It's 11:53 on Christmas night. I really wanted to upload this on Christmas as my present to the rare reader, so I really rushed to post this. Honestly, I don't even know what half this chapter is about. Please point out any idiotic mistakes as I didn't check this over for anything. I might even have left an awkward break in the story that doesn't make sense.
Kristoff ran a hand through his messy hair as he stared at the looming mountains above. He rarely left his home with the trolls now-a-days. It was useless to cut ice, and there was no other reason to venture out into the snow.
Sven trotted up behind him and nudged his hand. "Alright, buddy," Kristoff laughed and produced a carrot from his pocket. "We're gonna need more soon."
Sven bit into the carrot happily. "Thanks!" Kristoff said in a deeper voice.
He grinned and ate the other half. "No problem! I hope Arendelle hasn't run out, or we'll have to find a new snack."
Sven looked up at his friend. "Why don't you just find Anna's sister? She'll stop winter and we can grow more carrots," Kristoff filled in.
Kristoff looked thoughtful. "Well, I guess we don't have anything better to do... sure, let's look around the mountains again. But first, let's see if the city has some carrots." He winked and went to get his new sleigh ready. If he was lucky, he'd get to see Anna when they arrived. He didn't know why he was excited to see her, but he supposed it was because they were sort of friends.
Trayton jolted awake with a start, panting heavily. He immediately noticed that the ship was no longer swaying violently, and wondered if the entire storm could've been a dream. Then he took stock of his surroundings, and realized that it had been very, very real. He was lying in an unfamiliar bed in a room he'd never seen before, but it was larger than those of any ship. The covers were warm, and a large fire blazed in the fireplace nearby.
Trayton shot up, and immediately regretted it. His shoulder flared with pain, but his back hurt on an entirely new level. He tried to push through the pain, but only managed to glance around the room before he gingerly laid back down. The room was exactly what one would expect from a small town house, or possibly an inn, where Trayton assumed he was. At least he hadn't broken anything; then, he wouldn't even have been able to move.
The furniture was worn but homey, and the air was heavy with the smell of good food. There was the large bed, the fireplace, a small dresser, and a nightstand that Trayton could see. Several coats and cloaks were hanging on pegs next to the door.
As Trayton examined his surroundings for any clue as to where he was, the door creaked open and a plump, happy woman hurried in, carrying a tray with a glass and a bowl of something that smelled heavenly. "Oh, good, you're awake!" She said with a smile. "You had us worried, you've been sleeping for almost two days!"
Trayton blinked in surprise. Two days? What had happened to the ship? Captain Renard and Jarn and the crew? He hoped they had made it through safely. "Where am I?" Trayton asked, his throat sore from lack of water.
The woman shook her head and tsked. "I'll answer your questions soon enough, but now you need this." She set the tray on the nightstand. "You haven't eaten in at least two days, you must be starving."
As if she had flipped a switch, Trayton suddenly realized that he was indeed ravenous, and his stomach growled loudly. The woman laughed and moved the tray onto his lap before he could say a word. "Thank you," Trayton managed before he began wolfing down the soup. It was slightly watery and it was only vegetable stew, but Trayton couldn't have asked for a better meal.
"I'm Mary, by the way," the woman said when he had eaten about half the soup.
Trayton looked up at the smiling woman and realized she knew nothing about him. He hadn't said a word about what happened to him, and Mary hadn't asked. Had his ordeal suddenly erased all his manners? Trayton immediately set the food on the nightstand and forced himself out of bed, despite Mary's protests. "I am Trayton, Madame," he said with an awkward bow. He was thankful he didn't tip over. "And I am indebted to you for caring for me. I probably would have died if not for your assistance."
Mary beamed and walked over to the door. "Hear that, children? Looks like there's at least one polite person in this house." Mary then opened the door, and two boys and a young woman spilled into the room. Trayton didn't know what to say, and so settled for bowing slightly to each of them. The boys looked confused and tried to return the gesture, and the girl blushed fiercely. The boys were identical, short with light brown hair and brown eyes. The girl looked older than what Trayton assumed were her brothers, and more filled out as well. Her hair was darker, but her eyes were the same as the rest of their family.
"Now, back in bed!" Mary said disapprovingly. "I'll not have you drop from exhaustion in my house."
Trayton obliged silently, looking at them with curiosity, his hunger forgotten. "And where, exactly, is your house?" He asked, gesturing broadly. "And how far is it from Arendelle?"
"You're in Brendon!" One of the boys exclaimed excitedly.
"And we own the only inn around for miles," the other finished proudly.
Trayton nodded politely and looked to Mary as she spoke. "Well, you're a five days' walk from Arendelle if you follow the shoreline," she said, even though she obviously didn't see why he wanted to know.
"That's too slow," Trayton shook his head in frustration. "Isn't there another way? A faster one?"
Mary shook her head and opened her mouth, but her daughter interrupted her.
"There's a mountain pass!" She blurted out.
Mary instantly turned on her. "Hannah! You know that's not an option. Do you want him to get himself killed?"
Hannah covered her mouth and shook her head apologetically, but Trayton leaned forward and held out a hand. "Now, wait just a minute. I think I should decide whether it's too dangerous. What is this mountain pass?"
Mary looked at him and sighed. "To the north of Brendon, there's a chain of mountains, and just on the other side is Arendelle. It can cut three days off your time in good weather, but it's suicide to go through now. A month or two ago, a blizzard started, and it hasn't let up for more than a few hours at a time since."
Trayton weighed his options. A five days' walk along the shore versus a two day trek through a mountain storm. He would've chosen the first route under normal circumstances, but he didn't have that luxury now. His brother may be in deep trouble, or worse still, he could be causing it. Either way, Trayton had to put an end to it, or die trying. "Do you have any winter gear you could spare? I can repay you."
Mary nodded reluctantly and rubbed her eyes. "I guess I can't really stop you," she said. "So I might as well see to it that you don't freeze." She left abruptly, returning a few minutes later with a pile of clothes. "These were my husband's when he was about your age. They should fit."
Trayton examined the clothes and saw that they were exceptionally well made. This family must be well off to own such things. "They're perfect, thank you," he said sincerely. Mary shooed everyone out so he could try them on. Trayton waited until the door clicked shut, then peeled off his shirt. It wasn't the one he had been wearing during the storm, but he did still have his original trousers, and was glad Mary had let him keep a little modesty. Certainly it was for his own sake, and not hers; Mary had probably cared for dozens of men and was used to this.
Trayton removed his pants and underclothes and donned the soft woolen pair he had been given. They were warm and soft, and a nice change from the clothes he had almost drowned in. Trayton then pulled on the fitted black trousers, and was amazed at how perfectly they fit. What were the odds? Fate was certainly smiling on him today.
Next came the light gray cotton shirt. Trayton had his arms through the sleeves and was about to pull it over his head when he heard a sharp intake of breath behind him. He turned to see Hannah standing in the doorway, eyes wide. He raised an eyebrow at the look of sympathy on her face. "What's wrong?" He asked in confusion.
"Your back," she whispered. Trayton twisted around to see if he could glimpse what she meant, but growled quietly when his back screamed in protest. He had been able to ignore it so far, but there were limits to his tolerance. "M-Mother sent me to give you this," Hannah stuttered. "She thought you might want to see your injuries..."
Trayton cocked his head and accepted the hand mirror she proffered. He positioned it over his shoulder so he could see, and winced. His entire upper back was a mess of purple, black, and blue spots. Here and there were also splotches of sickly green and yellow. "Ouch," he stated. "I guess that is pretty bad."
Hannah stepped closer. "What happened?" She asked.
"I got thrown into a table." He answered.
"I'm surprised you didn't break anything!"
"Well, I did break the table," Trayton laughed. "Although it got back at me by breaking the window."
"What?" Hannah grinned in confusion.
Trayton then proceeded to tell her everything that had happened from the moment he went below deck. Her eye widened and jaw dropped as he finished. "Wow! I can't believe you went through all that! And you're not even fazed," she said in wonderment.
Trayton chuckled. Sure, this had been quite the adventure so far, but Hannah was blowing it out of proportion. He worried she might get too attached to him, but he didn't have the heart to warn her off. Besides, he'd be leaving, preferably by noon today, and they'd likely never meet again.
Suddenly, he realized Mary was standing in the doorway, and Trayton was keenly aware that he had forgotten to put on the new shirt. Hannah stepped back shyly as he struggled to pull it on. He stifled a cry as he moved his arm too far and his shoulder twinged, reminding him that his back wasn't his only injury. Mary raised an eyebrow and grinned at his efforts. "Here, let me help you."
Trayton worried she might get the wrong idea, but Mary quickly put his fears to rest. "I heard your story, young man. You've been through quite an ordeal, but I think the table you dislike so much saved your life. My husband found you floating on it just off the coast."
Trayton grinned. "Well, I guess that old piece of wood was good for something after all. And thank you for the clothes, Lady Mary. So far, they fit well."
Hannah nodded appreciatively, and Mary hummed happily. "They look quite fetching, too. Maybe you should keep them." Hannah giggled as Trayton grinned under the praise. He turned in a circle at Mary's command, and she nodded decisively. "Yes, they show you off quite nicely. You're very well built."
Trayton laughed. "I thank you all once again. I own you my life, and if ever you need anything, just send for me. But now, I must go. I have urgent business in Arendelle."
Mary lost her smile and stood up straight. "Now wait just a minute. I'll accept that you're going through the mountains, but what could possibly be so bad that you have to leave this very minute?"
Trayton smiled sadly and took her hands. "My brother was sent to Arendelle months ago to attend to an important matter, but we haven't heard from him since he left. My father charged me with finding him, and I have to get back as soon as possible. Everyone will already be worried sick by my apparent death."
Mary wanted to argue, Trayton could see it in her eyes, but she had no argument. She did, however, insist on packing him a bag filled with almost a weeks' supply of food, two blankets, and an extra set of clothes, because 'one never knew what could happen'. Trayton thanked the pleasant family profusely, promised to repay them, and began his trek. He walked to the edge of town and looked back. They were all watching him go. "Send a message to the King of the Southern Isles if you ever need help," he shouted. He could see their confusion even from this distance. "Just tell them Prince Trayton owes you his life!"
Trayton turned and walked into the gently falling snow. The last thing he heard was Mary's shocked gasp, and he laughed. He really had to repay her for all she had done. These winter clothes were superb; they fit like a second skin, not to mention how tasteful they were.
Elsa danced happily through the snow, her ice soldier twirling her energetically. She had been overjoyed to discover she could make them come alive, even if they weren't quite as real as a human. They could dance and play and anticipate her requests. So what if they couldn't talk? At least she didn't have to be alone.
Elsa only ever made one or two ice men at a time. She could only maintain six at once anyway, but there was usually no need. One was enough to spin her around in a dance or catch her when she jumped off things she really shouldn't.
The ice men were also extremely skilled. They had none of the flaws of humans; they were as perfect as freshly fallen snow. The only weakness Elsa had found was their tendency to sacrifice themselves for her well-being.
Today, Elsa was letting the ice man lead her in a complicated yet graceful dance. He was her favorite, tall and lean, but with broad shoulders and messy hair. Elsa made all her soldiers differently, with different personalities, if they could be called that. This one, Jack, was the one she summoned when she was feeling particularly playful.
Jack led her over a rise, and Elsa caught a glimpse of her first ice castle on a distant peak. She had made it as a statement of her freedom, but quickly realized it was more like a challenge. She might as well have put up a sign that read 'Home of the Snow Queen. Feel free to barge in and freeze to death'. Elsa brushed off the unpleasant feeling it gave her and thought of her new castle. It was twice as grand as the first, and started much higher off the ground. She had made the supports completely see through, giving the structure the appearance of floating. Best of all, it was completely hidden between two peaks.
In addition to her new home, Elsa had also made herself new clothes. She loved her ice dress, but it just wasn't practical for running around on a mountain. She kept her hair in its braid, but she was now clothed in stunningly white leather pants, lace up boots, and a formfitting jacket with fur trimming. Of course the fur wasn't necessary, but it was soft, and there was always the slight chance she would come across another person up here. She didn't want to arouse suspicion with a complete lack of winter clothes.
"Come on, Jack, let's go sledding," Elsa said deviously. She had been making up for her lost childhood up here; there was no one to judge her or say she was being silly. Of course she was being silly! There was little else to be except depressed, and Elsa knew she had done the right thing to protect Anna. She shouldn't have to be sad after doing what had to be done.
Jack grinned and grabbed her hand, leading her higher up the slope and away from Arendelle, toward the South. Elsa sped them along with her powers, and they reached the top in just under an hour. They surveyed the drop below them, grinning with anticipation. This was one of the smallest mountains. It would take the better part of a day to climb straight to the top, but only a few minutes to slide back down.
"Sled?" Elsa asked. Jack shook his head and sat on the ground, using his frozen arms to brace himself. Elsa grinned. "No sled it is," she said, and settled on his lap. Jack curled his cold arms around her torso and let them slide forward until they were rushing down the mountain, shrieking with laughter. Jack twisted and maneuvered around trees and the occasional rock, but he couldn't avoid the small cliff coming up. Elsa laughed and clutched his hands for dear life as they sailed over the edge.
For a moment, they hung suspended in the air, as if they were flying. Elsa closed her eyes and imagined this was what birds must feel like. Then she opened her eyes and screamed as loudly as she could as they plummeted into a snow bank surrounded by pine trees. Another upside to being alone; you could be as loud as you wanted. It was a miracle they hadn't crashed into any of the pines, but Elsa was too busy laughing to notice. Jack's ice lungs weren't capable of making sound, but his face was contorted in laughter as well.
Elsa shakily stood up, still laughing, and wiped tears from her eyes. "That was amazing, Jack," she stated. The ice man grinned proudly, glad he had helped to make his mistress happy, but he knew it wouldn't last long. Elsa often caught herself wishing for the way things used to be.
Elsa's gloomy turn of thought was suddenly interrupted. "Hello?" Elsa spun around, trying to locate the source of the voice. It wasn't very deep, but it was obviously a man. "Is someone out there?" The voice called.
PLEASE REVIEW. I will continue this story regardless, but reviews are really encouraging, especially if they tell me what I need to improve on.