"Ahtohallan!" Elsa called out as she slammed her bedroom door open. "I found the answers there once, maybe they can clue us in on how to help... you…" She trailed off, stiffening.
Keahi had hopped up from the bed, a thin gray tank top clasped to her body loosely. One strap falling from her shoulder. Thin gray shorts clung to her thighs. Her hair cascaded down over her shoulders, the inky black strands tumbling loosely and finally free of the messy bun it was always in. Her hair was thick and wavy, though Elsa wasn't sure if it was because of its constant updo or if that's actually how it was. The little braids that dangled within the free flow of the rest of her hair gave her such an exotic look. Keahi was such a tomboy, but when her hair was down, she looked distinctly feminine and soft. Her eyes were wide as she tilted her head, confused, "Ahto-what-in?" She reiterated.
Elsa looked away, pivoting and pretending to look at a suddenly interesting spot on the floor. "It's in The Enchanted Forest where I live. It helped me find out a wrong in our past. We need to leave as soon as we can." She felt intense and breathless, it was more than a little concerning. "Why didn't you wear one of the sleeping gowns?"
"Because they are gowns. I grew up with men, if they found out I slept in a dress." She shivered to prove her point, a grimace on her lips.
Elsa gripped her arms across her chest, hugging herself. Keahi was in front of her and leaned over to interrupt her line of vision.
Keahi waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "I'm not even naked and your jumpy. You are too innocent and adorable."
Elsa closed her eyes to calm herself and soothe her feverish body and shallow breathing.
Keahi came to stand right in front of her, tilting her head. "You okay?"
"Never better." She exhaled, finally letting go and seizing the moment. She grabbed Keahi's shirt to drag them together before she landed a frenzied kiss on Keahi's lips.
"Are we there yet?" Keahi complained, leaning her head against Elsa's back.
Elsa scowled, glancing behind her and holding onto the ice reigns that helped her stay on Nokk. The water horse threw its head and let out a huff as the open tundra came into view. Just beyond that, the Enchanted Forest and the Northuldra people she had become so fond of.
"Almost." Elsa answered, easing her heels into Nokks side. In response, he sped up.
Keahi yawned behind her. "We got no sleep after we rushed out of the castle. How are you so perky?"
Elsa's cheeks flushed as she cleared her throat. "I'm happy with the events of last night."
"You are too innocent and I can't decide if I'm excited to spoil that or I want to preserve it at all costs."
"We're here." Elsa interjected, the forest and the runes that stood guard on the forest edge came into view.
Reindeer flocked the open tundra, running in the sun and spreading their legs in the open range. Honeymaren and Ryder sat on a log beside the runes, jumping and waving frantically as they neared.
Elsa waved a hand in response. She had sent a note with Gale to let them know she'd be back in the morning.
Once they made it to the runes, Elsa practically leapt from Nokk while he was still moving. Blasting a stream of ice to slide her gracefully across the ground so she didn't hit it too hard.
She wrapped Honeymaren in a hug, Ryder came up behind the two and wrapped them both in his arms, grunting as he squeezed.
"We missed you!" Honeymaren exclaimed, glancing over Elsa's shoulder towards Nokk, who wasn't happy that Keahi still remained on him.
He bucked enough to get the point across and Keahi stumbled off. Keahi mumbled something and dusted off her clothing.
"Who's that?" Honeymaren asked quizzically.
Elsa looked behind her and smiled fondly at Keahi, who was being hassled by Gale. She flew under the woman's shirt, lifting it with a gust of wind and Keahi battled with the whimsical wind spirit.
"That's Keahi." Elsa frowned, turning back to the two. She relayed what had happened and why she was both gone too long and hasty in the last minute choice to come home this morning.
Honeymaren and Ryder blinked back surprise and looked at Elsa before looking to Keahi.
Keahi jogged up to the trio, out of breath from Gale. "Your, uh, wind friend is... interesting."
Elsa scowled and motioned to Honeymaren and Ryder, "This is Honeymaren and her brother, Ryder. After some digging, we discovered they are actually distant cousins of Anna and I."
Keahi gave a charming grin and shook their hands.
"Hey, don't eat that!" Ryder yelled to one reindeer, jogging over to struggle with one of the young stags.
Honeymaren shook her head, returning her attention to Elsa and Keahi. "I'm sure Yelana will want to have a blessing for your return tonight. I'll let her know you're back, and what's going on." She cheerfully told, grabbing her large walking stick and corralling Ryder and the reindeer.
Elsa turned to Keahi, excited as she grabbed both of Keahi's hands in her own, a thrill raced through her. "Let me show you the forest, Bruni, the earth giants."
"Earth giants?" Keahi echoed with poignant concern.
Elsa rolled her eyes and smiled, tugging on Keahi's warm hand to lead her past the runes and into the depths of the mist-covered forest. The morning light shone colorfully through the canopies, a chorus of birds waking the forest in a graceful song.
A light speckling of snow coated the ground, the frost from the morning encasing the grass that poked through the dusting. It crunched under their feet as Elsa dragged Keahi around the forest. Showing her the beauty that she found there every day. She missed the forest, the freedom she felt within its depths, and the happiness she discovered in herself through the forest.
It was enchanting.
They stopped at the riverbed; the water flowing over river rocks causing a pleasant bubbling sound. They both stood on a large boulder that jutted out over the riverbed below. Elsa glanced over the edge to the babbling river. "Watch." Elsa told, waving her hand over the river and causing snowflakes to float down to its banks.
A minute passed and Keahi glanced around. "Is something supposed to happen?" She asked, confused. A moment later, the ground began to rumble and rocks grinding against the cliff scratched through the air.
Above them, the mountain like figure of an earth giant towered high. Its shoulders heavy and weighing forward as it turned halfway around before its beady eyes spotted Elsa. What was once an irritable frown upturned into a tight smile.
Keahi took a step back, neck craned to look at the towering beast above them. "Holy earth giant." She whispered. When it leaned down, Keahi grimaced and cringed like the creature would crush them.
Elsa shook her head, taking Keahi's hand into her own and giving it a light squeeze. "He won't hurt you, see?" She touched the giants cheek. He let out a rumble and closed his eyes.
She lifted Keahi's hand, so she too touched the coolness of stone; he let out another rumble. The grin that spread on Keahi's lips warmed her heart and Keahi put both hands to the coolness of the giants cheek. "I don't think I've ever seen something so big." Keahi murmured in wonder as she watched the giant lean back and away, stomping heavily down the river bank. With every step, the forest and rocks around them rattled in response.
Elsa watched Keahi who was looking off after the sluggish earth giant until it settled out of view. "Your magic here is so pure." Keahi's brows furrowed and a frown tipped her lips downward.
"It wasn't always like that. There was a time that everything was out of balance." Elsa whispered, glancing after the waning sun and taking Keahi's hand. "Let's get back to the camp so you can meet Yelana and the other Northuldra."
"Wait," Keahi squeezed Elsa's hand.
Concerned, she paused and looked back at the woman, tilting her head, worried. "What is it?"
"I just want you to be careful. I've been all over the world and the magic there is corrupt and sour. It spreads like a disease. Here, it's so different. You're different. And I want to make sure you remember that. I have never seen magic as beautiful as yours. Only magic that's dark and aggressive like mine." She admitted, letting go of Elsa's hand as if she would inertly corrupt Elsa with a single touch.
Elsa watched her, soaking in what she had said. Instead of finding the words encouraging, she resented them. She marched around and in front of Keahi, taking both of her hands and holding them to her chest. Determined, she glowered up at Keahi. "I'm sure your magic could be dark and could be aggressive. That's what fire is, aggressive and powerful. But I've yet to see you use it that way. You're blunt, and perhaps a little rough around the edges,"
"Wait, what?" Keahi blankly interjected dumbly.
Elsa brushed off her concern and kept going. "But you are sweet. I've seen it in the way interact with Olaf and Anna. Your hands are rough and calloused but I've never felt a softer touch, and," Elsa tilted her jaw up confidently, though a flush came over her cheek. "I see it in the way you look at me. You thaw all the cold I never thought I felt and you melt it all away."
She watched as Keahi's eyes glistened with unshed tears and wrapped her in a hug. The comforting warmth ran through her like a shock wave and she rested her head against Keahi's shoulder, gripping her tight. Keahi's sniffled. Elsa smiled against her shoulder. "Are you… crying?" She asked, a bit concerned, but it was also oddly endearing.
"No!" Keahi shot back vehemently.
"Are you sure?" Elsa teased, pulling back to look at her. But Keahi tightened her grip so she couldn't pull back.
"I'm not crying, your crying." Keahi retorted.
Elsa laughed gently. "I most certainly am not." She pried her way back so she could cradle Keahi's face in her hands, swiping her thumb over Keahi's cheek before placing a light kiss on her lips. "Let's head back to camp."