Frozen Beyond [gxg]

Out of Time

Elsa paced the throne room, always finding herself back on the balcony where she looked over the black ice that seized the fjord as far as the eye could see. It looked like the entire ocean was frozen. She had tried to thaw the water, but nothing she did worked against the black ice.

Whatever was happening, they were out of time. She could feel it in her bones, in her magic. The darkness that touched the edges of her magic was finally closing in.

Gale frittered around her and Bruni scrambled up her leg to rest on her shoulder. They could feel it too and Elsa hugged herself.

Behind her Anna, Kristoff, Matthias, Hans, and Keahi all spoke, though their voices mingled together. A hand touched her shoulder and she leaned back without hesitation against Keahi.

"We're out of time," Elsa whispered in despair. They didn't even have a plan yet and Crow and Hel were coming for not just them, every one.

They were just the lucky recipients of Hel's first stop.

"We'll be okay." Keahi came around so they were facing one another, her hands running down Elsa's arms until their hands were clasped together.

Elsa just shuddered at the dark magic that hung thick in the air. "How do you know that?"

"Because we all have things to fight for. Now more than ever." Keahi guided her back to the group.

She looked over everyone before her eyes landed on Anna. Her sister looked feistier and ready to fight harder now than ever.

Anna looked over everyone before turning to Matthias, "We need to have an evacuation of Arendelle." Anna directed towards Matthias who had a hard edge to his eyes as he gave a small bow of his head.

Kristoff stepped forward. It was the most serious Elsa had ever seen him. He looked like a knight ready to knock down anything in his way. "There's an old ice harvesting village tucked just behind the mountains."

Matthias hit his fist to his chest, "We'll start the evacuation now." He hesitated. "Your Majesty—."

"I'm staying until I'm sure everyone on Arendelle is evacuated safely," Anna interjected before he had the chance.

Matthias only sighed but didn't fight her word as he bowed and headed hastily out of the room.

Elsa caught Kristoff's eyes as they exchanged a knowing look. Anna wouldn't leave, but she was the most important person here right now. If no one made it out of this, it was imperative that Anna should. She was the Queen; she was the leader of Arendelle.

Hans cleared his throat, "I'll move soldiers around the edges of Arendelle and send word to my brother that the situation has escalated."

"Thank you." Anna eyed Hans before nodding her head as he rushed out of the room.

"The spirits are out of balance," Elsa gave Bruni a pet on the head with her index finger before he belly-flopped to the ground. A pink Mohawk of fire shot down his back as he paced, irritated. "Whatever happens, it needs to be corrected quickly."

The door shot open as Sven strut in carrying Olaf and Pips. The two slid from Sven's back as he kneeled closer to the ground. Another clap of thunder rang out before lightening reflected in the room.

Pips squealed and rushed over to her and Keahi. Elsa leaned over to hold out her arms and Pips leapt into them as she picked her up. She buried her head into the crook of Elsa's neck and clung to her.

Yes, they all had a lot more to protect now. Elsa looked over at Keahi who nodded in confirmation as if she knew what Elsa was going to say. She rubbed Pips back to try to soothe her.

Keahi grinned and put her hand on Pip's head, "Hey little Pipsqueak, it's okay." Keahi told her cheerfully.

Pips looked up from her spot in the crook of Elsa's neck and reached out for Keahi who took her and cheerfully swung her around. It got a giggle out of her.

"Here, let's take Sven and Olaf and go get cake!" Keahi cheered.

"Cake?!" Olaf yelled from the other side of the room as he rushed over, Sven excited at his heels as they all trailed after Keahi. The door closed behind the group and the clicking of the door was a lot heavier sounding than it should have been.

Elsa rubbed her arms as a sudden rush of cold. "Anna —"

"No, Elsa." Anna snapped.

Elsa closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening her eyes and looking over to Kristoff.

He cleared his throat and tapped his hands on his trousers before hitching a thumb to the door. "I'm just gonna go make sure Sven doesn't eat too much...cake."

After he made his exit Elsa turned to Anna and gave her a hardened look. "You're pregnant and you need to evacuate."

To her surprise, Anna looked away with a gleam of tears in her eyes. She didn't say anything and they both stood silent until Anna took in a shaky breath. "I know."

Elsa's shoulders relaxed and she wrapped Anna in a hug. She hadn't noticed it during the duration of their harrowing voyage, but she could feel a very slight swell of Anna's belly. "I want you to take Olaf, Sven, and Pips and evacuate with everyone. Arendelle needs its leader." Elsa pulled back and clasped her hands with Anna. "And you are the brightest ray of sun that Arendelle could ever hope for in a time like this."

Anna's eyes wept with large tears and she brought Elsa's hands to her face where she quietly sobbed into them. "I don't want to leave you. We were supposed to face these things together."

"And we can. We work well as a team even though I'm in the Enchanted Forest and you're here, remember? I need you to uphold your side of the bridge. Keep the people of Arendelle safe."

Anna sniffed and straightened her shoulders, solemnly nodding her head. "You promise you'll come home, safe?"

Elsa frowned, leaning over and kissing Anna's forehead and wrapping her in a hug. "I can't promise that this time."