Elsa's POV

The palace wasn't as well defended as I imagined it would be. The hallways were deserted as Jack led the way deeper inside. As we walked I realized that Jack had my bow on his back. I resolved to ask for it later. Eventually we came to a well lit throne room. An elderly man was waiting inside, ceremonial robe trailing on the ground behind him.

"Is this Alexander's representative?" Emperor Shino asked, approaching us. General Hawk nodded.

"May I introduce to your imperial majesty Elsa Snow and Kristoff Bjorgman," General Hawk announced. Kristoff and I bowed.

"What is Alexander's message?" the Emperor asked.

"Hans, a traitor to the army, is on his way here. Hans is a skilled archer who carries Marked Arrows. He believes he can use these to kill you," I explained.

"I've been talking with Emperor Shino," Jack added. "We'll be moving him to a safe room while the rest of us stop Hans and his allies."

The doors swung open and Hans stepped inside, followed by Thorn and two other swordsmen. Hans notched an arrow.

"My, what a surprise," he announced. "And here I thought this was going to be a challenge."

"Surrender now, Hans," Jack called. "Your outmatched here."

"You think so?" Hans replied, grinning. "Elsa, I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you would have been executed by now."

"If you put down your weapons you shall receive mercy," Emperor Shino promised.

"Sorry, I've already got a better deal centered around your death," Hans said. He fired the arrow, aiming at Jack. Jack dodged to the side as General Hawk and Kristoff charged the armed warriors around Hans.

"Toss me my bow!" I told Jack. He hesitated. "If you don't, I can't do anything to stop Hans."

"I know," Jack finally said, unslinging my bow. He held it out to me. "I trust you. I'm just worried you'll get hurt even more than you already are."

I took the bow and quiver from him and notched an arrow, sighting Hans.

"I'll be fine, Commander," I promised, winking at Jack.

"It's just Jack, remember?" he said.

"And I'm Elsa. Nice to meet you," I replied, releasing the arrow. One of the swordsmen threw himself in front of Hans, catching the arrow in his shoulder. He grimaced and returned to his fight with Kristoff. Jack drew his sword and charged Thorn as Hans notched another arrow.

"This way, your majesty!" a servant called, holding a partially concealed door open. Emperor Shino followed the servant out of the room. Hans cursed and lowered his bow, running after them.

"I've got him!" I shouted, following them through the servant's door. The hall beyond was deserted. There was no sign of which direction the Emperor or Hans had gone.

I ran down the hall, bow and arrow in hand. I stopped as I heard a gasp from my left. I turned to see a maid standing in the shadow of a doorway holding a vase in her hands. Her eyes widened as they fell on my bow.

"Did you see where Emperor Shino went?" I asked. The woman shrank back.

"Please, he's in danger. I have to find him," I pleaded.

"The Emperor's Chambers," the maid squeaked. "They are the most heavily defended rooms in the palace."

"Thank you," I told her, turning to run down the hall.

"Through here," she said. "It's much faster. You'll need it if you're going to beat the man with red hair."

"Thank you," I said again, walking past her and into the smaller hallway. This hall was only dimly lit, and I assumed it was only used by servants. The hall continued unbroken for a good distance, twisting and climbing up several flights of stairs.

A door to my left was labeled "Imperial Chambers" on a bronze plaque. I pushed open the door and notched my arrow.

It was a well furnished bedroom. The Emperor was standing on the balcony, a servant busily securing windows. Emperor Shino frowned when he saw me.

"What of Commander Frost and General Hawk?" he asked.

"They're holding off the swordsmen," I explained, closing the door behind me. "I'm here to take care of Hans."

"The royal guard has been alerted. They will be here shortly," Emperor Shino said, turning back to the balcony. I moved to the bed where I could get a better shot at the bedroom door if Hans entered.

The servants door burst open, crashing into the wall. Hans entered and threw the maid I had met earlier to the floor, notching an arrow in one smooth movement.

"Thanks for the help," Hans told me. "Never would have gotten in here without you."

I fired my arrow, but my hand was shaking so much that the arrow missed by a foot. I reached for another arrow, but there were none left. Hans grinned.

"This Marked Arrow is for you, your majesty," he said. "Enjoy it."

Hans drew back the arrow and released. I gasped as I watched the arrow travel through the air.

It sank into my stomach.

I stumbled back and supported myself with the bed frame. Hans had missed. I could feel the energy draining out of me as a burning sensation began to spread. Hans' eyes were widened with horror and he stepped farther into the room, as if mesmerized.

"How?" he asked. "That was a Marked Arrow!"

The bedroom door was shuddering. I grimaced and pulled the arrow out, blinking dully at the bloody shaft. E.S. Emperor Shino. Elsa Snow.

The arrow had found its victim after all.

"Allow me to introduce myself," I said, fitting the arrow to my bow. I raised it as the bedroom door burst open. Jack, General Hawk, and Kristoff entered the room, weapons held ready. I forced myself to focus on Hans. "My name is Elsa . . . Snow."

I released the arrow and it sank into Hans' shoulder. He cried out in pain and stumbled out of the servant entrance. I fell to the ground, but a pair of arms caught me. I found myself gazing into Jack's eyes.

"No, you weren't supposed to get hurt again," Jack said desperately, pressing the torn sleeve from his uniform over my wound.

"In battles, injuries happen," I told him. My gaze was becoming unfocused.

"No. Stay alive, Elsa Snow! It's not supposed to end here. I'm going to tell you that I love you. I'm going to sweep you away from this place and marry you, if you'll marry me. You'll be happy. You'll be a hero."

"The arrow was poisoned," a voice said softly from nearby. "Hans is already dead. She doesn't have much longer."

"Isn't there a physician nearby?" Jack demanded. "Get an antidote!"

"Jack, it's useless," I told him. "Tell Anna I'm sorry I couldn't come home. And take care of Olaf."

"Elsa, don't die. Elsa! Elsa!"