My name is Freja, I don't recall my last name, if I ever had one. I was found by the fae, wandering alone in the forest as a small child. I grew up cradled by the arms of magic, oblivious to the world of man.
The forest I grew up in was full of spring and light, an eternal spring created by the fae who lived there. The fairy who raised me, with golden eyes and fiery hair, was named Alva. It wasn't hard to guess from my raven hair and green eyes that we weren't related, and even if I can't recall how I came to be in Alva's care, I knew we were different but I loved her all the same.
On the eve of my sixteenth birthday, I was enjoying a stroll through the woods, joining in the larks' song and surrounded by my friends, the creatures of the forest, when I came across something unusual. A white horse by the river. I left my friends to investigate the stranger. He was a handsome animal with gold gilt bridle and saddle. As I traced the fine etchings, I felt a strange sensation of being watched. I was about to ask the horse if he had a friend when a man emerged from the bushes, bow and arrow in hand.
He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. His chiseled features were strengthened by a wild Auburn mess of hair. His broad shoulders were covered in a violet cloak with a silver thistle pin holding it in place. His bright blue eyes stared back at me with the same awe and surprise I felt. All I could do was clutch to his horse's saddle to keep standing within his visage.
Francis stopped reading and balked at Grand Master Abbot Belgr.
"Sir… is this my punishment? Some sort of joke I don't understand? There is little value in a girl's diary—even if it's quite old."
The wise old monk simply grinned. "Read on."
Elsa set down the pen. For the fourteenth time, she glanced out the study window hoping to catch a glimpse of grey wings with a reply from the abbey. Again, an empty sky met her gaze, void of even clouds. Patience was a virtue… her mantra began again as she skimmed over the letter on the desk. All it lacked was her royal signature. She neatly folded it and slipped it into an envelope.
A flutter of feather caught her attention, and she glanced hopefully to the window—but instead of a pigeon lighting atop the message tower, a large raven sat on the windowsill. Its gleaming yellow eyes seem to measure her as it tilted its head. She stared back, wondering if the creature was ill.
With a loud screech, the raven flew into the room, circling the ceiling. Startled, Elsa covered her face and called for the guards. The raven dove towards her with its claws extended out and she could feel the icicles itching in her hands to be released. She screamed, diving to the floor and covering her head. A strong breeze pulled at her hair at the passing of velvet feathers, but no pain from razor claws or beak. She glanced up from the floor as the guards and Anna burst into the room, but there was nothing save a black feather on her shoulder to give any credit to what just happened.
"Elsa—"Anna bent down to help her up. "What happened? We heard you scream."
She trembled against Anna, clutching a frozen hand to her chest so not to touch her. She couldn't form a thought, much less words to explain why she felt so terrified of the raven. The eyes, something in its eyes… It could've torn her to shreds, but it didn't. She should feel relieved, not even more scared.
With a lack of response, Anna cleared her throat and addressed one of the guards. "I'll take the queen to her room. Have someone bring some soup and bread."
The guards gave an affirmative answer, and Elsa let her sister lead her down the hallways to her room. Once they were alone, Anna let her go, a questioning expression on her face as she bit back words.
"I don't know what to say." Elsa sank into the chair by the fireplace. "I was finishing a letter—and the largest raven I've ever seen appeared on the windowsill. There was something—oh, Anna, it was like something from a nightmare… and I thought it was going to rip me apart."
Her sister chewed on her lip for a minute, then sat on the bed. "It's the middle of a sunny day, and we never see crows or anything around the castle-"
"Yes, I know that." Elsa snapped. "I know how illogical it sounds—but I know what happened!"
She showed Anna the feather.
"Okay…" Anna took the feather. "That looks normal to me… so maybe there was a crow or a raven or something… but that's no so scary. Besides, the window was shut. It's not like it could get you."
"What?" Elsa froze.
"I said it's okay, it couldn't get you through the window?"
"But the window was…" Elsa stared at the feather in Anna's hand, a loss for words as she analyzed what just happened—trying to find some gap to explain why it wasn't true.
Anna moved over to the chair, concern in her eyes as she felt Elsa's forehead. "Are you all right? You feel a little flushed. I know you've been working really hard trying to figure out the curse and everything… but you need your rest, too."
"No, you're right." Elsa did feel exhausted. "I haven't slept much since inviting the prince to visit. Perhaps I was just overtired—perhaps it was all a daydream."
"Maybe." Anna shrugged. "You've got to take better care of yourself though! Eat some soup and promise me you'll try to take the afternoon off—no stress!"
Elsa laughed. "I'll try."
Anna stood up with a satisfied grin. "Oh, before I forget—this just came for you."
Elsa glanced at the envelope in Anna's hand. It had the Fjord Monastery seal! She graciously took the letter and set it on the arm of the chair. "Thank you Anna. I'll read it tomorrow after I rest. I think I'll go take a bath before I eat."
"Great—well I'll go check on your soup, and let me know if you need anything at all!" Anna waved vigorously as she left the room.
'I will." Elsa smiled as her sister exited.
She sat and counted to ten, her heart thrumming in her chest. Certain Anna had really gone, she tore open the envelope to reveal a well-written short note.
"We look forward to seeing you at our humble monastery. We may not have the answers you seek; but we are at your service, your majesty. - Grand Master Abbot Belgr."
As Elsa was reading her long awaited message, another lonely soul was receiving an unexpected letter, delivered via raven. It landed gently on a boulder in front of a cave that overlook the sea on the Western cliffs of the Southern Isles.
"Why, hello, my pet." A silky voice wafted from the darkness of the cave. "What have you brought me?"
A tendril of green mist swirled from the cave opening and surrounded the raven, softly prying an unsealed envelope from its beak. The letter drifted into the cave on the green mist and the raven hopped impatiently as the ink-written words were read. A low rumbling cackle reverberated in the bowels of the cave, growing louder and morphing into hysterical laughter as storm clouds began to gather and the sea became choppy, spraying into the cave and drenching the raven.
Insulted, it cawed loudly and pecked at the rock. The laughter immediately subsided and before the raven had time to regret its insolence, a slender pale hand extended from the cave shadows.
"Apologies, my pet. I have not had such good news in so long."
The raven hopped and bowed to the beckoning hand.
"Yes." The voice purred. "You did well. Now, there is work to be done."
