Frozen Beyond [gxg]

Siege

A roaring of flames and shrieks broke her from her sleep. Elsa shot up in bed, holding the blankets to her chest. Outside, red reflected in the sky and cannon fire burst through the air.

The sound had Keahi leaping up beside her, Keahi's arm wrapping around her shoulder protectively while her other arm burst into blue flames.

They both surged out of bed and ran to the balcony.

Elsa clutched the railing, looking down at Arendelle. She hoped she was dreaming, hoped this was a nightmare she'd soon wake up from.

The fjord was burning, barrels of oil spilling into it as a mixture of crimson fire and familiar black fire burnt along its shores. Three large ships with sails as black as night, a skull with flames behind it as its design.

"That's..." Elsa sunk into Keahi's side, gripping her shirt in her hands.

"Crows flag." Keahi breathed out in disbelief. "They should've disbanded when he died. What are they doing here?"

Another cannon shot off and Keahi shielded Elsa from the pieces of wood and stone that flew from the castle walls.

Elsa's heart raced in her chest, adrenaline spitting ice into her veins as anger and terror filled her. "We need to stop them!"

"Elsa!" Anna's horror stricken voice yelled behind her.

Elsa turned and ran to Anna, hugging her younger sister securely in her arms. Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf joined them, creating a semicircle around Elsa and Anna.

Kristoff's eyes were wide, and he touched Anna gingerly on the shoulder. "We need to get you somewhere safe."

"No! Not while people are out there hurt, I need to be there!" Anna interjected flatly.

Elsa touched Anna's forearm. "No, he's right, Anna. You're the queen now, you need to stay safe. The inside rooms are meant to withstand almost anything. Kristoff," Elsa looked to him.

He nodded deliberately, they both knew Anna would fight tooth and nail against it. "Anna—" Kristoff started.

"No!" Anna took a step back from both of them. "You can't just stow me away while you all run into fire!" She shouted, hands balled into fists at her side.

"Elsa will put out the fire and I'll be sure she doesn't get burnt." Keahi interjected, coming to stand behind Elsa.

Elsa sighed, coming up to hold Anna's hand. "I need to put out the fire and you need to help the people who are hurt and need refuge. You can't do that out there." Elsa whispered.

Anna tore her gaze away, fists clenched at her side. "Fine." She pivoted sharply on her heel to head back towards the door. "Elsa, you better come back okay. And Ki," Anna paused, glowering at them. "Make sure she doesn't do anything reckless!" She yelled, running out of the room and followed on her heels was Kristoff and Sven.

Olaf stood, quivering where he was. "Everything will be okay, right?" He whispered.

Elsa tried to keep her breathing even and came to stand beside Olaf, crouching down. "I need you to go help Anna, okay?" Elsa tried to keep her voice even as she ushered him out of the room.

She turned back on her heel as another canon hit the side of the castle. The ground shook, and a crack ran through the floor.

Keahi glanced over the edge of the balcony.

Elsa ran to her side and peered over the edge. They had no time left. With one glance to eachother, they both shared the same look before Elsa unleashed a large spray of magic that created a path all the way down to the main gate of the castle.

They both slid down, Elsa hit the ground running towards the gates, spraying off streams of ice to smother the fire.

Matthias was at the lead, shouting for his men as they tried to help put out the fire.

"I'll go on ahead and see if I can stop them." Keahi rushed past her.

Elsa caught her arm, "No! Your powers haven't been working as well since we lifted the curse! I can't protect you if we separate."

Keahi paused, sweat trickling on her brow from the heat of the fire. Reaching over, she squeezed Elsa's hand tight. "Love don't worry about me. Protect Arendelle and your sister." She spun and vanished past the swarming crowds of citizens and debris.

Panic seized her and Elsa tried to stay calm as she put out the fires with her ice. Finally, catching up to Matthias.

He caught sight of her and headed in her direction. "Anna?" He asked, helping a child who tripped over a hot coal.

"She's safe in the castle with Kristoff." The smoke that billowed over the streets burnt her lungs and she let out a haggard cough, using one hand to cover her mouth. "Please help the citizens to the castle for refuge, I'll take care of the fire." Elsa yelled over the screams and flames.

Matthias thrummed his chest with a fist and bowed his head before helping the sea of citizens to safety.

Elsa looked around, trying to catch a glimpse, anything of Keahi through the smoke as she extinguished the flames. Most of the market was put out, but flames still roared over the Fjord as they danced on slick drums of oil.

"Well, well, siren. We meet again." The dark, sour voice cut through the flames.

Elsa pivoted towards the sound, watching the silhouette canter closer until Crow emerged through the flames. The grotesque smirk still dark on his lips.

He put his hands on his belt, cocking his hip and leaning back with a bemused expression. "What is it, siren? Thought I was dead?"

A shiver raced through her and despite the heat surrounding her, goosebumps broke out along her forearm. How was Crow alive?

But something was different. She took a step back, his eyes glowed crimson. It reminded her of blood and death. Where his eyes were void of emotion before, one thing lurked in their murky depths now: vengeance and hate.

He tapped his chin, smirking and glancing around the charred lumber and smoke, ice encrusting most of the smoldering wood. "Now if you're here, that must mean my sister is..."

A blur leapt from the smoke and he dodged to the side, laughing. "...close."