Frozen: The Blackest of Tidings

Chapter 2: Love in Times of War

HER LIPS quivered, icy blue clawing out of the darkness as her eyes took in their surroundings. She pushed herself upward, a heaviness slowly slipping off as she sobered. The silence still blared, her vision blurring as sleep persisted.

The darkness struggled against the light of flames, a fireplace illuminating the dim room. The dull wood brought warmth in colour, a smoky and earthy scent enveloping her senses. She looked around, the chirping of crickets and crackling of fire meeting her ears as she realized what time it was.

A whimper followed by heavy breathing drew her attention, Balder's large form leaning against a wall as he sat on a chair coming to view. He guided a shaky hand, its grip inserting a suture into an open wound that lined his arm. With a swift move and a pained face, he closed it, knotting the thread to complete the seam.

He exhaled, distress evident in his breath as he placed the scissors and leftover catgut into a box lying beside him. She entered his peripheral, her untied hair blending with the cream wall as she sat on a bed with thick brown sheets.

"Oh, you've awoken, my Queen." He forced a smile, his eyes betraying him as they exuded discomfort.

"Where am I?" Her brows stitched with confusion.

"In." His breath hitched slightly. "The woods. I had this cabin built for times like these. You're safe; no one will find us here."

"Where's Anna?" Her mind fumbled, bearings strewn all over.

"In the other room with Kristoff." He exhaled again, pain seeping through. "She awoke moments ago and he went to check on her."

Her eyes trailed down his body, scars littering his arms from the torture he sustained during the interrogation from the Order and small cuts on his face that seemed fresh, coming to view. Her mind recollected everything, the realisation dawning on her, leading her to push dishevelled hair behind her ear.

"So, you were the one who knocked me out earlier?" Concern welled in her expression.

"It was the only way to get you out before they ripped you apart, my Queen. Forgive me."

"I understand ..." She watched him painfully attempt to reach for a bucket to the left with his right arm.

"The people of Arendelle are more vicious than I thought." His voice strained.

A dull screech met his ears, his head turning to Elsa who moved a chair up to him. She took a seat, picking a rag out of the bucket and twisting the water out of it. Surprise dilated his eyes, meeting hers that turned away, avoiding their gaze.

"My Queen –,"

"I just wanna help." A small smile graced her.

She dabbed the rag on a cut on his forehead, its contact drawing a wince from him; one he feebly attempted to mask. The curly locks of hair brushed up against her hand as it trailed his face, its light touch feeling airy.

Her eyes locked with his, cherry pink forming in her cheeks upon seeing them. She redirected her gaze, a calm expression driving away the warmth her face radiated. Her orbs trailed him, the scars drawing a question, one that came to her before.

"Why do you care so much?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you care so much? You've risked your life for me when you didn't need to. Our banishment wouldn't affect you; the Order would probably give you another title or let you keep your position as Advisor."

"It isn't about my title, it's about what's right for the kingdom."

She sat back, disbelief in her eyes as she stopped dabbing his face. Her brows stitched, probing him as she processed what he just uttered. He looked back at her, the mask of impassivity withholding his unease as she studied him.