Sorry for another delay you guys! Got really sick and busy! Enjoy!
Serephina
Together, we sat down in a mound of fresh hay in the corner of the stables. Epona sniffed and visited Elsa's horse curiously. Her occasional whinny was reassuring that the two were getting along. Elsa reclined, leaning back into my arms. White hair rested just below my chin and smelt of sweet mint. My hand was in her position as she drew patterns over my scars and calluses with her perfect delicate fingertips. She talked and talked, telling me her story. The snow queen told about her parents and her sister with a love filled voice. I asked the occasional question and she answered with little hesitation.
"For all those years, you were really kept locked up inside the castle?"
"Yes, I mean my parents were just trying to protect me from hurting myself or others but… I missed so much. And so did Anna," she answered heavily, tossing her head back into my shoulder.
I twisted my neck and planted a kiss on her forehead, making her smile, "Now you're free to see the world and explore life."
"Easy for you to say, you've been like everywhere!"
"Not quite everywhere. Really only the first trip is the hardest. Once you go for it though, the whole world is open to you." I whispered, letting myself get lost in her words and my own memories.
"What has your favorite place you've ever been to?" she asked, excitement rising in her voice.
"Probably my home, the isle of Annwfn," I replied with a smile.
She smiled and nestled her face back into the crook of my neck, shifting some of my ropes of hair, "Tell me about it."
"To start, only we can find it. Our kind, we can learn to sense one another and with that, you can find the isle." I smiled rubbing her arm.
"Were you born there?"
My throat felt thick. I bit my lip hoping she couldn't feel my discomfort. "No, no I was born somewhere very different. I found my way though and I found my home." I waited for her to ask something more, but nothing more came. "The isle is beautiful though. White sandy beaches edge the island except for the north most edge. There sharp cliffs drop to the water below. Beautiful clean ocean water, the perfect shade of green blue. The Isle itself is mainly forested with hills and valleys everywhere. There's a little bit of everything that grows there. Oaks, cedars, umbrella trees, the occasional cherry blossom too, for some reason, anything brought to the island can grow and live. We speculate it's because of how many of us elementals live there. My favorites are the lilac bushes. We have a dozen planted around our home and—"
"We?" was that jealousy in Elsa's tone.
"Yeah, there's a we… I have a mother there and a brother with his own family." I laughed, feeling her body relax, "adoptive of course, but still family."
"And your birth family?"
I took a long deep breath, "My mother is gone now. She has been since I was very young. For many years I lived without any family."
Elsa squeezed my hands tightly, "I'm sorry to hear that."
"Thank you, but that was a long time ago. New people come into our lives and heal us from the ones we have lost." I grinned, holding her tighter.
"I like the way you light up when you talk about your home," Elsa matched my smile as she stared up into my eyes.
"I like how you care," I whispered before kissing her tentatively. Her lips were soft and sweet. Elsa radiated with the strong magic inside her. As our mouths connected, I could feel it all swirling beneath her skin. Her body was so cool to the touch. Everywhere my hands traced, they were greeted with a soft winter's breeze. It was enough to make me shiver… in a good way.
The queen broke our kiss and sat up smiling at me, "Let me take you back to my home. I can show you my family and where I live."
"I don't know Elsa. I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why? It's not like I'm going to introduce you as the girl I just kissed several times in a stable."
"This," I rose our intertwined hands, shaking them slightly, "isn't the only thing I'm concerned about." I unlaced our hands so they were side to side. The contrast between the two was almost comical. Elsa's was milky white, soft, smooth and perfect. Mine was the very opposite. A distinct dark caramel color, rough from use and travel, completed with burn marks. "This is what worries me."
"People in Arendelle aren't like that. Please, my family would love you and would see past that." I looked down at her skeptically. I had seen enough of this world to know better. In this area of the world, I was a misfit. Humans were notorious for hating whatever was different or that they couldn't understand. But her eyes looked up at me, hopeful and pleading.
I wasn't strong enough to say no, "Okay, just for one day."
"Really?" Her face lit up and her timid smile grew a bit more.
"Yes, really."
"That's fantastic! I have so much to show you. We have a ballroom, my father's study, the hall of portraits, I'm so excited you will see it!" Enthusiasm continued to fill her voice even though it remained even and controlled at the same time.
I loved the way she looked when she was excited about something. Gorgeous, that was the only fitting word to describe it. Cautiously I leaned forward. Taking her hands in mine, I made my proposal, "I have one condition, however."
"What is it?"
"When I go back to Annwfn, you must come with me. Just for a visit so that you can see our world." When I said 'our', it definitely felt like I meant more than just regarding my family back home. I wanted Elsa's first true adventure to be to where our safe haven was. There she could learn what life for those who are blessed by nature can be.
Her expression became more timid and she broke our eye contact. Elsa sucked in a deep breath and held it before answering, "I don't know. Just up and leaving isn't as easy for me. I have a kingdom to run and…"
"Don't let fear keep you hidden from the world any longer."
"My parents died on a journey. They said they would come back and they never did," Elsa blurted with tears welling in those wide blue eyes of hers.
My hand reached from her own hand to stroke her cheek. What was it about this young woman? Every moment with her pulled me in deeper. I had been in love before, spent years beside women who had connected with me in amazing ways, never though had I ever felt such a relationship so quickly. "Don't think for a second that I would ever let anything happen to you. Nothing's going to harm you, not while I'm around."
"It may take some time before I could leave…"
"I can wait. I'm sort of on this pretty amazing journey right now anyway." I whispered, loosening up and kissing her again. She threw her arms around my neck and grabbed hold of my tendrils of hair. "We should probably get you back home soon your majesty."
"Please don't call me that anymore," she laughed against my mouth.
I kissed her once more before kindly pushing her back. "Let me gather a few things and we will leave." Standing, I offered my hand and she took it. Pulling her up was far too easy, but she gasped when she saw how much straw and dirt marked her blue gown. I laughed at her expression and left for my sleeping quarters. Everything I owned was still packed away in my bag. I hadn't found reason yet to settle, and maybe this was why.
I only took the time to check for one thing. The canvas opened beneath my hands, and I pushed around the clothing inside. Inside my hand struck the leather covered handle. My fingers locked around it and drew it from the depths. I pulled the leather holster down an inch to view the steel of the blade. The very edge of the seal printed in gold was visible. Many preferred the length of a full sword. This was my weapon of choice. Something I had mastered.
"Serephina? Are you ready?" Elsa's voice called from the other room. I smiled at her call and quickly replaced the knife. Slinging the bag over my shoulder, I left the bedroom. Epona would remain here. Oaken would be willing to look after her for a short time. As I passed by the old mare, I stroked her nose gently. Her eyes seemed to frown at me, but she wouldn't stay mad. Elsa waited by the exit holding on to the reins of her horse. The young male would be able to carry us both.
"As ready as I'll ever be." I stepped up and swung myself onto the horse. Elsa pushed open the barn door. The horse shook his head and stepped anxiously back and forth. She walked back around the front of the horse. Like so many times before, my hand waited outstretched for hers. She gladly took it and I held tight as Elsa climbed on. Her pale arms encircled my waist, "Thank you my lady."
Her answer was resting her chin on my shoulder and holding me tighter.
Elsa
Once we passed into the city walls of Arendelle, my hold loosened around her. I sat straighter, less like I was with a lover and more like I was being escorted by a guard. Serephina had pulled up her hood, hiding her face and became much more nervous as she rode. Her gloved fists strained around the reins.
"Hey, it'll be alright." I whispered into her ear. People stared at us, both gossiping and waving. The beloved queen was riding in with a mysterious figure. The streets were buzzing already with afternoon traffic, but the queen making an appearance would only congest them further. The castle grew closer and closer, and it made me both excited and petrified. I worried for Serephina's sake. She seemed uneasy to say the least about entering my world. I guess I couldn't blame her, but I wasn't going to let anyone treat her differently based on her appearance.
Serephina took a moment to squeeze my hand on her hip as we passed the gates that let us into the castle grounds. The gate keepers stood back and bowed when they realized I was on the horse. I gripped Serephina's forearm and swung myself down, much more gracefully than I ever could before. She followed my movement and stood alongside me. "Queen Elsa, you've returned."
"Yes, and with me I bring a guest." One of the guards stepped forward and took my steed, "This is Serephina. She is a very honored guest to grace our halls and should be treated as such." I stated sternly, producing a nearly silent chuckle from Serephina.
"Of… of course ma'am." They bowed again towards me. Looking over at the castle's doors, Anna stood waiting with a puzzled look on her face. Around her stood Nikolas, Kristoff, Antoine, and several of my servants. All of theirs gazes held the same question: Who was my new friend?
I looked to Serephina, and she sighed before pulling back her hood. A few gasps were heard when her dark face was revealed. Silence filled the yard and I was quick to end it. "Come, let me show you around."
