The Bird and the Cage: Chapter 1:

Anna awoke after being flung into the cart. She groaned, holding her hand to her head. Her ears rang deafeningly.

"Are you all right, dear?"

Anna couldn't open her eyes, the ringing too loud. She clenched the side of her head in an attempt to reduce the pain. She felt herself be lifted onto a bench.

"Here, drink."

A flask was thrust into her chest. She brought a hand down to grip the container before placing the open end into her mouth. The water was cool, trickling down her throat. She gasped like it had been the first drink after a long journey through a desert. The ringing began to die down. Anna's eyes opened.

She was met by a large man with a moustache. His clothes were grubby, as well as his face, but she could tell the jumper he wore had been green once. His face had a large gash down the left cheek, but that didn't stop his large smile, "Better, ya?"

Anna nodded curiously at the friendly man, "Where am I?"

"We're in a cart dear."

"I know that. I mean where are we going?"

"To the castle?"

"Arendelle castle?"

The large man gave Anna a concerned look, "You lost your memory, ya?"

Anna attempted to recall what had happened. She remembered being in the woods with the party escorting her. There had been a chase, someone after her. Even the other members of the escorting party had been terrified. Anna's head began to ring again, lifting a hand to the side of her head. "No... I was on the way back to my kingdom, to Arendelle."

The large man's expression changed to pure confusion. He paused a moment before addressing Anna in whispers, "Listen, ya? If anyone asks, you got caught with too much marking powder. You were trying to escape, to get back, ya?"

The cart pulled up in front of a large stone wall with a raised portcullis.

"W-What? What's marking powder?"

"Your cheeks, they're too red!"

A large stick came out from below the cart, smacking the large man over the head.

"No talking!" A cruel voice called out with a grunt.

The man rubbed at the back of his head where the blow struck. The end of the cart dropped. "Prisoners! Move off, now!"

Anna hadn't noticed but four other men sat across from her. All had grubby clothes and skin. Their cheeks were disturbingly grey, like they hadn't seen sunlight in years.

"NOW!" The cruel voice called again, filled with anger from the slow responding prisoners.

Anna watched each man jump off, have a black hood place over their head, then be attached to a rope with a string of prisoners. Her body didn't want to move from her seat, terrified at where she was going to be lead. But she felt that these men were not willing to be bargained with. She hopped off into a large puddle of mud, world turning dark once the damp smelling hood was placed over her head. She clutched to the rope tightly, shifting her feet slowly as not to fall from the uneven ground beneath her.

Where the hell am I? What kingdom treats prisoners like this? Anna's mind raced, trying to keep her thoughts off the situation at hand. The grey skin, we must be some where toward the twilight. They don't see the sun for months. But, there are no kingdoms in the twilight. None that I know anyway.

Anna hit her shin into a piece of wood and exclaimed in pain.

"Steps, prisoner! You know how to use them?"

Anna ground her teeth with anger choosing not to answer the cruel voice that lead her. The steps lead to some kind of wooden structure, which creaked angrily with each step she and the other prisoners took.

If they knew I was from another kingdom, they might realize their mistake. Surely I've been caught in some kind of prisoner transfer.

Cheers were heard in the distance, growing louder with each step Anna took. Before she knew it the cheers were all around her. The hood was pulled off.

Anna was on a large wooden stage overlooking a courtyard. A large crowd of grubby people stood below her. They were shouting angry curses, spitting, throwing all manner of objects at the line of prisoners. Anna cast her eyes up, breath taken away from the sight. A large deep black palace towered above her. Three distinct towers, two either side of a central one that seemed to pierce the clouds. The stonework was anything but, it looked as though the palace was constructed from dark, sharp glass. The place spoke one thing, cruelty.

A small pot came hurtling Anna's way. The large man from the cart moved in front of her with his back to the projectile to shield her. It shattered, but the man didn't react.

Gloved claps came from the side of the stage. "How heart-warming," A sly, sarcastic voice said. The voice belonged to an average sized man. He wore a black tailcoat, grey waistcoat with a white shirt beneath and a black tie. The man had dark brown hair that came down into side-burns. "Tell me, my lady. Do you plan to crawl beneath him when he falls?"

The crowd began to laugh. The man approached her, lifting her chin with a gloved finger to examine her, "What's your name, girl?"

Anger flared within Anna, "I'm no girl. I'm princess of-" Anna stopped herself.

The crowed hooted and whistled. The brunette snickered before bowing in a mocking gesture, "Forgive me, your highness. Tell me, which kingdom do you hail from?"

Anna froze. Don't tell him. She cast her eyes toward the large friendly man, the look he gave spoke what she thought.

"I-I'm from the ice peaks."

The brunette man tutted, shaking his finger, "Your skin is too sun-kissed to be that far north." He gripped her chin with force, "I don't like liars, so tell me. Your highness. Which kingdom are you FROM?!"

Anna jumped at the raised voice, she didn't know what to do. Something told her that mentioning Arendelle wasn't a good idea in this place. She looked toward the large man again. A hand slapped Anna across the face. She fell, cheek stinging, head ringing again. The taste of blood was present in her mouth.

"No!" The large man exclaimed, crouching to Anna's side,"Please, she's lost her memory. You know how it is."

The brunette man eyed the large one suspiciously, "You were with her?"

"Yes, we were at my shop together a long time ago," He lied.

The brunette turned away for a moment. "Guards."

Two guards in grey fashioned uniforms appeared, seizing the large man's arms. He struggled in their grasp. The brunette drew a pointed longsword from his side. He held it against the man's throat. The large man stopped struggling.

"Which kingdom are you from?" He directed at Anna. His words were sharp, tone stern.

"I told you, she was at my outpost," The man interrupted.

The brunette's eyes didn't leave Anna on the floor, ignoring the large man. He expected an answer.

Anna found as much courage as she could in the presence of the barbarian. "I was at his outpost when I was captured. When I woke up, I was inside a cart. I didn't know what was happening." She answered with a firm voice.

The brunette lowered his head, taking the blade away from the large mans throat. Relief washed over Anna, breathing an internal sigh of relief.

"I DON'T LIKE LIARS!"

The blade drew back before lunging into the large mans heart. He gasped with a blood curdling cry before falling back against the stage. The crowed cheered at the split blood.

Anna could only watch as black, tainted blood poured out of the large man. She wanted to scream, to tackle the cruel brunette off the stage, hoping he would break his neck.

She bared her teeth as the blade was removed from the large man, a warm tear running down her face. The brunette didn't even clean the blade before pointing it at Anna's neck.

"YOUR KINGDOM, YOUR HIGHNESS!"

The blade bit Anna's throat where it pressed. Was it really worth giving up Arendelle's name for her life? What could he possibly do with a name anyway? Arendelle was vastly rich and with a large military presence to rival any of the kingdoms she knew of.

"I-I'm from-"

"Enough!" A new strong voice carried across the courtyard.

Anna looked out into the crowd. It parted the moment the voice sounded. A figure stood in the distance. The brunette didn't move the blade, but Anna could tell by the glint in his eye that he was hesitant to act.

The courtyard was silent, the only sound heels on stone whilst the figure crossed it. She drew closer, revealing herself to be a woman just taller than Anna. She wore a long black dress with a slit to reveal one of her legs. A thin black transparent cape hung from her shoulders, blowing in the wind whilst she walked. The woman had blonde hair with ghostly white skin. She walked with hips swaying, the presence that came off her screamed authority. That and the twelve armed guards in black that marched either side of her.

"Sweet sister," The brunette regarded her as she stepped on the stage. "You caught me at the best moment. Do you want to take her head, or I?"

The woman threw the brunette a fierce glare, "Drop the blade. Now."

"Oh, sweet sister, you know the saying. All work and no play? What's a day without a little execution?"

Her nostrils flared and she bared her teeth. "Let. Her. Go."

The air around them began to chill distinctly almost as if the temperature was following the blonde's mood. The crowd took a step back, even the woman's personal guard took a step back. Anna noticed the look of fear with a hint of resentment in the brunette's eyes.

"Fine," The brunette said after a pause. He lowered the blade, but wiped the blood on Anna's clothing. "Lucky escape, your highness." He shoved passed the blonde, his own guard now forming behind him as he left the courtyard.

"The rest of you. Leave." The blonde projected her voice out to the ends of the courtyard. The people didn't need to be told more than once, they began to leave without saying a word.

The blonde moved over to Anna's side, leaning over her to offer a hand, "Are you injured?"

Anna shook her head, grateful for the blonde's intervention, as she helped her stand, "Thank you, for saving me."

The blonde's lips twitched upwards slightly for a second, "May I ask your name?"

"Anna, Anna of-"Anna paused.

The blonde cocked a brow at her.

"Anna of Ironwood."

The blonde regarded her for a moment, "Forgive me Anna, I am not familiar with Ironwood."

"They're relatively small, not important."

The blonde nodded, "I am Elsa of the kingdom."

Anna screwed her face up, "The kingdom?"

Elsa laughed, "Tell me, you don't know where you are? Do you?"

Anna shook her head side to side.

Elsa smiled a small smile, "Gerda."

A large plump woman approached.

"Take Anna of Ironwood to my chambers. Tell the guard no one but myself is to enter."

"Your highness..." Gerda began.

"I did not ask for your council, Gerda." Elsa's voice left no room for questioning.

"My apologies." Gerda curtsied slightly before leading Anna off the stage.

Anna cast her eyes down to look for the body of the large man. Someone had removed it amidst the commotion, the pool of blood only remaining. I'm sorry.

Anna looked over her shoulder when crossing the courtyard, noticing that the blonde was watching her whilst she left.

Gerda lead Anna through a side entrance to one of the towers. Onlookers stared at her in the courtyards and around the castle. While the outside of the palace was dark glass, the inside was grey stone. The lighting was dim, not many candles lit. Anna found herself tripping on large stairs. Gerda would stop and wait each time. Anna couldn't help but wonder how someone much older and larger navigated the steps so well.

On the second flight of stairs Anna took a deep breath to ask the elderly woman a question, "Have you worked for this family a long time?"

The older woman continued walking, not turning to look at Anna, "Many years my dear."

"You and Queen Elsa must be quite close then."

The woman snorted a laugh, "Princess Elsa and I have had many dealings, yes."

Anna was confused, she guessed that the only reason her brother stopped his parade was because Elsa was queen. Anna decided not to press with further questions. Gerda's answers were closed, not wishing to spark a conversation. Not like Anna wanted one after what she just went through.

After what felt like minutes of climbing, Anna reached the top of the tower outside the princess' chambers. Two guards dressed in black stood either side of the large door, eying Anna suspiciously.

"She is to remain in the chambers. No one is to enter apart from princess Elsa."

"Yes, my lady."

Gerda walked Anna into the room before leaving abruptly. The chambers were large, a four poster bed against the right wall. There were several bookshelves filled with curious ornaments, large insect sculptures, skulls, books with titles in foreign languages. A desk against the left wall with many drawers, parchment and ink on top. A painting of a frozen lake at night hung above it. There was a large doorway at the end leading to a balcony overlooking the courtyard where Anna had been dragged. Guess that's how she saw me. There was a table with two chairs, a half finished glass of wine on the table. The balcony was odd in that it transitioned from the stone of the chambers to pure dark glass. Anna didn't want to risk stepping on the glass in fear of it cracking and falling. Back inside she spotted a table with a chess board. The pieces were strange, carved into shapes she didn't recognize. Everything about the room spoke of a place that Anna had no knowledge of. Like someone had shipped her to the other side of the unknown world.

There was one familiar object though. Anna walked over to a bookshelf, spotting a snow globe hidden behind a pile of books. She picked it up. It was of a palace much like the one she was in now except without the dark glass. The stone was white with red roofs for the peaks. Is this what the kingdom used to look like? How did it end up like it is now?

"I see you found my globe."

Anna's head snapped toward the door, the shock nearly causing her to drop the globe. She hadn't even heard the princess enter.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been poking around."

The blonde smiled at her. Her eye's were brilliantly blue, shining brightly like her ice white skin. Despite the rather morbid colours of her dress and her room, her eyes spoke a great deal of warmth. "It's quite alright." She delicately took the globe from Anna's hands, inspecting it as she held it at arms length.

"Is that this kingdom?"

Elsa nodded solemnly, "It was this kingdom... once." Elsa's voice was distant, her eyes now lost in memories. She sighed, "Forgive me, it's been a challenging day for you. I must apologies for my... brother's behavior."

"You don't need to answer for him. I'm just glad you showed up when you did!"

Elsa moved closer to Anna, placing the globe down on the table, "There is no kingdom of Ironwood, is there?"

Anna's heart began to race. Was this another cruel person? Leading Anna to her chambers so she could beat or torture her? Anna's legs began to tremble.

Elsa noticed and lead the redhead to the table with the chessboard, siting her down. She placed a hand on top of Anna's, staring into her eyes, "I'm not going to hurt you, don't be afraid."

Anna began picturing the large man on the stage with the longsword through his heart. She remembered how the princess' brother had grinned when the cry had come from the man. The way he had smiled broadly with the bloodied blade pressed against her throat. Tears began to well in Anna's eyes, nausea filling her when she looked to see the man's blood still covering the side of her dress. The room was spinning.

Elsa caught Anna before she fell from the chair. The blonde possessed more strength than Anna expected. She carried Anna over to her bed, touching her forehead when she was placed.

"How foolish of me." Elsa brought a jug of water over to Anna's side, filling the cup before placing it in Anna's mouth, "Here, you'll feel better once you drink."

Elsa spoke truth, the water gave a lease of new life to Anna's body. Her head coming back to it's stable state.

A bowl of small chocolates was passed to Anna when she sat up. "I'm sorry, it's all I have around. I can have some proper food brought if you need."

Anna's face lit up at the sight of chocolate in this bizarre world, her eyes growing wide. She practically wolfed down half the bowl. She paused to look up, catching Elsa hiding a demure laugh behind a hand. Anna felt a blush rise to her cheeks, Why is she laughing at me?

Elsa leaned toward her, wiping the side of Anna's mouth with a handkerchief. The scent of faint lavender she carried filled Anna's nose.

The sudden proximity of the blonde made Anna's heart quicken, "S-Sorry, it's just really good to see chocolate."

"Not at all, you are in the company of one fellow chocolate lover."

Anna smiled sheepishly, but grimaced when she saw the chocolate stain marking the clean handkerchief. She apologized again, Elsa merely laughed, placing the handkerchief in some hidden pocket.

Elsa moved to sit next to Anna on the bed, placing a hand on top of hers, "I know you want to protect your kingdom. But trust me, Anna, the only way I can protect it is if you tell me it's name."

Anna weighed what she knew about Elsa. This woman was either the most devious, cruel person to walk the earth in order to gain a name, or she genuinely cared about Anna's safety, and her kingdom for that matter. "...Arendelle," Anna said quietly.

Elsa's face turned shocked, like someone had told her that the castle was crumbling. She clutched Anna's hand, "A-Arendelle? Arendelle of the fjords?"

Anna nodded curiously, "You know Arendelle?"

Elsa's face was unreadable, there was some amount of sorrow in her features, "I visited many times as a child, yes."

Anna's heart leapt, "Your kingdom knows mine! This is great! I'm sure my father will understand what has happened. He'll reward your family handsomely for finding and retuning me."

Elsa's sorrow only grew stronger. She looked Anna in the eye, full of regret. Her voice turned to a softer tone, "Anna," She placed a second hand on Anna's, "This is going to be very confusing, but you can't leave the kingdom."

Anna moved back, pulling her hand away slightly, "W-What do you mean?"

"You were found here by our guard, you belong to the kingdom now."

Anna rose, fury in her veins, "By what law?! Who can keep someone prisoner for no reason?!"

"Anna, please, calm down."

Anna crossed the room to the balcony, fear of cracking the glass forgotten. "This is insane. I know no kingdom where such a policy exists." She turned to look back at Elsa, "I gave you my kingdom's name, at least give me yours. Not just 'The Kingdom'."

Elsa sighed deeply, "I can't tell you."

"THEN WHAT?! WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME?!" Anna felt immediate guilt for snapping, but the situation had tried her patience enough. She had watched a man be executed for no reason, nearly put to the sword herself, and told she can't leave this damnable kingdom.

Elsa lowered her eyes, voice gone quiet, "The family here," Elsa sighed, "My family. They are a cruel people, as I'm sure you're aware by now. The people who are found on their land are taken and not released."

"But... why?"

"There are many reasons. None really logical, but there are reasons." Elsa moved to Anna's side, "Listen to me, Anna. My father, the king, he is not as cruel as the rest of my family. He has, on occasion, let prisoners leave." She took Anna's hands into her own, "But you have to trust me, completely. Believe me when I say this, but there are no friends in this kingdom. The only chance you have for escape is to follow the things I tell you to do, okay?"

Anna nodded uncertainly, "Why are you helping me?"

"Your cheeks, they're red."

Anna's brows knitted in confusion, What is the obsession with my cheeks? "Does that matter?"

Elsa smiled, "It's more of a tell than you could possibly know." Elsa moved toward the chamber entrance, "I have business to attend to for the rest of the day. Stay within the chambers and I'll return to explain more later."

Anna stood in the balcony doorway, "Okay."

Elsa smiled sweetly before closing the door behind her.

Hours passed. The overcast sky turned to darkness with night creeping over the day. Anna paced the room nervously. She noticed that Elsa left the chocolates on the bed to enjoy. A serving girl came up at one point to bring some food. Anna noted her grey cheeks, it was clear it meant something. Anna was unsure whether to eat the food, but she found the handkerchief she had used earlier next to one of the dishes along with a note.

Eat. Keep your strength. Elsa. It read.

There were pieces of chicken on the bone, gammon, pork, fruit of all kinds, and a few desserts. Anna hadn't realized how hungry she had been until the scent reached her nose. Her stomach growled like a fierce bear.

Another woman had briefly entered to light the candles in the room. By the cobwebs around some of the candle holders, Anna could tell that Elsa didn't often spend time in her room in the evenings.

After another few hours Anna began to wonder where the princess had gone. There was no word from her, and she was certain that it was approaching midnight. Stay in the chambers, Anna, her conscious called. Anna obeyed, but the fear was unsettling. There hadn't been a sound from the courtyard since she had arrived in the chambers. She had paced the balcony many times to look for other people. Apart from a few figures passing walkways below, Anna had seen no one. Not even in the other rooms. Even at night there were only a few rooms with candlelight shining from them.

Curiosity began to creep through Anna's mind. Perhaps the kingdom isn't well guarded. There seems to be no one around the castle. Perhaps she could escape before the princess returned. As much as she wanted to thank the blonde for her kindness, part of her didn't trust Elsa's intentions. She certainly didn't believe that one kingdom so undermanned possesed the ability to stop people from escaping. After all, there had only been five other prisoners with her in the cart.

Anna slowly creaked open the chamber door. She peaked her head out to see no guards outside. Guess they must have left when Elsa did. Anna crept down the long flights of stairs, muffling her footsteps as much as she could. She attempted to remember the way Gerda had lead her from the courtyard. The courtyard was the only place she knew had an exit out of the castle. The large wall with the portcullis she had been brought to by the cart had no guards lining the tops or behind the gate. There had only been one captor as well, the man with the cruel voice. It was her best chance at escape.

Anna found herself in a long hallway. It didn't look familiar, but it way the only way the long staircase lead. Dozens of doors stood to either side of her. The dim lighting made the distance hard to see, but she knew she needed to move forward.

When she was halfway voices sounded behind her. Guards! Anna chose the closest door to conceal herself inside. Behind the door stood a closet, it was pitch black. She wasn't sure what was in the closet but she was certain she put her foot through a painting at some point. The voices of the guards passed the door and carried on out into the distance. Anna couldn't tell what they were saying, the door was too thick to let much sound through.

She pushed the heavy door open to inspect her surroundings. All clear. She moved back out into the hallway.

A hand snatched her arm from behind. "Thought I heard footsteps," A gruff voice said.

Anna turned and jumped, falling to the ground. The guard's grip didn't loosen. The guard now standing over her was dressed in grey, Elsa's brother's colours.

"Well, well, well," Another voice said from behind her.

Where the hell are they coming from?

"Looks like a little dove is lost," A third voice joined, coming out of the shadows. She was surrounded by three of the brother's guard.

"An alive dove too by the looks of it," The guard holding her arm said.

"Let me see!" The second guard grabbed her face. "Mmmm, her cheeks are red alright."

"I do like it when there's still life in them, makes it so much more satisfying." The third guard snarled.

"Please, don't-" Anna cried.

"Hush, now little dove. You don't want more coming for a piece, do you?" The guard holding her face said. He crouched, reaching for a grasp of her chest.

Anna spat in his face.

"Ooo, we love fighters too."

Anna began to struggle from the guard's grasp, kicking furiously when the other two attempted to advance on her. This day was like a nightmare that wouldn't end. She couldn't hold it any longer. Anna screamed at the top of her lungs.

A wind blew down the corridor. The few candles flickering in the hallway. The air began to chill sharply. Anna couldn't explain why, but all emotion that she felt began to drain, replaced with only deep sorrow. She wanted to cry. A black shadow crept down the hallway. The two guards making advances on Anna noticed.

"It's... It's-!" The shard of glass hit his face before he could finish. He dropped to the ground, black blood pouring onto the floor.

The second guard began to run. Black glass shot up from the ground, ensnaring his feet. As he tripped, a bed of sharp glass appeared beneath him. Anna looked away, but she heard the scream followed by the piercing of skin.

The guard holding Anna had frozen. His grip had released since the first guard had been killed. Anna crawled to sit against the wall, trying to process what was happening.

Out of the shadow, a figure in a black dress appeared.

Elsa?

The blonde had a look of disinterest upon her face, like she was merely taking stroll through the hallways. She stopped behind the last guard. "Turn," said Elsa in authoritative voice.

The guard hesitated, but began slowly turning. The moment he faced her fully, Elsa gripped the guard's throat. She tilted the guard's head upwards as so to lift him. No... she was lifting him! Elsa's face turned to fury, her eyes widening.

"Please... m-mercy!" cried the guard.

Elsa's eyes grew impossibly wider, "MERCY?! LIKE THE MERCY YOU WERE GOING TO GIVE HER?"

The guard began to choke. Darkness swirled like a storm around Elsa.

"You are rotten to the core. This is why you served, this is why you were given a second chance, and now this is why you will be taken."

"N-No!" The guard cried.

Elsa's grip tightened. The darkness wrapped around Elsa's arm, sinking into her skin. It was being pumped into the man through Elsa's hand. He screamed as his face became devoid of life. The flesh of his face began clutching tighter to his skull, until it eventually evaporated into steam. Elsa dropped the now skeleton to the floor with a thunderous clash.

Anna's entire body jumped at the sound. In the deafening silence she could only stare at the bodies that lay massacred around her. Anna's hands were trembling.

Elsa paused, sighing, eyes downward cast. She approached Anna.

Anna wanted to be afraid of the blonde, to run far away from her, but she couldn't. Elsa had just saved her... again. From a far worse fate than the first.

Elsa reached a hand out, "My name is Elsa, of the kingdom of death."

The Bird and the Cage: A bird flutters into a cage, and wants nothing more than to be free. But when that cage contains a person who fits so perfectly with you, would you want to escape the chance of happiness? A soul mate? But, does the mistress of darkness have a soul?

I'm attempting something new with this fanfic. Darker stories aren't ones I usually tell, but I'd certainly like to give it a shot. Constructive criticism is welcomed. Follow my profile or Tumblr(umbra-sedent-mortis) for updates. Stay strong, keep an eye out, and thank you for reading.

Umbra Mortis

Edit: Edited the chapter, clarifying some finer details and cleaning up the truly terrible grammar! Huge thank you to RustytheDragon for the in-depth feedback on my grammar and style. Go check her out!

Also, huge thank you for the reviews, favorites, follows and PM's so far. You've given me a huge boost of confidence for this fic. I hope to be releasing another chapter in around a week and bit. Keep an eye out.

Umbra Mortis