Once Upon A Time Frozen Over: Shards of Secrets (Book One) [COMPLETE]

CHAPTER SIX - THE MANTICORE

Eighteen Years Later

Present Day

Anna woke up to the sound of the bells of the clock tower at the castle gates. "Eight o'clock already?" she groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Oh no," she thought, "was it all a dream?"

Just then, Berta knocked on her door, "Anna? Are you awake?" she asked with a voice as sweet as honey.

"Yeah, I'm awake," Anna yawned, running her fingers through her messy, red hair, in an attempt to detangle the mess of knots sleep had brought upon it. She rolled back over and put the covers over her head, feeling as if she was about to cry.

"Wonderful!  Your sister is downstairs waiting for you to join her for breakfast."

Anna leapt out of bed with excitement and skipped over to her vanity to look at herself in the mirror. She inspected every inch of her hair, and sure enough, the white streak that she had had for as long as she could remember, was finally gone. Not a single strand of white hair was found. "Wow....It all really did happen!  I was turned into a human icicle yesterday!" she thought out loud, chuckling. "Whew! Thank goodness I thawed...to think of never eating chocolate again...or...breakfast...with my...sister!"

Anna quickly got ready for the day, put on her green dress that was draped over her vanity chair from the day before, braided her hair and ran down the stairs, almost knocking over Felicity, one of their servants.

Elsa, already dressed and in the dining room, was instructing a servant on where to place the vase of lavenders. 

"...Last thing, put this in the center of the table," she said to him cordially.

Elsa, wanting everything perfect, was anxiously waiting for Anna to come in. The table was set with their best linens and china. The entire room was overflowing with the aroma of maple and sausages. Just then, Anna burst into the room, immediately filling it with the joy that seemed to be radiating off of her. The two sisters greeted each other with an enthusiastic hug.

"I trust you slept well and are having a good morning," Elsa said, smiling.

"I slept great! Just a few minor nightmares involving some wolves and snow monsters," Anna said as if it were an everyday occurrence. "Oh! And my morning has been wonderful — if you don't count almost killing Felicity."

They sat down at the immaculate dining table. They were just about to enjoy their breakfast together, when Enrique, Elsa's head advisor, rushed into the room and urgently said, "Your Majesty, I apologize for barging in like this, but you must head to your study immediately. I'm afraid it's dire."

"Why?  What's wrong?" Elsa said concerned, standing up from her chair.

"There's no time to explain, but you must come now," Enrique replied.

"I'll be there immediately — Anna, come on," Elsa said, grabbing Anna's arm.

"Bu'...pa'cakes..." Anna mumbled, already chewing a mouthful of pancake,  "...really?" she finished after swallowing the sweet, fluffy, warm goodness.

"Anna!" Elsa said, giving a serious glare.

Anna reluctantly set down her fork and followed Elsa out of the dining room. Enrique led them both into the study where the royal advisors were deliberating and mapping out a plan of action.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness," the men said, bowing their heads as Elsa and Anna entered the room.

"Would someone mind telling me what's going on here?" Elsa demanded.

"Look here," said one of the advisors, pointing to a map of the kingdom, "this section of the land has had numerous sightings of a monstrous beast — it's been terrorizing villages and killing multiple people and livestock.  And over here," he said, moving his finger across the map to the east side of the kingdom, "this village is being ransacked.  Homes have been broken into and robbed of their money and possessions.  And here," he continued, pointing to the section of forest surrounding the East Village, "a great deal of strange traps are scattered about this part of the forest — villagers have been found dead in them."