[Back to Camden]
The storm had passed, but the skies still wore a heavy cloak of grey, as if the clouds hadn't yet forgiven the ocean for its earlier fury.
Rain had slowed to a light drizzle, mist curling across the deck like smoke in a tavern, and every inch of wood creaked under the weight of seawater and weariness.
I helped Puss tie down the last flapping line on Jack's ship, sweat and salt sticking to my skin while the crew scrambled about securing the last of the damaged sails. Jack barked half-hearted orders from the quarterdeck, probably still in awe that we'd made it through that madness in one piece.
"Camden! You wanna stay on deck or make friends?" he called out, holding a jug of something probably stolen and definitely strong. I waved him off and looked over at the other vessel, the one we'd saved from the brink.
The royal ship of Arendelle had taken heavy damage, but she was afloat—and that was a miracle on its own.
With a quick leap and a burst of wind under my boots, I soared across the short distance between the two ships. My boots hit the deck with a splash, startling a few sailors still wringing out their clothes.
They stared for a moment, uncertain of what to make of me, this strange dark-haired teen wrapped in soaked royal fabrics and pirate flair.
Before they could question it, I gave a small smile and a wave. "Name's Camden. I figured it was about time I introduced myself properly."
The man in the captain's coat, a broad-shouldered figure with a heavy beard and the kind of eyes that had seen too many storms, approached and nodded firmly. "Captain Halstein," he said, gripping my shoulder.
"You've saved my ship, my crew, and my King and Queen. Whatever name you carry, you've got our thanks."
Before I could respond, another figure stepped forward—tall, composed, with silver streaks at his temples and sharp eyes that scanned every inch of me. King Agnarr. His cloak was soaked and his boots still sloshed with water, but he carried himself with the kind of presence that couldn't be washed away by any storm.
He didn't say anything at first. Just extended a hand.
I took it, giving a firm shake. "Glad you made it," I said simply.
"More than glad," he said, nodding. "We owe you our lives."
The next moment, I was nearly pulled into a tight embrace by someone else—Queen Iduna. Her arms wrapped around me suddenly, her face pressed against my shoulder. She was shaking slightly, tears warm against my neck despite the cold wind.
"Thank you," she whispered. "If we had died out there... our girls..."
Her voice trailed off. I froze a bit—not because of discomfort, but because I wasn't used to it. That kind of raw, maternal gratitude.
I wasn't a stranger to hugs, but this one felt different. Like she was hugging someone she'd known for years, someone she'd lost.
"I—uh—" I stumbled. "You're welcome. Really."
She finally pulled away, brushing at her cheeks with a small laugh, the kind that tries to chase away embarrassment. I offered her a reassuring smile—one I hoped looked more confident than I felt.
I reached for the clasp at my collar and pulled my cloak aside just slightly to reveal the golden lion crest stitched onto the black undershirt I wore. It wasn't something I usually showed around, but this seemed like the moment for it. The symbol of Eldoria caught in the misty light like a quiet roar.
Agnarr's brows rose sharply. Iduna gasped.
"The lion of Eldoria…" Agnarr murmured.
"You're—" Iduna's eyes widened. "You're Prince Camden. The one who was exiled."
"Yeah." I nodded slowly. "Camden of Eldoria. Though, I'd rather you didn't call me that."
They exchanged a look, not of judgment or fear, but of understanding.
"Why?" Agnarr asked gently.
I shrugged, looking out over the quieted sea. "I'm not who I used to be. I'm not really into the whole throne business anymore. Let's just say... I like where my life's heading now. Even if it's more chaotic than royal."
The queen gave a soft smile, her hands clasped in front of her. "Your secret is safe with us, Camden."
Halstein cleared his throat, signaling it was time to get to work. We weren't out of danger yet—not until they were safely home. I joined in with the crew, tightening sails, helping carry barrels below deck, repairing snapped rigging with makeshift rope.
Every task felt easier with the sea finally calm, and I couldn't help but glance back occasionally at the trident-shaped imprint left in the sea where Triton had burst from the depths.
Jack's ship followed a short distance behind, keeping pace but far enough to avoid any suspicion from the royal crew. He'd tried to wave at me from his ship earlier, probably yelling something about rum or 'adventurer's instinct' or whatever Jack Sparrow logic was operating in his head today. I didn't return the wave—too busy and too focused.
As the Arendelle ship found its bearing again, the crew moving with restored morale, I found a quiet moment leaning on the railing near the bow.
Puss sauntered over from Jack's ship using a rigged-up rope bridge and perched beside me.
The wind picked up a bit, tugging at our cloaks as we stood side by side. I watched as the coastline of Arendelle came into view far in the distance—just a faint silhouette for now, but growing clearer with every passing hour.
Behind us, Jack's ship hoisted a fresh sail, catching the wind perfectly. His laughter echoed faintly across the sea, like the storm had never happened.
I turned my gaze back forward, eyes fixed on the path ahead.
"Let's get them home."
***
[A while later]
I stood at the edge of the deck, gripping the wooden railing of Agnarr and Iduna's ship, still damp from the recent fury. The scent of salt was thick in the air, mingling with the smell of wet rope and singed sails.
Behind us, Jack's ship bobbed steadily in the gentler waves, following like a mischievous shadow that somehow always made it through the storm with nothing but a few scratches and a story to tell.
Agnarr joined me at the rail, Iduna beside him, a blanket draped over her shoulders though the cold didn't seem to bother her as much anymore. She looked calmer now.
Tired, yes—but with a gentleness in her eyes that hadn't been there back when we were fighting to keep the sea from swallowing us.
"So," I asked, breaking the silence, "what in the ocean's name brought the King and Queen of Arendelle this far out into sea? Bit far from home for a leisure cruise, don't you think?"
Agnarr let out a quiet breath, like a man about to explain a great weight he'd been carrying. "We're not here for pleasure, Camden," he said, voice even but heavy. "We came looking for Celebrimbor."
That name made me raise a brow.
"Celebrimbor," I repeated. "The elven blacksmith? That guy's a myth."
"He's real," Iduna said gently, looking out at the waves. "Or at least… that's what the legends in the north say. They call him the Maker of Soulbound Artifacts. If anyone can forge something that could—" she paused, struggling to find the right words, "—alter the nature of a person's power, it's him."
"And you want him to forge something… to suppress Elsa's powers?" I asked, not unkindly, but with clear doubt in my voice.
Agnarr nodded. "She's powerful. So much so that she's losing control. And Anna…" His voice trailed off. "She was caught in the aftermath of one of Elsa's breakdowns. The healers at home did what they could, but something in her mind was fractured. We're hoping Celebrimbor can fix it."
I turned around and leaned back against the railing, folding my arms as I looked at the two royals.
"You're both good people," I said. "And I can see how much you love your daughters. But trying to take away Elsa's powers? That's not the answer."
Agnarr opened his mouth to speak, but I raised a hand to stop him.
"Magic isn't something you just bottle up or remove like a splinter," I continued. "It's part of who she is. It's in her spirit, her rhythm. She was born with it for a reason."
Iduna looked at me quietly. "We don't want to take it away because we hate it. We're just scared, Camden."
"I get that," I said, nodding. "But what she needs isn't to have her gift stolen away—she needs to learn how to wield it. Taming the wild doesn't mean cutting it down. It means learning to live with it."
They were quiet again. The waves below lapped gently against the hull. Jack's ship let out a distant creak as the wind picked up just enough to push us both forward.
"I can help her," I said at last. "Let me. Let me teach her. Show her that she doesn't need to fear it anymore. And Anna?" I looked at them with quiet confidence. "Let me see if I can help her too. My magic is different… and I've picked up more than a few tricks from across the realms."
Iduna blinked, stunned. Agnarr furrowed his brows, processing my offer.
Then Agnarr held out his hand. "If you're serious about this, Camden… I won't stop you. And I'll make sure you're rewarded for your kindness."
Iduna didn't shake my hand—she simply walked forward and pulled me into a hug again. This time, I didn't flinch or shift awkwardly. I let her. A mother's gratitude was not something to take lightly.
"We'll keep your secret too," she whispered. "Prince of Eldoria."
"Let's keep that part between us," I smirked. "I'm quite enjoying the pirate reputation these days."
A few hours passed in quiet sailing. Most of the ship was hard at work patching things, retying sails, and securing whatever hadn't already flown off into the deep.
I pitched in where I could, tossing crates, knotting ropes, and tossing the occasional fish that flopped its way onto deck during the storm back into the sea.
By late afternoon, the skies had begun to brighten, and a seagull passed overhead—a good omen, I guessed.
Then the coast of Arendelle came into view.
White cliffs rose from the sea like ancient guardians, carved with age and memory. Beyond them were the green hills and sprawling forests I'd only seen in books. Further in, nestled against the mountain and overlooking the fjord, was the castle.
Its spires reached skyward, glinting in the new sunlight, its walls colored in soft blues and whites, like a kingdom plucked from a winter's dream.
The harbor was already bustling—ships pulling in, dockhands shouting orders, carriages waiting at the edge for whatever nobility decided to grace the port today. Our arrival didn't go unnoticed.
Guards gathered quickly as our sails lowered. Some wore uniforms with the crest of Arendelle, polished and formal. Others looked like common sailors armed for protection.
As we docked, Agnarr stepped forward, commanding presence returned in full as he barked a few quick orders. A royal banner was raised, and suddenly the crowd parted like waves before a prow.
Jack remained on his ship, tipping his hat lazily to the crowd, clearly content not to draw too much attention—for once.
I disembarked with Agnarr and Iduna, walking just a few steps behind them...
***
[3rd POV]
The harbor was buzzing with activity. Dock workers shouted over each other as crates were hauled and ropes were tossed. But amidst all the noise, Camden caught a sudden sound—a voice, young and unmistakably excited.
"Mother!"
Before Camden could react, a blur of red hair zipped past him, nearly knocking a sailor over as she flew across the dock. It was Anna, sprinting like the devil was on her heels, her boots pounding against the wood as she launched herself into Iduna's arms.
"Ohhh, Mama!" she squeaked, squeezing her tightly, tears already dotting the corner of her eyes. "You were gone forever!"
"We were only gone for two days," Iduna laughed, holding her daughter just as tightly, tears of her own shining in her eyes. "Oh Anna, you haven't changed a bit."
"You said four days!" Anna sniffled, already talking at a million miles an hour. "That's like, a whole week in castle time! You wouldn't believe what Elsa did! She grounded me and locked me in my room, saying that I would cause trouble. I mean I did cause a little trouble but still!!—"
"Anna," Agnarr chuckled as he stepped down from the ship. "Let your mother breathe."
Camden, standing quietly to the side with Puss resting on his shoulder, watched the reunion with a soft smile. His own memories of family were… complicated. Seeing something this genuine stirred something in him.
Behind Anna, Elsa descended from the ship more gracefully, moving with an elegance befitting her status. Her posture was impeccable, her gloved hands folded neatly in front of her, but her steps quickened just slightly when she saw her parents.
Her expression softened, and without a word, she reached them and wrapped her arms around both.
"I'm glad you're safe," she said gently, hugging them in a cool but affectionate way.
Iduna rested her hand against Elsa's cheek. "We are, thanks to a new friend we made."
Agnarr turned then, motioning toward Camden. "Speaking of which..."
Camden straightened as Agnarr gestured him over. He stepped down from the gangplank, boots clicking softly against the stone of the dock, and gave a slight, respectful bow—though it carried the easy flair of a man who wasn't too fond of formalities.
"This is Camden," Agnarr announced to his daughters. "The young man who helped save us from the storm. And one of the bravest, most peculiar pirates I've ever met."
Jack, standing not far off, puffed his chest at that comment—until Agnarr clarified, "I meant Camden."
"Oh. Right. Makes sense," Jack muttered, adjusting his coat.
Camden offered a hand, but before anyone could shake it, Anna leaned in with a squint. "Wait!! You're a pirate? Your name is Camden? Are perhaps the same Camden from Eldoria? I mean you lack the shiny hair but you look handsome enough to be a prince. Are you?"
"Shhh!" Camden hissed, glancing around quickly. "I'd appreciate if that stayed between us."
Anna immediately zipped her lips with her fingers. "Mum's the word."
Elsa finally stepped forward, her eyes locking with Camden's. There was a quiet moment where neither said anything, just taking each other in—the pirate prince and the snow queen.
She seemed to search his face, maybe for some sign of what kind of person he really was. He, in turn, was oddly speechless, though the corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smirk.
"I'm Elsa," she said simply, with a small nod.
"Nice to meet you," Camden replied, just as simply. "I didn't know the crown princess was this beautiful."
That earned the faintest blush from Elsa, who quickly looked away. Agnarr, ever the father, raised an eyebrow at the exchange but said nothing. Jack, behind Camden, let out a low whistle.
And with that, Agnarr clapped his hands. "Come! We've had enough salt and wind for one day. The carriages await."
The group began moving off the dock. The crew stayed behind to supervise the unloading of supplies, while Camden, Jack, Puss, Elsa, Anna, and the King and Queen piled into a pair of sleek, black royal carriages.
Camden ended up seated directly across from Elsa, while Anna nestled beside her mother and immediately launched into a barrage of questions.
"Where did you go? Why were there two ships? Why was your ship so damaged? Why do you smell like wet wood and lemons?"
Iduna chuckled, brushing a lock of hair behind Anna's ear. "It's a long story, dear. We ran into a terrible storm—"
"Storm?" Anna gasped.
"Yes, but thanks to Camden, we're here to tell the tale."
From the other side of the carriage, Camden shifted slightly, glancing out the window to avoid the spotlight. Elsa looked at him for a moment, then down at his hands—scarred, lightly calloused, but gentle. She spoke up softly.
"Thank you for saving our parents," she said. "You didn't have to but you did anyway, thank you."
He turned back, eyes meeting hers again. "You're quite welcome. I can't bear to leave people in need. I mean it would be a shame to leave such beautiful princesses as orphans."
Elsa gave a faint nod, then muttered, "Smooth talker."
He grinned.
Agnarr, seated beside Camden, watched the exchange with one eye, his smile a little too composed. "Just make sure you don't try any funny business, lad."
"I'd never dream of it," Camden said with mock offense. "Unless by 'funny business' you mean impressing your daughter with tales of my heroics. Because if that's illegal... I'm afraid I'm already guilty."
Elsa covered her face with her gloved hand.
The carriage rumbled along the cobblestone streets of Arendelle, and the sounds of the city grew louder—vendors calling out, bells clanging from distant towers, and the crisp laughter of children playing near the central square.
The sky was beginning to glow orange, painted by the setting sun. At the end of the wide main street stood the castle, nestled against the mountain like it had always belonged there.
Camden leaned slightly to the side, resting an arm against the window as he looked at the city, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Beside him, Elsa kept sneaking glances. And beside her, Anna was already pulling out a notebook.
"Tell me everything, Camden. Start from the very begging, from the very first day you were born."
Camden laughed. "I don't remember agreeing to an interview. And besides, no one can remember that far back"
'Ofcourse I can but they don't have to know,' he thought.
"You didn't," Anna said brightly. "But I'm the royal historian. It's a new position. I just gave it to myself."
Agnarr rubbed his temple, Jack snorted from the second carriage behind them, and Puss meowed contentedly as he lounged on the windowsill.
As the castle gates opened and the royal procession moved inside, Camden found himself wondering what his plans were moving forward.
Teach Elsa magic, heal Anna of course.
But after that?
Who knows.
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A/N: Leave comments guys, I need the feedback.