Ex: You want to know what I miss? The good old days. You know, back when long updates meant a week and everything was hunky dory.
Elsa: What brought this up?
Ex: I was recently rereading Thundersnow. I really need to go back and fix a few typos by the way. Anyway, I remember talking in chapter headings about feeling sorry for making you guys wait a week. And now here we are, 8 months since my last update.
Elsa: It has been awhile.
Ex: I know right? Anyway, I really don't have any reasons or excuses for the long-
Elsa: Very long.
Ex: -wait for an update, other than life and writers block. But, hopefully this particular bout with it will move things along. I know, we've all heard that before.
Elsa: Come on, that's quitter talk.
Ex: You're right, you're right. So, ready for the introduction of a new character?
Elsa: Depends, will I hate them?
Ex: You might, on with the show!
After a few more days of small preparations, Elsa was having a final discussion with those she was leaving in charge. Namely her council. It was no small task to prepare a kingdom to live without it's queen, particularly with her being so active in the day to day of her Arendelle's affairs. It wasn't that she didn't trust her council's abilities. They had primarily run the kingdom prior to her coming of age after all. Nevertheless, she took every measure to make sure things would continue to run smoothly in her absence..
"We shouldn't be gone for more than a few weeks, but in the event we are delayed, I'll be sure to send a message to make you aware."
"Of course, your majesty." Wallis replied."We'll take care of things here during your absence." Elsa nodded before adding." I leave my kingdom in capable hands. I won't keep you further."
"And I should let you on your journey. Be well and safe on your journey queen Elsa." Wallis and the others headed back for the castle while Elsa went to the carriage she and Mathias would be traveling in. Mathias and guard captain Reynard turned to her as she approached."Are we ready to depart your highness?" Reynard asked.
"Yes captain. All final preparations have been completed." The captain nodded and mounted his nearby horse, moving to lead the front of the small caravan. Mathias opened the door to the carriage and offered Elsa a hand to help her inside. Elsa took his hand and began to climb into the carriage, returning the wave she received from Anna as she climbed into her own carriage she and Kristoff would be following in. Elsa entered the carriage and sat down, Mathias joining her and taking a seat on the opposite side. "Off we go on our next grand adventure." Mathias said as the carriage began to move. Elsa smiled as she looked out the window. They exited the gates and moved swiftly through the town, people waving as they passed. They remained silent until they reached the edge of the city, until a thought occurred to Elsa. "It's strange to think, but I've never left this city. Well, I've gone into the mountains and forests. But I've never gone this way before, or as far as we're going."
:"I'd travelled a little before I came here but never this far north."
"You've never told me about travelling anywhere outside of Tonitrus." Mathias shrugged."It was never far, and nothing interesting ever happened. Still, I remember truly going far from home for the first time can be a little daunting."
"Well I'm glad I don't have to do it alone." They were silent for a while when Elsa noticed he appeared to be deep in thought. "Is something wrong?"
"No. It's just...it's going to be a little strange to be back in Tonitrus."
"Do you miss it?"
"Some things. I've grown fond of the snow here, but I do miss the rain somedays. The natural rain, that is."
"That doesn't answer my question. Do you miss it? I mean, are you really happy we're going there?"
"I don't know. I mean I'll be glad to see my father. And you'll get to meet my other much less foolish brother."
"What can you tell me about Oliver?"
"Not much. We weren't close growing up, but he kept Alan off my back, and never treated me as though our mothers were different." Elsa smiled gladly knowing Mathias had someone to watch his back growing up. "I'll be glad to meet him then. You said you miss the rain, and you've mentioned before how often it rains."
"Most days, yes. At the very least, it's cloudy."
"It'll be nice to get away from this snow for a while at least."
"I thought the cold didn't bother you?"
"Maybe, but the change of scenery will be nice."
Their journey to Tonitrus was uneventful, only stopping as necessary to rest. After six days they found themselves on the country's northern border, about a day of travel left. Deciding to stop for the night. As Elsa stepped out of the carriage she looked at the forest around her. They stopped just outside of a town surrounded by trees, and as beautiful as Arendelle was, she couldn't help but admire the green around her.
"Does the whole country look like this?" She asked Mathias.
"It gets a little brown further south, during the winter anyway. Here though…" He reached out to a nearby tree branch and plucked the leaf from the stem. "It's green year round."
"It's beautiful." Anna said as she and Kristoff approached."I don't think I've ever seen so much green in my entire life!" They made their way into the village, the people greeting them as they passed. Many headed in the same direction as them toward the center of the village. "Where are all of these people going?" Anna asked.
"The winter hunt isn't restricted just to our capital." Mathias replied. "It's a national tradition, everyone celebrates it. The larger parts of the festivities are probably in the center of the city." they entered the village square, with the majority of the people gathered around or entering the doors to a large inn. Though it was early evening, the village square was alive with people buying wares or gathered around seasoned hunters telling their tales of past glories. "It doesn't look like much actual hunting has gotten done." Elsa observed, noticing the lack of fresh animal materials and carcasses.
"The hunt doesn't officially begin for another three days. All of this is just preemptive celebration, and time for those who'll participate the chance the brag to those they bested the last time."
"Sounds serious."
"Not really. It's all in good fun. For most of them anyway." They approached the entrance to the inn. Before entering, Anna pointed towards the side of the inn. "It looks like we aren't the only nobility here." the others looked where she pointed and saw several carriages parked near the side of the inn, with another arriving as they watched. They were each guarded by soldiers in various colors and armor.
"Seems they had the same idea we did. I wonder if it's anyone we know" Elsa replied.
"One way to find out, should we head inside?" Mathias asked.
"You two go on ahead. Kristoff and I are gonna go explore more of the town." Anna replied. They waved before departing and Elsa and Mathias went inside. Though many of those passing through the town were gathered near the inn, the building itself was fairly quiet and empty when compared to the city streets. "Not very lively in here." Elsa observed.
"And it looks like no one noteworthy is here either." Mathias added. "Probably outside, if not staying in their carriages." They found a table in a secluded area near a corner and watched a few of the other patrons near the bar, seemingly in an argument. "I'm telling you, I saw it!" One of the men said.
"No ye didn't. Yer eyes are just playin tricks on ya." his friend replied irritably.
"Know they aren't, I know what I saw. It ran right in front of my horse on the way into town, It's fur dark as night!"
"It's dark out there, all foxes look like that at night."
"Not with eyes like this one. Eyes, black and red like a burning ember. Looked me right in the eye, let out an awful cry, and ran off into the woods."
"Aww yer a drunk old fool." Elsa looked back and forth between the arguing men before turning to Mathias and saying, "What are they talking about?"
"If I had to wager a guess, I'd say the black fox."
"What's the black fox?"
"One of oldest legend of the winter hunt."
"But what is it?"
"Well, you know how normal foxes have red fur?" Elsa nodded. "According to legends, a fox with fur black as a as starless night and eyes that glow like the embers in a dying fire lives in the forests of Tonitrus.
"What does this black fox do?"
"Most of the time, it swoops into homes at night and steals children who disobey." Elsa gave Mathias a skeptical look. "Really?"
"It's just a folk legend, used to scare kids into to behaving. I can't tell you the number of times I heard a parent say, 'If you keep that up, the black fox will come and take you away to his dark den never to return.' " Elsa flashed an amused smile before asking, "Okay, but what does that have to do with the hunt?"
"Supposedly, every winter hunt, the black fox crawls from its den and goes to the hunting gatherings all across Tonitrus to plague the hunters with misfortune or to give them his blessing. 'To hear his call and to see his eye will curse your hunt till the day you die.' "
"Ah, so that's why that hunter over there is so upset."
"Yep, Apparently he's been cursed by the black fox."
"So do you believe in such tales?"
"No, I don't. But I'm sure you'll hear it plenty of times while we're here. I've heard it's in our blood to tell the legend to all outsiders." Elsa smiled, happy to hear all she could about Mathias' homeland and people. "How many stories like this have you been keeping from me?"
"This is the only one I care to remember, but ask my father when you see him. He knows them all by heart I'm sure."
"I'll be sure to. So, what happens if the fox gives you his blessing?"
"No one knows, we only know he flashes you a toothy grin, laughs, and runs off into the forest."
"So you have no idea what kind of blessing he gives you?"
"No one cares. for those who claim to have seen it, not being cursed is enough."
"Maybe someone should ask him."
"If I ever see him, I'll do just that." they laughed briefly before Elsa said, "I suppose we should make sure Anna and Kristoff haven't gotten into any trouble." They stood and made their way to the door, the two old hunters still arguing behind them. When they reach the door Mathias reaches to open it, only to have it swing open and hit him. It doesn't knock him down, but he is momentarily stunned.
"Oh my- I'm so sorry! Are you Alright?" Mathias shakes his head to clear his vision and see the person standing in front of him. When his sight clears, he gasps. She has short brown hair that sweeps down onto her forehead. Her attire is informal,a simple shirt and brown vest paired with pants and a cloak to match, but he knows she's nobility. Her features are soft, and though changed with age, still recognizable. And as her large amber eyes take him in, they widen as she lets out a gasp of her own. "Wait...Mathias?"
"Keira?"
Ex: Dah, dah, dun! Another cliff hanger! I know, I'm awful.
Elsa: Who is that? How does she know Mathias? And do I have to hurt her?
Ex: All in good time(Hopefully not a long time). Seriously though, these last two chapters were really difficult to write for reasons I don't understand, and with luck the updates should be coming more frequently, on a weekly basis or so. Anyhow, review, follow, possibly favorite? I really do wonder why so many people who followed Thundersnow have ignored this story, but hopefully they get on it.
Elsa: And seriously you guys, reviews are the lifeblood of his writing. The more you let him know you're still here, the faster things will get done. Also seriously, answer my questions Expero.
Ex: Next chapter Elsa, next chapter.
Elsa: Fine, see you guys next time!