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

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - FIGHT OR FLIGHT

Present Day

East Forest

It had been several minutes since the Blood Gang left up the north path.  Kristoff was the first to come out from the forest to make sure it was safe.

"All clear," Kristoff yelled back to everyone.

Elsa, Anna, and Evie came out from behind the trees, ducking their heads around the low hanging branches, and walked out into the clearing.

"Ew, yuck!" Anna said disgusted, looking down at the entrails left behind on the ground.

Evie kicked dirt over the mess to try and cover it up.  "I always cleaned up after myself...animals."

Everyone gave her a look.

"What?" Evie responded.

Kristoff turned to Elsa, "Do you still want to just go after the Blood Gang?  What are you going to say, 'Excuse me, bad people?  Can you please stop killing everyone and plundering villages, because I would really appreciate it, thank you'."

Elsa glared at Kristoff.  "First of all, that is not what I would say," she said in disbelief.  "Second of all, I would speak much more harshly and the conversation would most likely end with me blasting them with ice.  And lastly, I know now that these men are incredibly dangerous and beyond insane.  We can't just go after them.  We definitely need to plan this out...you..." her voice trailed off, "you were right," she said just above a whisper.

Kristoff raised his eyebrows and his eyes widened.  "Did she really just say that?" he thought.  "What was that?" Kristoff said to Elsa teasingly, reveling in the thought of her approval. "I didn't quite get that?" 

Elsa huffed, "You were right," she said louder, giving him a look of annoyance.

Anna and Evie stared at Elsa wide-eyed in disbelief.

Elsa let out another huff and rolled her eyes.

"Now, Anna, I was going to tell you earlier, before the Blood Gang came...I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have acted that way.  I remember what Father used to tell me — that no matter what happens between us, we will always be sisters and nothing can change that.  And Evie's right, we're not always going to agree with each other, and I certainly do not agree with your choices," she said, looking at Kristoff with disdain.  Elsa then took Anna's hands in hers and said, "but I'll love you no matter what, Anna."

"I'm sorry too and I'll love you no matter what, Elsa," Anna said in return. The two embrace.  "But," she continued as she slowly pulled away from Elsa, "Evie is right about another thing...even if we don't agree with each other, we're going to have to trust one another.  I know you don't trust him, but do you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, Anna," Elsa replied.

"Then, can I please have your blessing to continue to see him?" Anna pleaded.

Elsa sighed, "I want you to be happy, so I suppose I will allow you to see each other."

Anna enthusiastically hugged Elsa as she and Kristoff grinned happily at each other over Elsa's shoulder.  "Thank you, Elsa.  I promise you won't regret this," Anna said overjoyed.

Evie tried to mind her own business, but couldn't help smiling ear to ear.

Elsa let Anna out of their embrace, turned to Kristoff and said, "I better not.  Now, I don't want you thinking that I trust you, because I don't.  Quite frankly, I can't stand you.  Even though I haven't met that many people in my life, I can't imagine there being any one else out there more aggravating and irritating than you.  I certainly do not feel you are worthy of my sister, but because I care for her happiness, I will allow you to court her.  But, I will be watching you very, very closely and if you do anything to hurt my sister in any way, I promise you — you will regret it."