Opposition (A Httyd Fanfiction)

Chapter 9: Once lost, now found

A/N: I know I didn't update anything last weekend, but I attended my grandfather's funeral and spent the time with family and remembering his life. I also have my fall semester coming next week so I'm going to be picking up the pace here. Onwards to the next chapter.

(Normal pov)

"My queens, we've arrived at the Enchanted Forests!"

Elsa and Anna, who were both going over their father's journal and maps regarding the Enchanted Forests and what mysteries it holds. The two Haddock women looked outside the window of their carriage and it was very foggy, and colder since they were near the mountains. Their bodyguards were on top of horses and surrounded the carriage in tight formation, to ensure that the Queens of Arendelle were protected from whatever may be lurking in fog and cold.

After learning that the voice contacting her was a lost sister, Elsa disclosed this revelation with Anna, who was beyond shocked. Their parents never told them of their sister Sophia, perhaps the memory of losing her so easily would be too painful, thus keeping this knowledge from Elsa and Anna both.

Both Elsa and Anna knew they were in uncharted territory, they had never ventured to the Enchanted Forest before, they hadn't even believed this place existed. But thanks to Sophia communicating to Elsa, she confirmed this place was very real and that it held not only a tribe of Vikings known as the Hidden but that it also held people called Alaskans and Sami. Sophia said that these people who coexist with the Hidden value peace more than war, so perhaps they could come to terms with them and offer land, livestock, and introduce them to the Christian faith.

"Did Sophia tell you how many Vikings dwell within the Enchanted Forest?" Anna inquired to Elsa, who was looking over the maps of this uncharted region of Arendelle. "She didn't say," Elsa replied, "but a handful of our guards won't be enough to drive them out and reclaim our long lost sister. Sophia has informed me that the Hidden's chieftain, Arne, allows her the freedom to bathe in privacy and roam the encampment but when nightfalls, she's returned to her cell."

"Oh, I pity her," Anna said with sympathy in her voice, "being ripped away from us before we even entered their world. I can't imagine how she has survived among the heathens for so long." Elsa took Anna's hand and squeezed it. "Because our sister is strong," she then added, "the hope of being rescued by her family and her dependence on God is the reason for her survival. But we will recover her and ensure that she is returned home."

The carriage then came to a sudden and violent stop, causing Elsa and Anna to gasp and grab hold of something, catching themselves from being hurled out of their seats. Looking out the window of their carriage, Elsa and Anna laid eyes on torches approaching and eerie whispers filling their ears, as if the hissing of a serpent that was stalking them and would soon lash out to devour its prey.

Drawing their swords, the personal guards of Arendelle's queens prepare themselves for battle as the torches that surround them suddenly extinguish and the whispers cease as well. For a moment, all is quiet, the only sounds that are heard are the neighs of the horses and murmurs of Elsa and Anna's protectors.

"Keep your eyes open! Whatever is lurking in this fog, they're out there and will strike soon enough. We must be ready to fight and to protect our queens!"

The head guard barked out to his comrades, at that very moment, an arrow came out of nowhere and struck the guard right between the eyes, killing him instantly. Elsa and Anna inhaled sharply at the sight and quickly packed their father's maps and journals of the Enchanted Forest and prepared to run. Anna had a sword strapped to her waist and was prepared to strike anyone down if they dared to attack herself or Elsa. "We cannot stay here," Elsa murmured out, "no doubt our attackers are the Hidden, preventing us from recovering our sister."