Their descent down the mountain was considerably faster, this time. Elsa simply made a toboggan and they got into it and slid down the path she formed for them.

When they reached the bottom, where their tent still was, Hiksti immediately jumped out and pulled her with him. "I can't leave this place fast enough," he said.

They packed up their camp in record time and galloped their reindeer away until the animals were unable to run any longer. Then they got off and let them rest for a little bit to catch their breath, and then they led them until it was too dark to see. They made camp next to a small lake.

Elsa finally asked the question she'd been holding in since waking up in his arms. "What happened?"

Hiksti stared at her, eyes tormented, and she gave him the time he needed to answer. "You died," he said. He reached for her and pulled a lock of hair forward, crusted in her dried blood. "A rock just…" he couldn't make himself say it. He swallowed.

Elsa's heart sped up at the revelation. "But… I'm not dead, now."

He shook his head. "No, you're not. Hel showed up."

"Hell?"

"Loki's daughter. H-E-L. I was promised a godly gift, and a godly gift she gave."

"She brought me back."

He nodded and pressed his lips to her forehead and pulled her against him. "She brought you back." His relief was palpable, and she could feel him trembling.

"But how?"

"She said that only life can pay for life. And she took it from me. My immortality."

Elsa clutched his coat, sorting through the relief, fear, wonder, and confusion that swirled around in her. "So the curse is broken?"

He showed her his hand, and there she saw a tiny little cut, already scabbed over, at the base of his thumb. "If I was still immortal this would've been gone hours ago."

Elsa looked up at him, hardly daring to believe it. "So… you can grow old," she murmured.

"With you," he sighed. "If you'll have me."

"Forever," she vowed. They kissed, and this time there was nothing holding them back. This time, all fear was dispelled, and only love remained.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Sometime in the middle of the night Elsa started up from a deep sleep, disoriented and gasping. "Olaf!" she shouted.

Hiksti sat up groggily. "What? What's wrong?"

"Olaf is gone," she said. "Hold on, I…" she closed her eyes and her hand floated upwards as if she was reaching for something far away.

Hiksti stared at her in confusion for a long moment until she finally relaxed and sighed. "There, all done." She lay back down and Hiksti curled around her.

"What was that about?" he asked drowsily.

"I had to put Olaf back together," she explained. "He died when I died. Thank goodness water has memory."

Hiksti blinked at her a couple of times and then pressed his forehead to hers. "One, wow. Two, Anna's going to kill me."

She giggled and snuggled closer. "Welcome to the family."

The rest of their journey home was made with just as much urgency as their journey there, for Elsa didn't want her sister to worry any longer than necessary. While they traveled in the light of day they talked and planned and laughed, and at night they made love and slept wrapped up in each other.

At last, they made it to the Arendelle harbor, and long before their icy ship reached the dock Elsa could see her sister waiting for her, almost vibrating with the effort of not jumping into the frigid waters and swimming out to meet her. Kristoff and Olaf were with her, and they could hear the little snowman shouting from half a mile out. "She's alive! She's alive! I told you guys she was alive!"

The ship was still five feet away from docking when Anna couldn't stand it any longer and hurled herself across the divide to land on the deck and fling her arms around her sister. "Elsa!" she shrieked. "You're safe! Thank god you're safe!"

Elsa embraced Anna, squeezing hard, and crying with her little sister from the sheer solace of their reunion. "I'm safe," she said. "I'm here. Thanks to Hiksti."

Anna looked at the man over her sister's shoulder, and her eyes, so close in color to Elsa's, narrowed dangerously. "What… happened?" she asked, her voice a barely suppressed inferno of rage. "Your answer had better be good or I'll hang you as many times as necessary."

"At this point, once would be enough," Hikist noted with a savage little smile. He tossed the rope to Kristoff, who'd been waiting for their little ship to drift closer.

The blonde man tied it off and came aboard, too, followed by Olaf, who wrapped his little stick arms around his creator and snuggled with a happy sigh. "Please don't do that again," he said plaintively. "I don't particularly like dying."

"I'm sorry," Elsa told him, breaking just far enough away from Anna that she could reach down and touch Olaf's head. "I didn't mean to scare anyone."

"What do you mean?" Kristoff asked Hiksti.

"The curse is broken," Elsa answered, pulling back from Anna. Her smile was bright enough to rival the sun. "We did it."

Anna was astonished. "You… found Loki?"

Hiksti nodded. "And his wife, and his daughter. And technically his son, sort of…" he shrugged a shoulder.

Elsa shuddered at the memory of the oppressive grief in that cave. "We broke the curse, and Hiksti is as mortal as you and I, now."

Anna searched Elsa's face for a few moments. "What happened?" she asked softly.

"Let's go inside and have some hot chocolate and peppermints and we'll tell you the whole story," the Snow Queen suggested.

And that's just what they did.

Well, almost - they did leave out a few personal bits.

Anna, of course, was furious that they had left without her, and Elsa and Hiksti took her anger, let her vent it out upon them. There was a lot of apologizing, but eventually she forgave them, because when you love someone, you do that.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Of course Hiksti moved into Elsa's cabin in the Northuldran village. Anna was scandalized at the thought and let her sister know about it when Elsa arrived the next week for a visit, and to pick up a few surprises for Hiksti's workspace - he'd already built an addition to the cabin and staked it out as his creative place and called it his studio.

"You can't live with a man who isn't your husband," Anna said quietly, her face lined with anxiety at the thought.

"I can," Elsa said simply. "And it's happening. It's okay." She watched as a few servants loaded all kinds of things into a waiting sled - canvases and paints and brushes and a small anvil and assorted smithing tools and metal ingots - the forge had been built already - a drafting table and supplies, whittling and carving knives, and various and sundry other creative tools.

"But… what if you get… with child?" Anna asked quietly.

Elsa shrugged. "Then you get a niece or nephew."

"I… can't believe you're being so irresponsible about this," Anna pouted crossly. "This will cause a scandal. How will it look? How will it reflect on our family, on me?"

That made Elsa pause. "Well…" her sister's worries became her own that quickly. The benefit of moving to Northuldra in the first place was leaving all of the politics behind. She was loathe to let it dictate her life, now. "Why does anyone have to know?"

"People will find out," the redhead pointed out. "They always do. Can't you just… marry him?"

"I don't even know if he wants to do that," Elsa sighed. "It's not something we've discussed."

"But - but - but you're… Elsa what are you thinking?!" Anna started hyperventilating. "Are you even thinking? At all?!"

Elsa reached for her sister and grasped her shoulders. "Okay, fine, I'll talk to him, okay? Just breathe, Anna, breathe."

When she arrived home the gloam was settling on the land and Hiksti had come out to meet her. "Elsa!" he called, jogging to meet her. "Wait 'til you see what I've made! It's great, you're gonna love it!"

Elsa grinned down at him and jumped off the sled to land in his arms. They kissed for a long moment before she pulled back. "I've got a surprise for you, too," she said.

"Oh, really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "Does it involve fireworks?"

"Firew- no," she laughed. "Help me unpack."

They unloaded the sled and Elsa explained everything, and he was pleased and grateful for every gift. She really loved seeing the happy sparkle in his peridot eyes, the way he took the time to examine each and every item and make plans to use it. "I'll paint your portrait," he said, reverently laying the oil paints in a velvet-lined box. "I'll forge you a ring," he promised, hefting the small anvil and adjusting it just so next to the forge. "Someday, I'll whittle a doll for our child," he pledged.

"And what was your surprise for me?" she asked once the sled was empty and they were inside the cabin once again.

"Oh, well…" he looked bashful all of a sudden, and scratched the back of his head. "Just a book, really."

"A book?" she asked, intrigued.

"Yeah, it's…" he took her hand and led her to the table, and they sat down together. He pulled a large book toward them and showed her the cover. "It's a book about dragons," he said.

"Dragons?"

He nodded, and reverently opened it. "Everything I remember. Every type, their characteristics, abilities, habitats, breeding habits, migration patterns, foods… all of it."

She leaned forward to look at the first page, where he had drawn a magnificent coal-black dragon with a blunt, flat head and an impressive wingspan. Next to it, only slightly smaller, was a snow-white dragon with subtle differences. He'd used ink and colored pencils to color the page.

"This is Toothless," he told her, his voice so full of wistfulness that it almost brought tears to her eyes. "And his mate."

"Night Fury," she read the caption aloud. "Light Fury." She paused. "They were beautiful."

"Yeah," he agreed. "They all were. Beauty and power and a force of nature and capable of such pure love and devotion…" He turned those eyes to her and she was momentarily lost in them. "I loved them for all the same reasons I love you. I wanted to share this with you, my memories, because even after all this time, they are important to me and they made me who I am in such a fundamental way."

She was touched, and she reached for him, and for a long time they didn't say much.

Hours later they were curled around each other under the blankets of her bed, looking out the window to the aurora borealis as it played its weird light across the sky. He was sleepily drawing patterns on her arm, and she liked the tickling, and liked that she could feel the thump of his heartbeat beneath her cheek.

"I have something to ask you," she said sleepily.

"Hm?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Yeah, of course," he said, a smile in his voice. "When's good?" He didn't even stop tickling her arm in slow motion.

She grinned and snuggled deeper into his embrace. "As soon as we can get it set up, I guess. Let me send a letter to Anna and invite them all here, and maybe Yelana can perform the ceremony."

"Sounds perfect," he sighed happily, and kissed the crown of her head.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Elsa sent the letter the next morning, watching as Gale took it and made it soar like the bird it was folded to resemble. Then she went about her day. She visited Ahtohallan, roamed the forest, had a chat with the earth giants, went on a tandem ride on the Nokk with Hiksti, spent some quality time with him and a picnic basket, and read from the book he'd made.

The sun was lowering in the sky, painting it gorgeous reds and passionate oranges when Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven showed up in a sled piled high to overflowing with mysterious cloth-wrapped packages. They were followed by yet another sled, this one driven by Kai, with Gerda at his side.

"Anna!" Elsa cried, gladly running out to meet her sister. The two embraced and Anna immediately began babbling.

"I got your letter and we got here as soon as we could," she said breathlessly. "I'm so glad you two are getting married!" She squealed and jumped up and down a couple of times before Gerda cleared her throat in a gentle, non-verbal reminder that she was a monarch, now, in addition to being a grown woman, and to please act like it. The redhead threw the older woman an exasperated look but settled down. "We have absolutely everything we need to throw a wedding right here, tomorrow."

"Alright," Elsa said.

Yelana and Honeymaren and Ryder came up to the little convoy and greetings were had all around, hugs and handshakes and inquires after health. "What is all of this?" Yelana asked, gesturing to the two over-full carts. Ryder helped Kristoff unhitch the reindeer and then led them toward a cozy little shelter while Kristoff stayed with his fiance.

"You didn't tell her?" Anna asked Elsa. "You didn't ask?"

"I guess it just… slipped my mind," Elsa said with a self-conscious smile. "I was busy, today."

Anna raised her eyebrows pointedly.

"Ah, right," Hiksti said, jumping in. "Yelana, would you perform the wedding ceremony?" He paused. "I mean, mine and Elsa's. We're getting married. Maybe tomorrow, if that's okay?"

Yelana looked gobsmacked for a moment, and then she threw her head back and laughed. "Of course I will," she agreed, her gaze on the two of them approving and warm. "Let's go inside out of the cold and talk about things."

So they did.

After the planning was finalized Yelana and the other Northuldran left, Kai and Gerda went upstairs to the large open common room where they would spend the night, leaving the two sisters and their loves and Olaf, who was on his stomach gazing at the fire, within which nestled Bruni. Sven had chosen to remain outside to visit with the other reindeer.

Kristoff stood at the window and looked out toward the cozy shelter, where he could dimly make out Sven nuzzling a reindeer cow. "Must be something in the air," he chuckled. "Look at him go! He's got a girlfriend!"

"Oh, that's nice," Olaf commented.

Elsa nudged Hiksti, who cleared his throat. "So, uh, Kristoff?"

The big blonde man turned. He wasn't actually that much taller than Hiksti, maybe one or two inches at the most, but his shoulders were so broad that he seemed to take up half again as much space. "Yeah?" he asked, eyes wide open.

"I was wondering," Hiksti said slowly. "It's been a long time since I've had a… well, a friend, and, uh, I think you qualify." He paused. "Right?"

"Yeah? I mean, yeah!" Kristoff said again, his face alight with happiness and bro-love. "That's - that's great, Hiksti, I'm glad you think so. I'd really like to be your friend!"

"Excellent," Hiksti said. "So, uh… seeing as how we're officially friends, now, and we'll be brothers soon enough… would you maybe wanna be my best man? For the wedding?"

For a moment Anna was afraid that the love of her life was going to die of happiness. Kristoff's chest swelled and he almost shed a tear before nodding and reaching out to take Hiksti's hand in his. He pumped it up and down a few times. "I would be… absolutely honored," he said, and then he had to clear his voice to disguise the tremble.

"Well, great," Hiksti said. "That's great. Thanks, bud."

"He called me bud," Kristoff whispered to Anna.

Anna giggled and wrapped her arms around Kristoff's bicep, then whispered in his ear.

"Hiksti, will you be mine?" Kristoff asked in a rush. "I mean, my mest ban. Best man. What?"

Hikst chuckled and slugged Kristoff's shoulder. "Yeah, bud. I'll be your best man, too."

Kristoff did a fist-pump and everyone laughed. Anna turned her eyes to her sister and looked rather expectant. She'd already asked Elsa to be her maid of honor months ago, and of course it was a given that Elsa would say yes.

Elsa smiled and linked her fingers with Hiksti's. "Will you be my maid of honor, Anna?"

"Of course!"

With that last little detail settled, they decided to retire for the night, as they would all have to be up early in the morning.

Elsa was about to step into her bedroom when the reality of the sleeping arrangements hit her and she stopped at the threshold, and almost got trampled by Hiksti'd who'd naturally been following her. Anna was hoving just behind him looking uncertain and anxious. "Hiksti, perhaps you'd better sleep in the other room with the boys," she suggested.

Hiksti blinked down at her, made a very short annoyed face, and then nodded. "You're right," he sighed. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and she rose up on her toes to kiss him on his lips. "Good night. I'll see you in the morning."

"Sleep well," she wished him.

Anna followed her into the room and just before she closed the door she heard Kristoff murmur to Hiksti, "So… can you give me some advice about… you know… husbandly duties?"

Elsa firmly closed the door and then turned to her sister, her hands over her mouth to suppress the giggles that were trying to break free.

"What?" Anna asked curiously, already stepping out of her shoes and reaching up to take the pins out of her hair.

"Nothing," Elsa chuckled. "Just… your fiance being a kind and considerate person, is all." She took her own shoes off and took the tie out of her braid and started to comb her fingers through it. "You're lucky to have him."

"I know," Anna said dreamily. "I'm jealous that you and Hiksti can just elope like this. Royal weddings take forever to plan!"

"It's not eloping," Elsa pointed out. "Everyone who counts is here."

"You know what I mean," Anna grouched. She turned her back and gestured to the buttons marching down her dress, and Elsa obligingly began undoing them after first glancing at the curtains to make sure they were drawn tightly. "I can't even pick the flowers without having a state meeting. Who knew heather was a must-have?"

"You like heather," Elsa observed. She finished the buttons and Anna stepped out of her dress and laid it carefully across the back of a chair.

"Of course I do," Anna said. "But I also like roses and peonies and poppies and all sorts of flowers." She shrugged. "My point is that I feel like my wedding is more for Arendelle than it is for me."

"Well, in a way it is," Elsa said. She gestured and her dress turned into a nightgown, simple and white, ankle-length. She turned back the covers and climbed into bed, followed by her sister. They lay on their sides looking at each other. "You're the queen, now, and the people want to see you happy and they want to feel secure. One way to do that is through symbols and traditions, like heather and crocuses and bunads."

"That's another thing," Anna said. "I thought it would be fabulous to wear a white dress instead of a bunad."

Elsa raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Oh, you haven't seen Queen Victoria's wedding photograph?" Anna said. "It's the most beautiful, fabulous…" she sighed. "But the white dress got nixed and a bunad it is." She pouted. "If my daughter wants to wear a white dress - or any color - she can!"

"You know," Elsa said. "You are the queen. You can just tell them that you want to wear a white dress and they'll have to do it."

"But… the people," Anna sighed.

Elsa gave her a sympathetic look. "I know," she said. "Believe me, I know." Then she grinned. "Maybe it can be a white bunad?"

Anna grinned back. "I like that idea," she murmured.

They snuggled close and slept soundly.

The next morning was a flurry of activity from breakfast to lunch, while everyone decorated and prepared. It was to be a mish-mash of traditions - Arendelle traditions mixed with Northuldran and Viking.

When it was time to get dressed, Elsa conjured matching outfits for herself and her love - sapphire-blue and white formal attire complete with capes and magical ice medallions, and small ice-flower crowns for both of them that glinted like diamonds. From Elsa's crown white and blue ribbons hung down her unbound hair.

Hiksti couldn't take his eyes off of her and a smile that was equal parts appreciation, pride, and love tugged at his lips. "You look so beautiful," he whispered. He reached for her hands. "You weren't kidding about your fashion prowess."

She accepted his grasp and looked up at him. "And you look incredibly handsome," she said softly. "Are you ready?"

"Let's do this."

They were led to the banks of the river by Kai, who played the fiddle for them, a sprightly number that almost had them dancing to the tune. The path was lined with pine needles that let off a fragrant evergreen scent with every step. They were followed by Anna and Kristoff, and two more young, recently-married Northuldran couples. It seemed that no matter where they looked, there were evergreen boughs and pinecones and ribbons adorning every surface. Elsa's magic had added sparkle and flair, of course. Everyone was dressed in their very best and smiling brightly enough to rival the sun.

They reached the center of the village where Yelana awaited them. Their vows were simple and full of meaning. They exchanged simple gold wedding rings - both of which Hiksti had forged himself - and then gave each other swords - these had been designed by Hiksti and created by Elsa using her magic. They held hands and the old woman bound them together with an intricately embroidered wide ribbon, full of Arendelle crocuses. She blessed their union and the joining of their families.

Then she raised her staff and asked for the blessing of the forest. The four elements answered.

First Bruni leapt from fire-pit to fire-pit, lighting them all with his pinkish flames before bounding into a snow drift and crooning happily. Gale lifted Hiksti and Elsa off of their feet and twirled them around in the air as they laughed and held hands. The earth giants rose up from where they'd been sitting just beyond the tree line so that they could peer down at the wedding, and then they opened their great maws to sing. As the Northuldran song rang back in joyous answer, the Nokk reared up from the river's water, and Gale deposited Hiksti and Elsa gently onto his back. With a toss of his watery head, the Nokk took off at a gallop.

And that's how they left for their honeymoon.