Chapter 32

~ Flight ~

The wilderness tore past Anna.

She wanted to howl, to rip her hair out, and to beat her fists bloody on a wall. But huddled down on a galloping reindeer, there wasn't much she could do. Instead, she crushed the leather reins till her hands turned white. She gnashed her teeth, feeling the stiffness of tears dried on her cheeks.

The clops rang in her ears, sharp through the deafening wind, but it was Pabbie's words which echoed over and over again, dragging her down like a thousand pounds of iron chain.

Elsa is alive. Anna sunk to her knees, her shoulders heaving as her eyes spilled over. She would have chanted a hundred thanks to Pabbie, and kowtow till her forehead bled again, but the rush of activities had sapped too much from her. She made do with holding his hand and nodding profusely.

"Anna. It isn't that simple."

Her head jerked up. "You told me she's alive."

"Elsa is alive, but she is in grave danger." He closed his palm over hers. "We may already be too late."

All the strength fled her body. If the elderly troll had not held on, she'd have plunged headfirst into the pool.

"I was so close… She was there at the waterfall. She saved me."

Pabbie turned his head slowly, as if addressing a child. "You do not understand still. That was Freya."

Her mouth opened, but words seemed to freeze in her throat.

"When Freya usurped your sister's body with her dark soul, she took everything Elsa had. Her memories. Her magic. Even her feelings for you. That should have been the end. Yet Elsa held on, and now her soul slumbers. But the body cannot hold two souls, and the soul cannot survive without a body. Soon she will fade, and all that is left would be Freya."

"You can save her." Anna squeezed his hands. "Do what you just did! Use the Vale lagoon's magic again!"

"I did nothing. The pool only allows me to reveal what was already within–" Pabbie held up the dolls. "A sign of Elsa's waning life force, hints of her magic which I couldn't sense before. But she's weak, Anna. She's terribly weak."

Anna felt dizzy. The heavens were intent on mocking her. Elsa lived just so she could die again. And all her little sister could do was sit here and let the demon to consume the last of her.

What do I do? WhatdoIdo–WhatdoIdo–WhatdoIdo–WHAT DO I DO?!

She dropped her head on Pabbie's hands, trembling uncontrollably. "Grandpabbie, please…" She choked between sobs. "I can't live without her. I can't. I just can't. Bring Elsa back to me. I beg you." He seemed to pull back, but she didn't let go. "I'll do whatever it takes. I can bring the demon here, and, and–"

"You want me to defeat Freya and banish her soul."

She met his eyes. "Yes."

"I cannot. I'm sorry, child. But the snow queen is beyond even me. The trolls cannot take part in this conflict."

He's abandoning us again, Anna thought, until she remembered her last outburst. Her throat constricted as she said, "Then I will save her myself." Don't let me do this alone. Help me.

His reply was his silence, and Anna knew that she had exhausted all the aid they could give. "You said we may be too late. I cannot believe that." Somehow she found it in herself to smile. "Elsa's stronger than you think. I will save her. I will find a way to purge Freya's soul from her body."

"What if you fail?"

"Then I will die trying."

Pabbie's eyebrows crinkled. He propped her chin up till their gaze were level with each other. "I wanted to protect you. But perhaps I have underestimated the bond which Elsa and you share." He pointed at the dolls. "Her love for you tethers her to this world. Yet, I fear your love for her will stop you from doing what is necessary. Tell me. Do you know why you are still alive?"

"Because you healed me," she answered without a hitch.

"If you'd fallen to your death, I wouldn't even have had the chance. No, it was not I who saved you." The troll king handed her the cape. "I've seen your memories, child. Think back, think of all the things you've learnt in Weselton. Think of the prison, and the things Freya said in both her sister's and your sister's form. Think of the promise you made once."

Deep within Anna's mind, something clicked.

"You know what you must do," Pabbie said.

She kept quiet, and so did he. After too long, she replied, "I won't."

"Anna, you're the only one who can stop this madness."

"No, you can't tell me to do this. Not after everything."

"You must," said Pabbie, the urgency of his voice seeping through his tone. "You must."

"I can't!"

"Then you only prolong your sister's suffering."

The sudden chill snapped Anna back to the present. After the reprise of the valley, she felt as though an icy hand was squeezing her. She pulled the cape tight over herself. They were beyond the trolls' protective spells. Here, they answered to the elements... and to the snow queen.

Sven brayed as if to signal her, then he charged. He knew the stakes too. Locking her hands onto his saddle, Anna raised herself and leaned forward, letting her body jerk in tandem with the reindeer.

Wait for me, Elsa.

The wind was a living thing. It shrieked in her ears, wrenched at her cape like an insistent washerwoman, and stung her face till her world became a slit.

Arendelle had never seemed so far away, not even when her heart was freezing as she raced to the castle for true love's kiss. She cringed at the memory; she was so stupid back then, thinking Hans was her salvation…

Elsa was all she ever needed.

And now more so than ever, her sister needed her.

"I want you to stop me if I lose control again, no matter what it takes. Even if it means–"

Anna shook her head fiercely. No, there was still time. It would not come to that.

The life of an ice harvester was often a short one.

Not every frozen lake was strong enough to take the weight of a sled after all. A rusty saw was as dangerous as any blizzard, and towering blocks of ice next to flimsy belts meant crushed limbs and broken bones. If supplies ran out on trips, then the difference between starvation and survival might be the matter of slaughtering one's own reindeer.

Kristoff had long made peace with this, minus the eating-reindeer part. He would die as he lived – on the ice. Perhaps one day, he'd misjudge himself and fall off a cliff, or perish as Dad and Mom did, fighting wolves to save the weak. For what better death was there?

He never dreamt he might be gutted like a pig under the castle however. Far from Anna, Sven and his family. Far from the ice he loved so much.

A cold wall pressed to his back while the frigid tip of a blade pricked his throat.

"This is how you repay Her Majesty? After she made you the Royal Ice Master, deemed you her champion, you betray her?" said Eirik.

"Will you just hear me out?" Kristoff said, scarce daring to breathe. "Please."

The sword pushed in, and he dug his skull into the wall. The pressure on his throat vanished.

"Speak then."

He patted his neck. It was intact. "Dammit man, I'm on your side! I don't know what she told you, but you know I'd never hurt Elsa." At Eirik's glare, he added, "Queen Elsa."

"Serve those words to others. I'm not your friend. Do you deny that you attacked Her Majesty?"

Never thought you were. "Of course. I was trying to save her."

Eirik snorted. "By luring her to the waterfall? By slashing her with an ice axe? By having your beast kidnap Her Highness?"

You son of a bitch. My buddy's no beast. Kristoff would've said so, if not for the weapon.

"Where is Her Highness now? Tell me, or I will make you."

"With the trolls, if we're lucky."

Eirik Ingegerd shook his head in disbelief. "Why would they aid you in this? Are all our allies so treacherous?" He studied Kristoff. "I had expected you to hold tight to that info."

"Because I'm trying to help you. Trust me. Everything's gone to hell, and we need to work fast if we're gonna save Arendelle."

"Your words are wind, ice harvester. All I see is the man who went against everything he once stood for."

The venom in Eirik's voice stunned him. Did Captain-uptight hate him so much? Kristoff raised his hands in a beseeching gesture. "This is bigger than you and me. We can talk later, but the invasion must be stopped right now."

"So that's why you attacked our queen."

Kristoff nearly punched him. "Alright, you want the truth?" Here we go. "Your queen's been possessed."

Eirik blinked. Once. Twice. His fingers tightened over his hilt.

"I know this sounds crazy, but you need to hear me out. Anna– Princess Anna and I went to Weselton to find someone who has magic like Queen Elsa. We succeeded. We found this prisoner, Freya. She– Ah, she has soul magic. She was too dangerous, so we left her there. But she hijacked Lar's ship and stranded us there. When the Eternity reached our shores, Queen Elsa entered the ship, thinking Princess Anna was within. Freya ambushed her and took over her body."

Kristoff stole a breath. "That's why all these has happened. Why she attacked the Splendor, why she's acting weird, why she declared war. Anna and I realized the truth yesterday. We confronted her, but she used Elsa's magic on us. She knocked me out, but Anna somehow got away, thank goodness. And that's why we are here where we are."

Eirik's chiselled face betrayed no emotion.

Kristoff swallowed. Even as he explained everything, he knew how absurd it sounded. If only Kai or Gerda were here– no, better not. Anna and he had only told them that they knew what was wrong with Elsa, but they dared not expose it was due to Freya's possession, not without confronting her first. If he implicated them, he might well be seeing two new cellmates.

The blade rose. "You disappoint me. I came for a confession, not a tale."

Rasmus and Sorby had played mute throughout. It wouldn't hurt to have them vouch for him right now.

"Ask your dear queen then. Why don't you ask her to come down here and talk? Go on."

"Presumptuous. To summon Her Majesty at your whim to hear your fancy story. Are you the court jester now?"

I am the only sane one here who's trying to save your beloved queen!

"He is Princess Anna's consort."

Rasmus's voice startled them both. Eirik twisted around, revealing another sword slung over his back. "He is no prince-consort! He forfeited his claim the moment he betrayed our kingdom."

"And who is the judge of that? You, a mere guard?"

"I am Eirik Ingegerd, captain of the guards of the crown!"

"Then you owe Kristoff Bjorgman your allegiance. Is he not part of the royal family?"

Not yet I'm not.

"My loyalty is to Her Majesty, first and foremost."

"And does she know you are here?" Rasmus said. "Does she know you are interrogating her personal captive?"

"She… My duty is to defend her, even against threats she's unaware of."

Captain-uptight's back was fully turned. Kristoff flirted with the idea of bowling him down, but the moment was lost when he whipped around. "Mayor, this does not concern you. Her Majesty will deal with you afterwards, but this man will answer for his crimes right now."

"Eirik, please. Open your eyes for just. One. Second." Kristoff pointed as if Elsa was there. "That person out there is not our queen! You know she'd never hurt her sister, or force us to attack another kingdom. You know damn well."

Something flickered within Eirik's eyes. Hesitation perhaps, but a stubborn fire burnt there as well.

"Let your mettle prove your words, ice harvester."

The sword clattered to Kristoff's feet. A duel then. So that's why he brought a spare.

"Fine, but I don't want anyone to get hurt," Kristoff said. "Why don't we step out into the courtyard and grab wooden–"

Steel sang as Eirik drew his second blade.

"This is ridiculous! Give me an ice axe or something. I don't use swords, remember?"

"My best masters-at-arms trained you for months. You will not dishonour their efforts." Eirk slashed at the air. "You told me before any man could pick up a sword and fight. Now's your chance to prove it."

Kristoff had no doubt that if Eirik wanted to kill him, he'd have done so already. Was this his twisted way of justifying his actions? By murdering him in the pretence of a fair fight?

"Guard captain!" Rasmus shouted. "If you have any honour in you, stand down! Let your queen decide Kristoff's fate."

"Pick up the sword." Eirik's voice was hard as steel.

"And if I refuse?" Kristoff said.

"Then I'll cut you down where you stand."

So, the time for idle chatter was done. The guards of the crown, finest among the Arendelle guards, did not attack unarmed opponents. Kristoff knew Eirik well enough to know that he took pride in his uniform above all else. Then again, he never imagined he'd one day be cornered by him either.

If I die now, all would be lost.

Eirik stood rock-still as Kristoff bent and grabbed his weapon. He was surprised by how light, and yet solid it felt. He switched it between hands, gripping and adjusting. The leather hilt was firm and slightly worn, and points of light ran silver along the edge. It was good metal, superior to those used by the common guards. Even a bear wouldn't have stood a chance against this.

"Are we really doing this? Our rulers are in peril, yet here we are, fighting to the death for your brand of justice."

Eirik lowered himself into a fighting stance, his lips set in a thin line.

"Promise me one thing," Kristoff said. "If I fall, tell Anna I love her, and never to give up. When she comes back, Eirik please, on your honour as guard captain, believe whatever she tells you. You may yet save our kingdom."

Eirik frowned, but at last he nodded once.

Kristoff lunged.

In Arendelle, there existed few men as dangerous as Eirik Ingegerd. Despite being Admiral Vigard's youngest bodyguard in his warring days, his lean and wiry body was yet untouched by scars. After the cousins declared for King Agdar together, Eirik rose swiftly in the ranks of the Arendelle guards, later becoming a guard of the crown, and eventually captain.

Eirik overtopped him by half a head, but the cramped cell would allow Kristoff to bear his full strength upon the skinnier man. At least that was he'd planned.

Steel met steel with a bone-jarring clank. And Kristoff found himself retreating.

"A claymore grip on a one-hand sword. I knew we had the same stance," Eirik said. "Good!"

Once more, Kristoff swung hard. Eirik parried it. Another blow. Another parry. High. Low. Cut to the left. Again and again, his attacks were diverted with lazy ease. Just as he reached up for a full-powered slash, Eirik stabbed at his face. He chopped down, turning the attack by a hair's breadth.

"En garde, ice harvester. That won't happen again."

He's toying with me.

Kristoff stepped back, hoping Eirik would follow. Then he'd lock blades with him while circling around before dashing for the door.

Fat hope. Captain-uptight was a statue, his sword tip tracking his movement.

"Dammit. We don't have time for your games. We need to get to Elsa!"

"You won't be stopping Her Majesty, I assure you."

A chill ran down his spine. The dungeon was cold, but this man's eyes were colder still. Just why was he doing this?

Kristoff lowered his blade. "Please, we–"

A flash of silver, then something icy impacted on his face, snapping him to the side. He collided against the wall, nearly blacking out. Blood filled his lips, and he realized he'd nearly bitten his tongue off. Rasmus was yelling like a madman. Wet warmth escaped his nose. Kristoff braced himself against the wall as he turned to glare at the guard captain.

He used the flat of his blade.

"Your last chance. En garde!"

He sprang to his feet, turning his momentum into a stab. Eirik leapt back. Without missing a beat, Kristoff unleashed a flurry of blows. They passed through the bars. In the stillness of the dungeon, their swords met with deafening clanks. Kristoff broke off the exchange to glance at the door.

"Fear not. My men will not interfere."

"So? They'd be on me in seconds if I win."

"If you win, you walk out a free man. I promise."

"And if I don't? They're fine with you killing prisoners?"

"No, just you."

Kristoff peeked at the cells. At the end of the corridor was Rasmus, clutching at his bars and watching with enlarged eyes. Every other cell seemed empty. Where was Sorby?

"En garde," Eirik said, smiling.

Kristoff had a second to register his shock before the guard captain charged. And he understood now why this man had never been scarred. With a speed that belied his bulk, Eirik closed the distance between them instantly. Even with his own sword raised, his foe's blade slipped right past, biting into his shoulder.

There was an explosion of pain. Half shouting and half screaming, Kristoff slashed down. Eirik dodged with a backstep, almost gracefully so. Blood ran down his sleeve but he didn't dare look. Somehow, he could still raise both arms. A flesh wound then; this wouldn't stop him.

Eirik tilted his head, staring at him curiously. "How is it that Queen Elsa and Princess Anna hold you in such high esteem? You, a Sámi, who knows nothing but ice lugging. A loner who lives with his reindeer pet. You think you got to where you are because of skills or courage? No, parasite. You merely lucked out from our crisis."

Jealousy. Eirik was choked full of it. So, he regretted not saving the sisters himself during the Great Freeze. Little wonder words couldn't reach this fool; all he saw was him performing his just duty against the one man who'd robbed him of glory.

It was uncharacteristically childish. But could Kristoff blame him, truly? He'd seen two monarchs die, and two more nearly so. Too often, Kristoff had heard in taverns alcohol-induced ravings on the worthlessness of the Arendelle guards. Oh, how they abandoned their queen and princess to run off into the mountains alone! Oh, how they nearly crowned a treacherous prince!

Oh, how an ice harvester saved the kingdom where the entire guard force failed!

"I give up. You are the better man, the better fighter. You win."

"No. You don't get to walk away like this." Eirik grimaced, his breath steaming.

"This has gone far enough. Any of your guards could've saved the sisters as well. You are right. I admit, I just happened to be there at the right time."

"ANY OF MY GUARDS ARE WORTH TEN OF YOU! They train every day of their lives, to live and die by Her Majesty's command. What she bestowed upon you was something they could only dream of! Yet, you! You spit on your calling. You mock us! You–" Eirik smacked himself on the skull abruptly. His shaking died down, and his breathing became calm again. He exhaled long and hard, as though expelling the last of his anger.

"I respected you once, Kristoff Bjorgman. And now, I swear in the name of God, I swear by my honour, you will not hurt Queen Elsa again."

Kristoff quashed what brief pity he had for Eirik. The sisters were in peril, and if this man chose to stand between them and him, then he was the enemy.

"How can you grovel before her while staying so blind?" Kristoff drove forward. He hurled his weight into every blow. Eirik jumped back, his blade twirling as he deflected his strikes. They came apart, but Kristoff pressed the attack, letting rage direct his body. Sparks flew and metal screamed. His sleeve was thoroughly soaked, yet he had never felt more alive.

The dance took them from one side of the corridor to the other. One thrust nicked Kristoff on the arm. Another raked his thigh. Again and again the steel kissed his skin, but he felt neither pain nor fatigue, only the grim surety of taking his opponent down.

Their blades locked. Not a single wound marked Eirik, yet uncertainty cut across his face. Roaring, Kristoff forced him back. Their weapons remained joined. Step by step, he shoved till the cell was at the guard captain's back.

Two skinny arms darted out between the bars and coiled over Eirik's throat. His eyes widened and he flipped his sword into a reverse grip. That opening was all Kristoff needed. The flat of his blade took him in the face, sending teeth and blood flying.

"Okay, let him go!" Kristoff said.

The arms unfurled and Eirik slumped to the floor like a ragdoll.

"Took you long enough," Sorby said.

There's still time.

Villagers streamed out of their houses, pointing and shouting as Anna approached.

"–it's Her Highness!"

"Princess Anna is back!"

"Out of the way! Sorry!" She charged past them, zigzagging through the houses, galloping on cobblestones towards the castle. There was a strange droning in the air, rather like a nearby parade, but she could hardly care.

There's still time. The gates are open. There's still time! She rode straight into the courtyard, ignoring the waving onlookers.

The chaos which greeted Anna robbed her very breath.

Servants and peasants alike scurried about, screaming and pointing. Her guards, each and every armed with crossbows or swords, formed a ring. Their quarry was three men yelling and brandishing weapons of their own. More people poured out of the castle still. Yet, the one person she both yearned and dreaded to see was missing.

She skidded to a stop before the rabble, and every head spun to her.

Kristoff stood in the centre, his sword held out. Back to back with him was Rasmus and… Sorby?

"Anna!" He dropped his weapon and pushed past the guards, snatching her into an embrace. "Christ! Oh Christ! I thought I lost you."

Anna squeezed him, and he gasped. "Your arm! You're hurt! Kristoff, please tell me what's going on."

"He tried to free the Weseltoners!" a guard with a black eye yelled.

"As we should have from the beginning! And your captain tried to kill me!" Kristoff broke the hug, jabbing at the man. The shouts began anew.

Too much. The fall, the meltdown at the valley, Pabbie's cryptic words, and now this. It was too much for Anna.

"Enough!" She bellowed. "ENOUGH! I am your princess, and I order all of you to stand down!"

She could hear the blood in her ears. The raspy panting of Sven. The sobs of a woman. Her eyes searched the crowd, daring any to defy her. At last, every weapon aimed down. Then, she allowed herself to ask the question which mattered most.

"Where is my sister?"

Even as Anna asked that, she knew something was wrong. There were too little guards in the courtyard dealing with a supposed prison break. And the ships. She didn't register it at first, but she realized now the frigates were missing.

"Anna!" Gerda emerged from the castle, her eyes as red and raw as open sores. "Elsa! Elsa, she–"

Dread paralyzed Anna.

"She's gone to Weselton!"

A/N: So ends 2015. This story too, shall conclude in the next few chapters. Once again, I thank each and every one of my readers for accompanying me on this journey. Your support means a lot, and I hope you will enjoy the ending.