Chapter 2

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Elsa's POV

I sat in the shade of a cherry blossom tree staring out over the road.  My heart sank with the setting sun.

Six weeks and no sign of Jack or Kristoff.

It had seemed too much to hope for a quick return, but six weeks was bordering dangerous.  Jack had promised he would come back.  What was taking him so long?  Where was he?

"Miss Elsa Snow?" a hesitant voice called.  I glanced up.  A young man was standing at the edge of the yard holding a rolled scroll.

"That's me," I answered.

"Telegram for you, Miss."

I stood up and crossed to accept the telegram.  The young man stood in stupefied wonder.

"You're the legendary hero?" he asked.  I nodded.  "Thank you for saving Commander Thatch, my uncle.  He would've died without your doing."

"I was just doing my duty," I answered.  The young man bowed and hurried off.  I wondered if he was going to tell his friends about what happened.  I opened the scroll and my eyes widened.  It was from Jack.

My dearest Elsa,

I know I promised I would come back as soon as possible, but something's happened. I don't know when I'll make it back.

I'm not writing this to ask for help. I'm not writing this to change your life. I just wanted you to know what's going on and why I didn't come back yet. Stay safe. I'll write again when I can.

Commander Jackson Frost
P.S. Kristoff is asking that you don't tell Anna. He doesn't want her to worry.

I rolled the scroll back up. That was it? Six weeks and a scroll about how something had happened, but don't tell Anna?

It must have been something incredibly bad. It had to be, or else why would Anna worry? Why would Jack not explain?

I knew where they were. I was a warrior. I had been trained for battle. Even if I didn't tell Anna what was going on, there was nothing saying I couldn't go to help. Jack needed me. It was my job to be there for him, my commander.

---

I stared up at the construction in front of me. It was a towering stone segment of wall, extending half a mile in each direction. A handful of soldiers patrolled the top and a dozen or so workers swarmed the wall's surface.

I took a deep breath and steeled myself. I had my bow and quiver slung over my shoulder, the uniform of an elite soldier, and a silver laurel pin (honoring injured warriors who had fought for the country).  But my long platinum blond hair still made it obvious I was a girl.  And there was no guarantee my story had gotten to the edges of the country's borders.

"Officer, what can I do for you?" a worker asked hesitantly.  I could tell that my hunch was correct.  He had no idea who I was.  Probably thought I was a pathetic imposter, but was too afraid to question me.

"Take me to Commander Frost," I ordered with as much authority as I could muster.  I was pleased when the worker turned and climbed a wooden ladder, gesturing for me to follow.

At the top of the wall several temporary buildings had been constructed.  I was surprised by the sheer size of the wall.  No wonder construction was taking so long.  It was huge!

The worker led the way to the far end of the wall.  Jack was kneeling down at the edge, helping another worker place large stone bricks.  He wasn't in his military uniform.

"This . . . soldier . . . wishes to speak to you," my guide announced.  Jack turned and looked up at us.  His eyes widened.

"Elsa?" he asked.  "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I replied.  "I came here all ready for trouble-"

"You shouldn't be here," he said.  He stood up and dusted off his hands.

"Excuse me for coming to save you," I snapped.

"Save me?  There's nothing going on!  Didn't my letter explain that?"

"Your quote un-quote letter just said you didn't know when you would ever come back and not to worry!  That's supposed to make me calm down?"

"Yes!  It is!"

"Jack, one of the workers just . . . is that Elsa?" Kristoff broke off, jogging over to us.  He was in military uniform, which made me feel a little more in place.

"Yes, I came because of Jack's letter," I said.

"I told you not to send it," Kristoff told Jack.

"Sorry for caring about my fiancé," Jack retorted.  "Elsa, you turn around and go home right now."

"Don't tell me what to do.  I'm here to help and that's what I'll do, even if it's moving around slabs of rock all day."

"Would you stop being such a girl and just go home?"

Jack and I glared at each other.  I couldn't believe what was happening.  What was wrong with him?  I traveled for days to come save him, thinking the whole time that the wall was under attack, and how did he greet me?  Yelling at me to turn around and go home.

"I'm being a girl, huh?" I asked, voice dripping with venom.  "Well I'll just go home and sit all pretty while my bull-headed fiancé has his fun at war games!"

I stormed back to the ladder.  My hands were shaking.

"And if you send any more letters, don't expect a response, commander!"

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