Disclaimer: All canon characters belong to Disney.

~x-X-x~

Chapter #2: One's Joik

Elsa emerged from her goahti (1) and stretched, a yawn escaping her lips. The morning sun caressed her sleepy body as she made her way to the center of the camp, where breakfast was roasting in the firepit. She sat down on one of the many deer-hide blankets strewn around the fire, just as a small salamander-type creature emerged from the folds of her platinum blonde hair and settled sleepily on her shoulder. 'Good morning, little one,' she said, as the fire spirit nuzzled against her cheek.

Members of the Northuldra people began to emerge from their dwellings as the sun rose higher into the brightening sky. They greeted Elsa with familiarity and kindness as they went about their morning routines.

The Northuldra were people of the sun, and their days began and ended with its rising and setting. They lived harmoniously together, raising herds of reindeer and protecting the forest. The Northuldra were a peaceful people who followed nature's calling. Now that Elsa had freed the spirits of their anguish and rage, the Northuldra found themselves once again working collaboratively with nature's Elements. Elsa had returned to the Northuldra as the fifth spirit, and for that—combined with the fact that she was the daughter of one of their oldest families—they welcomed her with open arms.

'Who would have thought that the power of fire would settle into such an adorable form,' Honeymaren said, as she passed Elsa a bowl of freshly picked berries and sat down beside her.

'Thank you,' Elsa smiled, as she took the bowl and popped a plump blueberry into her mouth. 'Bruni is definitely a charming little guy.' The fire spirit flittered down Elsa's arm and, nipping playfully at her fingers, skittered off into the leaves. Elsa smoothed the folds of her white dress as she made herself comfortable. 'What are you working on there?'

Honeymaren held up the deep-blue fabric she was weaving with a loose ribbon wound through her fingers. 'I'm not sure what this will turn into, but I felt the urge to make something.'

'It's lovely,' Elsa commented, touching the fabric with her fingers. 'You have a gift, Honeymaren.'

Honeymaren chuckled, her large brown eyes catching the morning light. 'This, coming from the person who can conjure ice from her fingertips.'

Elsa shrugged sheepishly. 'We're all good at something.'

'I dunno 'bout that,' yawned Ryder, as he plunked himself down beside his sister and ran a hand through his tussled hair. 'I'm still trying to figure that out.'

Honeymaren rolled her eyes at her brother, but Elsa flashed him a smile. 'Ryder, the reindeer herd is flourishing under your care,' she said, holding up her bowl and offering him her berries. 'That's something, isn't it?'

Ryder took some berries and smiled shyly at Elsa. 'I am the only one who truly understands them…' Before he could regale them both with his reindeer conversations, one of the elders called for him. 'Oops! Better go!'

Honeymaren shook her head as she watched her brother run off, no doubt late for his morning duties. 'You have to excuse my brother,' she said, exasperated. 'He has a weird obsession for reindeers.'

Elsa laughed. 'He wouldn't be the first.'

~x-X-x~

The autumn leaves crunched under her feet as she made her way to the river. The sun was bright in the sky, but the breeze that nipped at her face was cold. Elsa smiled. The feeling of a warm sun through a cool breeze was her favourite type of morning.

She hummed quietly as she weaved through rocks and shrubs, and finally reached the pebbly edge of the river. She gazed into the water and found the Nokk staring back at her. She bent down and flittered her fingers across the surface of the water. 'Were you waiting for me?' she asked, but before the water spirit could emerge from the river, Elsa rose quickly to her feet.

She tilted her head to one side, her brow creasing as she frowned. She sensed a sudden tension in the air.

'Gale? Do you feel that?' The wind spirit pushed against her body, but it was calm and gentle. 'No? Hmm…'

It's probably nothing, she thought to herself. As she turned towards the water, she was again interrupted. This time, it was by a clear, beautiful voice. This was not the cause of the tension. This was something else. Something peaceful. 'Is someone… singing?'

The sound of a woman's voice travelled through the air, and, momentarily forgetting the tension she had felt earlier, Elsa began to walk towards it. As she got closer to the source of the sound, she recognized the woman's voice immediately. She turned at the bend in the river and found Yelana sitting on a boulder, singing to the earth giants resting across the water. The leader of the Northuldra people stopped when she noticed Elsa standing there.

'To think,' she said, turning to Elsa, 'just a few moons ago we ran from these giants in fear. Because of you, we can now sit with them in peace.'

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you,' Elsa apologized. 'I have a habit of following singing voices.'

Yelana chuckled and patted the rock beside her. 'You did not interrupt me. Come. Sit with me. Were you on your morning stroll?'

Elsa nodded and took a seat beside the elderly woman. 'That song you were singing. It was beautiful.'

Yelana smiled. 'Thank you.' She lifted her head and sang a verse. In her voice hung the remnants of an old tale.

Elsa listened, enraptured. 'What does it mean?' she asked, when Yelana paused.

'I am singing a Joik.'

'A Joik?'

Yelana thought for a moment. 'A Joik is a song dedicated to a human, or an animal, or a place, and becomes a personal signature for whatever the song is dedicated to.'

Elsa nodded. 'Are you singing in the language of the Northuldra people?'

Yelana shook her head. 'No, not exactly. A Joik is sung using sound, not words. These sounds are a unique form of cultural expression for our people. You see, a Joik is not a song about the person or place, but rather it is an attempt to evoke or depict that person or place through song.'

'Oh, I see,' Elsa pouted, trying to understand. 'So, if you were singing of a flower, a Joik wouldn't be about the flower, but rather depict the flower itself.'

'Yes, exactly that,' Yelana said, smiling warmly.

'That's such a lovely thing.'

The Northuldra leader nodded in agreement. 'One day, when you are ready, perhaps you will dedicate a Joik to someone or something.'

Elsa blinked. 'I couldn't possibly sing something as beautiful as your Joik. There was such a pureness in your voice.'

'Thank you,' Yelana replied. 'But do not underestimate yourself.' She paused for a moment, and then her eyes lit up. 'Now that I think of it, you may have already created something very similar to a Joik.'

Elsa looked at her questioningly. 'I-I don't think so…'

'Well no, not as a song. But is not the concept of a Joik represented in that snowman fellow?'

Elsa looked at Yelana with a confused expression on her face. And then suddenly she understood. 'Oh! You mean Olaf?'

'Yes, that's right! Did you not create Olaf?'

Elsa's expression softened at the thought of her family. 'I did. I created him for Anna.'

'Yes, for your sister. Olaf is the very depiction of your love and bond with your sister. This is why he stays with her—so that a part of you will always be near her. Olaf does not represent your love. He is your love.'

Elsa looked down at her hands. 'Because of me, Anna had to grow up in loneliness. I made Olaf so that she would never feel that loneliness again.'

'My dear, and what about your loneliness?'

Elsa looked up into Yelana's eyes and gave her a small smile. 'It brought me here.'

The leader of Northuldra lifted a hand and squeezed Elsa's shoulder. 'And for that we are grateful.'

~x-X-x~

'Mmmmm…' Kristoff rolled onto his side, the bedsheets tangled between his strong legs. With his eyes still closed, he reached out with his hand and patted around for her. 'Anna…' he moaned, sleepily, as he cracked open one eye. The bed was empty.

He slowly sat up and scratched his head, his blonde hair sticking up in different directions. 'Anna?' He swooped the room with his eyes, which came to rest on the open balcony doors. He slipped out of bed and grabbed his robe from the floor, where he had dropped it the night before.

As he walked out onto the terrace, he found Anna leaning out over the railing, her eyes fixed on something below. 'There you are!' He came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her body. 'Good morning,' he whispered, nuzzling his lips against her neck.

He could feel her smile, but she said nothing. He peaked over the balcony railing to see what held her attention. Down below, in the stables, Olaf was sitting on an overturned pail, chattering away, as Sven received a brush-down from one of the stable hands.

'They better be gentle,' Kristoff grunted. 'Sven hates it when they brush too hard.'

Anna made no response.

Kristoff pulled at the sleeve of Anna's nightgown in an attempt to get her attention. 'Let's get some breakfast,' he said, stifling a yawn. 'You know Gerda scares me a little.'

Although he had been living at the castle since the beginning of Queen Elsa's reign, he did not feel comfortable navigating royal life. Even now, so many years later, he still felt out of place when it came to addressing palace staff, or participating in royal duties. He was thankful that Anna placed no pressure on him to conform to this aspect of her life, and although he loved his position by her side, he knew that, one day, he would have to accept the duties that came with it, as well.

Anna let out a deep sigh, which made Kristoff sigh. He could sense Anna's detachment and knew what it was about. She often awoke in a sulky mood after a visit from her sister.

'Anna, she's fine, you know.'

Anna sighed again, but this time turned to meet his eyes. 'I know. I just miss her.'

'I know. Come here.' He pulled her into a hug and ran his hand through her auburn locks, caressing the back of her head. 'And she misses you, too. I'm sure she misses all of us.'

Anna pulled away with a pout. 'Exactly!' She flung a hand in the direction of the stables below. 'Everyone Elsa loves is here. I know she's staying with the Northuldra, but she's still probably lonely.'

'I don't think Elsa's lonely,' Kristoff said, scratching his chin. 'She likes to be alone. Being alone, and being lonely, are two different things.'

'I know I know. I just mean…' She scrunched up her face. 'Like… bigger picture.'

Kristoff raised a brow. 'You've lost me.'

'Look, it's like this.' Anna began to pace. Kristoff, giving up all hope of breakfast, leaned against the balcony railing and crossed his arms. 'Arendelle used to belong to Elsa, but she gave it to me. Olaf was a snowman we built together, but she gave him to me.'

'She has you.'

'We have each other, true. We're sisters. But…' she stopped pacing and placed a hand on Kristoff's firm chest. '… I have you. Who does Elsa have?'

'Sooo… you want to find Elsa a partner?' Kristoff grinned, amused by the thought of Elsa in a romantic relationship.

'Pfft. There's no one good enough for my sister,' Anna exclaimed, her greenish-blue eyes narrowing. 'She's in a category all to herself.'

Kristoff nodded in agreement. 'True. There's no one like Elsa.'

Kristoff had a soft spot for Elsa. Not only was she Anna's sister, but he, like most, recognized the hardship and trauma that Elsa must have gone through growing up in complete isolation. Her magical ability—and now her status as the fifth spirit—had forever cemented her as different from everyone in this world. Elsa had every right to be mad and upset about her lost years, but she never once expressed anger or frustration. She remained selfless, kind, and always put the needs of others first. She tried to be everything she could for everyone else.

Kristoff would never forget how Elsa had welcomed him into her family—he, who had been orphaned at a very young age without a penny or claim to his life—and blessed his relationship with her beloved sister. Kristoff loved Anna with his entire being, and in return received not only a partner in life, but also a sister—a powerfully badass one, at that.

'Maybe that's the problem,' Anna said, as she continued with her pacing. 'She's too… Elsa.'

Kristoff chuckled and pushed off the railing. He grabbed Anna's hand to stop her mid-stride. 'Isn't that a good thing? Elsa is always figuring things out about herself. I mean, when she's not letting things go, then she's running off into the unknown. In the end, she always finds out a little more about herself.'

'That's true…'

'I know you're worried about her. And I know you miss her. But she's your sister. She belongs to us, and we belong to her.

'I s'pose.'

'When Elsa is ready for the next right thing, she'll figure it out.' He cupped Anna's cheek with the palm of his hand. 'And when she does, we'll be here to back her up.'

Anna gave Kristoff a large, warm smile. She lifted her hand and smoothed his unruly hair. 'You know I love you, right?'

Kristoff grinned and, leaning down, kissed the top of her head. 'Why don't you show me that love by coming inside for some breakfast? I'm starving!'

Anna chuckled, and followed him inside. At the balcony doors she paused and looked over her shoulder. Yup, she thought, her eyes following the horizon to the stretch of forest on the other side of the fjord, she'll be just fine.

~x-X-x~

(1) Goahti = a traditional dwelling (hut or tent)