Frozen Beyond [gxg]

Curse

Elsa stared in silent amazement. She knew something was different about Keahi, but she didn't know enough about magic outside of her own and the elemental spirits in the forest. But it all made sense now, the rapid heat that steamed together whenever they touched. How warm Keahi always was, why the cold didn't affect her.

Her feet were moving before she realized and her hand came down on top of Keahi's open palms. The fire fizzled out, and she used her own magic to cool Keahi's hot hands.

When they touched, steam rose and cackled. The heat melting the ice; the ice cooling the fire.

"This is our last effort before the curse takes us. My brother is desperate. I'm worried about what he may do." Keahi revealed, clutching her hands around Elsa.

Elsa felt her stomach clench, the blood rushing to her ears and making it hard for her to focus. "Take you?" She repeated duly, slowly meeting Keahi's gaze.

The woman gave a sad smile. "The fire from our curse eventually burns us. Like a candle, we just... fizzle into ash."

No. Everything in her screamed and her mind raced. It didn't matter if she had doubts; it didn't matter if she was worried about her own feelings. She couldn't let this happen to Keahi. She couldn't speak for Keahi's brother, but she was good.

She's seen it. "What is your brother planning?"

"I don't know. He just heard of the Queen born of ice powers, so we sailed here. Most elementalists are drawn to their lands center of power, where all magic is born. My brother was hoping, in some way, you may know. But, when I saw your powers, I knew." Keahi's voice dipped low, "Your magic is nothing like ours." She whispered.

Elsa leaned her forehead against Keahi's, trying to think. "I need to let General Mattias know, and Anna. Meet me behind the castle after sundown."

Keahi squeezed her hand, and she looked back at her, questioning. "What are you doing?"

"We're going to see Grand Pabbie and see what we can do about your curse."

***

General Mattias and Anna stood in front of her and Elsa let out a breath. She reiterated what Keahi had told her.

They both stared back at her, blinking wildly.

Until General Mattias' eyes hardened. "From the sounds of it, her brother is desperate which can be dangerous. We need to get them out of Arendelle at once. Including Keahi."

Anna watched her. She can feel her sister's gaze on her.

"I don't trust her brother nor understand what may be going through his head. But Keahi is good. I've seen it and I...want to help her. Just let me see what Grand Pabbie has to say, and then you can send them away." Elsa pleaded.

Anna frowned, putting a hand on Mattias arm. "Let me and my sister talk...alone."

Mattias glanced at the two and sighed before tromping out of the room.

Anna settled her gaze back on Elsa. "We always vowed to do what's best for Arendelle. Sending them away would be something you would have immediately agreed to."

Elsa looked away. She was right. The best for Arendelle would be to send them on their way. They obviously had a hope that the kingdom was far more magically inclined. What would Crow do in his last-ditch attempt to save his own life? A desperate man wasn't one to be trifled with.

"I know. I just," she took a deep breath as nerves clawed at her stomach, "I care about her. If there's something I can do to help her, I want to. She's already seemed to accept what's going to happen. She is nothing like Crow."

Anna thought about it. Elsa could tell her younger sister was truly trying to weigh out what needed to be done. "Elsa, what if something happens to you? I want to protect you, but I can't when you go running into these things. I thought you said no more dangerous adventures." Anna whispered lowly.

Elsa came up to take her hands in her own. "I'm not asking you to protect me. Just trust me." She pleaded, giving Anna's hand a gentle squeeze.

Anna sniffed, giving her a lopsided smile. "Go see Grand Pabbie and see what he can do. We'll keep a close eye on Crow."

Elsa smiled and wrapped Anna in a hug. "I'll be back by tomorrow and we can figure this out."

Elsa paced behind the castle, the Fjord still in the moonlight. Dressed in her blue traveling attire, she tried to go over everything in her head. What if Grand Pabbie could foretell of a way to rid them of this curse? Then what? Then they would leave and Elsa cursed herself for even thinking of the context selfishly.

Still, Crow couldn't be all bad if he came all this way to rid himself of a curse? Something about him never sat right with her.

The bushes rattled and Elsa jumped, holding a hand out in front of her and ready to defend herself.

Keahi emerged and pulled a twig from her hair.

Without waiting, Elsa walked to the water's edge and cupped her hands behind her mouth. She let out the spirits song, the graceful melody floating out over the Fjord like a haunting whisper.

A moment later, the water horse, Nokk emerged from the depths. She let out a thankful breath, pressing her head to Nokk's. The horse let out a whinny and turned to ice. Shivering and throwing his head back.

Without hesitation, Elsa jumped on its back and held out her hand out.

Keahi watched apprehensively, "Yeah, I'm not getting on that. You know how many sea stories we hear about water horses and drowning?"

"This is the fastest way to get to the trolls. You trust me, right?"

Keahi let out a groan, pacing back and forth before letting out another massive sigh and taking Elsa's hand.

She grinned, pulling at her and the Keahi settled in behind her. As soon as Nokk whipped his head from side to side and started his gallop into the forest, Keahi wrapped her arms around her waist and pressed up tightly to her.

If she didn't lose her breath from the grip, she did with the contact.