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The sunlight filtered in through the trees, casting a greenish glow on the forest floor. Anna could feel the sun's warmth on her skin as she lay on a pile of moss under a cedar tree. "You know cede, this is becoming a very common thing, you lolling me into a false sense of safety just waiting to drop an acorn on me!" Anna giggled half-heartedly. Talking to the trees gave her companionship that helped all her worries and fears to subside. She continued to lie, staring up into the branches, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves. Anna had been spending most of her time talking to the trees; she couldn't remember a time when she'd had a real conversation with another person. She craved companionship, someone for her to share memories with, someone for her to hold on cold nights. Anna didn't know how much longer she could spend in the presence of the trees.
She pulled out her last cracker, nibbling on it. She hadn't been back to a town in weeks, and she was low on food, even with all the scavenging she was doing. She tried not to take too much from the same places, so that source of sustenance would not die. Anna finished up licking her fingers to get every last crumb before flopping her hand on the ground. "What am I supposed to be doing with my life? What's the point, laying around doing only the basics… I have no one to share this with, no one…"
Sighing dramatically she sat up. Her mind began to wander; she remembered when her family would be with her. They would all move through the forest together, as a family. She felt the prick of tears begin; jumping up Anna shook her head violently, causing her braids to smack against her face. "You will not think of this Anna!" She reprimanded herself. Whenever her thoughts strayed to those memories she'd struggle to pull herself out of the gloom that her mind had sucked her into. She needed to move, lying on the moss was not going to be a good distraction.
She began her trek forward, moving lightly among the ferns. She loved the forest, her family had lived here and she couldn't find the courage to leave, this was her home no matter how curious she was, it pained her to try and move beyond the mountains. She had considered leaving many times, but whenever she'd made it to the base of those magnificent peaks she'd stop, staring upwards, the gradual incline turning into large cliffs shooting out of the ground. Her mother had once spoken of the land beyond the mountains, she'd tell stories of creatures like themselves, great bird creatures, soaring high above the trees, their shadows jumping from the ground to rocks. Anna's mother had been friend's with the Eagles; she'd spoken fondly of Adger and Idun, so elegant and graceful, with vibrant blue eyes. Anna had always smiled, bouncing on her legs, asking her mother about their wings. The young girl could not picture what the world must look like from high above, would the trees that kept Anna secure be just small things, not something that will save. "What must it be like" She said dreamily, looking up at the blue sky as she walked.
Moving forward at a leisurely pace Anna knew she was coming up to the river. The sound of water falling over itself to reach its final destination grew louder. Anna stepped out of the dense forest, walking along the rocky banks; she danced her way across crevices where the white water ran below. Coming to a small alcove she sat herself down. There were two birds flying with each other across the river, swooping and soaring in candid enjoyment, their songs flying high along with them. Anna felt herself smile at the display; she couldn't help but enjoy the energy they were showing.
Slipping her leather boots off, she placed them beside her. Anna dangled her feet in the fast flowing current. She leaned back, her arms coming to support her weight behind her; she stared off into the trees across the water, the small girl's mind going blank, and her body heavy and unmoving.
This day was ideal for her lounging purposes; the warmed rocks the cool river. "This is perfect" She sighed dreamily. Looking back up at the sky, she couldn't help but feel hopeful, "Would you please bring someone to me? Pretty please? Just for a while… they don't have to stay, but someone to talk to?" She asked the clear blue sky as if it held the power to grant wishes. Anna dropped her head back down to the water, kicking her feet around in the cool current. Anna knew her wish would not be granted, it never was, but she still tried. Anna's mother once told her that if you wish to the sky, on a completely clear day for that which one needs most, the god's would answer. Anna didn't know what she needed most, but she knew what she wanted most, and it didn't seem to match up with what the god's were willing to grant her.
A loud scream reached her ears. Snapping up in a moment of pure panic, she whipped her head around looking for the source. "Maybe it was my imagination?" She questioned herself. Would she daydream about someone screaming? Anna was entirely confused, her heart pounding from the start, "I must have been half sleeping or something…" She couldn't fully relax, her ears twitched at every sound. Her body tense, the creak from trees and the swishing of wind through leaves was putting her on edge. Finally, unable to enjoy herself any longer she slipped her shoes back on and stood up. Anna turned to the dark forest, the imagined scream filling her with dread, her once safe haven turning dark once again. The last time so many years ago that she'd forgotten the fear. Walking slowly along the bank, not quite ready to delve back into the foliage Anna listened intently.
The scream came again, it sounded like someone was hurt, badly. Anna started to sprint to the sound. Jumping over small rocks and logs as she barreled her way through the trees, Anna's breath coming hard, her heart pounding. She felt the panic spread through her limbs, someone was here, and they needed help. Slowing down as she tried to walk quieter listening as best she could to see if she could hear anything else. The sounds of struggle reached her sharp ears, and she plunged into the woods. She slipped on wet moss a couple times, catching herself with her hands before getting back up and sprinting again. Low hanging branches and bushes snagged at her clothes and face.
The sounds were becoming louder, and the screams were turning into grunts of pain. She heard a male voice talking and laughing. What sounded like smacks were reaching Anna, someone was being attacked! They must be nearby, Anna tried to think of a plan before she plunged into the unknown, but the sound of a pained cry distracted her.
Slowing down once again Anna crouched down to slink her way along the damp ground. Seeing an opening up ahead, she crawled to a bush at the edge and wiggled her way into it. Peering through the sharp leaves, she saw a young woman tied up lying on her side. She was facing Anna, her white blond hair braided and fell down one shoulder, and it glowed in the afternoon sun. Her blue eyes so vibrant it felt like she was looking into the very sky she'd wished upon earlier. The girl struggled a bit against her bonds, her hands were pulled behind her back and her ankles were bound together by rope.
The blue and white clothes draped on the slender body were stained, covered in dirt and mud. There must have been a struggle, the redhead thought. Ana could see a large bruise forming on the other girl's cheek. Anna felt rage boil inside her, had they hit her, was that where the bruise came from? How dare they hurt such an angel.
One of the men walked in front of her view of the bound woman, causing Anna's lips to rise in a snarl. Anna was never known for her plans or to even think of them, so she just leapt out of the bush and charged headlong into the man who was kneeling over the angel.
Anna jumped onto his back, wrapping her legs around the man's waist and tightening her arms around his neck she squeezed. The man spun around trying to free himself of the girl. Anna heard a yell behind her, before someone gripped her shoulders and tugged. Not one to give up, she kept hold of the first man, but the pull from the other man sent them both to the ground.
Landing hard on her back with the large man above her caused the air to rush out of her lungs. Gasping for breath, she loosened her hold, giving the man his escape. He rolled off of her coughing, his head hanging down. Anna gasped for air, she felt like she was choking on nothing. A few panicked moments passed before finally she was able to breath, she jumped up, a little slower than usual due to the pain in her back, her body felt a bit stiff, but she pushed the feeling aside, the small girl had no time to think about the pain when this girl needed her.
Glancing at the man facing her, she didn't see any discerning features about him, he had dark blonde hair, slightly tan skin, and his mouth was curled into a grimace. That's when she realized they were both humans. Growling, she leapt at him, bringing her hands up to swipe at his face. He stepped back just missing her fingers that flew past. He stumbled backwards a couple paces, his shock evident from her second attack.
She had spun herself around so that now she was standing protectively in front of the blond girl. Lifting her lips into a snarl, the man stepped back, his eyes focused on the sharp canines. He glanced up again, then noticing the black and red furry ears sticking out of her hair. "A fox" Kristoff muttered, shocked.
She watched him lean down to the man still on his hands and knees. Grabbing at his arm, he pulled him to his feet. "Come on Hans, I told you we shouldn't have done this!" He whispered into the auburn haired mans ear.
Pulling his arm roughly away his eyes turned to the small redheaded fox in front of them. Something about her drew Han's attention. She had taken away his prize, but maybe she could be his knew one. "How dare you take what is mine!" He growled at her. "I won't forget, I'm sure I can find good use for a little fox like you," he spoke harshly, only causing him to rub his throat in pain from her earlier attack. He wanted her to be afraid, wanted to see the fear in her eyes. But she just growled right back. Her lack of fear, only caused him to grow angrier, how dare this little monster not react to him?
Hearing his words Anna crouched lower into a defensive stance, bringing her hands up, ready to attack if need be. Anna had never been a fighter, most of her fighting had come from when she'd strayed to far into a territorial animal's space, but at that moment she would attack again without thought or fear of what they would do to her. The only constant was that the blond girl was hurt and these men took advantage and they needed to be punished.
"Hans come on! We can come back, okay. We'll find another one. We don't need to mess with the fox, they are vicious" Tugging again on the other man's arm he pulled him away.
"Kristoff!" Hans, grunted in protest, the taller man physically dragging him away. When Anna could no longer hear their movements she turned to look at the blonde on the ground.
Anna saw wide blue eyes staring up at her. Anna could see the frightened look on her face, as she knelt beside her, worry filled Anna, how was she going to make her feel better, when Anna herself had not been in close contact with someone for years. Steeling herself Anna spoke, "Hey, don't worry, I'm here to free you!" She said while smiling. Reaching her hands forward, she untied the blonde's wrists, the ropes burned ugly red welts on her pale skin, causing Anna's eyes to harden. Moving on the blonde's ankles, she loosed the ties there. Anna noticed the leather straps holding a flat board thing to the blonde's feet. Anna had never seen footwear like that before, while she untied the girls ankles, she looked at it curiously, who would invent such a thing, how much use could someone get from these shoes?
She sat back on her heels, "You know, those shoes won't last long walking around here, they'll just break and then where will you be? Barefoot and lost, that's where! I think I have an extra pair you can use. Hmm… Can you walk, they should last long enough to get us where my stuff is… So I can give you the other shoes I mean, not just so you can see where my stuff is…" Anna trailed off.
Glancing back at the blond girls face and away from her shoes, she saw the blond slowly sit up. One light eyebrow raised in confusion. Anna realized she'd just had a whole conversation with herself about the blonde's shoes causing blood to rush to her face. Quickly standing up, so the other girl couldn't see her red cheeks she coughed slightly. Trying to hold back more words that were sure to fall from her mouth any moment now, Anna looked over her shoulder and away from the other girl. Anna what the heck, why do you say those things, she reprimanded herself.
Hearing the other girl groan as she shifted to her knees Anna glanced back down, only for her eyes to widen in shock. The girl had a pair of wings! They were silver with hints of white along the edge's darkening the further down the wing till it turned blue at each end, Anna could not believe her eyes, this girl had wings! The very things she'd only heard about in stories. Eye's roved over the white feathers, her fascination growing the longer she stared.
"Y-you have wings! That would explain why your shoes aren't very good!" Anna laughed nervously, Anna's brow furrowed in embarrassment, that was not what she'd meant to say. "Wait, I didn't mean they aren't good! I'm sure they are very nice, like really nice. But they aren't very useful. But if you can fly, then you wouldn't have to worry… unless you can't actually fly! Oh my gosh, were you injured and you can't fly! I'm so sorry I shouldn't have brought it up…" Anna trailed off in a humiliation. Good going Anna, offend her why don't you.
Sitting up slightly Elsa could feel tightness in her shoulders. Her wrists burned from the coarse ropes that had kept her bound and she felt her cheek throbbing in time with her heart. She glanced up at her rescuer; the young girl wasn't looking at her fully, her face-tinged red. Cocking her head Elsa didn't understand why she seemed so embarrassed. Yes, the redhead had blurted out a million words at once, but she'd saved her, what was there to be ashamed about.
The winged girl slowly stood to her feet, wincing and shifting her shoulders slightly. Elsa felt tight and uncomfortable; the harsh treatment from the men had caused the base of her wings to be soar. Finally standing to her full height she looked down at the embarrassed red head. Her cheeks were covered in freckles, 'cute', Elsa thought. The ears poking out of her hair only added to the smaller girls adorableness. If Elsa had a choice of a saviour it would have been this small fox… 'wait, why would you think that?' Elsa felt confused, but brushed it off quickly, bringing her attention back to the girl in front of her.
Brining her hand forward, she placed it on the other girl's arm to get her attention. Anna looked up, only then realizing the other girl had stood up while she had been trying to stop her blush. The other girl was tall; actually she was a lot taller taen Anna herself, leaving Anna to stare directly at her chin. Having to lift her head to meet the other girl's eyes, she saw the smile on her face causing Anna to beam up at her.
"Do you think you could…" the blond trailed off as she turned around and pointed to the rope tied around her wings.
Anna nodded only then realizing the other girl could not see her "Yes, of course!" She exclaimed, maybe a little to loudly. Stepping forward Anna made quick work of the ropes. Her fingers brushed against the soft feathers. Anna wanted to run her fingers along them more, but knew that it would be rude of her. After dropping the rope to the ground she stepped back.
"All done!" She chirped.
The other girl turned back around, smiling down at Anna. "Thank you very much. What is your name, my little saviour?" She asked. The blond watched the other girl stutter, Elsa brought hand up, she hide a smile behind it.
"A-Anna, I'm Anna!" She said hastily. "And I'm no saviour, I just wanted to help you. You looked so beautiful… but not beautiful lying there tied up, that was bad. Wait, no you were beautiful then, but you are beautifuller now…not fuller I mean" Anna bit her lip stopping herself form her rambling. "What's your name?" Anna asked quietly.
The older girl laughed softly, "I'm Elsa. And you will always be my saviour." Elsa glanced up at the sky watching the sun slowly set behind the trees. "We should leave here before those men come back. I do not wish to run into them again," She said.
Anna nodded, glancing around the forest. "You can come with me back to where I'm staying right now! Wait, you don't have to, but in case you need to, you can" Anna said quickly.
"I don't think I can fly at the moment, they were very forceful and my wings are sore. I would very much appreciate you allowing me to stay with you."
Anna smiled "okay, then we're off!" She exclaimed, beginning to skip off back the way she'd come.
Elsa followed her; she brought her hand up to her left wrist rubbing at the red welts. She watched Anna's back as she practically skipped off. How did she have so much energy after she fought off those men? Elsa glanced down, noticing for the first time the bushy red tail sticking through Anna's trousers.