her. "You may be seated," Mattias said.
Elsa's eyes searched the front row, which was reserved for those who would be giving statements. Marie was seated next to Kristoff, along with Meghan. The two women caught each other's gazes. The foreigner's shoulders were tense, but Marie kept a calm expression on her face. Elsa recalled that Marie had mentioned that this was not her first time in a courtroom. Curiosity swirled within Elsa's chest, along with a racing heart upon looking at Marie.
A beam of sunlight hit Anna directly in the eyes as she settled into her throne. Beads of sweat began forming on the queen's forehead. She looked pointedly at Elsa and Marie, quietly mouthing the words, "Would you mind?" to the two women. Marie and Elsa rose and made their way to the blinding window. They faced each other, each raising a hand and placing it on the window. Their pointer fingers touched briefly, causing Elsa's entire body to throb. A thin layer of ice suddenly coated the walls and windows of the entire courtroom, while a layer of darkness formed over the windows, shielding the sunlight without dimming the room entirely. A collective sigh rang throughout the room, and Elsa and Marie smiled at each other. They looked over at Anna, who nodded her approval. The two women slid their hands off the window, Elsa briefly touching Marie's hand in the process. They made their way back to their seats. Elsa smoothed her dark grey dress as she stood in front of her chair. She looked over at Marie, who was still standing and was waiting for Elsa to sit before she did. Elsa could not help but smile tenderly as she sat down. Kristoff playfully nudged Marie with his shoulder when she sat down.
To their right sat the council. Mattias opened a side door in the courtroom and stuck his head through, his voice sounding on the other side. He stepped out and opened the door widely. Two guards stepped through, each holding Dominic firmly by an arm. Suddenly the courtroom was filled with jeers and shouts. Alarm filled Elsa, but she remained calm, looking to her sister. Anna rose abruptly and raised her hands in the air. The room quieted down in response to her gesture. She narrowed her eyes. "Those who interrupt or prevent those involved in the trial from being heard will be forced to leave." Anna settled back down, the entire courtroom falling silent.
Elsa remained stone faced even though she felt worried for her sister. She hasn't been the same since speaking to that guard this morning, Elsa thought to herself. What was said that could be so upsetting to her?
Bjorn Sigurdson rose from the council's table as Dominic was escorted to a podium that lied adjacent to the pews. The lawyer looked over to Anna, who nodded. Bjorn set a pile of papers down on the council table and eyed its contents before walking a few paces towards Dominic. "On the afternoon of June 15th, you, Dominic of Weselton, attempted to assassinate Her Majesty, Queen Anna of Arendelle, Queen Elsa, Lady Marie, along with your personal guard, Daniel Adiyodi, and the guards that captured you on that same afternoon." Bjorn paused, eyeing Dominic. Elsa watched Dominic's reaction the entire time Bjorn was speaking. Although he showed no remorse, he also did not show any anger or any sense of malice. He seemed tense, but Elsa noted that the blood that soaked through his shirt from the wound on his torso was most likely the reason why. She looked over at the front row. Marie squeezed Meghan's shoulder as the teen visibly trembled and stared at Dominic. Any worry that Elsa felt for Marie quickly subsided by the fire that burned in Marie's eyes. It was a fire that burned in the foreigner whenever she was around those whom she wanted or felt as though she should protect, especially children. It was a trait that Elsa loved very dearly. Elsa looked over at Kristoff. The same expression that covered his face was the same as it was right before Anna had punched Hans several years before.
Bjorn spread the papers out on the council table and shifted his weight from one leg to another. Anna held her head high, her expression completely focused. "At this time, you will be questioned. Keep in mind that the charges against you will stand regardless." Dominic scoffed and looked at the floor, his eyes darkening. Bjorn faced him. "You recently became Duke of Weselton, correct?"
"That is correct," Dominic replied.
"And you came to Arendelle to supposedly set up trading policies with Her Majesty and to pay your respects to Her and Sir Kristoff on the notion that you would not be able to attend their wedding, correct?"
Dominic narrowed his eyes, inciting murmurs in the crowd. "Her Majesty and I did set up new trading policies between our kingdoms. My personal motives do not change that."
"But you still planned on assassinating Queen Elsa and Lady Marie regardless of these policies," Bjorn argued. "No doubt the upheaval from such events would have halted any sort of trade or business between Weselton and Arendelle."
"No," Dominic retorted. More murmurs echoed throughout the courtroom. "My father came up with those policies. I acted on my own accord."
"Go on," Bjorn said.
Elsa leaned over to her sister, whispering, "Why doesn't he have his own lawyer?"
"They didn't show," Anna whispered back, her eyes never leaving the stand. A thousand questions swirled around inside of Elsa's mind, but she grew silent as Dominic began speaking.
"My grandfather, along with Marie's grandfather, were chosen to rebalance the light and dark. They failed, which caused Marie's grandfather to be sent back to his world. My grandfather was obsessed with magic, which caused my own father to have a hatred for anything magical. That is why he had such animosity towards Elsa during her coronation." The courtroom buzzed with numerous whispers in response. Dominic continued, "My father saw that Elsa was able to control her powers and wanted to reestablished trade with Arendelle. He did not know that I was The Grey."
"What is The Grey?" Bjorn asked.
"The Grey is responsible for taking over for one of the chosen if they fail or cannot control their magic." The prisoner looked over at Marie, his face full of contempt. Elsa immediately tensed and began rising, but Anna set a hand on Elsa's forearm, stopping her. Anna and Dominic made eye contact. He blinked and took in a deep breath. "I took Marie's magic from her over the course of my stay. My plan was to take that magic power to wipe out magic from this realm."
"What do you mean by "wipe out"?" Bjorn asked, raising the volume of his voice when the courtroom buzzed with numerous whispers.
Dominic closed his eyes and scoffed. "I sent a small brigade to invade the Enchanted Forest once I had gotten the magic power I stole." He paused, his jaw twisting. "I planned to destroy the spirits of the Enchanted Forest after killing Elsa and Marie."
The courtroom erupted with shock. Elsa's mouth hung open. She did not expect Dominic to be so cooperative, let alone tell the truth. Anna stood and raised her right hand once more. The room quieted down as she said sternly, "I will not ask again for this room to remain silent." She sat back down, her demeanor calm.
The prisoner stared at the back wall of the courtroom in response to the jeers. He raised an eyebrow, seemingly waiting to continue. As the room quieted, he rolled his shoulders. "The magic I stole from Marie was very hard to control. I temporarily lost control of it, and it latched onto the nearest conduit." Elsa briefly looked at Meghan, who trembled. Marie gave her a comforting squeeze. "I attempted to kill Marie and Elsa at the castle but was stopped by Her Majesty." He looked at Anna for a second before looking away, his jaw twisting once more. "Her Majesty stopped my brigade before they even set foot in The Enchanted Forest, so I broke out of jail and abducted Marie along with my personal guard, Daniel." For the first time, regret flashed across Dominic's face. He continued, his eyes staring down at the podium before him. "I…threatened to kill Daniel so Marie would give me the rest of her magic. I knew if Marie did not have any magic power, she would either be sent back to her world, or would die. My grandfather explained the logistics to me. But Marie sent a warning to Elsa." He shifted his weight. "I was defeated by them both. Any magical ability that I once possessed I no longer have." His eyes landed on Marie. "She made sure of that." He looked over at Elsa. "They both did."
Bjorn rubbed the dark circles under his tired eyes. "So, you no longer possess the ability to wield magic?" he asked.
Dominic chuckled. "You think I'd be here if I did?" When the lawyer glared at him in response, Dominic shook his head. "No, I don't. My role as The Grey is over. I was defeated." His gaze fell to the floor. "And now, I'm abandoned."
Murmurs once again buzzed around the courtroom. Elsa turned towards her sister. "What does he mean?" she asked quietly.
Anna did not respond. "Mister Sigurdson, please proceed," she ordered. He nodded. Dominic was escorted down from the podium and Meghan was brought forth. She gave her statement about what had happened to her when the dark magic temporarily left Dominic and latched onto her. Kristoff then gave his statement about apprehending the small brigade, giving the full list of those who had aided Dominic. Daniel also gave a statement, attesting to being abducted and tortured to make Marie give up her magic. Marie took the stand next, her demeanor professional and poised. Elsa again felt curiosity gnaw within her once more. Marie's cadence behind the stand was not one of novelty. When had she done this before, and why?
Marie explained in full detail the story of her abduction, sometimes pausing when describing what was done to her and Daniel. Anna squeezed Elsa's hand. Although Elsa had seen everything through the last of Marie's dark power, hearing the way Marie's voice trembled as she told the story made Elsa shake. When asked if she was certain that she had taken all her power back, Marie lifted her hand and conjured a small dark ball. She explained what Grand Pabbie had told her and the rest of the group the day before and offered to test Dominic herself. The courtroom buzzed in a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Anna stood and motioned towards Dominic. "Bring him forward," she commanded. Mattias and another guard each grabbed Dominic's arm and dragged him to the front of the courtroom.
Anna stood a few paces in front of him. "This is what happens when someone is a conduit of magic." She turned towards Meghan. "If you don't mind," she insisted. Marie formed a small dark ball in her hand and waited for Meghan to make her way to the front of the courtroom. Anna squeezed the teen's shoulder assuredly.
It's probably best if Anna doesn't reveal that she's also a conduit, Elsa thought to herself. Marie flicked her fingers, sending the ball straight for Meghan, who caught it. The crowd gasped. At first, Meghan trembled, causing the dark ball to spasm and contort as her emotions surged. Elsa took a step forward, resting her hand on Meghan's shoulder. "Look," the mage urged gently, looking at the crowd. "They aren't afraid." Meghan looked at her with wide eyes. Elsa was right. The crowd was not afraid of the display of magic, rather, they were full of awe and buzzed with excitement.
The teen looked down at the dark ball in her hands. "It's so warm," she said quietly. Marie held out her hand and smiled just as warmly. Meghan handed the ball back and Marie dissipated it.
Anna turned to Dominic. "Raise your hands," she commanded.
He shook his head. "I don't want that magic of hers," he spat.
Anna sighed. "Elsa." Elsa immediately began to thaw his wound. He nearly fell to the floor in pain. "Raise your hands," the young queen repeated. Mattias pulled him up to his feet and shoved him forward. Dominic gritted his teeth, slowly raising his cuffed hands. Marie launched a dark ball straight for his chest. Dominic was immediately slammed into the podium as it hit him squarely in the chest, nearly knocking the podium over.
Marie closed her fist. "That felt good," she muttered to Elsa. A loud grunt of pure rage came out of Dominic as he struggled back to his feet. Elsa instantly ignited her hands with her magic and took a defensive stance. The crowd suddenly hummed, filling the courtroom with an excited buzz. Confused, Elsa turned her head to the side. Darkness coated Marie's body like a flame, pulsing and slithering over her skin as though it were alive. She threw her hands down, conjuring two dark blades. The darkness formed from the tips of her fingertips and grew in length, moving in a similar way that water flowed. One shielded Meghan, and the other shielded Anna. Elsa felt a surge of emotion pound throughout her body. She lowered her hands, a fond expression falling over her face.
"COOL!" Ryder shouted from the second row. He slapped his hands over his mouth. "Sorry."
Dominic was pulled to his feet by two guards. His face twisted as he looked down at the floor. "Have you finished having fun yet?" he spat. The guards gripped his arms tighter. "It's over…" He closed his eyes. "I've lost." The crowd erupted with cheers. Marie took in a deep breath and withdrew, the darkness flickering out on her like a flame on a candle.
Anna motioned with her head for Dominic to be brought away. "The verdict will be announced later today in the town square," the queen called out. She flicked the cape of her dark green dress behind her. "Court is adjourned." Elsa began to follow her sister as Anna and the council started for the council room at the back of the courtroom. When the crowd of people in the court room did not show any signs of leaving, Elsa raised her hand and flicked it, dissipating the icy sheet she had coated the walls with. Marie followed suit and dissipated the dark layer that shielded the sun's rays. Immediately, a collective groan filled the room.
Elsa gave a nod of appreciation to a council member who held the door of the council room open for her. She started to pull out a chair but hesitated when she noticed that her sister did not seat herself. In fact, Anna had her back turned towards the council members. Bjorn shut the door and hobbled over to the table, his brow already sweating. Anna turned around to face them. "Your Majesty, I think we all can agree that we want to know what was said to you in regards of Westleton's involvement, or lack thereof," Bjorn said. Murmurs of agreement sounded from the dozen council members.
The young queen squeezed her hands in front of her but smiled briefly. "Very well," she said. "As you know, we reached out to Westleton regarding the fate of their duke and those who sided with him on his attempted coup. We finally received word from them right before trial began." The feeling that something heavy had been weighing on her sister filled Elsa once more as she listened to Anna speak. Anna took in a deep breath. "They request the staff that were involved be sent back to them. They will handle the prosecution themselves. As for Dominic…" She hesitated.
Bjorn and the other members exchanged glances. "What is it, Your Majesty?" he asked.
Anna looked the council members in the eyes. "Westleton has abandoned him. If Dominic is to be sent back to Westleton, he will be executed upon arrival."
Elsa exhaled. Suddenly, everything made sense. "And if he isn't?" the mage asked, already suspecting what her sister had to say.
"I told Dominic of his possible fate," Anna began explaining, her hand running along the back of the large oak chair in front of her. "I told him that if he confessed to all of his crimes, he would not be sent back to Westleton, rather, his life would be spared, and he would be imprisoned for life in Arendelle."
To no one's surprise, Bjorn slammed one of his fists down on the red table before him. "You went to the prosecuted before going to your own council first?!" he shouted.
Anna narrowed her eyes. "I suggest you control your temper," she said in a low tone. "There was no way of knowing if he would comply or not. But he did. I cannot go back on my word."
"Your Majesty, you are letting pity and compassion cloud your judgment!" Bjorn cried, although his voice was not as loud as before. "What of the attempts at your life that this man has made? On your sister, on Lady Marie, on everyone? Your father revoked King Runeard's execution laws, but you have the power to put those back into place! Yet you are choosing to spare Dominic's life?! I thought your past misjudgments on young men were just bouts of naïve youth, but I see now that the pattern is continuing within your reign!"
A council woman set her hand on Bjorn's shoulder. "Mister Sigurdson," she said to calm him.
"What I think Mister Sigurdson is trying to say," Elsa began, pointedly casting him a firm expression, "is that legally, the decision to take his life is the Queen's." Bjorn opened his mouth, to which Elsa interjected, "with or without council."
Anna momentarily closed her eyes. "My decision is final," she stated. "We will send everyone but Dominic back to Westleton, and he will remain imprisoned for life in Arendelle with no chance at parole or bail. You are dismissed." Slowly, the council members shuffled out of the room.
Bjorn scoffed and hobbled towards the door. "I hope this phase of yours does not cause Arendelle anymore grievances," he spat.
"Out," Anna ordered firmly. He obeyed, but not without scoffing and huffing on his way out of the room. Elsa gave each member a nod of polite dismissal before starting for the door herself. "Stay," she heard from behind her. The mage shut the door, leaving only the two of them within the room. She turned to see Anna rubbing her scalp below the crown.
"It gets heavy sometimes," Elsa offered gently, attempting to catch her sister's gaze.
"Tch, yeah," Anna muttered. She set the crown down on the table and ran a finger along its edges. A few moments of silence tore between them before Anna spoke quietly, "It seemed so easy in the moment…"
Elsa tilted her head. "What did?"
"Almost killing him." Anna looked at her. "Did it not?"
A pain shot through Elsa. She sat down and stared at the curved patterns of wood on the table. "Yes," she answered truthfully. "If Marie hadn't stopped me, it would have been easy. So easy…" She took a breath in, narrowing her eyes in thought. "We were threatened. He was trying to kill us. In the moment, our instincts kicked in to protect us and those we love." Elsa looked up at her sister. "He was a powerful threat, Anna."
"And now, he is powerless." Anna placed her fingertips within the crown and pressed them against the table. "You're right. In the moment, it felt so easy, so automatic."
Elsa leaned forward to look at her. "That doesn't make it any less hard to bear," she reminded her gently.
A stressful laugh escaped Anna, and she quickly wiped away a couple of tears that had been waiting to leak out of her eyes. "I can't do it, Elsa. I can't kill him."
"You won't be the one killing him," Elsa replied.
"How can you say that?!" Anna yelled. "Westleton gave me the responsibility of handling his fate! Sending a man to his death is the same as killing him in this case! It's up to me to decide whether a man dies! Killing him when he tried to kill us seemed so easy but killing him now that he is powerless feels wrong." When Elsa opened her mouth to respond, Anna interrupted. "I've trusted you when all you had to go on was a feeling. What, are you going to start spouting out some sexist comments about the mistakes I've made?"
Elsa flinched slightly. "No," she answered in a mixture of confusion and refinement.
"You gave me this responsibility, Elsa! You're the one that dropped this position on me and LEFT! So don't you dare sit here and try to lecture me about who's responsible for what when you are the one who has abandoned ALL responsibility for someone else to deal with!" Anna took a step forward but stopped herself, her chest heaving. "You have NO right. None." She whipped around and fervently wiped away tears that were spilling from her eyes. Elsa slowly stood, silence tearing between them once more. She reached out a hand but withdrew when Anna jerked away from her.
Elsa clasped her hands in front of her. "I gave you the crown because you are the best thing for Arendelle. I have always known that, and you have proven that once again. Mother and Father would be proud." Elsa opened the door, her heart lurching within her chest as her sister's sobs filled her ears. "As am I," she finished before stepping through.
Sweat poured down Marie's forehead. She was in the castle courtyard facing a wooden training mannequin. It was currently leaning to the side, the afternoon sun beating down on its many markings where Marie had stricken it. She flicked the wooden sword in her hand to the side, clenching the hilt. It's been a couple hours since they've posted the sentencing, she thought to herself. A scoff escaped her, and she readied her body into a fighting stance. So why am I so…so…? Marie lunged forward, going straight for the mannequin's neck. …angry?! She flicked the sword to the side once more as she heard the wooden head hit the stony ground.
"Um…" Marie flinched and whipped around when she heard someone speak. Meghan stood on the outskirts of the courtyard, her eyes wide. "Is this a bad time?" she asked uncomfortably.
"No! Not at all!" Marie's eyes watched as the mannequin's head rolled into some grass and came to a stop. She chuckled sheepishly. "I just had to blow off some steam. What's up?"
Meghan tucked a strand of her bright red hair behind her ear. "I know I said that I didn't want anything to do with magic, or being a conduit, but…" She stepped into the sunlight. "Will you teach me how to control it? Your magic feels so much different than-…" The teenager's voice trailed off as she hugged her forearms. "I just want to try."
A fond smile came over Marie's face. "Of course," she said, motioning to a bench nearby. They sat down and Marie lifted her hands. "Although, I wouldn't say magic is something you can control." Darkness began to seep from her fingertips, forming a ball. "Think of it as an extension of who you are, how you feel." She handed it over to Meghan, who was watching eagerly. "Here." Meghan gasped as the ball of darkness floated above her palms. Marie conjured another ball in her own hands. For the next few minutes, Meghan imitated Marie as she formed the dark ball into several different shapes. Although Meghan could not make the dark ball grow, she was able to imitate several shapes perfectly. The anger that Marie had felt coursing throughout her was starting to subside. "Let's try something from memory," Marie suggested.
Meghan shifted her weight on the bench and furrowed her eyebrows as she moved her hands around. She was not afraid to let the darkness touch her skin, instead of having it levitate like before. She pinched her fingers as though she was working with clay. Slowly, Marie began to recognize the shape of a rose. The teen held it in her hands as though it was a newborn animal. "How's this?"
"That's amazing!" Marie exclaimed, unable to stop herself from bouncing in excitement. "You're a fast learner!"
Meghan brought her new creation close to her chest shyly. "Elsa is able to create things that come alive," the teenager said, looking at Marie expectedly. "Can you do that?"
A flicker of surprise dashed through Marie's chest. "I guess I've never tried it before," she said honestly. She took in a deep breath, holding her palms open in front of her. "Elsa created Olaf when she thought of the snowman she and Anna would build as children." She cupped her hands together, darkness seeping through her fingers. "Maybe if I thought of a fond memory, like memory of a pet…" Marie closed her eyes. Several memories of childhood pets swam across her mind, but no matter how much she tried to focus, her thoughts kept going back to Elsa. Marie felt her chest flutter, and she opened her eyes and leaned in towards her cupped hands. I'll try that trick that she did last night, Marie thought to herself. She breathed into the small space in her hands and leaned back. Slowly, she opened her palms and gasped.
A small bird perched on her palm. It was about the size of a sparrow, and its entire body was made of darkness except for its eyes, which, just like the core of the weapons Marie had made, were made of light. It tilted its head to look at her, the darkness flowing around its body like a mist. Meghan gasped loudly and covered her mouth. "It's so CUTE!" she squealed.
Marie was dumbfounded. She blinked rapidly as it turned its little body to observe them both. "Y-yeah…" she managed to stammer. "I didn't think that would actually work."
The bird opened its mouth and let out a melodious chirp. Meghan gasped once more. "I don't think I've ever heard a bird that sounds like that before!"
Marie was still shocked. "I based it off of a parakeet, or budgie," she said, bringing her hands closer to her face so she could get a better look. "It kind of looks more like a sparrow, but it sounds just like a budgie." A swell of emotion swept through her. "I…created life," she said softly.
Suddenly, the bird launched its body into the air and flew away. Marie and Meghan whipped around to see where it had flown. Marie felt her heart race as Elsa stepped out from behind a stone pillar that lined the castle courtyard, the bird settling on top of her head. Marie stood. The foreigner scratched her head sheepishly. "I made that," she said, still unable to grasp the entirety of those words.
Elsa chuckled and coaxed the creature onto her pointer finger. "It's beautiful," she said. It chirped and nibbled softly on Elsa's finger, causing her to laugh. "Hello," Elsa said, bringing her finger closer to her face. "You sure are a happy little bird, aren't you?"
A giggle sounded from behind the courtyard walls. Olaf stepped out into the courtyard, immediately gasping upon seeing the dark bird. Before he could speak, the bird flew over to him and landed on his head, pulling at the tendrils of hair that poked out from his frozen head. "Aren't you just the cutest thing!" he exclaimed. He gently urged the bird onto his stick hands and peered at it. "What's your name?"
"I haven't thought of one yet," Marie chimed.
Elsa looked away thoughtfully. The corner of her mouth raised slightly in a smile. "What about Twamley?"
""Twamley?"" Marie and Meghan asked simultaneously.
Elsa clasped her hands in front of her body. "It was written on a piece of paper in the pocket of the jacket you wore when you arrived in Arendelle," she explained.
"Ah, I see," Marie said. "The campus building that I meant to call." She gazed at the bird, who was watching all of them curiously. "Twamley it is."
Olaf lifted the bird. "Stepbrother!" he exclaimed excitedly. Marie blushed and looked away. "Let me show you the castle. Ooh, and the town." He trotted off with Twamley happily perched on his head. "Ooh! And maybe even the beach and the Enchanted Forest and-" His voice trailed off as both magical beings disappeared into the castle.
"I better go," Meghan said, dipping her head. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Marie replied. The teenager departed, leaving Elsa and Marie alone. They looked at one another and smiled shyly. Elsa made her way over to the mannequin's head in the grass.
"Did you do this?" she asked.
"Yeah," Marie said in exhaustion. She sat back down on the bench. "I…was feeling some big emotions."
Elsa sat down next to her and touched Marie's hand. "Me, too," she said quietly. She squeezed Marie's hand. "Anna said some pretty intense things to me, but I feel it was warranted." When Marie gently grunted in a mixture of surprise and scorn, Elsa shook her head. "It's okay. I could tell she needed to say what she said. I don't blame her or hold anything against her. I tried to comfort her, but I could tell she wanted some space from me for a while."
Marie leaned into Elsa. "That doesn't make it easier," she said gently. "She'll come around. I know she will."
Elsa smiled and pressed the side of her face against Marie's. "She had me dethaw Dominic's wound. Saving him from being executed doesn't mean he gets off completely." Marie looked away, her brows furrowed. Elsa looked at her and squeezed her hand. "Is something on your mind?"
A deep sigh escaped Marie when she felt the inside of her chest tighten from anxiety. "I've been trying to pinpoint why I'm feeling so angry," she said while smoothing out a wrinkle on her dress. "I'm happy that he's going to be locked up. I just-…" She squeezed her forearms. "I think this whole situation brought up bad memories for me. I've been to court before…against my father." Elsa sucked in a quiet breath but remained silent. "After him and my mom separated, he stalked us. I had to fight just to get an order of protection against him, but he wasn't charged with anything else. No matter what I did, no matter what evidence I brought forth, the court system didn't do anything. And it wasn't just him. I reported other situations, and-…" Marie shook. "Nothing was done. Every time. I felt powerless. When I heard of Dominic's sentencing, I was relieved, but also angry. Not about his sentencing, but at all the times I tried to do something, and nothing was done. No justice was served."
She flinched slightly when Elsa wove her fingers between Marie's. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," Elsa said. "It sounds like you're feeling righteous anger over all those injustices, of never having experienced it for yourself until now."
Marie slumped back against the bench. "I'm glad he's locked up. I'm just…going through a lot right now."
Suddenly Elsa stood. She held out a hand to Marie. "Come with me. I want to show you something." Marie took her hand, completely puzzled. She let Elsa lead her into the town, and they nodded politely and greeted the townspeople as they passed. She thought about asking Elsa where she was taking her but decided to remain silent. They approached a large stone complex, and Marie read a sign that was posted outside of the building. It read: Arendelle Manor. Elsa opened the front door. Marie was immediately hit with the scent of a hospital and old flowers. "Hello, Lucy," Elsa greeted to a woman dressed in a white uniform.
"Hello, Your Highness!" The woman smiled widely despite the tired circles under her eyes. "And you must be Lady Marie!" She bowed slightly. "Pleasure to meet you. What can I do for you today?"
"We're just stopping by," Elsa replied. Lucy nodded and departed, giving them both a wide smile before going and assisting an old woman out of a chair. Elsa's eyes scanned the dozen of people who were in the mess hall. "This is Arendelle Manor, a place where the elderly can come and live, and a place where the sick can recover if they can't be alone." She gestured with her head to a man who was sitting in the back of the yellow room. "See that man over there?" she asked Marie, her voice hushed even though they were the only two people in the entryway. Marie nodded. The man Elsa had pointed out was only a middle-aged man. His grey hair was as disheveled as the deck of cards that lay in front of him at the table he sat at. Marie felt a pit form in her stomach when she looked at the expression that came over Elsa's face. It was one of practice, one that Marie recognized as an expression that had to be forced to hide certain emotions, one that both women used frequently in situations pertaining to business. Elsa clasped her hands tightly in front her. "His name is Drew Rutfield. He's in here…because I almost killed him."
