"It seems like they just left." After arriving at a particular rocky terrain, Kristoff's sharp eyes immediately noticed the patch of burnt mark on the ground, indicating that someone recently camped here.
Anna also noticed it, taking note of the weird crater not far from them, along with burnt cracks everywhere. She frowned at the sight of it—she had never been this far away from the castle, so she was curious as to what could be the cause behind a scene like this.
Kristoff roamed around the place, hoping to find any clues about the people that Anna was searching for. Earlier on their way here, Anna already filled him in on what she wanted.
She said she was looking for her sister and just wanted to know her situation.
"Great. We'll never be able to find them at this point." Anna sighed in defeat. Maybe they had already gone back to the castle, and besides, she can't be outside this early in the morning.
Even though the sun hasn't fully risen yet, it's starting to cast away the shadows of the night.
Kristoff heard her whisper and he puckered his lips. What a great way to cater to his first client. Just then, a brief realization passed in his eyes.
He's actually quite familiar with this forest. After all, he would sometimes visit his rock troll friends from the Valley of the Living Rock.
"Actually, I know a few…people who might be able to help us find them. It's just that, they might…spook you if you see them." Kristoff was hesitant. Although he is considered a friend to the trolls, he knows of their secretive nature—preferring that only a few people know of their existence.
However, before Kristoff could think twice about it, Anna was already descending on him, "Good! Let's go then!" Before jumping back on his run-down wagon.
With a sigh, Kristoff climbed on Sven's back and they departed from the place.
———
"U-Uhm, hi." Elsa awkwardly waved her hand, greeting the rock trolls back. This is her second time being here, so she wasn't expecting this kind of treatment from them. To her, the rock trolls are acting as if they're close friends that hasn't seen each other for years—only the last part is true.
On the other hand, Henry was staring at this with slight jealousy. How come Elsa is getting all the attention instead of him? Sure, it's his first time being here but shouldn't they be more curious about him rather than seeing Elsa after years?
Just as Henry was about to announce his presence, the rock trolls suddenly turned silent, their heads perking up and turning to Henry, or at least that's what he thought at first.
That is until he heard a heavy sound of a rock rolling behind him.
Turning around, Henry was met with the familiar figure of Pabbie, the oldest Troll that is said to be as old as the earth itself.
His appearance was similar to the one in the film. Short, wild hair surrounds his head down to his neck. And the most eye-catching is no doubt the several light green gemstones attached all over his body.
Just one look at it and Henry could feel a familiar thumping on his chest. The Magic Hymn is responding to the gemstones except that the pattern this time feels different, something he has never felt before.
Meanwhile, Grand Pabbie took a short glance towards Elsa before nodding his head to her. His eyes then shifted to Henry—becoming the only one to acknowledge Henry's presence.
"You are…a wizard?" Grand Pabbie hummed, a wise glint in his eyes as he murmured, "Having affinity over the four basic elements at such a young age. You remind me of an old friend of mine."
Henry's ears perked up at the last few words. His Master once mentioned that he and Pabbie the troll are old friends.
He crouched to match the same level as the old troll, "My name is Henry Charming. The first and Crown Prince of the Lioncrest Kingdom. I am also the seventh student of Master Elias. It is nice to finally meet you, Master Pabbie." Henry's tone of respect caught everyone off guard, especially Elsa.
Things immediately clicked in her mind and she guessed that Pabbie, the one who erased her sister, Anna's memories about her ice powers to put a halt to the curse must've been a respected figure among the magical side of the world.
Grand Pabbie's eyes widened slightly, caressing his chin as he assessed Henry with his eyes, "Another talented student. Elias truly has an eye for talented people."
With his hands behind his back, Grand Pabbie glanced at Elsa and spoke, "I've been watching the two of you from the moment you stepped inside this forest." His words sparked wide eyes from the two aforementioned individuals.
Grand Pabbie turned to Elsa and his eyes softened, "Your parents would've been proud of you. I'm also proud of you." Much to the princess's delight.
Then he shifted to Henry, "Not only do you have talent for magic but also in teaching. Elias would've been proud of you, though knowing him—he probably knows that already."
Hearing him, Henry suddenly spoke, "May I ask what you mean by that? Does Master know about my situation right now?"
Grand Pabbie nodded his head, "The last time we met was five years ago. He inquired about his new interest in divination."
Henry leaned forward in interest, "Divination? Isn't that like predicting the future or something?" Grand Pabbie nodded his head at his words.
"That's right. Five years ago, he started to delve into the art of space and time. He hasn't given me an update on his progress since. But I'm sure for a fact that he has already achieved a small mastery over it. That's why he probably already knows where you are and what you're doing."
'Well, that's a relief. Mom and Dad wouldn't have to worry over me. Master Elias would just tell them that I'm fine.' An unknown weight seemed to have been lifted off his shoulders just by the thought of it.
Grand Pabbie noticed the look on his face and asked, "You seemed relieved about it. Any particular reason why?"
To which Henry proceeded to explain how and why he got here. Of course, he hid the fact that he's interested in meeting Elsa and Anna in the first place. He just disguised it as going on a voyage to get to know more of the continent and the surrounding Kingdoms of the Lioncrest.
Grand Pabbie gave him a weird look before settling in with a nod, "I see. Fortunately, your unexpected arrival has brought about a shining beacon for the pair of sisters. I can no longer sense the chaotic magic inside Elsa. It had calmed down."
Henry sighed in relief at that. Earlier, a small part of him was still unsure if he had truly helped Elsa control her powers but if someone like Grand Pabbie confirms it, then there's nothing left for him to worry about.
Grand Pabbie said all of a sudden, "Come walk with me, Henry."
Henry nodded his head unconsciously. But before that, he turned to Elsa first and only left when he saw her crouching and chatting with the other trolls. Probably to catch up or just to ask curious questions about their kind.
"Alright."
———
Their walk took 5 minutes, during which they spent in nothing but silence between them. Henry wanted to raise questions however, Henry is not sure whether that would be a good thing.
Thankfully, it didn't last long, "There is something that I must tell you, Henry. About Elsa."
Henry's eyebrow raised, "…What about her? Is something wrong? My teachings weren't effective perhaps?"
Grand Pabbie shook his head before replying, "No. But it is something you should be worried about. Elsa's true nature is not that of a normal human…"
"Yeah…I think I can see that." Henry tilted his head. Elsa can create ice structures, put an entire Kingdom in a blanket of snow, and even bring living beings to life—can you call someone who can do those things normal?
Grand Pabbie seemed to understand his words and chuckled, "Not what I meant, Henry." He then continued, "She's not just any human with magical powers."
Grand Pabbie then stopped, shifting his body to face Henry before eerily staring at his eyes and dropped the bomb, "She's part of nature, Henry. A spirit. A bridge between nature and humanity."
Henry froze on the spot, his mouth gaping and eyes filled in shock, "A spirit?" Many questions start to swirl inside his head.
Such as why, how, and when.
'Hold on. Is this what the second movie is going to be about? Are they going to reveal where Elsa got her powers or something? I did read somewhere that the second movie revealed what truly happened to her parents.' Henry mentally sighed, 'If I knew this entire new life thing would happen, I would've spent the rest of my days watching all animated works!'
But alas, there is no room for regret. From now on, Henry could only go forward blindly—without a single clue of what's about to happen next in Elsa's life.
'I swear if the second movie is about Elsa going to fight a giant monster or something, I'll sue Walt Disney's frozen ass!'
While inside, Henry was having a breakdown—he managed to maintain a fake facade on the inside.
"So that's why she seemed as if her ice powers were not just a part of her. She is the ice herself." Henry muttered.
"Don't come to conclusions too quickly, young Henry. Even I am not so sure about the real reason behind her existence." The old troll's face turned serious, "What I want is for you to be there for her, Henry. I can see that has grown attached to you, almost dependent as much as I hate to say. Nurture that connection and you will see."
'It's not like I have any choice because I feel the same way.' Henry mentally rolled his eyes. What he wasn't expecting though, was Grand Pabbie's next words.
"Your path ahead with her would be dangerous, so tread carefully. In return for that. I'll grant you my blessing. Call it a gift from this old sack of stone." He chuckled and gestured for the stunned Henry to sit on the ground, "Come, sit in front of me."
Still not recovering from his shock, Henry unconsciously fell on his butt.
A wooden stick magically appeared in Grand Pabbie's hand. He approached Henry and pointed the tip of the stick at his chest before pressing until contact.
Then the chant came, "I grant you, Henry Charming. The Authority of Truth. No lies should remain in veil in front of you. Illusions would wane. Fear of the unknown vanishes. In your presence, only the truth matters."
As he finished the chant, the tip of Grand Pabbie's wooden stick glowed in a green light. Which vanishes immediately just as fast as it appeared.
For Henry, he felt nothing. However, he knows Grand Pabbie wouldn't just casually do things just for show. If whatever he chanted is true. Then Henry is now capable of seeing through lies.
But just to make sure, he still asked, "What was that?"
"The Authority of Truth is a blessing that I just granted to you. I'm sure you're already familiar with blessings considering you already possess one from your master." Grand Pabbie's words made Henry recall Master Elias mentioning that his blessing on Henry makes him immune to illness and diseases.
Grand Pabbie then continued, "With my blessing, whenever someone lies around you, you'll feel a short prick inside you, and the hairs on your skin will bristle. At the same time, all mental and illusion magic cast against you will weaken. It'll still be there but not just as effective as it is supposed to be."
"Lastly, if you find your way to develop it to its utmost potential. You may become capable of forcing the truth out of someone. Use it wisely, young Henry."
—————————————————————
[I just love it when some readers complain about Henry not telling that he's royalty so he can go back to Lioncrest and things like that. But instead of answering, I'll just leave you until you figure it out yourself.
Reader: But he can make Polynesia or Too-Too deliver the letter to prove he's alive.
Author: Yeah right. Just tell them good luck with the heavy storms and going to a place they haven't been to which is also 10,000 miles in distance, just a few days or even a week of nonstop flying, not a big deal. Not to mention, they're just a parrot and owl, not homing pigeons. Polynesia and Too-Too does not have a sense of direction in the middle of nowhere with nothing but the sea.
Reader: But there's compass and map.
Author: Please google what birds look like.
Reader: But what about now? He proved that he's a magician and he helped Elsa. Surely they'll believe him and give him a ship and a crew to travel back.
Author: Sure. Want me to tell you the ending of the story while I'm at it?
[Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not mad or anything like that. Matter of fact, I really appreciate such reactions over the plot because it means I'm doing a good job at spiking emotions out of you all. Getting an emotion out of you from reading the book is literally the purpose of PLOT. To immerse readers and build tension while providing the direction of the story. If things go your way, the story will turn into wish-fulfillment and we can instantly end everything in a few chapters.
If you want, I can write one for you.
Henry trained so hard until his bones cracked. He became so strong that everyone kowtows at his mere presence and even Master Elias starts to call him Master. He formed a harem with so many princesses that surpasses the amount of your ancestors. Clapped some cheeks. Have babies. Conquer Kingdoms. People cheered as he is crowned as the King of the World. He found a way to go back home and he become a happy boi. The End.
*Insert Absolute Cinema*