I do not own Harry Potter books or Merlin or Rise of the Guardians or Frozen.
Chapter 44: All hail Pizza!
Elsa was aware of the danger they were in, but she was in too much awe to think. All she could do is feel and all of her senses feasted. It was as if they stepped into a different dimension. While the forest they went through was dark and ominous, mostly empty and quiet, the fairy colony was teeming with life.
It was significantly warmer here. The trees shimmered with golden and red leaves, sunshine broke through the canopy and streamed through to the ground. But most of all, the place was teeming with seducing magic which brought an involuntary smile to her face.
"How did they get through our wards?" a female voice said and she looked for the source.
Elsa finally paid attention to the little glowing spears held by fairies dressed in shiny green armor. Their wings glimmered in the sunshine as they bat them so quickly, they blurred.
"You mean the wall of thorns?" Jack responded. "We flew."
"Our wards should have kept them out," another fairy said.
"What wards?"
"They understand us," another fairy guard said.
The twins exchanged a look.
"Reed insisted that I'm a fairy," Jack whispered to her.
The fairies looked confused, probably never having dealt with a situation like this.
"We would like to speak with your queen," Jack said to them with his hands raised, eyeing the spears.
"What business do you have with The Queen?" This fairy had a slightly more fancy armor on and a little green helmet through which little pointy ears poked out. As the others looked to her for instructions, Elsa guessed she was a leader.
"We… We were invited."
Another guard spat at them. "Humans are not allowed here."
"We're not human. We're nature spirits," Jack said quickly. "We only want to talk."
While the guards deliberated, Elsa wondered what type of damage their weapons were capable of.
"We'll ask the queen if she wishes to see you," the leader decided.
The fairies parted, making a pathway for them.
Jack took her hand and led her forward. They walked slowly through the soft grass, curious about the colony while the guards formed a half-circle around them.
They passed by a tree which was overgrown with large mushroom and fairies hovered around it, pruning the fungus. Were they farming?
They passed by what looked like workshops where fairies were busy carving wood and painting leaves with sparkly powder which seemed to transform the leaf into a leather-like material. She was curious about what they were doing but knew that it wasn't the right time for questions.
They passed by trees which were full of tiny houses made of sticks and bark and decorated with painted pinecones. The residents poked their heads out the window openings, checking out the newcomers but hesitant to come out.
Above them, birds sang and she wondered why songbirds were still here when all others flew south for the winter. Was this place shielded from cold weather?
She knew they approached the queen's tree because it was magnificent and radiated magic. It was decorated in tiny glowing orbs and the leaves on it were still green. The guard told them to stop while the leader disappeared inside the tree.
"This place is amazing," Jack whispered while looking around.
One of the trees was full of swings made of green vines and little fairies played on them, giggling. They paused upon seeing them. Jack grinned to them broadly and waved. They squealed and hid behind leaves but poked their heads out curiously.
The leader guard flew up in front of them and announced, "Queen Pitsa will see you now."
Jack's eyes widened and he asked in a restrained voice, "Did you just say her name is Pizza?"
"Queen Pitsa. You will address her with respect."
Elsa shot him a warning glare, praying that for once he could be serious. They were going to be attacked if he laughed at the queen's name.
He chewed on his bottom lip in a clear attempt to control himself. "Just wanted to make sure I got the name right."
The queen floated out of the tree and their attention snapped right to her.
She was by far the largest of the fairies in the colony, and it wasn't by height. Her wings were twice as large as everyone else's and Elsa wondered if it was because she was a queen or if their length adjusted depending on the fairy's weight.
"Bow," the leader guard hissed at them.
The twins quickly lowered their heads respectfully and waited to be addressed. Elsa wasn't sure what the proper etiquette was but she decided to treat this fairy the way she would have treated Mother. Don't speak up until you're spoken to. Don't ask questions. Phrase each sentence with care. She snuck a glance at her brother. She wished she could remind him of another rule - don't crack jokes. Merlin better teach them that telepathy soon.
The queen stopped a few feet before them. She had a kind, round face and smiling bright eyes, yellow-green like a cat's. Her rusty-brown hair curled under her crown which was carved out of an acorn.
"Who might you be?" the queen asked in a chiming voice, hovering slightly above their bent heads.
Elsa took the cue. "This is my brother Jack and I'm Elsa. We're Winter Spirits."
"Lies! You wear Hogwarts robes. Why?"
"We're students there. We want to learn wizard magic."
"What magic did you use to break our wards?"
Elsa glanced at her brother. This didn't sound very welcoming.
"I used a flying spell to send us over the thorny wall. Nothing else. If there are wards there, we did not break them."
"Do you have a habit of invading fairy colonies?" The queen's voice was steady but it sounded hostile.
All around them the fairy guards were watching the scene in focus, waiting for the queen's orders.
Jack swallowed and spoke up. "I was invited. I met one of your fairies in the greenhouse and he said that you would like to meet us."
The queen's eyes narrowed. "Saying that I wanted to meet the newcomers and saying that said newcomers are welcome to barge in are two different sayings."
Jack dropped his eyes and Elsa grit her teeth. Were they in trouble over a misunderstanding?
"We mean no harm," Jack said with a bow of his head. "We just want to talk."
"Why would you assume I have an interest in talking to nature sprites who associate with wizards? Why are you really here?"
The guard took a cue from her words and pointed the glowing spears at them. Elsa stood her ground and got ready. She could freeze them all before they attacked.
Jack must have sensed her thoughts because he shook his head at her. So he wanted to continue diplomacy? She wasn't sure if there was a point anymore. These fairies did not want to help them. It was a mistake to seek their help.
"I'm on your side," Jack said. "I oppose all cruel practices wizards are so used to. I will never use fairy wings in potions, and I will always point out to them how wrong they are."
"That will achieve nothing!" The queen turned away from him and the leader of the guards flew up to her, ready to take orders.
"Yes, it will." Jack didn't give up yet. "I've already had them change their curriculum for me. They're open to seeing magic practices which don't harm other creatures. With time, I can achieve more."
Elsa was surprised to hear this. She did not know that he planned to help the fairies. She thought he only had a general aversion to certain ingredients. Or was he making this up just to appease the queen?
The queen cast a fleeting glance in his direction but then looked away to the trees where dozens of tiny heads were peeking out from behind leaves. She whispered some instructions to the leader guard and Elsa overheard, "Which method would work best?"
They were getting ready to attack! Elsa shot a worried glance at Jack who watched the queen with furrowed brows, still hoping that she believed his good intentions. They were fools. The fairies had no reason to help them. As far as the queen was concerned, her colony was under attack.
Elsa let her ice magic tingle in her fingertips. Of the two of them, she was stronger. It was her responsibility to protect her brother.
She snuck a quick glance at where the fairy guards were, preparing herself for the worst. They looked so delicate with their shimmering wings and tiny hands and feet but she was sure that all of these glowing spears combined could deliver a stun they would feel. It pained her to think that she might have to use her magic on them. Would they survive? She wanted to protect her brother but she didn't want to kill them.
But ice was ice. There was no way to control it once she let it all out, and she knew that if they attacked, she would have to give them her worst.
'Don't attack,' she prayed. 'Don't make me do this.'
A guard flew up to the queen and whispered something in her ear. She crossed her little arms and turned her head to them but didn't say anything.
A male fairy flew down, stopped in front of her and bowed.
"Kind Queen Pitsa, I know this spirit. He saved me from being captured by a witch."
"That's Reed," Jack whispered to Elsa.
The queen flew up to Reed and put a hand on his bent head.
"You vouch for them?"
Reed was silent for an extended time, keeping them in suspense.
"I only know the boy," he finally said and Elsa was ready to growl.
"I vouch for my sister," Jack spoke up and the queen shot him a scornful look for speaking out of turn. That shut him up and he stared at the ground again.
The queen heaved a long sigh and deliberated. Finally, she turned to them.
"I've never seen nature sprites among Hogwarts students."
"They don't know what we are," Jack said quietly.
The queen's eyes widened and she flew closer to them. Her guard followed to stay by her side.
"You've fooled them." She looked between the two of them. "How committed are you to changing their ways?"
"Completely," Jack said immediately. "I'll talk to whoever listens."
"They think you're one of them?" Jack nodded and the queen's mouth slightly lifted. "You're placed in a uniquely advantageous position. You can affect change from the inside."
Her smile finally reached her eyes, turning her features warm.
"Why are you here?"
A tiny spark of hope swelled within Elsa. Maybe the situation wasn't lost.
"We'd like to ask you if you recognize this being." Jack held out a hand to Elsa. "The drawing."
Elsa pulled out her blue fairy sketch and they showed it to the queen.
"We want to find out who our father is. When searching for answers, Elsa saw these beings in an enchanted mirror. We think it's a clue to finding him. Do you know what they are or where we can find them?"
The queen looked at the drawing and pursed her lips. Elsa hoped her rendition of the blue fairy was accurate enough for the queen to recognize what it was.
"It is not a fairy," the queen said, still looking at the drawing and glancing at them. "I wonder…"
It sounded like she had an idea. The spark of hope made Elsa's heart skip a beat and she wished the queen would share her theory already.
The queen stared at them and narrowed her eyes. "I'm intrigued at what you might be. You can break through our wards and can speak with us as if you were a fairy."
Jack giggled. "Our mother is the furthest thing from a fairy. She's a Winter Spirit and so are we."
"Are you sure about that? A Winter Sprite would cease to exist upon entering this sacred place." She gestured with her hand at the beautiful autumn scenery the colony was bathed in. "If you haven't noticed, we are shielded from Winter."
Elsa didn't like being referred to as a sprite. Something felt demeaning about that title.
"What?" Jack scratched his head. "Cease to exist?"
"You might be some rare Elemental Fae but I am certain that you are not Winter Sprites at all."
"Well, we're only half-Winter-Spirits."
"Not at all," the queen repeated and chuckled. "Oh, dear younglings, whoever told you that little lie was truly wicked. Winter Sprites are not beings made of flesh and bone. They aren't born - they're created by the power of the Winter Element. Neither you nor your mother could have been a Winter Sprite."
Jack gasped. "She lied? Our mother lied about what she is? Why hold something like that from us?"
"I cannot answer this question."
Jack seemed to have a problem with breathing and held on to Elsa for support. She tried to clear her mind. She was shocked but further stipulations about their mother's alleged lie were pointless. She could plot theories about this later. It was time to move on and get as much information as she could from these fairies while they were still speaking.
"Dear Queen, can you help us find our father? Is there anything you can do, magic or otherwise?"
Queen Pizza hovered side to side in front of them as if she was slowly pacing. Her tiny hands were folded on her abdomen and her eyes were looking up at the trees.
"What powers do you possess?"
"Aside from what we're learning from the wizards, we never exhibited anything other than winter magic. I can create ice and lower air temperature. Jack creates frost and can call in snow clouds."
The queen fluttered between them. "Your Fae magic might be untrained but I'm certain you have exhibited more. Think, younglings, think."
Elsa bit her lip and asked her brother. "What can you do that isn't winter-related?"
"I can call huggers," Jack said and stretched out his hand. Within a minute a large brown hugger flew around him and then suspended from his hand.
Elsa chuckled as her brother brought the creature close to him. The fairies moved a little away. They were too large to be a bat's prey but they still appeared very cautious.
"Do control that beast and take it with your when you leave," the queen warned. "Or we will deal with it."
"Of course," Jack assured her. "He means no harm."
The queen moved a little further away and her guards flew to her side protectively.
Jack stroked the bat's furry chin. "It's the same one! I should give you a name already. How about… Bo."
"So you can call huggers to you. I don't really know what that means yet. What else?"
"I don't know. I don't have any hidden talents."
"Hey, what about that charming thing you do - the puppy eyes. Everyone falls for it!"
Jack smirked at her. "Almost. It didn't work when I tried to convince McGonagall to let me keep Bo in my dorm."
Elsa let out a chuckle, imagining bats hanging from Jack's four-poster bed. That did not sound far fetched for her brother at all.
Jack perked up as he got an idea.
"Oh, what about flying? When I was on a broom, it felt like it wasn't the broom that was carrying me. It felt like the wind was propelling me forward. Does that make any sense?"
"Maybe."
"What about you, Elsa?"
Elsa tried to think of any special abilities she had and frowned, not being able to name even one. Could it be that all special Fae powers were only given to Jack? That wasn't fair. The winter powers that they inherited from mother were split between them, but when it came to other abilities, Elsa felt left out.
"I can't think of any."
"You're smart and you're an amazing artist."
Elsa appreciated his attempt at cheering her up but it really wasn't the same as his gifts.
"That's not really all that special. Even humans can claim to be smart or artistic."
"You had flying lessons too, didn't you? You didn't feel anything strange with the wind?"
Elsa thought back to the few times she sat on a broom.
"I could fly, it was easy, but I didn't really go far. Professor Hooch told us to stay close to the ground."
Jack looked at her with an obvious disappointment and she knew what he was thinking. She played it safe like she always did. Who knew, maybe if she took a chance and didn't listen to directions like her brother, then she would have experienced that elusive wind power Jack described.
"I've been told I'm intense and intimidating. That's my equivalent of your charm."
"They only say that because they don't know you're a softie on the inside," he playfully nudged her with his elbow and she huffed.
"Poke me again and you'll see why they're scared of me."
He laughed and she couldn't help but smile along. It was impossible to not become infected with his mood.
Elsa wanted to try something. She held out her hand the way Jack always did when he called huggers and waited.
"Do you do anything special when you call them?" she asked, getting impatient.
"It's like, in my mind, I invite them and they just show up. Wait a moment longer."
Elsa imagined herself inviting huggers in. After a while, she started to feel silly for standing there with her hand out.
The fairies observed her curiously and looked around for any other bats. She had never tried this before. Jack was always the one who was fascinated with huggers but maybe he wasn't the only one that could call them. She really wanted to have some Fae powers as well so she waited some more.
She considered if she should put her hand down already when something a lot larger than a hugger settled on her arm. Huge wings created a gust of wind which swept Elsa's hair and her heart nearly leaped out of her chest. Few fairies screamed and hid in the leaves. The hugger in Jack's hands squeaked and hid in his neck while Jack gaped open-mouthed at the bird on Elsa's arm.
It was an owl. A large brown owl.
Elsa was speechless as she stared at the majestic bird who dug its talons into her robe.
"Wow," Jack said quietly while cupping his hands around Bo protectively. "You can call owls. These birds are scary. Maybe after all, you are scary, Elsa. But in a good way… in a powerful way."
Elsa's heart started beating faster. She wasn't left out of this strange Fae ability!
"What does this mean?"
She dared to pet the owl on the head. The bird closed its eyes, enjoying her touch and she immediately loved it. So, owls were her animals. She was oddly satisfied with that. They were so much more impressive than huggers, not that she was comparing. Maybe she was. Just a little bit.
"Flying animals! We can call flying animals." Wheels in her head started turning. "I'm sensing a pattern here. You felt the wind while you were flying. Flying animals like us. Jack, this could be the key."
The queen fluttered closer. Her guard flanked her nervously, casting worried glances at the bird. The owl passed them a bored look and leaned to Elsa, asking for more pets.
"AIR!" the queen shouted in an incredulous voice. "You're the Lords of Air!"
A murmur went around at the queen's exclamation and more fairies came out of the trees. These were the ones that previously were too apprehensive to show themselves. Now that they were all out, it looked like there were thousands of them. This was a very large colony.
The queen flew close enough to touch him. In fact, it looked like she wanted to but restrained herself.
"Air," she repeated in a soft voice, "we, fairies, worship Air. It is the most sacred ancient power, powerful, hidden magic. Air Lords, the Sylph, are the highest of the Fae - the protectors, the guardians, the messengers of the gods. They can control not only the Air element but all beings which occupy the Air domain."
The queen then flew just as close to Elsa. Her eyes were brimming with tears. "It is an honor."
She flew back to her guard and curtsied to the two of them deeply, casting her eyes down. All fairies around followed her, curtsying or bowing.
Jack smiled lopsidedly and pet his hugger. "It's like we're Fae royalty."
The queen straightened up and smiled graciously. "I did not recognize the drawing because the Sylph are only visible to other Sylph. Not even we can see them even when we're their most devoted servants."
Elsa exchanged a look with her brother, still trying to process the possibility that they were half-Sylph.
"You think our father is a Sylph?"
"An Air Elemental," the queen offered. "We, fairies, are distantly related to them although our magic does not begin to compare to their divine powers."
Elsa looked back at her drawing. "But they're… small." Not to mention, they had blue skin.
The queen smiled kindly. "The Sylph are also shapeshifters who can assume a visible form at will - a human-sized form. Please forgive my hostility earlier," she bowed to them again. "I did not know."
Elsa exchanged a look with her brother and allowed her hope to fully ignite. It finally made sense why she saw the blue fairies in the mirror, no, the Sylph. She could have even seen her father among them.
They were so close to finding him, she could already imagine how drastically their lives were going to change. But how would they find an invisible Air Elemental?
The queen had a plan for them. "We will pray to our Air Lords in hopes of getting you an audience with them. Is there any message we can pass on to help them locate your father?"
Elsa heaved a long breath.
"Tell them that…" Was she really going to say this? Yes. She had to. It was time to learn the truth. "Tell them that our mother is Dark Beira, Queen of Winter."
A/N: Reaction time! Did you know that Sylph are usually described having white hair? I didn't even know that when I chose their father to be one. I was researching mythology and liked the idea of an Air Elemental, and then much later I searched drawings and my jaw dropped. I couldn't have chosen a better Elemental.
How do you like the fairies and Queen Pizza? To clarify - the twins don't know that it's spelled Pitsa and really think her name is Pizza.
