Chapter Seventy One

The Warriors Reunited

ELSA

A tirade of confusion, dismay and horror filled Elsa as the door creaked open and in walked a cautious Eleanor, looking like a deer navigating through a forest infested with predators. Her heart leapt into her throat and immediately her hand swirled with particles of snow and ice, ready to strike at the tyrant who'd been responsible for sending them all into a downward spiral of chaos.

But Tracy was faster, her frame highlighted by a glowing ominous purple. "Bloody hell!" She swore, eyes going comically wide.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Kristoff's hand flew to the pistol at his hip and Anna spread her hands to halt him and everyone else.

"Stop!" Anna raised her voice. "Guys, just calm down!" Desperately, she glanced at Melody and Deirdre for assistance.

"She…she's with us," Melody said.

"I don't get it. Why?" Elsa fixed Eleanor with an icy glare, animosity burning in her veins. The last she'd seen Eleanor, the witch had been drunk and trying to seduce her back in the capital. "Why her? What is she doing here?"

"It's…it's a very long story." Deirdre muttered uncomfortably.

"Hell, I think we have time for this one." Janus growled, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"I knew this was a bad idea," Eleanor scowled at Melody and Deirdre.

"Everyone just stop and listen!" Anna looked very tired all of a sudden and sat down hard in one of the lounge's couch. "I was just waiting for the right moment to introduce her. Look, I don't like this any more than the rest of you, but we need every edge we can get against Kane and the emperor."

"I'm sorry, can you back up and explain what the hell this scumbag is doing here in the first place?" Tracy asked.

"Thanks. I'm standing right here." Eleanor said dryly.

"Shut up," Tracy said.

"Oh, you'd make me?" Eleanor taunted.

Tracy immediately rose to her feet and took a couple of steps toward Eleanor before she was stopped by Anna.

"What are you doing here, Eleanor?" Elsa asked acidly.

The ex-Empress showed her both hands. "Relax. I'm not here to kill any of you. Maybe you should listen to your baby sister for a change and you wouldn't find yourself stuck in my capital again, hmmn?"

"Not helping," Anna hissed.

Narrowing her eyes, Elsa's blood boiled.

"I suppose I should explain," Deirdre spoke up rather quietly. "She is my sister, after all."

"Aw, thanks sis." Eleanor said.

A pointed purple tendril shot out toward her and would've impaled her through the throat had it not stopped in mid air, hovering inches away from Eleanor's skin.

"One more wisecrack and you'll never make another again," Tracy warned. "Go ahead and try me, bitch."

"Tracy, don't. Please," Melody put a hand on her best friend's outstretched arm and lowered it. The tendril slowly vanished into thin air.

"After Maui died, we were stranded," Deirdre explained. "Eleanor's demon had been stripped from her by the emperor's demon and we had no way of getting back to the Coalition without her powers. But Eleanor told us about a temple up in the mountains. And there in the temple was a splinter cult called the Saints of Ka' Linx that used to be a part of the Crimson Order hundreds of years ago, just like the League was."

"So we struck a deal with Eleanor," Melody continued. "We would help her get up to the temple in the mountains, and in turn she would help us get back to the Coalition. The cult helped restore Eleanor's demon and she was true to her word."

"That still doesn't explain what she's still doing here," Kristoff had his arms folded with his usual guarded expression.

"Look, I don't know how I'm going to convince all of you, but she's changed," Deirdre defended her sister. "Before, her demon was responsible for corrupting her mind. But the cult managed to find a way to preserve her mind while letting her have access to her demon's powers."

"And what about before?" Elsa asked incredulously. "When she betrayed you and…arranged your parents' deaths?"

Scowling, Eleanor cast her eyes down, then spared Deirdre a pained glance. "This was a bad idea."

"No!" Deirdre hissed, then turned her attention back to the rest. "I of all people have a right to hate her for what she's done. She ruined my damn life. But she's proven herself these past weeks and saved us multiple times. Melody and I wouldn't have made it back to you if it weren't for her."

"Eleanor's sincere about wanting to help us. She was going to head back to the capital to try to kill Hans by herself but we convinced her otherwise," Melody added in confirmation. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I vouch for her."

"Me too," Anna sounded like she was having a hard time saying the words. "But I saw her on the wall yesterday fighting for us. She stopped the Exonian artillery from taking countless lives."

"I'm not asking anyone for forgiveness," Eleanor said gruffly. "Coz I know I don't deserve it. I know saying my demon's responsible for my actions sounds like an easy way out. But all I'm asking for is a chance. I want Hans to pay for all he's done, and I…I'm willing to make amends to see that happen."

"Please," Deirdre looked at everyone, then held Elsa's gaze. "I just want a chance to finally get to know my sister."

The hard knot in Elsa's heart softened at the fiery sorceress' words. The usually grumpy Deidre normally never bothered expressing her emotions like this. Elsa stared long and hard at Eleanor who shifted uncomfortably beneath her gaze as well as the others'. Could it really be that the woman who'd tried to kill them all and conquer half the continent had turned over a new leaf? Was redemption even possible for someone like her?

Elsa shifted her gaze to Deirdre. In a strange way, she'd always seen a bit of herself in Deirdre. Elemental sorceress with powers, uncertain of her place in the world. The difference being, Elsa had managed to develop a good relationship with her sister while Deirdre never got the chance to. How could she deny Deirdre that right when she herself had longed for a relationship like that for years?

"Fine," Tracy jabbed a finger at Eleanor. "But the second I smell a double cross, I'll make you wish you stayed away."

Eleanor narrowed her eyes but said nothing.

Glancing at Kristoff, Elsa noted that he still looked unconvinced, but he'd opted not to say anything too. And neither had Janus, who still studied Eleanor intensely. The truth was, she herself wasn't entirely convinced yet. She looked at her sister who met her gaze with pleading eyes.

Damn it, Elsa breathed out slowly. If Anna, Melody and Deirdre trust her, then that should be enough for me too, shouldn't it?

"Fine," she relented, regarding Eleanor with cutting eyes. "But Tracy's right. You'd better not even think about screwing with us, or you'll regret it."

Eleanor nodded sourly.

Barely satisfied, Elsa glanced at Janus whose hand had already been lowered from his belt.

"Alright then," Anna exhaled sharply in evident relief, rubbing both hands together. "Who wants an early breakfast?"

###

"I don't believe it," Elsa said quietly to Janus as they shared a steaming hot mug of coffee. "Maui's gone too."

Janus cast a subtle glance over his shoulder at where Melody and Tracy were speaking at the other side of the officers' mess. "Melody looks like she's taking it pretty hard."

Elsa nodded in agreement. "She does."

Janus lowered his voice. "Her hands were shaking. I've seen it before. She's suffering from some kind of trauma."

A pang of sympathy surged through Elsa as she looked over at Melody. She hadn't noticed her hands in the slightest but now that Janus mentioned it… "I should go talk to her." Ruffling his tousled hair, Elsa got to her feet and crossed the lounge, passing by where Anna, Kristoff and Deirdre were speaking. Eleanor had left earlier, and thankfully too, for Elsa wasn't particularly fond of her, to put it nicely. She came to where Melody and Deirdre were talking beside a billiard table and tried not to overhear what Tracy was saying but failed.

"You're gonna be alright," Tracy clapped her best friend on the shoulder. "This…whatever this is-" she gestured at Melody's hands. "You'll find a way to fix this. I know you will," She looked up to see Elsa standing at a respectable distance. "Looks like someone else wants to catch up with you," As she turned to go, she gave Elsa a somewhat worried look before slinking off.

"Hey," Elsa felt awkward all of a sudden. "I uh…"

"Want to talk about my hands?" Melody sounded annoyed. "Is it that obvious?"

"No," Elsa said quickly. "Tracy probably sensed it with her black magic. And Janus only noticed because…well, he's Janus."

Melody looked down at her quivering hands. "Well, I guess it is obvious."

"I'm sorry," Elsa looked at the archer with nothing but sympathy. "I don't mean to pretend like I know what you're going through, but I know what it's like to see someone you care about die."

"Will Daltrey?"

"Will Daltrey, Jordan…" Elsa swallowed. "Even Janus."

"Janus?" Melody darted a look over at where Janus was engaged in conversation with Anna, Kristoff, Tracy and Deirdre on the other side of the officers' mess. "I don't understand."

"It's a long story but we had to kill him then revive him to break the Mage Slayers' hold over his mind," Elsa shook her head. "What I meant was, I know the feeling of guilt. The feeling that I could've done more, done something differently even. But what's worse is knowing I can't change any of it."

Melody looked away from her hands, closing her eyes. "It's…it's too hard."

"I also know what a little trauma is like," At this, Melody opened her eyes abruptly and stared at her. "I was tortured by Hans and the Crimson Order for close to two weeks. My spirit was almost broken when Janus saved me, and it took me all this while to claw back the feeling that I was going to be okay,"

"Damn it," Melody whispered, meeting her eyes. "I'm sorry. I had no idea."

Elsa felt tears welling up in her eyes and breathed in deeply to compose herself. "So believe me when I say I get it. You're going through so much hurt and you don't know when you'll be okay. But it gets better. It will."

Melody's somewhat guarded features softened. "Apart from Deirdre, you might be the only one here who understands."

"I do, and I'm pretty sure Janus will too," Elsa said gently, putting a hand on Melody's shoulder. "We're all here to help you get through…whatever you're facing."

"I see him."

"Who?"

"Maui," It was Melody's turn to inhale deeply as she wiped her eyes. "I see him everywhere I go. He pops up and talks as though he never left."

Elsa didn't know what to say to that. She wanted to offer a response, but was afraid it wasn't the right thing to say. Is Maui now some kind of ghost?

"No, not a ghost," Melody said, almost as though she'd read Elsa's thoughts. "It's all in my mind, I'm sure of it. Even Holli said so. She says that this trauma I'm going through-" she lifted her hands slightly. "-is something that isn't just physical. It's psychological."

"But with your hands like this, what about…" Elsa trailed off. She didn't want to be insensitive, but what good would Melody be in the fight later on if she was physically incapacitated?

"Don't worry," Melody said. "Holli's offered me a temporary solution. I'll be able to fight and shoot just like I used to."

"The emphasis being temporary," Elsa looked worriedly at her friend. "You know you're going to have to find a more permanent solution."

"I know, I know," Melody sounded a little exasperated as she turned away. "Sorry," she said again after a long pause. "But I know. I'll have to figure this out on my own."

"Not necessarily," Elsa offered. "I can help you."

"With Hans still at large, you're going to have your hands full. Don't worry about me. I'll manage," Melody gave a forced smile. "I usually do."

Exchanging a warm embrace with her close friend, Elsa left Melody by the billiard table, still feeling empty. She wished she could find a way to help her, but she could sense that Melody was still clinging to her pride. The Danish princess wanted to work it out on her own, and Elsa supposed she could respect that. She only wished that Melody would willingly let her or someone else aid her in finding peace.

ANNA

"Wait, wait, so let me get this straight," Anna gawked at Janus, scarcely able to believe the long, fantastical account of his past few weeks in the capital. "So you both infiltrated the castle stronghold crawling with the Blitzguard and the Mage Slayers, just to find evidence for this Equalitar to enact economic espionage against the Empire?"

"If it's any consolation, that was the craziest thing Elsa and I did in Exon." Janus assured her.

"You mean apart from having sex while being hunted?" Tracy said.

Both Deirdre and Kristoff snorted.

Visibly vexed, Janus rounded on her. "You don't need to broadcast that."

"I agree. I don't think I needed to hear that," Anna winced. She certainly wished she hadn't. After all, what Elsa and Janus did when they were alone was none of her business. From the peripheral of her eye, she noticed Elsa approaching them after having had a rather quiet heart to heart conversation with Melody, who had opted to remain by herself by the billiard table.

"Excuse us a sec," Anna got to her feet and intercepted her sister before she could reach them.

"Anna?" Elsa gave her a curious look as Anna took her arm.

"We need to talk," Anna ushered her out of the officers' mess and into the cold. It was still dark, but it wouldn't be long before first light and the sound of the first Exonian cannon heralded the renewal of the siege.

"What was so sensitive we had to talk out here?" Elsa asked, a slight frown on her face. "Is everything alright?"

No, Anna wanted to admit. She was pretty damn far from feeling alright. Getting easily exhausted, suffering from numerous splitting headaches... Something turned in Anna's stomach and she gasped, turning away from Elsa. And there's the nausea too.

"What? What's wrong?" Elsa put a hand on her shoulder, her tone laced with worry.

"Stay b-" She didn't get to finish her sentence as the contents of her stomach rose up her throat like a volcano erupting, and she spewed them onto the corridor.

Her sister quickly gathered up the loose strands of her hair, holding it all back and rubbing her back. "I should go get Holli."

"No, no. I'm fine." Anna scooped up a layer of fresh snow that'd come to rest on the parapet of the corridor, and used it to wipe her face. Her stomach came to rest once again.

Elsa eyed her vomit. "That…doesn't look fine at all."

"I'm fine," Anna insisted. "It's just the stress from everything. Once we're sailing away from the Empire, I'll be right as rain."

"I hope so," Elsa watched her anxiously as she straightened and sighed.

Anna didn't know for sure, but it was the most logical reason. Whatever it was, she didn't need to worry her sister right before a fierce battle. She had more pressing concerns anyway.

"Look, we need to talk about the elephant in the room."

"Which is?"

"Who was the mystery girl you guys brought back?"

Elsa stiffened for a second. "She's on our side. I thought we could use the extra help."

"That's awfully trusting of you," Anna narrowed her eyes. "I don't buy it."

Elsa raised an eyebrow as she leaned against the parapet. "Why?"

"Well for one, I've lived with you long enough to know you don't trust anyone that easily. Especially after Hans tried to ruin our lives. The first time, I mean." Anna met her eyes. "And for another, you're a terrible liar."

Sighing, Elsa shook her head. "Look, I'm not lying when I say she's a valuable asset. I've seen the way she helped us fight off the Mage Slayers and the Blitzguard. And she fights just like Janus."

That sparked a new train of thought in her mind. Anna's brows furrowed. "When did you meet her?"

"Actually, she reached out to us. Gave us a way out of a tough spot when the Blitzguard were hunting us down. She led us to this place where we learnt about a secret revolution in the making."

"The Equalitar. I know, Janus told us," Anna waved a hand dismissively. "But he was a little stingy on the details about the girl."

"Ah."

"When did she come to you?" Anna asked again, this time a little more impatiently.

"Almost two weeks ago. I don't see why that's relevant."

"Wanna know why?" Anna didn't give her sister a chance to respond, leaning in closer in fear someone would overhear. "Almost two weeks ago, a girl calling herself Talya showed up outside my tent, claiming to be an Agrabanian envoy. She told us King Aladdin was voluntarily sending a fleet from the Highlander Navy to evacuate us from Empire territory. But what Talya didn't tell us was that she lied. This girl pretended to be an Arendellian envoy and went before King Aladdin, claiming I sent her to request for aid."

Elsa was intrigued but annoyingly quiet, her eyes betraying that she knew more than she was letting on.

Anna decided to go on. "So I confronted Talya about who she really was, and we would've all died that same day if she hadn't been forced to reveal her secret."

"Which was?"

"She was an Elemental Sorceress."

Elsa looked taken aback. "Are you sure? Elemental Sorcerers are very rare."

"I'm damn sure, and here's why," Anna paused to lock eyes with Elsa. "She displayed the same powers you do."

Anna let that sink in for a moment, watching Elsa's face intently for any hints as to what she was hiding. Her sister's expression had changed alright, eyes growing wide with bafflement.

"She has ice magic too?"

"I saw it with my own eyes."

"So who is this Talya?"

"She wouldn't say yet. She promised to tell me after the battle's over and we're all safely out at sea," Anna lowered her voice, eyes flicking over to the door to make sure no one was listening in. "So now you understand why I'm so wary of another mystery girl?"

"Look, I have her under control," Elsa insisted. "She'll help us, same as this Talya. We need all the help we can get. Don't you trust me?"

"Would you at least tell me her name?"

Elsa contemplated it for a long moment, as if going back and forth whether or not to reveal this new mystery girl's name. Finally, she relented. "Margaret. But she calls herself Peggy for short."

"And you're sure you know exactly who she is? That she isn't lying to you about her intentions?"

A strange look passed over Elsa's eyes and she averted them quickly, but not quick enough that Anna didn't notice. "I know exactly who she is."

"Then why won't you tell me?"

"Trust me, it's better you don't know. Yet."

Anna sighed in frustration. "I thought we made a promise not to keep secrets from each other?"

"It's…not my secret to tell," Elsa said cryptically. "Anna, do you trust me?"

Another sigh. "I do."

"Then just let it go. You'll know everything when the time comes," It was Elsa's turn to sigh. "I'm not doing this to shut you out. Trust me, this is bigger than just the two of us, has been for quite some time. Telling you now will only distract you. We both need to keep our heads in the game, especially right now. We're so close to escaping that we can't afford to stumble now."

Deep down, Anna knew her sister was right. "Damn it," she muttered as she ran a hand through her hair. "You're right."

"I usually am," Elsa smiled jokingly.

Unable to resist, Anna returned her sister's grin. "Not always. You did end up vanishing for a month and leaving me thinking you were dead…again."

"Fair enough. But I'm back now and we're going to get the hell out of here."

Anna nodded, resolute. "That much we can agree on."

Elsa was the first to open her arms and envelope Anna. "I missed you, sis," she whispered.

"I missed you too." Anna felt warm tears of joy rolling down her cheeks and for a moment, the thoughts of the battle ahead and the mystery girls were banished from her mind.