Chapter 29

~ Abyss ~

The invitation seemed innocent enough, Elsa mused, but why do I feel like this is more than a hike?

After lunch, Anna had asked her out to catch up for the time they'd missed due to their dumb bickering and royal affairs.

Dumb bickering. Elsa was tempted to lash out when she heard it, but she let it pass; she had no right to be cross anymore.

Not after Kristoff.

The thought of him made Elsa cringe. What was she thinking? It was unworthy of her as a sister and a queen. And she should've expected that outcome anyway; he was too honourable a man. Still, the sting of his rejection was raw, and she was glad they hadn't talked yet. She wasn't sure to slap or to commend him.

It was a well-travelled road up the ford, the grass a lighter shade than everywhere else. Elsa didn't recognize the slabs of worn stone they stepped past, or the twists and turns of their path. Whenever they had time, Anna and she took to exploring their kingdom. There was that abandoned hut nestled in the cliff side, Guylian's tiny shop by the outskirts with the praline chocolates, secret passages within the castle walls, and a dozen more hidden spots. Anna had this uncanny ability to sniff out places where guards were few and far between, and they could pretend to be two ordinary girls.

But the younger girl's usual enthusiasm was strangely absent.

What else is Anna keeping from me?

She had been quiet ever since they started on this trail. Her movement were too stiff and deliberate; this was no leisurely walk, no matter how she tried to hide it. Elsa reached for her sister's cape – that plain green one she'd wore in Weselton. She snatched her hand back as soon as it grazed the fabric however.

"Anna, are you cold? I can't feel it, so I wouldn't know if you are."

"I'm fine."

The tone said otherwise. Elsa was torn between irritation and worry. There were a hundred things Anna might have wanted to ask– should have wanted to ask, but that blank face might as well be a mask. If only her magic allowed her to read minds as well.

To the far left, tipping to the horizon, was the grand wall running from the castle to the cliffs. Magda's Embrace, as it was sometimes called – the unbreached barrier that encompassed all of Arendelle, built during grandmother's reign. Towers protruded from it every hundred paces or so. Nowadays birds rather than men dwelled within, but Elsa knew it was a matter of time before they would wake to the music of steel again. To their right was the bay. Already, four frigates were docked by the market, and more were coming still. Proud things with hulls of polished wood and half a dozen white sails on sturdy masts. The bane of pirates and foolhardy conquerors alike. Let's see how they fare against Weselton's privateers.

Anna's fingers closed and opened constantly. A plume of shame churned within Elsa. She was finally spending time with her beloved sister, yet all she could do was fantasize about the war.

"There isn't much people around here, is there? The last villager passed fifteen minutes ago," Elsa said.

"Guess so."

"I've never came up this fjord before," Elsa said.

"I see."

"See the stream beside? Do you know why there are no fishes?"

Anna's withering silence was her answer, so Elsa continued, "This is running water. Most likely they've settled for someplace deep with no current where it'll be warm. Fishes have ways to survive the winter like how people stockpile food."

But not all fish went dormant. Elsa recalled a time when she was dressed in furs bigger than she was, with snow pressing down on her head and shoulder. She hardly felt them however, for her attention was fixed to the ice beneath her feet, so treacherously thin she glimpsed dark shapes darting by every now and then. Cod-eels. Heedless of danger, Christina pranced about, letting out a whoop whenever one passed under.

"Got one!" Daddy had struck the ice with his club. Mummy rushed to him and they cut into the ice with a saw. Freya wasn't sure why it worked really. Somehow, hitting the ice with enough force stuns any fish swimming right under. She had tried a hundred times but the cod-eels seemed not to even notice. Daddy was just that clever and strong.

Christina hugged her arm. "Sis! Sis! Can we catch one too? We can trade for one of Lyelle's blankets. She says hers are from the Southern Isles and are even warmer than Yindu leopard furs!"

Silly girl. Ten might get them half a blanket, assuming Lyelle was in a generous mood. Besides, everyone knew Yindu leopards had the thickest furs. But then she smiled and nodded anyway. Maybe they could borrow daddy's club and come back at night. But then how would they be able to spot the eels, or–

Elsa shook her head. That was another person's life, not hers. She squeezed her sister's hand. Anna's fingers twitched, then went stiff. Elsa didn't mind anymore; the younger girl just needed time, once she admitted to abandoning Freya, Elsa could forgive her and they could patch up again.

With that thought, the snow queen smiled. She was glad for this walk, having been so busy lately… how long has it been since she truly walked outside the castle? Flowers swayed in the wind, and patches of lush vegetation stretched before her, emerald giving way to gold. The roofs of houses peered up at her, so many that Elsa lost count. She wondered how many families dwelled within; fathers who'd come home with a fat turkey in their arms, mothers stirring pots of smoking soup, and children cheering at the feast to come.

The houses multiplied dozens of times, and Elsa wiped at her eyes.

Everything would be right again once Weselton has fallen. They'll never strike me or destroy another family again.

Two hours later, just as the ache in her thighs was becoming unbearable, Elsa heard running water.

"We are here," Anna said.

"You brought me here to see a cave?"

Her sister strode in and was swallowed by the darkness. Elsa faltered for a moment then followed. The splashing grew louder, and she made out boulders larger than men and rocky walls glittering with moisture. Blocking the light ahead was Anna's figure, gliding forward as though she was eager to reach the end.

They emerged into bright daylight and Elsa gasped. A fine spray tickled her skin. They stood on the edge of a cliff with meltwater on both sides, forming a waterfall that fed a dozen rivers. From the vantage point, she found herself looking over the castle, the houses and the market. She kicked her heels off, allowing the grass to tickle between her toes.

Giggling, the snow queen stepped right to the edge and spread her arms, doing a slow turn. There! Her ice palace sitting proudly on North Mountain, where Olaf and Marshmallow were playing right now. To her right, the brother fjords Thor and Loki. And most beautiful of all… the sapphire mirror where a hundred vessels sailed.

Arendelle in all its glory. Her Arendelle.

"Let's stay till sunset!" Elsa spun, and her grin curdled when she saw Anna's face. It took seconds before Elsa found her courage. "This is about Kristoff, isn't it? Or the prisoners?"

Her sister's lips pressed tight but she shook her head.

"Anna, you asked me up here for reason."

"I did," Anna said it so softly as thought it was for herself. "...Do you remember me telling you about this waterfall?"

"Yes."

"What were my exact words?" Elsa withered under her sister's glare. Whatever the reason, she realize there was nothing more important to the younger girl right now.

She answered.

This was it. The dread moment Anna had wrestled over herself with a hundred times. Don't answer me, please. Tell me you know nothing.

"You said… if I stand on top next to this waterfall, I can see over all of Arendelle. It's better than anything Weselton has!"

Anna could barely suppress her sob as a million fractures ripped into her heart. She had said it word-for-word, and even her gesture was flawless.

"What's wrong?" Elsa's hand closed over hers, but they might as well have been claws for all the comfort they brought. She could sense Kristoff hiding behind the rocks, willing her to profess ignorance – to say 'everything's fine'.

"Please, just tell me what's going on!" Elsa gripped tighter. Too tight.

"Are you–" Anna's words trailed off and she grinded her lips till she tasted blood. She feared to say the name in case she made it true. She feared Elsa's rage. She feared to lose her shield of ignorance. "Ah... I'm not well."

"Silly, if you're unwell, you shouldn't have asked me all the way up here."

Anna slammed her eyes shut. Look, she's still so poised and graceful. She wears her braid like she always has, and even her makeup is exactly the same.

Maybe she was just angry with me for going to Weselton.

Maybe the ministers deserve it.

Maybe.

Anna chuckled. She was tired of lying to herself. "Do you know when we talked about the waterfall?"

Elsa's eyebrows knitted up. "You were telling me all about the parts of Arendelle I'd not seen yet. Sometime after the coronation? Yes. Yes, that's it, isn't it?"

Had Kristoff left as planned? Anna prayed so. Enough people had been hurt already.

"No. Even when exploring, this was the one spot I never brought my sister to."

The older girl released her. "I– I don't understand."

"I never told my sister because this was where Hans proposed to me. But there was someone I mentioned this waterfall to. We met in a prison."

A dead silence fell. Anna could hear leaves rustling. It could've been the wind, or it could be her fiancé taking off. Go, Kristoff. Warn Kai, Gerda and the rest of Arendelle.

Anna stared long and hard into those blue eyes. "Freya."

Elsa froze. That told Anna everything she needed.

"You possessed her." Anna shuddered, her horror building into a peak till it was like ants all over her skin. This woman before her had Elsa's face, voice and magic. But she wasn't Elsa anymore. This was the murderer she'd left behind, condemned by all of Weselton. "Oh God, you took over Elsa's body. Oh God. Oh God."

"Anna, no… you are wrong…"

"Why? Why did you do this?"

Elsa glanced away. "Freya is dead."

"Stop. Lying. To. Me." Anna coiled her fists. "How could I have been so stupid? So blind? How could I have ever thought you were my sister?"

"Please… You don't understand." Elsa reached out but she flinched. "Please! I am Elsa. I– I can prove it. Remember many years ago? When you fell down the staircase and scrapped your knee? I tried to teach you to slide, but I twisted my ankle instead! Markus was so furious." A nervous smile broke out over her face.

"Or remember when you broke Papa's vase? We had this grand plan to get a new one from the market, but Papa caught us first. He rapped me on the head for not taking better care of you. Here, this spot." Elsa's chest heaved with her rapid words. "Remember when we met again during my coronation? The first thing we said to each other was 'hi'. Or– or remember the first thing I did with my magic after the Great Thaw? I made an ice-skating rink in the courtyard. It was your idea!"

Could it really be?

Their eyes met and Elsa opened her arms.

Foolish, beautiful hope filled Anna. She yearned to believe it had all been nothing more than paranoia on her part; that this person who'd laughed with her, kissed her, and held her in bed had always been real. She took a careful step forward.

Then the heat of the slap pulsed in her cheek.

"How dare you. How dare you? It wasn't enough to steal Elsa's body? You had to take her memories too?"

Elsa thrust up her hand, showing the bandage. "If I am Freya, would I allow myself to be hurt? She could heal herself! I am not her!" The snow queen clutched her head. "Not! Not! Not!"

Each word only damned her more. Kristoff was right, she had escaped and hijacked the Eternity; Lars never betrayed them. It was always Freya. Her sister's magic was unmatched, but Freya had the element of surprise. Elsa must've entered the ship thinking to find Anna, and that was when she became vulnerable.

It was me. I was her weak point.

Anna retched and fell to her knees. "Please... let Elsa go. She's innocent. She doesn't deserve this. I was the one who left you in the prison. Kill me. Do whatever you want. But spare my sister! Please–!"

Elsa's eyes widened. Several times her mouth opened and closed but no words came. An eternity passed before she whispered, "You really... you really think I am not her?" Anna was stunned to see her crying. "Why can't you accept me? I just want to be your sister again."

That it was Elsa's lips saying so made it a thousand times worse. The tremor of pain threatened to split Anna apart, but she fought to keep her words coherent. She had to be strong now. "I will call you 'sister'. Just give Elsa back."

"I AM Elsa!" She slapped her chest. "I am! I am!" Ice spidered from her feet.

"Freya…"

"IS DEAD! She died on the Eternity as she should have all those years ago! The sister-murdering bitch is gone!" Anna lurched up as the ground became ice. "Only Elsa is left now."

Freya had done nothing but lie the moment they stepped into her cell. Even now she lied through Elsa's mouth. Anna would've done anything in the world for the magic to tear her out. "You are the sister-murderer," came her sharp reply. "You turned my sister into something she is not. Used her body to hurt others."

"You never truly knew me," Elsa whispered. "I would've gladly killed the Duke's men on the North Mountain. I was weak once, but no more. Once Weselton is gone, I will make Arendelle a hundred times stronger. You will be proud of me, and we can–"

"YOU ARE NOT ELSA! STOP YOUR ACT! I WILL NEVER ACCEPT YOU!"

Elsa let out a sob and made for the cave, but Anna stepped before her.

"Why are you doing this?" There was such accusation and hurt in her voice that Anna couldn't breath. All of her senses told her that this wasn't truly Elsa, but still she yearned to embrace this woman and wipe the tears off her face.

A scrap sounded and they turned to see Kristoff emerge from the cave, an ice axe in hand. He'd come with help at last–

Anna blinked. No guard came spilling out of the darkness, it was only him. She realized with sinking dread he was here far too quickly; he had never made the trip down to warn the others.

"Kristoff?" Elsa said.

"What did you do to the others? Olle? The Warden?" Kristoff said.

Elsa's eyes were devoid of even a hint of the warmth Anna knew. "Dead. Her father. The sentries. Everyone. Dead by her own hands. All dead! All dead!" Her cheek glistered with frozen tears but she began to laugh. A slow chuckle which rose into a heaving laughter at the heavens. The laughter of a demon.

Sheer terror gripped tight Anna's heart. "Where is Christina?"

Elsa's face twisted. "Dead… dead…" Her voice came out slowly like a little girl's, as though unable to comprehend what had happened. She gripped her braid. "She's gone... I lost her! Lost her forever. Daddy was right…"

The colour drained from Kristoff's face. "It can't be. If you left Christina's body, then she has to be alive somewhere."

"The urn! There, you have your answer now! After Freya left, ash was all that remained of Christina's body! ASH! She died the moment her body was taken!" Elsa kneeled over, choking between laughter and sobs. When at last she looked up, there was nothing but a crazed glint in her eyes. "But it's okay now. I did the right thing, I slew Freya. Aren't you happy?"

It couldn't be. Slivers of snow began to fall. Elsa couldn't be dead... Kristoff was saying something but she hardly noticed. The snow began to look like ash.

Anna rushed forward. Her fist stopped inches from Elsa's cheek. You killed my sister. You took her body. Her fingers opened to choke the soft white neck. But one look at that face filled with so much fear, and she faltered.

It's not her! Do it! DO IT!

Her body did not obey; as long as it wore her sister's face she was utterly helpless. Anna broke down and shrieked.

Elsa's visage transformed into one of concern. "Anna, I may not always be the same Elsa you know, but I care for you all the same; I swear to the gods. We were so close. We can be like that again." It took Anna seconds to realize how eased she felt from this thing stroking her cheek. She jerked away, feeling violently sick.

"Anna, go." Kristoff strode towards them. He held the older girl's shoulders. "Elsa, you are in there right now, aren't you?"

"Kristoff?" Elsa seemed so confused.

"I know you can hear me," he said.

"Stop it." There was a crackle as the waterfall froze and the grass became shards of ice, cruel and blue.

"Do you know how much Anna misses you? Elsa, come back to us, Arendelle needs you. We need you. Fight her!" He clutched tight. "You are stronger than this! Don't let Freya win."

Elsa shoved Kristoff away. "You too! Why do you keep talking about that sister-murderer?" She turned to Anna. "I am disappointed in you. You told me once we could work everything out together, that I didn't have to live in fear. But you still can't accept me for who I am. Even now, all you see is…"

"A demon," Anna growled. "That's what you are."

Elsa bared her teeth and with that, the illusion shattered. Her sister would never expose such rage and malice. Freya had truly taken over.

"Both of you, go away. You are not safe here. Leave," she said.

"You killed my sister." Hail cut past Anna's eyes but she stood her ground. "You killed my sister! I won't let you escape this time."

"You will take away my happiness? Betray me again?" Elsa's expression turned dark. "What power do you have to stop me? I am the winter." She raised a hand in Anna's direction.

"RUN!" Everything happened in a blur. Kristoff had his ice axe raised as he charged. Elsa whipped around, stomping with her foot. A chunk of ice hurled out between them and barrelled into Kristoff's midsection. He sprawled backwards onto the ground. Anna threw herself forward, intending to tackle Elsa. A nova of frost ripped through the air.

The blast caught her full-on. She flew past the edge, away from the grass and cliff. There was nothing to grab on to.

"ANNA!" Elsa's hand shot out. Anna reached out too.

Their fingers were miles apart. As her sister fell away from her, Anna smiled. At least she got to see the real Elsa one last time.

Anna closed her eyes as the white of death claimed her.