His azure orbs pierced through the bushes of the garden, having snuck in as he did every month, and scanned the area for the only other figure he knew would be there. He was pressed low to the dew covered grassy ground with his legs pulled into his body, hoping the shadows cast by the nearly full moon and the leaves of the bushes would hide his silver fur. Looking around for a final time, he finally spotted his target entering the garden. He smiled to himself and was about to pounce on the girl with braided platinum blond hair, but her appearance stopped him dead.

Normally she wore a blue dress, a matching bolero that had black cuffs and gold trim running up the center flaps, and white silk gloves. This time she was dressed in a black skirt that was made of thicker material, a dark fur jacket bundled tightly and a hood pulled over her head, and a brown leather satchel was strung over her shoulder. Even from across the garden, he could see her icy orbs, though normally full of chocked happiness at these monthly visits, were red and puffy, indicating she had been crying.

It wasn't uncommon for her to show up in tears, and in those times, he had become her furry shoulder to cry on while she told him through her sobs what had caused her tears. Usually, the reason was caused by her sister wanting her to open up and interact but with the rules placed by her father to keep the younger sister safe from the older, she was unable to. It always brought her to tears whenever her sister asked to play. This time would not be the same with all the winter gear she was dressed in.

At seeing the red eyes and the extra gear, he quickly made himself seen and hurried over to the girl, who was having a difficult time holding back her sobs and tears. At seeing him rush to her, she threw her arms around his furry neck and squeezed as tight as she could. Standing at full height, his shoulders came to hers though if his head was held high he would be a head taller. His height was convenient as he was the perfect height to drape his head over her shoulder and press the bottom of his snout into her fur covered back, their form of a hug. He knew in moments like this she needed a hug more than talking.

A few moments passed as the girl let the tears fall and buried her face into his silver pelt to muffle her sobs as to not alert any of the few roaming guards to their presence. When she had calmed down enough to slowly pull away from him, he lifted his head and released her. She took a step back and wiped her eyes with her hands before looking into his azure eyes.

"Skol, it's time for me to leave the castle," she said, looking over her shoulder at the dark castle. "With my powers getting stronger, I'm only putting everyone here at risk."

She turned back to be met with a shocked expression across Skol's eyes, but it was replaced by one of understanding. He nodded his large head sadly and turned his side to her before lowering himself to the ground. Looking at her, he saw the shock on her face.

"I wasn't going to ask you to carry me," she said.

He huffed, nodding his head for her to climb on. When she didn't move, he shook his head, "How else were you planning on leaving? It will be faster if you climb on," he deadpanned to her through their telepathic link.

She looked from his eyes to his back before sighing with a nod, "You're right. Let us go before mama checks up on me. She will no doubt throw the castle into hysteria from me leaving. I guess this is good-bye." She looked back at the castle with a forlorn look.

"Good-bye is said when you plan to never come back. Maybe in a few years when you have control over your powers, we can come back," Skol offered.

"Yeah, but it will be longer than a few years," she answered, turning back to him and climbing onto his back. He rose to his feet, the jostle causing her to grab fist fulls of fur to hold onto.

"Since this is your first time riding a wolf, I suggest you hold on tightly and stay leaned against my back. It will also allow you to move as I do. Other than that, don't kick my sides like you would a horse," Skol said, causing a small giggle to escape her lips.

"Well then, shall we be off? Wait, how are we going to get out? The only way is to swim, but-"

She was interrupted by Skol turning towards the lake that connected to a river. He then began to run, causing her to clamp down on top of him. She watched through his lowered ears as he ran towards the water. Instinctively, she held her breath for the impending cold of the late autumn water to meet her and closed her eyes as he leaped over a stone bench. She felt him land on something solid and continue to run. Peeking her eyes open, she found them running across the lake towards the river entrance. Glancing behind them, she saw a trail of ice that disappeared shortly after being formed. She quickly looked down to see that Skol was freezing the water underneath his paws, small splashes of water quickly turning into snow from the flash freezing causing his legs to be shrouded in a thin icy mist that slowly began to climb up until it half concealed them both. A smile of disbelief crossed her face as a long forgotten feeling began to fill in her, hope.

Looking back to the front, a smile on her face, she saw the gate that closed any water access to the lake was closed, with a few torches lighting the top of the wall. Being sure to pull the hood tighter over her head to hide her appearance more, she was curious to see how Skol was going to get around it and the guards she could see. Suddenly the icy mist around them began to form a cone in front of them, causing the temperature around them to drop, but they increased in speed. With a final leap, she couldn't hold in the laugh that escaped as Skol jumped over the wall. She saw a few slack-jawed guards watch as they sailed past and land on the river's surface on the opposite side of the gate. As they ran up the river heading into the mountain, a bell could be heard ringing from behind them. Looking back one final time, the smile that was on her face from the excitement turned sad.

"Good-bye for now. I will be back," she said under her breath.

"So, where are we heading?" Skol asked, still following the river.

"Follow the river north over the mountains, then once we are past the mountains, then we can follow them west to another coastal village. Hopefully, they will have a boat heading towards the north or west. From there we keep going until we can find a good place to stay," Elsa said over the wind.

"Sounds like a plan. Maybe we can find someone to make a saddle and a set of saddlebags that will fit me. This way you have something to hold onto," Skol commented with a chuckle.

"We will cross that bridge later. First, how long have you had ice powers and why didn't you tell me?" she asked, causing a deep laugh to rumble through Skol's throat.