Chapter 33

~ Point of no Return ~

"Elsa's gone to Weselton to wage war!" Gerda said.

Anna stared up at the heavens. She couldn't understand what was happening. It was all surreal, like a dream she could not wake up from. Something pricked her cheek and slid down.

Snow.

For a moment, she couldn't breathe. Thirteen years fell away in an instant. She was a little girl again, staring up at Elsa's door. She could knock ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times, but it wouldn't matter; the door would never open again. She wedged her eyes shut, fighting back tears. She was back at the coronation, seeing Elsa's back shrink into the night.

I couldn't reach my sister. No matter how hard I tried. Useless. Helpless. Weak. That's all I ever amounted to.

Gerda staggered forward and squeezed her. "Anna, Gods! Anna, where did you go? Elsa wouldn't say anything besides 'Sven took you', and then those louts threw Kristoff into the dungeons, and now this? Please, just tell me what's going on! Why– why–" The plump woman could no longer articulate words as she fell into sobs. Another servant came forward and helped her away.

Fearful cries of 'war' and 'snow' came up. Kristoff was yelling for a ship. The guards stood still, glancing about helplessly. They were a leaderless kingdom now. Their queen was gone yet again.

No. Anna's hands coiled into fists. It's time for the little girl to grow up.

She took a deep breath, and wore her queen's voice for the first time. "Lily!" She called to the closest maid. "We got wounded out here. Get Markus, or any other doctors you can find." She turned to her guards. "You're Torvos, right? Help me get Kai, Lord Louis, or any other minister in the castle. You five, I need you to spread out; calm the townspeople down, and help whoever needs helping. The rest of you, get warm soup and blankets from the castle. Go!"

Her subjects split up in twenty different directions.

Just then, Kai Anderson came out of the castle. He trotted to her and clasped her hands. "Your Highness, I've no words to describe how pleased I'm to see you. Please try not to scare us so again. Next time, I might just get a heart attack."

Despite the situation, Anna allowed herself to smile, so pleased was she to see her royal butler safe. "I'll try. When did Elsa leave? Did she say anything at all?"

"Queen Elsa left but eight hours ago. Ever since you disappeared, her mind was set on nothing but the invasion. Admiral Vigard insisted that his ships weren't ready, but she only gave him a day to prep before setting off." Kai grimaced. "She took half of the guards, and two-third of the royal navy. The rest she set to patrol our borders. Our people are restless. Many fear this attack would lead to retaliation. The ambassadors from Edenlands, Manbul, and other kingdoms allied with Weaseltown are in the castle, demanding an audience."

Kai leaned in and whispered, "We tried to dissuade your sister, but she wouldn't listen, no matter what. Did you find out why is she acting so?"

"Because it isn't her." Anna's heart seized. "It's Freya."

His eyes went as wide as saucers. "The demon you mentioned? Oh Lord. No, I can't believe this. Could someone have made a mistake? Maybe your sister had her reasons. It has to be."

"Kai, you know better."

He gripped tight his bowtie. "When did this happen?"

"Ever since the Eternity returned, it's always been Freya. My sister's fighting back, but she…" Anna couldn't say it. She's dying. Despite everything, we might never see Elsa again.

He seemed to understand, and his voice was raw with pain. "I… will tell Gerda."

Anna nodded, fighting down the tremble in her throat. No more little girl. Be the ruler they need. She stepped up onto the ledge of a fountain. A thousand eyes were looking at her. "People of Arendelle! You know who I am. The second-born, the spare, the one who rather spends her time playing in the fields than to sit on the throne. But I am also your princess, and I know one thing. This is not who we are! We do not attack other countries, or steal their land! As my father, King Agdar, decreed twenty-two years ago– We are a kingdom of peace!

"Our ships have set out for Weselton. I came too late to stop them. And this snow's likely to worsen. I know, winter wasn't supposed to come so soon, and you think it's the coronation all over again. I know that some of you are scared. You are confused. You are angry. It's not fair, I agree. But what has happened has happened! All we can do now is to take care of one another, as we always have, as we always will. If you need any help, come to us. The castle is always open."

The next part she said for herself as well. "I swear on my life, I'll do whatever it takes to stop this war."

Murmurs of agreement fanned through the crowd. Then a call began to rise, "Princess Anna! Princess Anna! PRINCESS ANNA!"

Her royal butler looked at her with wonder. "We are yours to command, Your Highness."

"Kai, my parents never really taught me on how to rule, and well, I didn't read all the books Elsa wanted me to. If I screw up an order, tell me right away." He nodded. "Have Isabelle do a sweep of the town and the outskirts villages. Ensure that everyone has food, and other provisions to survive a prolonged winter; she's to have as many guards and servant as needed. Have Finn do a stocktake of our own supplies. Oh, have Oddvar and Nafaneius attend to the ambassadors too."

"Minister Isabelle's at the town square; I shall summon her right away. As for Minister Oddvar and Minister Nafaneius, you do know those two have never been on Elsa's side, or yours. Perhaps it'd be wiser to meet them yourself."

Anna bit back her agreement. "I don't… like them. But I trust them. We need diplomacy now, and those two talk better than most. If need be, have Lord Louis mediate. You mentioned a third of the navy stayed. Who's the next ranking officer in Arendelle?"

"Commodore Jephen. Will you recall those ships?"

"No. Word of the invasion would've spread. What if Weselton counterattacks from North? And God knows who else might join in. Edenlands. Southern Isles. Pirates even. We can't fight a war on two fronts. Send a pigeon, tell Jephen the navy is to patrol our shores, and not to join the invading fleet no matter what." She bit her lips. "What else did I miss?"

Kai closed his eyes as he sucked in deeply. When he opened them again, he beheld her in a way he never had before. "You are our queen now."

"I am not!" Heads snapped toward Anna, and she realized with a flush of shame she'd shouted. The next words she forced herself to whisper, "I am not. My sister is still alive, and I will save her, or die trying. Please, Kai, don't bring this up again."

He nodded, his lips pressed in a tight line. Snow was piling around Anna's feet, and her belly ached from hunger. Still, she made herself stay put for her people. "Have you seen Markus? Kristoff's hurt."

"Already here, Your Highness," came Markus's voice. "Let me look at you in a sec. From what your fiancé says, you had quite the fall." Kristoff was seated on the curb, fussing against two maids as the physician bounded his arm with a bandage.

Two guards approached, supporting Eirik between them. She'd never seen him in such a state before; his lips were bloodied, his hat was missing, and his usually-pristine uniform was crumpled.

Markus swore aloud when Kristoff leapt to his feet. "You dare show your face here! After you try to kill me!" Eirik pushed off the two and stumbled towards her. Kristoff stood between them with raised fists.

Anna nudged him aside. "Is it true?" She had no idea what to make of this. She knew Eirik had a dark past; though he'd never been friendly to Kristoff, they were at least cordial to each other.

"Your Highness, let me say first how glad I'm to see you well."

"Save it," Kristoff snapped. "You came at me with a sword."

Eirik met her eyes. "Pardon me, Your Highness, but I was only acting in your best interest. You were missing; I had to get your whereabouts from Kristoff. Then, he spread lies about Her Majesty."

"What lies?" Anna said.

"A wild tale involving the prisoner you set out to save from Weselton." The contempt was thick on Eirik's tongue. "Her Majesty tasked us to imprison Kristoff after he attacked her. And here he was, weaving lies after lies to save his own skin. Don't you see? I had to protect her honour, and yours."

"Did she tell you to hurt Kristoff? To interrogate him?" Anna said. Eirik clammed shut. "So, you took things into your own hands. That's how it is, isn't it? You wanted to punish him."

"He betrayed Queen Elsa! He had to be taught a lesson–"

She slapped him. "How dare you." Anna winched when his lips split again, but she hardened her expression right after. "Eirik Ingegerd, you have acted beyond your authority, and grossly failed in your judgement as captain." The guards tensed. She knew how much they respected him, but he'd went too far. "I hereby relieve you of your duties. As of now, you are no longer guard captain, or a guard of the crown. Do you have anything to say?"

Eirik's fists clenched and unclenched, the loathing in his eyes for Kristoff chilled her. Would he lash out? Anna watched with bated breath as he closed his eyes. "…I understand. My fate is in your hands."

"I should jail you, you know? Or at the very least, deport you." Eirik bowed his head, the blood dripping down his chin. She allowed herself a bit of glee at seeing his sorry state. "But I'm not going to do that. If the war spreads here, then we need every hand we can get. You are a capable man, Eirik. Go to Kai, see if he has any task for you."

The former guard captain gaped at her. "I… thank you, Your Highness."

"Prove that my faith in you isn't misplaced."

He wavered in spot. "What about Queen Elsa?"

Eirik's loyalty was ironclad. If only Anna had realized earlier how far he'd go to defend his monarch's name. "Kai will explain everything. Go."

"It isn't over between us, Eirik. Not by a long shot," Kristoff growled. "Now, where are the prisoners?"

The Weseltoners! Anna had nearly forgotten them. She ordered their release immediately. The merchants were led out first, then the sailors, and finally the mercs, who had to be escorted by two guards each. Anna went to each in turn, apologizing and promising full restitution. Li Hua hugged her fiercely, more glad to be freed than anything else; while Thomas laughed and clapped his prodigious belly, proclaiming all was forgiven. The others were more shaken than angry; it was more than she could hope for. Eleven were suffering from frostbite, but most were none the worse for their captivity. Freya had indeed spared them torture, all except one.

Rasmus looked as though he'd aged twenty years. "Well met again, Princess Anna. I did not think I would see you again under such circumstances."

"Mayor, what did she do to you?" Anna held his arm, afraid he'd collapse.

"Oh, we had a talk, that is all. One that is fifteen years overdue, courtesy of that damnable prison." Rasmus leaned against her. His stench was overwhelming. "You know which prison I mean."

"You know about Freya?"

"I know that my countrymen are doomed." The old man shook his head. "And sometimes I wonder if this is what Belking deserves. Maybe. Heh."

Anna found herself unable to refute him, and that frightened her more than anything else. He was still cackling as Thomas helped him away. There was so much more she needed to ask, but he needed medical attention right away.

"Anna."

She let the cold air fill her lungs before turning around, and instantly wished she'd locked Eirik up after all. Kristoff's wounds were worse than she'd thought. One arm was hooked around Sven's neck for support, the other was smouldered in bandage from wrist to shoulder, and brown paste had been smeared over his thigh and waist. Even his face wasn't spared; a bruised eye, bloodied nose, and a gash inches below his eye.

"Gonna keep staring?" He smiled. "By the way, that was a great speech. To our people I mean."

"Thanks. You need to lie down," she said. "I'm surprised Markus didn't send you to the infirmary."

"He tried. Now, why didn't you tell them about Freya? Isn't it time they– Oh." His eyebrows knitted up. "You're trying to protect them. If Freya knows Arendelle knows, she'd destroy everyone."

Would she? Despite everything, Anna rather believed Freya retained enough good in her not to do so. But it was a risk she was unwilling to take.

"All this wouldn't matter if we don't bring Elsa back, would it? What did Grandpabbie tell you?"

Anna told him of how Sven brought her to the valley, of the trolls healing her, of her lashing out at them, and of Pabbie revealing that Elsa's soul had held on.

"Of course she did," Kristoff whispered. "I always knew she had it in her. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go save Elsa."

"How?" Anna had her answer already, but she wanted to hear his.

"We need to reach out to her somehow. The same way you did at the waterfall."

"And if we fail?"

"We won't. Elsa needs us now, more than ever. If there's anyone in the world who can save her, it's her little sister." He held her shoulders, and the determination in his eyes reminded Anna of why she'd fell for him in the first place.

It's nearly time.

Anna glanced around. Kai, Sorby and Eirik had ushered the swelling crowd into several lines, one to receive food from Gerda, another to be examined by Markus, and a third to speak to Louis. Servants streamed in and out of the castle, carrying clothes and firewood. Several guards stood sentry near her, while the rest were helping people at random. Arendelle was working as one, and she couldn't be prouder of them. Her fingers shifted to her chest by itself, and she gripped the object under the cape.

"What's that?" Kristoff said.

Anna hugged her cape close. She was afraid he'd ask. "Grandpabbie said this would help me stop Freya."

"A weapon?"

She held his gaze. "That's no easy way to say this. Kristoff, I need you to stay in Arendelle."

"Tell me you are joking."

"I'm not."

Kristoff gritted his teeth. "No. No. How about this? I will go to Weselton, and you stay here where your kingdom needs you. I'll come back with Elsa, I promise."

"Please, don't make this harder than it needs to be. If I don't return, it's up to you to take care of everyone. Think of Sven. Think of your family."

"I am thinking of you! We are doing this together. That's no way in hell I'm letting you–"

Anna snatched him into a hug, and pressed their lips together. Gasps filled the air, but she didn't care. She wanted– needed the world to see this. To behold this man, who'd risk his own life and happiness without hesitation, all so she could find hers; this man whom she could entrust her future to. His hands curled around her waist, and she pressed into his chest, feeling the beating of his heart, his warmth, his smell.

Anna pulled back from the kiss; it was altogether too short. She held his cheeks, running her fingers over his stubble, mapping out the contours of his face. His breaths fluttered on her lips, and there was such confusion in his eyes.

"Anna?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She shoved him away. "Guards! Hold him!"

"Your Highness, are you sure–"

"DO IT!"

They acted far too slowly – so great was their shock – but it was nothing compared to Kristoff's. He went utterly limp as they grabbed his arms. The look on his face broke her heart. "Why?" His voice was strained and choked. "Why?"

"I can't lose you as well," she said. "I can't… I just can't… I am sorry."

That snapped him out of his trance, and it was all the guards could do to restrain him. "No! Anna! Don't do this! It's too dangerous! Let me go!"

Forgive me.

Gerda, Sorby, Kai and Sven trotted to her. "Anna! What's going on?" Gerda said.

"I'm transferring emergency powers to Kai. Hold Kristoff in the castle, keep him safe. Don't let him follow me, no matter what. Can you do that?"

"You aren't making sense!" Gerda said, then she gasped when Anna hugged her.

"Thank you for everything. If– if I'm not back in three days, then Kristoff will be in charge of Arendelle. I want you guys to guide him, especially Lord Louis."

"No!" Gerda whipped around. "Say something! All of you!"

"Your Highness." Kai was trembling. "Your kingdom needs you. We need you."

"Anna, please," Gerda said. "For the love you bear us. Stay."

Anna swept her gaze through her servants, guards, townspeople, and most of all, Kristoff. This could well be the last. He stopped thrashing against the guards, and his eyes found hers. She tore her gaze away, lest she lose her will.

"I must go." Her voice cracked. "There's a million people in Weselton… Men, women, children, babes at their mothers' breasts. They will all die if I do nothing. I can't, I can't let that happen to my sister. Do you understand? I can't let the death of innocents be on Elsa's hands!"

Understanding dawned on their faces, and they bowed their heads. Sorby stepped forward. One look, and she knew he was ready.

"Sorby." Anna steeled her voice. "You are captain of the Eternity now. We are going to Weselton."

It began with a whisper. A chill in his spine. An ache in his joints.

Winter's come a month early, Qarlbo thought. He pulled the hood over his head with one hand to protect his freezing ears, while the other fumbled with a stack of shipping logs.

"Harbourmaster, it's all in order, ain't it? Come now, I must go."

Qarlbo glared at the sailor. His captain was in such a hurry to leave he couldn't even come down himself. He was tempted to hold up this ship just to see their faces. Damn Southerners. They feast like vultures on our gold, but now that rumours of an attack blow by, they flee like rats!

And there were many rats indeed. All around, purple flags, red flags, rainbow flags, and a dozen others were being pulled down. Qarlbo let out a snarl and pushed the papers into the sailor's chest. "Take it and go. Don't expect reduced taxes from us again. Go!"

Ships after ships pushed off the harbour. Thirty years in this harbour, and Qarlbo had never seen it so empty. It made him miserable. They'd regret this, oh yes. Once this had blown over, all these fools would come crying back, and then Weselton would have its pick of friends. After all, what have they got to fear from a few rickety Arendelle boats? The privateers had long proved their standing from centuries of navel combat.

Qarlbo swelled with pride as peered up at the gold flags of Weselton with their bear-and-wolf mark. He made a mental note of the few other kingdoms beside, for loyalty should be rewarded. A gush of wind rattled the poles and stung his eye. One flag tore right off its ropes. His eyes followed it to the sky, and goosebumps raced up his shoulders. The clouds roiled above him, black and ash pulsing with lightning. The sun winked out, and the world was dark and cold.

Terror filled him. This was no ordinary storm. The stories of Arendelle's queen…

"Sorcery!" someone cried.

The storm clouds cleared. But what was left behind was no better, for now the sky was as pale as death. A hundred trails of white gushed from breaks in the clouds. The snow gathered high above, whipping into an orb. A shrill whistle pierced Quarlbo's ears, and instinct led him to raise his hands.

It exploded with a crack, and shards of blue streaked across the sky. The sheer force toppled stalls and people alike. Qarlbo was hurled back into a tent. Something shattered against his back, and his breakfast came up his throat. He would've laid still if not for the cacophony of thumps and splashes.

Qarlbo struggled free of the canvas to see chunks of ice cascading everywhere. One crushed a melon next to him. Hail. Whimpering, he flung the canvas over himself and wrapped his arms over his skull. Screams filled the air, and he muttered every prayer he ever knew for this hell to end.

Uuuuuuuuuhoooooooooooo—

The alarm! The royal army knows! Qarlbo peeked out. It was utter chaos. Men and women alike were crying, "We are under attack!" Someone knocked into a pole, sending an entire shop front collapsing. A girl yelped as the mass of running bodies shoved her off the pier into the water. Guards stomped past, tossing their weapons aside as they fled for dear life.

"Look!" Everyone came to a halt and turned. Fingers pointed towards the sea.

A line of ships was approaching, as wide as the horizon itself. The masts were unmistakable– purple-and-green with a crocus in the middle.

Where are our ships? Wet warmth ran down Qarlbo's pants. Why aren't they intercepting?

The leading Arendelle ship flashed. A nova erupted from it like a tsunami, freezing over the sea and turning the shore white.

"Run!" That jolted Qarlbo to his senses. He didn't know who was shouting and what was going on. All he knew was to obey the call. "Run for your–" the cry cut off, but he barely registered it. They've lost. To stay was to die. He spun… and nearly tore his own feet off. Frost was creeping up his legs. Oh God. Oh God no…

Qarlbo opened his mouth to scream, and the ice fingers dug in.