CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER_35 THE KINGDOM OF FROSTHOLT..THE ICE LAND

It had been five days and finally they had reached the forest that led to the kingdom itself. The ground was completely covered with snow. Their horses left footprints as they moved forward through the white landscape.

And then a sudden wind, completely made of cold, hit each and every one of them.

One of the soldiers gasped and pulled his cloak tighter around himself. "Gods, it’s freezing"

Another’s teeth started chattering violently. "I..I can’t feel my hands anymore."

A third soldier rubbed his arms frantically, trying to create warmth. "How does anyone survive here?"

The horses whinnied and shifted nervously. Even they felt the bite of the cold.

Aldrich felt it cut through his coat like knives. His breath came out in thick white clouds. His face went numb instantly.

"Dammit," he muttered through gritted teeth. "This place is cold as hell."

He raised his hand up high to signal his soldiers. The group came to a halt behind him.

Aldrich looked at them all. Shivering slowly. They were Waiting for orders.

He muttered to himself quietly,

"Dammit, I’ve never liked being a leader, but I guess it is what it is."

He dropped his hand down, signaling that they should continue moving.

And so they began passing through the forest. The trees were completely frozen. Every branch was covered in ice. The bark looked like it had been encased in glass. When the wind blew, the branches clicked together with a crystalline sound.

Aldrich’s eyes scanned left and right as they rode. Something felt wrong about this place. Too quiet. Too still.

Then one of his soldiers shouted.

"My lord! Look at that place"

Aldrich raised his head up and saw them. Several bodies. All dried up and frozen solid due to the cold. They lay in the snow like statues, their faces twisted in terror.

He pulled his horse closer to examine them.

"Are these soldiers?"he asked

Garren, one of his men, dismounted and knelt beside the frozen corpses. He brushed snow off one of them and saw the symbol carved into the armor.

"Yes, my lord," Garren replied grimly. "They wear the crest of the Frostholt Kingdom."

"I see," Aldrich said, his jaw tightening.

"They really are going through some serious stuff here."

The wind grabbed at his coat and pulled at his hair. The cold bit deeper into his skin.

"Let’s keep going,"

he said firmly.

And so they journeyed on and on with their horses, moving deeper into the frozen forest. Past more ice covered trees. Past more snow. Past the endless cold.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they passed through the frozen forest completely.

And in front of them was the entrance to the kingdom.

A wall. Seven hundred feet tall. All made of ice.

Aldrich stared up at it in shock. "Wow. That’s huge." He studied the massive structure. "It seems like a solid defensive structure. So how are they getting attacked?"

From above, high on top of the wall, two soldiers stood watch. They were known as the Watchers of the Wall. They were bundled in thick white furs, their faces hidden behind scarves.

One of them spotted the group below. He immediately turned and signaled to their commander.Her name was Freya. A young warlord lady of Winterhold.

She approached, walking to the edge of the wall and standing at the top. She looked down at them like they were ants.

One of the Watchers spoke urgently.

"Should we strike, my lady? We don’t know what they’re capable of. Some of these monsters may have taken human forms now."

But Freya held up one hand. "Wait."

She grabbed a scope from her belt and brought it to her eye. She zoomed in on the group below. She saw Aldrich. She saw the soldiers. She saw the crest of the royal kingdom on their uniforms.

"I see," she said slowly. "So they finally came. The Royal Kingdom." She lowered the scope. "They’re our alliance. Don’t attack. I will go greet them myself."

And then she jumped.

She leaped off the seven hundred foot wall without hesitation. Her coat danced wildly against the cold wind as she fell. She stretched her hands forward.

Ice manifested beneath her feet. A solid platform appeared out of thin air.

She landed on it gracefully. The platform began extending downward like stairs, carrying her down the wall at incredible speed.

She reached the ground directly in front of Aldrich. The ice platform dispelled the moment her boots touched snow.

She looked up at him. Her ice blue eyes were cold.

"Well, if it isn’t the rumored Exiled Prince," she said. Her voice was sharp. "So they’re finally sending aid to us? How generous of the Royal Kingdom."

One of Aldrich’s soldiers moved his horse forward protectively. "Be careful, lady."

But Aldrich raised his hand up to stop him. "Ignore her."

Freya’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing.

"You’re welcome to the Frostholt Kingdom," she said flatly. "But you’re a bit late. Things have gotten much worse here. The Queen expects you all. Follow me."

She turned and began walking toward the massive wall.

Aldrich and his soldiers followed behind her.

As they got closer, Aldrich saw the gate. It was built directly into the wall itself. In front of it stood massive doors made entirely of ice. They were at least fifty feet tall and thirty feet wide.

Freya stopped in front of the gate. She raised one hand. Her essence flared around her fingers, glowing blue and bright.

The gate itself responded. It cracked. Groaned. Then slowly, the massive ice doors began to open. The sound echoed through the frozen air like waves of water moving.

The gate opened fully, revealing the city beyond.

"Move," Freya said.

They all passed through. Aldrich. His soldiers. Their horses. One by one, they entered Winterhold it was the capital of the kingdom.

The moment they were all inside, the gate closed behind them. It slammed shut with a heavy boom that shook the ground.

And then Aldrich saw the city.

Winterhold.

It was stunning. The buildings were made of ice and stone. Some glowed faintly blue in the light. Many were carved directly into the mountain that towered behind the city. Others stood free, their walls smooth and clear.

The streets were wide and packed with snow. People moved through them bundled in thick furs and heavy coats. Smoke rose from chimneys. Fires burned inside homes and shops, casting warm orange glows through frosted windows.

But Aldrich could see the destruction too. Buildings with walls caved in. Roofs collapsed under the weight of ice and damage. Burn marks scarred the snow. Craters pocked the streets. Blood frozen into the ice in dark red patches.

This was a city that had been fighting. Hard. And losing.

Aldrich moved gradually forward on his horse. His eyes caught sight of the people. Some looked hopeful when they saw the soldiers from the royal kingdom . Others looked suspicious. Many looked sad. Tired. Worn down by months of horror.

Children peeked out from doorways. Their faces were thin. Hungry. Their eyes were too old for their age.

Aldrich could see the damage that whatever was happening here had caused. And it saddened him. Deeply.

But nevertheless, they moved forward. Higher and higher into the city. Closer to the mountain.Until they reached the Queen’s castle.

It was a vast castle made completely of ice. It was carved into the mountain itself. Towers rose high into the sky, their peaks sharp and glittering. Windows glowed with warm light from inside. The entrance was guarded by soldiers in white armor who stood perfectly still.

Freya stopped in front of the entrance. "Welcome to the Queen’s castle. I suggest you get off your horses. We’re going to see the Queen now."

Everyone dismounted. Servants appeared from the sides and grabbed the horses’ reins, leading them away to the stables.

But only Aldrich and Freya stepped into the castle itself.

The inside was breathtaking. The walls were smooth ice that glowed softly with inner light. Pillars carved with images of past rulers and battles held up the ceiling. Chandeliers made of frozen crystal hung overhead, sparkling like captured stars. The floors were polished ice that reflected everything like mirrors.

It was cold inside, but somehow warmer than outside. Magic kept the worst of the freeze at bay.

They walked down a long hallway. Their footsteps echoed against the ice. Finally, they reached a set of massive double doors.

Freya pushed them open.

The throne room.

It was even more beautiful than the rest of the castle. Ice pillars lined both sides of the room. The ceiling was impossibly high, carved with swirling patterns that looked like frozen clouds. At the far end of the room sat a throne made of frozen crystal that caught the light and split it into rainbow colors.

And on the throne sat the Queen.

Queen Elara Frostborn.

She was stunning. Breathtakingly beautiful. Long white hair fell past her shoulders like fresh snow. Her eyes were ice blue and sharp, missing nothing. Her skin was pale and flawless. She wore a gown of white and silver that looked like it had been woven from winter itself. A crown of ice crystals rested on her head, glittering in the light.

Her figure was graceful.And Commanding. She sat with perfect posture, radiating power and authority.

She looked at Aldrich. Her expression was still.

"So," she said. Her voice was smooth but carried an edge like a blade hidden in silk. "The Royal Kingdom finally remembered we have an alliance to maintain? After months of us sending requests for help, we finally get aid."

Aldrich stepped forward. He bowed his head respectfully. "I apologize for the delay, Your Majesty. Here’s a letter I was asked to give you."

He reached into his coat and pulled out the sealed letter from Lucian. He stepped forward to hand it to her.

But Freya moved faster. She intercepted him and grabbed the letter from his hand. She walked it to the Queen herself and presented it properly.

Queen Elara took the letter. She broke the seal with one smooth motion and unfolded it. Her eyes scanned the words silently. She read it inwardly without uttering a single word. Her expression gave nothing away.

Finally, she folded the letter and set it on the armrest of her throne. "I see."

That was all she said.

Aldrich stood there. Waiting. Freezing. The castle was warmer than outside, but it was still cold. He could feel it seeping into his bones.

He couldn’t take it anymore. "Well, how do you people survive the cold here anyway?"

Freya turned and glared at him. Her eyes were sharp as ice. "A prince from the warm kingdoms thinks he can survive Winterhold? We’ll see how long you last."

Queen Elara raised one hand slightly. "Freya. Be nice. They’re here to help us."

Freya’s jaw tightened. Her hands clenched into fists. "They came late, Your Majesty. We’ve lost so much. You know this."

The Queen’s expression softened just slightly. "I know. But they’re here now." She looked at Aldrich. "Get them some warm clothes for the cold. Find them a resting place. Tomorrow we will begin discussing things. For now, let them settle in."

Aldrich nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

But before he could say anything else, something shifted inside him. Solomon’s personality kicked in suddenly, taking control of his voice.

His tone changed. Became smooth. Charming and super Confident.

"You look amazingly beautiful, Queen Elara," Solomon said through Aldrich’s mouth. A slight smile crossed his face. "It wouldn’t surprise me if you’re single. I’m pretty sure no one in this kingdom is worthy of you."

Inside his mind, Aldrich panicked. "SOLOMON! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"

Queen Elara blinked. For a moment, she just stared at him no one had dared spoke to her that way before . Then, to everyone’s surprise, she chuckled. It was a small sound. Quiet. But genuine. The corners of her lips curved upward into the faintest smile.

"Get them a place to stay, Freya," she said, still smiling slightly.

Freya stared at Aldrich like he’d grown a second head. Then she turned sharply on her heel and walked toward the door. "Follow me," she said coldly.

Aldrich followed. But inside his mind, he was screaming.

"You just flirted with the Queen!"

Solomon’s voice was smug. Pleased with himself. "And she liked it. You’re welcome, my boy."

"You’re going to get us killed!"

"Nonsense. That went perfectly. Trust me."

Aldrich groaned internally. This was going to be a very long stay in Winterhold