19
It was a breezy autumn day, yet Anna and her company prepared to dress themselves for winter weather. She, Kristoff, Olaf, General Mattias, Daniel and Dominic had been following Honeymaren through the Enchanted Forest for over an hour and had reached their destination. As everyone dropped their packs off their backs and began putting on winter clothes, Anna stole away from the group to peer through the trees that awaited them. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder. "It's gotten bigger," Kristoff noted. Anna felt her throat tighten.
"Well, it's no surprise," Dominic said from behind.
Mattias jabbed him with the hilt of his sword. "Shut up," he hissed. The general sighed heavily as he sheathed his weapon. "Why did we have to bring him again? I've grown tired of his endless commentary."
"Because," Anna said while taking out a thick tan winter coat. "There could be a chance that he could sense some of Marie's magic."
A hush fell over the group. Dominic shifted. "I meant no offense," he said to Anna. The queen simply turned around and faced the tree line Honeymaren had brought them to.
It had been over a year since the events of the wedding. For several months, Arendelle had exhausted every resource into finding Marie, or any trace of her, but to no avail. There was nothing. The trees rustled as another breeze blew by. "Is everyone ready?" Anna asked. She could not hold back the pure exhaustion that crept into her voice. Everyone nodded. She took a deep breath and stepped through the tree line.
It was like being in a different world. A definitive line stretched across the forest, one side being of autumn weather, the other side of a cold, deadly still winter. As the group stepped into the winter abyss, another hush fell over them. Even after a year, Anna could not get used to the winter dome that greeted them with its cold fangs.
Elsa had been at the forefront of every search party. Even though everyone saw that Marie had been pulled through the rift, Elsa still led each search party for several months, desperate to find any trace of her. Anna sighed heavily, her eyes lowered to the ground.
And then it happened; Twamley disappeared. The little dark bird had fallen motionless right after Marie was pulled through. No amount of darkness or magic of any kind revived him, not even magic from the rock trolls. He was kept in a little nest made from Marie's clothing that was left behind, tucked near the window in Anna and Kristoff's room. The queen gripped the straps on her backpack tightly. The consensus was that as long as Twamley still existed, Marie could still be alive. But one morning, he was gone without a trace. Anna felt immense sadness as the memories swam around in her mind. The look that had encompassed Elsa's eyes was one Anna would never forget. A part of Elsa retreated inward and never came back out.
The group climbed a hill and stopped briefly to take in the view. Kristoff gave Anna a side hug. Before them stood a log cabin, the very same one that Marie had drawn up for Arendelle's class over a year ago. Elsa had it built on the outskirts of the Enchanted Forest, halfway between Ahtohallan and Arendelle. There was a river that ran along the bottom of the hill and into the forest that stretched behind the cabin. It was beautiful. The group approached the cabin and lingered by the maple front door. Anna took off a wool mitten and knocked.
After a few moments, the door opened. Elsa peered out from behind it. Her hair was disheveled, and her face was gaunt. She appeared to have lost even more weight from her grief. Anna felt a pain in her stomach as she looked into her sister's numb, dissociative eyes. It brought Anna right back to when Elsa had pushed her away for all those years as they grew up. The thought left Anna momentarily speechless, and she found herself struggling to know what to say.
Olaf brushed past Anna and softly nudged the door open wide enough for him to be able to give Elsa a hug. For a moment, warmth spread across her face. "Hello," she greeted quietly, her voice cracking slightly.
"Hey!" Honeymaren greeted back. "Long time, no see!"
Mattias bowed slightly. "Your Highness."
Dominic looked over his shoulder coolly. "Nice place you got here."
Elsa looked at her sister, her expression as numb as the look in her eyes. "Why is he here?"
"And that makes everyone!" Olaf piped up. He began counting his little stick fingers. "Kristoff asked why at breakfast yesterday morning, Daniel asked while we were unlocking the cell, General Mattias asked at the castle gates as we were leaving, Honeymaren asked when we reached The Northuldra camp, and you asked just now! Oh." He scratched his head. "I guess I never asked…Why is he here, Anna?"
A round of chuckles spread across the group. Anna squatted down to Olaf's level and rubbed the top of his head fondly. She was grateful that he had gotten her sister to smile, even for a second. "He's here because I came up with a new plan." She rose and looked at Elsa. "May we come in? We can talk about it inside out of the cold."
Elsa instinctively drew the door closed so only an inch of her face was visible. "We've tried everything." Her voice was so quiet that Anna barely heard it.
"I know, but this time, it's different." Anna took a step forward. "At least hear what we have to say." Elsa hesitated.
Before Anna could stop him, Daniel suddenly pushed past her. "What happened to you?" he demanded, his voice sounding deeper and angrier than Anna had ever heard it. "You were the one who searched for her tirelessly, who never gave up hope that she was still out there alive, even though…" His voice broke and he paused for a moment. Anna flinched when he slammed a fist on the door. Everyone grew still. Daniel clenched his fist even tighter. "I thought you'd stop at nothing to find her, but when we came all this way to try again, you hesitate?!" He gritted his teeth. "I thought you loved her."
A blast of ice shot from the door and hit Daniel squarely in the chest, sending him flying backward. His body rolled several feet through the snow before coming to a stop. "HEY!" Dominic screamed, charging toward Elsa.
"Easy," Mattias said as he caught Dominic. For once, his voice held no malice. It was gentle. Dominic stopped but jerked out of Mattias's hands and scoffed, turning away.
The door was wide open as Elsa pointed a shaky finger at Daniel. Her voice shook in pure anger as she said, "Don't you EVER say that I don't love her." Each word was said slowly and pointedly. Her face twisted with emotion. "Ever."
Suddenly, Anna felt her dark blade move from her side. The entire group froze as the sword flung itself towards the door, stabbing itself into it. Kristoff blinked. "Well, that's new."
Elsa gasped, her eyes watering as she reached for the sword. As she wrapped her hand around the hilt, the darkness ran over her fingers ever so softly. Tears spilled down her face. "Marie…" Elsa held the blade up to her forehead, holding what was left of Marie's magic close.
Daniel coughed on his hands and knees. He looked up at Dominic, who was standing by his side. "It worked," he said proudly.
"Idiot," Dominic spat, squatting his friend on the back of the head. He held out a hand to help Daniel up.
"How did you know that would work?" Honeymaren asked, sounding slightly impressed.
Daniel rubbed his chest. "I didn't. But I figured if Elsa grew furious enough, Marie's magic might respond."
"So, the first thing you attacked was Elsa's feelings for Marie." Mattias rubbed behind his eyes. "Stupid. Brave, but stupid."
"Wait, what?" Anna whipped her head back and forth between people. "This was all planned?"
"No," Daniel said innocently. "I really got mad." He scratched his head. "I'm sorry, Elsa. Please hear us out. We think something might happen this time."
Dominic crossed his arms, his cool demeanor back. "Something already has happened," he commented.
Kristoff rubbed his cold hands together. "He's got a theory," he said to Elsa.
Before Dominic could respond, Mattias cleared his throat. "Your Highness, we should get indoors," he said to Anna. He shivered. "The temperature dropped when Queen Elsa got upset." Anna looked at her sister, who nodded and stepped aside, inviting the group inside. She quietly shut the door behind them, the sound of it echoing throughout the empty, cold house. Anna held in her breath for a moment upon entering. Although beautifully furnished, the house was still and cold with the curtains drawn. To the left was a fireplace nestled perpendicular to the front door with a rocking chair and couch perched in front of it. On the right was the kitchen where Elsa lingered with her back turned to the group. Anna walked up to her and put a hand on Elsa's shoulder. She gave her sister a small smile, trying not to let the emptiness of the place fill her.
Mattias blocked the stairway that led upstairs when Dominic wandered around the living room. "Don't get any ideas about running off," the general warned.
Dominic gestured in compliance. "And go where? Outside where you'll be able to track my steps in the snow and into a literal Enchanted Forest with, my personal favorite, magical spirits? No thanks. I'll stick to where I know I'll get fed."
Kristoff picked up a few pieces of firewood next to the fireplace. "That's the smartest thing you've said all day," he mumbled. He looked at Elsa. "I'm going to start a fire, and then we can talk about our plan." Soon, warmth seeped into every cold crevice, and the group sat in front of the fire to warm up. Elsa remained near the kitchen counter, her body now facing the side instead of away from them. Anna squeezed her shoulder before retreating to the fire.
"Plus," Dominic continued, "where would I go? I've been exiled from my home, and I don't know these parts well enough to-"
"Enough." Elsa turned towards the group, her arms crossed tensely across her small chest. "Tell me of this plan," she said softly, her voice barely holding any confidence.
Kristoff poked the fire with a stoker while Anna warmed her hands in front of the flames. She gently nudged Olaf away when he curiously wandered too close. "I know we've tried before, but-"
"We've brought Twamley, the sword, The Grey, Olaf, Marie's belongings, conduits, all separate and together, to both the rock trolls and Ahtohallan." Elsa looked each person in the eye while speaking. She clenched her fists as she tried to hold back tears. "We've tried everything, so what else could we possibly do? I was at Ahtohallan yesterday, and-"
"Wait, what?" Anna shot to her feet. "You went to Ahtohallan again? You know how dangerous that is, Elsa! You're supposed to tell someone you're going there in case something happens!" Anna clutched the jacket she was wearing. "I almost lost you to Ahtohallan once..." When silence met her, Anna pressed, "How many times have you gone without telling anyone?"
Elsa turned away, her eyes squinting with guilt. "It doesn't matter," she muttered.
""It doesn't matter?"" Anna repeated loudly, panic swirling within her. "Elsa, it DOES matter! What happens if you go too far? You aren't afraid to tell us not to go too far into Ahtohallan, but you play with your fate every time you go there alone!"
Olaf bounced nervously. "The fire isn't the only thing heating up this place," he forcibly chuckled.
Kristoff rose and stood in between the sisters. "Let's not forget why we came here, okay? Marie wouldn't want us to fight."
"Marie also wouldn't want Elsa to go too far into Ahtohallan," Anna spat back.
Dominic let out a long whistle while Daniel scratched his face nervously. "I kinda have to agree with Anna on this one," Daniel piped up bravely. When the two sisters glared at him, he held up his hands in defeat and shrunk back.
"Can we talk about the plan now?" Dominic asked, rolling his eyes. "As entertaining as this is, I-"
""Quiet,"" both Mattias and Elsa said at the same time. The prisoner obeyed, but not without scowling.
Anna took a deep breath, her heartbeat slowing. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm just worried about you. I love you, Elsa." Elsa nodded but remained tense. Anna sighed. "Okay, so this plan might sound crazy, but…" She paused, gesturing in a circular motion as she tried to find the right words. "Olaf is with because he had the closest bond with Twamley, what with being a creation of yours like Twamley was to Marie, so if there's a chance Twamley exists, Olaf will be able to sense him."
Elsa dug her nails into her arms which were still crossed. "We've already tried that."
"I know!" Anna replied quickly, almost impatiently. "Dominic is with because he's The Grey, even though he's been stripped of all magical ability and can't really sense any magic at all anymore…" Dominic narrowed his eyes in irritation but remained quiet.
"Again," Elsa said, "we've tried this."
"I know!" Anna replied again. She fiddled with her hands. "There's something we haven't tried yet, something that might work…" Elsa blinked, waiting for her sister to continue. Anna looked at her. "I need to stab you with Marie's dark sword."
The fire crackled in the background. Elsa nearly laughed, thinking it was a joke. When Anna stared at her with determined eyes, Elsa scoffed. "You can't be serious," she remarked. When everyone simply stared at her in response, Elsa rubbed behind her eyes. "Explain to me why this is an idea in the first place."
"Think about it!" Anna exclaimed. "I'm the only one who can wield it." She paused to go pick up the dark blade, which Elsa had set down on the kitchen counter. The young queen laid it out on her hands and looked down at it. It was not solid, rather the darkness was fluid and nearly flowing to form the shape of a blade. At its core was a sliver of light glowing as dim as an ember, but glowing, nonetheless. Anna held it out in front of the group. "Even though whenever I do wield it, it doesn't feel like mine, rather, just a thing that I can touch, nothing more."
Anna looked over at Dominic and nodded. He stood up straight from leaning against the side of the fireplace and looked at Elsa. "I have a theory," he said. "There's the Light, the Dark, and the Grey. As we all know, and like to remind me constantly, the Grey can be eliminated if the other two magic wielders are strong enough on their own. But look at the sword." He stepped towards the sword in Anna's hands, causing Daniel and Mattias to immediately stand and ready themselves. Dominic rolled his eyes. "Look, guys, it's the same as last time," he seethed, quickly running a hand right through the sword. "I can't do anything." Daniel sat back down while Mattias remained standing. Dominic rolled his eyes but continued. "There's a light core, meaning there's both dark and light magic here."
"What does that mean?" Honeymaren asked, approaching Anna to come look at the sword. "That Marie had both all along?"
"Possibly," Dominic replied. "My theory is that in order to properly wield dark magic, you must be able to wield light magic." His face soured momentarily. "That's probably why I lost control of it."
Elsa took a step forward. "You lost control because you aren't as strong as Marie." She narrowed her eyes. "You never will be."
"Ooh, I think I get it!" Olaf piped up, grabbing the stoker. He pointed to the burning wood. "It's like wood and fire! The wood has to be dry enough for the fire to burn." He poked it in a childish vigor, prompting Kristoff to gently grab the stoker from the snowman. "If there's no wood, there's nothing to burn."
Everyone sat in confused silence. Mattias cleared his throat. "Perhaps thinking of it in terms of protection would make more sense," he suggested. "If one wears armor to battle, one is protected. However, if one doesn't, there is no protection."
Elsa walked away from the group, her hand rubbing her chin in thought. "So, Marie was protected from the darkness by the core of light that was always within her."
"Not always," Honeymaren said. "She nearly lost control of her powers when she thought you had died, remember?"
"Could it be the darkness itself?" Kristoff asked.
"What do you mean?" Elsa asked.
"Could the darkness have been protecting Marie by allowing some light? Because darkness cannot eliminate light, but light can eliminate darkness," Kristoff explained. "Maybe there's a balance of both to be able to wield either light or dark."
Daniel chuckled and looked at Dominic. "No wonder you lost."
"But why stab me?" Elsa asked.
"My theory is that the rift might open if all three forms of magic in this realm are in one person," Dominic said.
When Elsa stared at him, dumbfounded, Anna jumped in. "Think about it. The rift shows up wherever there's a lot of magic, right? I know that the sword won't hurt you because Marie never would." She gestured with the sword. "It's an extension of her. You'll absorb the magic, and bam! The rift shows up!"
"This is crazy," Elsa said, turning her back to the group. After a few seconds of silence, she asked, "Where do we do this?"
A night had passed. The group found themselves on Ahtohallan's frozen shore. They had borrowed a boat from the Northuldra while Elsa had ridden the Nokk. Anna stepped out of the boat, her feet cracking through the light layer of snow that had fallen on the mystical ice.
Honeymaren stared at the glacier with widened eyes. She tried to say something but was overcome with wonder. Elsa noticed and said, "Beautiful, isn't it?" Honeymaren said nothing in response and simply nodded.
"It's your first time here, isn't it?" Anna asked, trying to sound optimistic. She tucked a red strand of hair behind her ear. "I thought it was a river like the song said until Elsa told me about it." She picked up her backpack from the boat and swung it on her shoulders. "Dive down deep into her sound, but not too far or you'll be drowned."
Behind her, Dominic let out a tch. "Sounds safe," he mumbled.
"Quiet," Mattias said. "And don't even think about running off through the rift or anywhere else." Anna cast a glance at her prisoner. That thought had crossed her mind as well.
Dominic rolled his eyes. "Yet again, I can't even touch the rift. No magical abilities. Plus, I wouldn't do that." He looked at Anna, his eyes conveying an expression that made her turn away in haste.
I can't deal with this right now, she thought to herself. The young queen went to stand by her sister. Together, they gazed at the narrow entrance of Ahtohallan. "Is that where the rift opened the first time?" Anna asked.
Elsa exhaled, her eyes clouding over with a fondness that only one person could bring out. "Actually, the first time was in Arendelle when Marie and I were five." She walked to the entrance and ran her hand over the ice. Sadness soon clouded her. Her hand slid from the ice. "Be honest with me, Anna," she said quietly. "Do you think she's alive?"
Anna paused for a moment to think as the group joined them. "Do you remember that you two almost died before passing through the rift?" She rested a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Maybe it happened again. Plus, Twamley was still with us for a while." When Elsa looked at her with even more sadness, Anna waved her hands in the air. "Not that he doesn't exist now! He could be here for all we know!" She inwardly chastised herself as she grew quiet.
Elsa turned to face her. "Then you have to stab me with the sword." Her voice was confident, the most confident Anna had heard it in over a year.
The young queen withdrew her dark blade and walked a few feet away, running her hand through the darkness. It was heavy, but contained a warmth that Anna could only describe as calming and pensive. It was undoubtably Marie's essence. Anna stared at the blade, hesitating. Olaf came up to Anna's side. "Maybe this is what you were meant to do," he said in a serious tone. Anna's face twisted in confusion. "Not the stabbing part, but the conduit part."
"I agree," Kristoff said, joining Olaf. "I don't think it's a coincidence that you are not only someone who can wield that sword but are the only one who can." He rubbed her upper back. "I think this is what you were meant to do."
"Anna, I'll be fine," Elsa reassured her. She faced her, her eyes locked on her sister confidently.
Anna steadied her shaking hands. "Okay, you got this," she said to herself, holding the sword in front of her. "Just stab your sister. No big deal. Just stab her." She shook her head vigorously to focus. "Come on. You got this."
"You can do it!" Honeymaren cheered.
"For Arendelle, and Marie!" Mattias joined in.
"Go Anna!" Daniel shouted.
"Am I allowed to cheer for her stabbing someone?" Dominic asked.
"I love you, Anna. Everything will be fine," Kristoff said.
Anna took a deep breath and gripped the sword tightly, her body tensing in preparation. "Wait!" Olaf cried out. Anna nearly tripped. He ran up to Elsa and hugged her tightly. Elsa froze for a second before hugging him back. He looked up at her. "Think of stepbrother, too," he said with a shaky voice. Elsa nodded.
Anna readied herself again. She lifted the sword and braced herself. "You ready?" she asked her sister.
Elsa stood with such determination that it gave everyone confidence. "I'm ready," she replied. Anna gripped the sword, and with a huff, she charged forward and ran the dark sword through Elsa's chest.
A blast of magic exploded upon impact. Everyone was thrown back several feet. Anna steadied herself as best as she could on the ice as the air whipped around them wildly. She squinted and gripped the ground. The air escaped her as she took in the sight before her. Elsa was standing, her chest ignited with light. Both darkness and light swirled around her. She lifted her hands and let out some ice magic. It spun around Elsa in fervor. Anna managed to stand, her feet sliding back with every attempted step. She shielded her face as the magic whipped around them. "Elsa!" she cried out.
A loud boom! thundered through the air as all three magics combined above Elsa. That sound: Anna recognized it. It could only be one thing. The rift spasmed and twisted above them as all three magics intertwined and shot through it. A piercing screech filled the air. Anna gasped, her eyes widening. A creature of pure magic formed in the rift, pushing its way out. It cried out again, revealing two giant wings made of light and darkness as it shot through the rift. It landed between Elsa and the rest of the group, flapping its large magical wings.
"Stepbrother!" Olaf yelled out, running forward. Anna caught the snowman as the magical phoenix cried out again. Anna flinched and gritted her teeth as she held Olaf. The sound was deafening.
Elsa shielded her face from the magic that was still swirling around them. She lowered her arm and stepped forward. She held out a hand. The phoenix flapped its wings, sending Elsa's loose hair to whip around her face, but she pressed on. Anna watched as Elsa inched forward, her icy magic forming on her palm. The phoenix flailed, but as Elsa got closer, it began to grow still. Elsa placed her hand above its beak. She smiled as tears filled her eyes. "Twamley," she said. Magic flowed from her hand and ran over Twamley's body. Anna could only stare in amazement as ice formed individual feathers on Twamley's wings and body. His body was mostly darkness, with light making up his spine, the shafts of his feathers, and his eyes. Anna slowly approached them, her eyes never leaving the magical phoenix before her. Twamley drew in his wings and tilted his head, his purely light eyes blinking upon seeing Anna. The young queen lifted her hand. Twamley lowered his head and met her hand with his beak, his eyes closing momentarily.
Olaf waddled up, waving his hands excitedly. "I knew you'd come back!" Twamley tugged at Olaf's twig hairs on his head fondly before returning his gaze to Elsa. Olaf slouched. "But you have to go…"
Elsa touched Twamley's head once more and looked at Anna. A wave of emotion welled behind her eyes and gripped her throat, but she swallowed the lump in her throat and ran to the boat. She grabbed her backpack and sprinted back to Elsa. "Take this with you," she explained, looking down at the bag. "There's some of Mother's jewelry that you could sell, and there's some food and clothing in there, too." She took a step back and looked back at the group.
Kristoff approached first, giving Elsa a hug. "Take care of yourself, okay?" Elsa nodded and hugged him back.
Mattias bowed. "Be safe. Marie's world sounds dangerous," he said, trying to hide the emotion that made his voice crack. Elsa nodded.
Honeymaren walked up to Elsa, but stopped in front of her, looking down at her hands. "Tell her hello for me," she managed to say. She flinched when Elsa embraced her tightly.
"Thank you for everything," Elsa said softly. Honeymaren hugged her back.
Daniel approached, scratching his chin. "Find her," he said shakily. "For all of us." Dominic gave a nod in agreement. Elsa hugged Daniel, nodding.
Anna held back tears as she gripped her sister's hands. Elsa gripped her hands back tightly. "Anna, there could be a chance that I never come b-"
"We'll see each other again, okay?" Hot tears ran down Anna's face, despite her trying to hold them back. She shook Elsa's hands. "You'll come back."
Elsa embraced her. They hugged for nearly a minute, Anna trying desperately to hold it together. "I love you," Elsa said. She climbed on Twamley's back, wiping a few tears that had escaped her eyes.
Anna wiped her snotty nose. "I love you, too," Anna said. Twamley cawed loudly and spread his wings, lifting them into the air. They rose with each magnificent flap of his wings and flew through the rift, disappearing. As it closed, Anna fell into her Kristoff's arms, holding back her tears no longer.
