Thank you to those who reviewed. I appreciate the feedback!
Someone also pointed out my run-on sentences. I've attempted to pay more attention, but I've already written the whole story and I don't have much time to try and fix things. That's a major reason why I tend to not post stories very often (though I have plenty on my computer). So, I apologize for the terrible grammar. I'll try and do better.
They both were sitting on the warmed rocks by the water. Elsa had her legs up and crossed. She was watching some small birds dive and swoop across the river. Elsa felt the longing build in her chest. She stretched out her right wing, only to wince at the sharp pain. Sighing she hung her head down, staring at the moss growing on the rocks. She heard a slight snore. Looking to her right, she saw Anna flat on her back, passed out.
Anna's hand was laying out to the side, only an inch or two away from Elsa's leg. The blond couldn't hold back the giggle as she saw the fingers twitch. Elsa looked back up to the red and black ears. They would swivel at any slight sound. Elsa had never met any other species before, so Anna's ears were fascinating. Elsa struggled to not stare at them.
Elsa's species the Eagles were reclusive; they rarely left their territory and never interacted with anyone but their own and even then it was just within families. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of life Anna lived. She obviously couldn't fly. She remembered the wonder in the younger girls eyes when she'd asked what it was like. Elsa could never go for long without soaring high above the trees near the north mountain. Had Anna always lived in such a dense forest? only spending time in the undergrowth?
She seemed so small, delicate…how had she survived for so long? Where was her family? Elsa felt a tug in her chest. She shifted trying to ease the feeling. Thinking back on Anna fighting the humans and running from them had scared her. She'd never felt fear for another person, but with Anna she wanted to protect her.
Anna rolled over toward Elsa, her hands snagging one of the blonds and hugging it close to her chest as she snuggled it. Elsa froze. Anna was holding her hand right against her chest. Starring at the red head in shock she felt the heat rush up to her cheeks. She didn't know if she should pull away and risk waking her or leaving her hand where it was.
The warmth emanating from Anna's body was pleasant. Elsa couldn't remember a time she'd felt such warmth from another person. Elsa lay down on her side facing the other girl. She brought her other hand forward to clasp Anna's. Elsa felt like she could count the freckles on her face for the rest of her life and she would be content.
The warm breeze and sound of rushing water lulled her into relaxation; she smiled at the red head right before she closed her eyes.
Anna snuggled further into the fluffiest blanket she had ever felt. She let out a contented sigh as the softness rubbed against her cheek as she shifted.
Anna was in heaven, 'wait, I don't have anything this soft…' Anna thought.
Opening her eyes she was faced with the face of an Angel. Anna was close enough to see the long lashes on the closed eyelids. The impossibly smooth skin, with a light peppering of freckles across her nose. Anna smiled at how cute they made Elsa look.
Shifting around she saw a large silver grey wing draped over her. The sun was setting behind the trees causing the feathers to reflect a golden light. Anna ran her fingers along the downy feathers. The wings were trapping in the heat from the chill in the air.
She was so lost in the feeling, that she didn't see Elsa open her eyes. Till she saw the giant wing snap out of her grasp and back to its owner.
Elsa's eyes were wide, her wings curled against her back almost out of view. Anna sat up, "I'm so sorry! I didn't realize what I was doing. They were just so soft! I couldn't help it, they were so warm, and soft and- wait I said soft already didn't I…And they were just nice…" Anna trailed off.
Elsa hadn't moved other than to relax her shoulders. "Anna it's fine, it just startled me. Those men touched my wings…" She said, shuddering.
"Oh, okay, I won't do it again." Anna said quickly.
For some reason, Elsa felt sad at the thought of Anna never touching them again. She had enjoyed the feeling. It created such a calming wave to envelop her after she had realised who it was touching her. The Eagles never touched someone's wings ever. They were yours and the only time someone would is if they were injured. Seeing Anna touching them scared her it brought back the memory of Han's tying her up, she could never allow that. Her parents told her to never let anyone touch them and she'd failed them the day she left and flew over the mountains.
Anna sat ringing her hands in her lap. She looked at Elsa with the widest eyes and Elsa couldn't help but feel bad for telling her no.
"It's alright Anna" She smiled, hoping it would relieve Anna of any guilt she might be feeling.
Anna saw the quirk of Elsa's lips; she brightened "Great!" She exclaimed. She slowly climbed to her feet "Lets head back to the cave and finish the food we have" She said, grabbing the bag off the ground, slinging the strap over her head.
Their walk was quiet. Anna hadn't said much, other than telling her to watch out for rocks or roots in their path. Elsa was walking behind the redhead; she could see that Anna was walking a bit slower. The younger girls feet dragging against the ground, they're pace taking on more of a shuffle than a walk.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a screeching noise. Anna froze, glancing left and right. The screech came again, followed by a howl. Elsa looked at Anna in confusion.
Elsa stepped closer "Anna…?"
Anna's eyes grew wide in fear, "run!" She hissed. Grabbing Elsa's hand as she took off in an all-out sprint. Elsa was having trouble keeping up till Anna stopped and pushed Elsa at the tree.
"Climb!"
"What?"
"Climb" Anna pushed at Elsa; she grabbed her foot and tried to lift the other girl up. Elsa opened her wings and clumsily flew while scrabbling at the tree to get up in the branches.
Elsa looked down to see Anna following her in a frantic climb. She pulled herself higher into the tree, hand over hand, she tucked her wings against her back to keep them from catching.
"Higher!" Anna cried.
She heard an awful howl then the tree shuddered. She looked back down to see a large beast at the base of the tree, yellow golden eyes looking up at them. Midnight black fur stuck to its back, saliva dripping from its mouth. It looked like it was about to jump up.
Elsa realized Anna was only a branch above the large animal. With a huge jump, the beast latched hold of the branch the red head was on. With a loud crack, it broke. Elsa reached down and grabbed the back of the girls' jacket before she plunged down into the jaws of the monstrous creature.
Anna was dangling; her heart was beating out of her chest. She could see the werewolf lying amongst the splinters of wood, slowly climbing to its feet. Glancing up she saw Elsa holding on to her.
The werewolf was standing again, but before it could leap she felt herself being pulled out of harms way. Anna felt herself being pinned to the trunk of the tree, as Elsa pressed herself against her.
Elsa was breathing heavily. "Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.
Anna just nodded; she couldn't seem to form words. She hadn't been that close to being caught by a werewolf in a long time, the adrenaline from her almost fall was causing her to tremble.
"w-we have to get higher…we can't let it see us this easily or it will never leave." She spoke slowly.
Elsa nodded. She pulled back slightly, using her wings to balance herself. She stood up, pulling Anna with her. Anna clutched hold of the trunk before she reached and grabbed the next branch.
Anna pulled herself up, her legs trying to find purchase against the bark, but was having difficulty. Her limbs were starting to feel flimsy. She felt hands grab her ankles and hoist her up higher. Using the momentum she swung herself onto the higher branch.
Elsa pulled herself easily up behind her. Then kept climbing higher till the branches had become too thin to hold their weight.
Anna looked down, squinting against the growing shadows, she couldn't' see the wolf but she heard it pacing back and forth at the base of the large tree.
Anna wasn't sure how long she and Elsa had been sitting high up in the branches, but the sun had set completely leaving only the moon was high in the sky. Her fingers were turning white from the strain of clutching hold of the thin branch in front of her. Anna's mind kept flashing to the last night she'd spent with her parents.
Anna closed her eyes trying to shake the memories bubbling up. Her head was beginning to throb and ache. The night was a blur; she could only remember flashes of her mother's face as she was ripped apart, everything else was dark.
All Anna knew for sure was that the next morning she'd woken in a tree high up in the branches. When she climbed down she saw the bodies of her mother and father lying on the moss.
Anna snapped her eyes open, gasping for air. Elsa looked at her in concern.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes," Anna forced a laugh "just being up so high is getting to me" she turned and smiled at the other girl. Anna looked at Elsa with a bit of jealousy. The Blond looked completely at ease with her feet dangling meters above the ground.
Elsa could see the strain on the other girls face. Anna's smile could usually light up the space around her, but her smile was now tense. Elsa could see her white knuckles against the dark tree, thinking the bark must be cutting into her hands by now she brought one hand to cover one, trying to get her to lessen her hold.
Sliding over on the branch, Elsa brought her arm around the smaller girl pulling her in tight to her side. Elsa felt the trembles that hadn't stopped since the branch broke. 'Is Anna afraid of heights? Or is she still afraid of that creature attacking us?' Elsa thought. Tightening her hold she hoped it would ease Anna's obvious fear.
Elsa shifted uncomfortably; her back and wings ached from leaning against the trunk. Her right leg was thrown over a branch to her right, and her left one was hanging off the side. She opened her eyes, she saw red hair, and Anna's back was pressed to her front. Elsa had never seen anyone sit the way they were right now. Looking back it made sense that her species wouldn't due to wings and feathers getting in the way. But Elsa was enjoying the situation more than she should. Elsa closed her eyes tightly trying to rid herself of the fluttering in her stomach but was having little success.
Opening her eyes the blond leaned over to try and see to the ground. With the shift Anna moved with her, gripping tighter onto the smaller girl she sat back up. Anna was dead to the world, Elsa giggled at the line of drool trailing from her mouth.
Elsa shifted again trying to keep from waking the other girl. She wanted to give Anna a chance to relax after last night.
Finally finding a comfortable position she settled back. Glancing around she saw that the stars were still out, but the sky had lightened considerably. Being in the trees reminded her of home. Elsa felt the prick of homesickness. All the nests of the eagles were high up in the trees. Masterfully designed to be massive tree houses, the only way up to them was flight.
Elsa felt Anna snuggle further into her. She heard her mumble something. Glancing down at the smaller girl she tilted her head to try and hear.
"Not…mm…not the chocolate…"
"Chocolate?" Elsa questioned.
"mhm…my chocolate"
Elsa giggled again "you don't want to share the chocolate with me?"
"No..." Anna trailed off, she shifted again till she was turned sideways her face pressed into Elsa's shoulder.
Elsa smiled, "I feel like all you do is fall asleep on me, Anna. I'm I really that boring?" She didn't expect a response and she realized she was entirely content to sit in this tree holding the smaller girl for however long she needed.
Hans was pacing back and forth, his fury over being forced to leave that thing behind was growing. If Kristoff hadn't dragged him back he could have captured the eagle and the fox. They would have sold so fast.
"Dammit! I would have been set!"
Halflings were a hot commodity for the upper classes, paying 100s in gold pieces just to have one and he had been within reach of having two.
Hans looked out the window to the expanse of forest stretching beyond the cities perimeter. He could just go hunting for them…he'd need to find people willing, and 'Kristoff definitely will not be coming this time' he thought.
Grabbing his coat, he marched out the door toward the lower district of town. He'd find some men in need of some quick money at the taverns there.
