The pounding in her head wasn't completely abnormal for Elsa. When she overexerted her magic, or was stressed about guiding a kingdom at such a young age, or worried about her unnatural affections, Elsa's brain had a habit of throbbing with pain for hours on end. However, after the initial disturbance to her somewhat uncomfortable rest, Elsa took a moment to understand that what she was hearing didn't originate from her own psyche. The semi-rhythmic pounding mixed with a strange clanging only alerted Elsa further that something was quite amiss. When the queen realized her sister was also absent from her side, Elsa shot up, immediately reminded that she was in no shape to make such instant movements due to her back's state.

'Anna…' She said the girl's name, the syllables and intonation in association with it so much more important to the woman than even breathing. She spoke of the girl like a mantra, the comprehension that she and Elsa had finally, finally reunited in the best way possible after years of separation comfort unlike anything the queen could have ever imagined.

The sounds diminished some, and when Anna's voice began questioning the seeming appearance of another party, Elsa grimaced, casting a simple spell to cover her naked form with the garb she had created the day prior, its shape connecting to her body perfectly.

'W-who are you? Are you…Northuldra?' Anna questioned, and Elsa attempted to hasten her departure from the tent. If Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven were in any kind of danger, Elsa felt it was her responsibility to protect them, because she's the one that had the largest investment in this journey.

'We are totally here in peace, guys!' Kristoff was explaining now.

'I'm coming…' Elsa winced. Her back was in more agony than she was hoping. Then again, it was still nighttime, so, how much rest had she actually obtained?

'Then lower your weapon.' A woman's voice. It sounded old. Old but powerful.

'I think the girl has every right to hold that sword until your people lower your weapons.' Another voice, but from an entirely different direction. It was deep, with an air of kindness despite its attempt to sound convincingly threatening. Following the recommendation, the clanging that had primarily awoken Elsa took place once more in five, perfectly spaced apart beats.

'Arendellian soldiers!?' Anna gasped, and Elsa's mind sparked with intrigue. Had they…been followed? No. That hardly began to make sense. Elsa had barely been welcomed into the forest. How would any normal individuals make it past the barrier that seemingly engulfed the entirety of the enchanted space?

Elsa had to hurry.

'Threatening my people again, Lieutenant?' The woman continued, ignoring Anna's exclamation. Elsa managed to slip out of the tent now, the confrontation happening along the perimeter of the small clearing her group had decided to set up camp in. To the far left were Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and what Elsa imagined was a group of Northuldra, and to the fair right were clearly Arendellian soldiers making a slow, careful approach, although there was something clearly off about their uniforms within the dim light of the moon. The queen wasn't noticed right away, and the second unfamiliar voice responded to the woman once more, an air of an ancient feud appraising his almost comforting way of speaking.

'Invading my dance space again, Yelana?' He responded, and Elsa comprehended the relationship. They weren't mortal enemies. Not by any stretch of the imagination. More like…squabbling neighbours or even siblings who both loved and hated one another at once. A complicated string of interactions, but Elsa wasn't exactly a stranger to such difficulty.

Curiosity obviously overtaking Anna, she began approaching the man referred to as a lieutenant, and Elsa knew the error the moment it happened. She was still holding a rather threatening blade of ice, and one of the other soldiers – predictably and understandably – screamed out to his commander.

'Look out, Lieutenant!' He shouted.

'Anna…!' Elsa almost called out simultaneously, but the clash of strangers happened before anyone could prevent it. More yelling occurred, and even Kristoff attempted to protect Anna, a soldier grabbing at her sword as "Yelana" bickered more physically with the lieutenant, his shield and her staff going so far as to make direct contact in the escalation.

'Get the sword!' Someone encouraged.

'Always quick to violence, aren't we, Lieutenant?' The Northuldra woman chastised.

'Only when I'm threatened, Yelana!'

Elsa had little patience for anything that put Anna in even the slightest of danger. What if someone accidently hit Anna in the head or, heaven forbid, puncture her with that incredible sword? Elsa knew her heart couldn't take losing Anna a third time and, without thinking on the matter further, or worrying about revealing her magical might in the presence of foreign parties, Elsa thrust both her hands forward, creating ice below the opposing forces and giving them no choice but to fall on their bottoms ungracefully. Predictably, shouts of confusion and startlement filled the clearing now, and every single person, including Anna, Kristoff, and Sven, stared at Elsa in a mixture of bewilderment, admiration, and relief.

'That's enough.' Elsa huffed, her back aching but not enough to stop her from presenting her best self as regally as possible.

'T-that was magic…!' The lieutenant stared in complete disbelief. 'Did you see that?'

'Of course, I saw it.' Yelana answered, masking her amazement more convincingly. 'Raw, unfiltered command of the elements…I thought it impossible in this day and age.'

Elsa stomped to the group, all eyes on her, and she helped Anna to her feet, feeling her sister's hands wrap about her arm in evident joy at her appearance. Kristoff also joined the group, and finally, Olaf seemed to wake up, yawning elaborately as he attempted to gauge the situation appropriately.

'Oh, look! More friends!'

'Oh, my gosh…' The lieutenant blinked; his mouth perpetually open in shock. 'Did that snowman just talk? Am I dreaming? Have I finally lost it after all these years?

'Nope! I'm Olaf, and I like warm hugs…and reading, and sniffing flowers, and dancing in the rain, and sunbaths, and…'

'I'm more interested in the girl before us.' Yelana managed to get to her feet, stepping off the ice and waving off some of her people who were clearly worried about her safety.

'True. True enough.' The lieutenant agreed, also standing now with his men.

Upon closer examination, Elsa could see that, while dressed in an older version of Arendellian military clothes, these men were patched up in so many spots their clothes could hardly be considered high-class anymore. The fabric was breaking at the seams, and some of the mean had dirt patches so engrained in the colour of the clothing that it was hard to tell what the original shade of anything might be.

The Northuldra, on the other hand, while far less "elegant" in presentation when compared to a contemporary Arendellian, clearly had well-made clothing regardless if it was, Elsa presumed, created from heavily processed animal skin and the like. They were natives, as Elsa's father had loosely alluded to once, and it was so much clearer to Elsa now. Their presence immediately made Elsa think of how amazing it was that some people could live among nature so harmonically. With this respect, came a strange pulling upon Elsa's soul, her skin prickling and her mind melding with a force she didn't understand, yet wasn't completely ignorant to as well.

"They are your people…They can bring you peace."

Bring me peace?

"You feel it. You feel the call of the wild."

I…

'Wait. Prince Agnarr…?' The lieutenant asked in misperception suddenly, shaking his head as he squinted in Anna and Elsa's direction. 'No. Obviously not. But…why did I remember him so suddenly…? I really am having a breakdown!'

'Hold on! You know our father?' Anna answered with another question.

'Your father…?' The lieutenant guffawed, shaking his head and grinning distantly. 'Of course. It's been that long, hasn't it?'

'Thirty-four years, five months, and twenty-three days.' Yelana specified, and Elsa's eyes widened. These people have been trapped in the Enchanted Forest for that long? Really? That seemed so…unbelievable! But it explained some of the mystery. The Arendellians presence, in particular, could have something to do with the mistake that needed fixing of some kind.

'So, wait, how did you know him?' Anna began. 'And how did you end up here? What's with that very specific timeline Yelana ran off so perfectly? Have you met the spirits? Do you know what wrong needs to be righted?'

'Easy, Anna.' Kristoff urged.

'There is much to discuss, it would seem.' Yelana was eyeing Elsa constantly, her scowling face full of inquiries as well. The only time her gaze left the queen was when she seemed to take in Anna's shawl with intense interest.

'Indeed.' Elsa agreed.

'Best do it at the Northuldra camp. It's much better suited to house guests than anything the lieutenant surely managed to scrounge up even after all these years.' Yelana gave Elsa one final, evaluative look prior to turning to one of the ice sculptures and humming in contemplation. She began to walk away. 'Follow us. A woman blessed by the spirits is hardly an enemy of my people no matter what her origin may be. I have my own questions for you, Princess.'

'Queen. Queen Elsa.' Elsa corrected, and Yelana paused mid-step, not turning but clearly taken aback.

'Queen!? Then King Agnarr is…?' The lieutenant moaned, and Yelana sighed with irritation.

'Come along, Lieutenant. This could be what we've both been waiting for. There will be time for discussion in due time. Just keep your men in line. That's all I ask.'

'So long as those nasty comments of yours stay away, Yelana.' The lieutenant also evaluated one of the ice sculptures, muttering something further about losing his grip on reality.

'Guess we don't have much of a choice, huh, Elsa? This is a pretty good lead, right?' Anna whispered to her older sister.

'Yes. I can't help but believe we are seeing remnants of whatever happened here that caused the forest to be enshrouded in mist.'

'So much for turning in early…' Kristoff complained just before packing up their own camp and loading Sven for the trip further into the Enchanted Forest.

The trio of factions mostly kept to themselves as they moved, Elsa's group in the middle with Yelana leading and the lieutenant bringing up the rear. Overall, Elsa recognized that all three parties weren't that large. The lieutenant and his men were made up of middle-aged to elderly men, while the Northuldra had Yelana as the obvious leader and then only four younger Northuldra. Three men and one woman. Why either group was out and about so late at night was a question Elsa herself had, but the fact she considered it somewhat unimportant when compared to everything else she wished to know was telling of how pivotal this apparently fateful encounter was.

'Why didn't you wake me, Anna?' Elsa decided to speak with her sister as they followed, wishing to at least start putting the pieces in place with how this all came about.

'I would've, but I was already outside when everything happened.'

'You were?'

'Yeah.' Anna's expression turned sheepish. 'I was having trouble sleeping. And I wanted to look at the ice sculpture of Dad more.' She paused, tugging at Elsa's arm. 'Oh! And guess what? That girl in the sculpture with Dad? I think it might be Mom!'

'What…?' Elsa blinked, but couldn't say the reveal completely shocked her now that Anna said it.

'I know, right? I was feeling the features and…and I just could sort of tell. I'm not totally sure yet, but…am I crazy?'

'Not at all.' Elsa tapped the top of her sister's hand. 'I believe that would make the most sense. But that could also mean…'

'Mother might've been a Northuldra.' Anna finished the thought, and that strange tugging on Elsa's heart gave another pull, almost causing the young woman to lurch forward and throw her back out further.

'What does this all mean?' Elsa muttered to herself. Before she could think on the matter much more, however, Yelana's voice summoned the queen's attention, indicating a wonderfully established little village consisting of approximately seven tiny constructs that served as elaborate temporary shelters within a rather large collection of openings in the forest.

'As the princess has clearly already determined, we are what remains of the Northuldra people.' Yelana presented the space proudly, her escorts staying close but fanning out slightly to allow better entrance to their guests. Obvious apprehension was prevalent upon many of the Northuldra's expressions that were still up at this time, but with Yelana's clear control of the situation came progressive acceptance of the strangers' presence.

'It's beautiful.' Elsa wasn't sure what made her say it, and even Yelana's eyes widened at the unexpected compliment.

'Yes. Well…we make do.' Yelana seemed to almost smile prior to guiding the groups to a central fire, various seating arrangements created out of carved stumps and logs, blankets aplenty and a very obvious community with the land given to them established. 'Before anything, I think it best we start with proper introductions and then an explanation of your present situation. I understand it's late, but would you mind?'

Everyone took spots around the fire, Anna snuggling in close with Elsa on a surprisingly comfortable log. Now that Elsa could see Yelana in better lighting, she could observe that, while severe and sharply featured, she was incredibly beautiful for her age. She had a full head of long, silver hair, and despite the wrinkles beginning to encapsulate her face, her eyes contained more youth and competence than many Elsa had seen much younger than her. The lieutenant, additionally, carried himself well even with white beginning to overtake his black tuff of hair and goatee. His dark skin would have shocked Elsa a few years ago, considering Arendelle's gates had been closed to other kingdoms for so long prior, but now that all forms of immigrants were allowed, Elsa could understand him being part of the Arendelle kingdom back before her father ruled. He gave off an air of comedic kindness that knew when to be serious and when to have uncompromised fun. Elsa was confident her father adored the man considering how stifling being next in line could be.

'I'll begin.' Elsa took charge, as she knew she should given the circumstances. Her eyes still felt a bit like sandpaper, and her back was throbbing, but this was an amazing opportunity, and the first tangible lead Elsa had on what she needed to do in this Enchanted Forest. The Wind Spirit aside, Elsa still didn't have a clear direction, but she had a feeling Yelana or even the lieutenant might change that.

'My name is Queen Elsa of Arendelle. I have been ruling my kingdom for a little over three years now.'

'Queen Elsa…' The lieutenant gasped. 'Did your mother have similarly platinum-blonde hair?'

'Er…no.'

'Hm.' Yelana was obviously beginning to create her own theories, more than likely. 'Let's keep moving along.'

'I'm Princess Anna! Hi! I've been "helping" with Elsa's job for the same amount of time. Pleasure to meet you all!'

'An honour, Princess Anna.' The lieutenant was positively beaming, as if he was meeting his own grandchildren for the first time. Elsa decided that she liked him right then and there. Quite a bit.

'Polar opposites. Intriguing.' Yelana almost whispered to herself.

'Heh. Yeah. We get that a lot.'

'Uh…I'm Kristoff and I'm the royal ice harvester.' He glanced to Anna, but then rejoined the group. 'And…um…I saw some reindeers coming in. This is Sven, and I can understand what he's saying. We've been together since before I can remember.'

'Oh. Another one.' Yelana rolled her eyes.

'Huh? Another what?' Kristoff wanted to know.

'Nothing. And this is Olaf?'

'Hi! I'm Olaf, and I like warm hugs.'

'Fascinating.' Yelana chuckled.

'So, he's got something to do with your magic, Queen Elsa?' The lieutenant asked.

'Yes. I created him.'

Universal gasps from everyone but Elsa's group. This was, of course, followed by rapid discussions that Yelana forcibly stopped with a thump of her staff upon the ground.

'There will be time for delving into the queen's powers momentarily. However, introductions are not yet complete. Lieutenant?'

'Right. Right. Well, I'm Lieutenant Destin Mattias…'

'I knew it!' Anna jumped in excitedly. 'Library, second portrait on the left! You were our father's official guard!'

'Oh, wow! Got a good memory on you, Princess Anna!' The lieutenant seemed pleased.

'Well, I had a lot of time to look at the pictures around the palace…'

An old, painful injury itched in Elsa's heart, but when Anna took her hand and squeezed it lovingly, the queen knew not to linger on the past when the present and future needed her more than ever.

'Happy to see the prince's daughters get along so well, too! Siblings can be a tricky thing, you know?'

'We've had our share of problems…but that's a long story.' Anna winked at her sister, who couldn't help but blush slightly.

'Yes. There's no denying that.'

'If it involves your powers, it might be a good place to start.' Yelana interrupted, very much about the business that needed to be taken care of. It was a small wonder she governed her people. This was what a true, unflinching ruler looked like. Elsa was almost intimidated, but she didn't look away, matching the leader's inquisitive gaze with her own.

'It's getting late, however, and perhaps it might be best to…' Elsa tried to reason, but then Olaf jumped in happily.

'Don't worry Elsa. Anna. I got this.' The snowman volunteered. He was met with stares of disbelief, naturally, and even Olaf became a little sheepish as he explained himself. 'You're all wondering how we got here, right? Then allow me!'

'What's happening right now?' Mattias leaned over and whispered to Elsa.

'He's…apparently going to explain everything that led up to this moment.'

'Oh. Okay. Just checking.'

'It began with two sisters! One born with magical powers. One born powerless.' Olaf began, exemplifying Elsa's magic with a sprinkle of snowflakes. He was going all in. It was charades all over again with the incredible theatrics and the way Olaf could create a picture with his body and dramatics. The Arendellian soldiers and Northuldra people leaned in save for Yelana, who watched closely, her ever intense eyes thoughtful.

'Anna, no! Too high! Blast!' Olaf collapsed, but then quickly got back to his feet and returned to impersonating Elsa. 'No! Mama, Papa, help!'

A chill ran Elsa's spine, the moment so vivid in her mind and recollecting it physically agonizing. She could feel Anna's chilled tiny body in her hand. Remember her voice hurting in her throat as she screamed for her parents, fearing what the repercussions might mean.

Mattias had his hands close to his face, completely enveloped by the tale already.

'Slam! Doors shutting everywhere! Sisters torn apart!' Olaf walked around, taking on the key personality traits of everyone he represented in the blow by blow of all key moments of Elsa and Anna's lives. Anna squeezed Elsa's hand again, her passive smile strained, her own scars surely resurfacing. Elsa returned the affectionate touch, and Anna rest her head against the older sister's.

'Well, at least they have their parents,' Olaf reasoned with a relieved voice, but then it was drained of all emotion, and he stared into nothingness upon the ground, slapping his twig arm to the side in defeat. 'Their parents are dead.'

'No…! Prince Agnarr…!' Mattias breathed out.

At that moment, Elsa understood that Olaf was doing his best to help, but in the same instant, his almost callused way of going through such pivotal scenes in Elsa and Anna's lives almost trivialized them, and a strange sense of annoyance threatened the queen's cool demeanor as the little snowman went on.

'Hi, I'm Anna!' He squeaked, and although Anna giggled at the impersonation, Elsa was far more protective, disliking the irritating reflection. 'I'll marry a man I just met!'

Elsa watched as Anna's smile faltered, her eyes shifting back and forth and glancing down into the fire.

'Move along, Olaf.' Elsa commanded.

'Elsa's gonna blow!' Olaf shouted, not missing a beat. 'Snow! Snow! Ahhh! Run!'

'Oh, my…!' Mattias was right into it now more than ever, yet Yelana observed much more carefully. The Northuldra people and Arendellian men collectively gasped.

'Magic pulses through my snowflakes…' Olaf proceeded, falling flat and rising up from the ground mechanically. 'I live!'

It went on and on, hitting all the major beats from Anna trying to convince Elsa that Arendelle needed her to Elsa's seeming final moment when Hans raised his sword to strike her down and Anna intercepted the blade without any hesitation whatsoever, her act of true love saving not only Elsa, but all of Arendelle from the queen's unrestrained power. Elsa wasn't expecting the recounting of the events to take such an emotional toll on her, but even three years later, her shame was overwhelming, and part of her was so affected she wanted to get up and take a moment in private to collect herself.

'That…is an incredible tale.' Yelana's voice snapped Elsa back to the present where she forced her mental state to remain for her own sanity.

'You okay?' Anna whispered.

'I will be. Thank-you.' Elsa responded quietly.

'It's not over yet…!' Olaf screamed, making everyone around the camp jump. 'Elsa must be married! Bring in ten suitors for the solidification of Arendelle's royal family line! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine…ten!' Olaf jumped around, pretending to be the collection of men.

'Oh, boy…' Anna groaned.

'Ah! Devil is attacking the kingdom! Elsa rises up and smites his army into dust! Pew! Pew!'

Elsa's heart went into her throat. Olaf didn't seem to have his original memory of the actual events, but the last thing she needed was her and Anna's relationship complicating matters.

'Anna dies…again! The horror! Devil really is a devil!' Olaf pretends to faint.

'Oh, Anna…!' Mattias sobs.

Elsa steeled her resolve. She needed to get through this as well for the sake of her current journey.

'Elsa becomes a warrior queen and gets a bunch of McGuffins that represent the new bonds she's built! Social links maximized!'

Elsa can't help but think of Lady Rynn, King Arthur, Lord Daryun and, of course, Devil himself.

'Elsa is willing to sacrifice herself this time for Anna, and Devil disappears for good, bringing Anna back and running away! Anna and Elsa win again! Hurray! Hurray!'

'Incredible…' Mattias claps.

'What of the suitors?' Yelana raises a brow.

'The what?' Olaf tips his head.

'From the bits and pieces you were discussing, a somewhat important part of this particular arc was the desire for Queen Elsa to be married.' The Northuldra leader squinted in contemplation. 'Tell me, does Arendelle have a new king?'

'Oh. Oh, yes.' Mattias nodded. 'Who took Prince – er – King Agnarr's place?'

Elsa glanced to Anna who remained still, as if terrified to say the wrong thing.

'That is…' Elsa searched for the optimal answer to avoid further questions. 'It was an unsuccessful endeavour, unfortunately.'

Yelana evaluated Elsa's every word, her mouth tightening before a strange sort of relief came over her.

'I appreciate a woman who can make such a decision despite the presumed pressure of the masses.'

'Well, I have Anna.' Elsa wouldn't lie about that. 'She's all I need, to be perfectly honest.'

'But what about succession?' Mattias pried, unsurprisingly.

'It is currently a subject of discussion. But first…' Elsa nodded to Olaf, and he beamed wildly, happy to conclude the incredible story.

'Oh! And then Elsa woke up the magical spirits, and we were forced out of our kingdom. Now our only hope is to find the truth about the past, but we don't have a clue how to do that. Except Elsa's hearing voices. So, we got that going for us. Any questions?'

'I…don't know where to start.' Mattias shook his head, smiling but with a certain amount of weight about his apparent relief. 'I'm still trying to get a handle on the fact you're both Prince Agnarr's girls. I've missed so much.' The lieutenant indicated Olaf. 'And wrapping my head around a talking snowman isn't exactly a simple thing either!'

Hums and nods from everyone present accompanied the older man.

'I'm more curious about why nature would reward a person of Arendelle with magic.' Yelana clearly disapproved, to a degree.

'Perhaps to make up for the actions of your people.' Mattias' attitude pivoted on the spot, standing to approach the Northuldra woman who huffed in cold amusement, her stare hardening as she rose up to meet him.

'My people are innocent. We would never attack first.'

'My memory seems to recall otherwise.'

'You just said it yourself, didn't you, Lieutenant? You're starting to lose it. What good is such a mind?'

Elsa opened her mouth to protest the evidently age-old argument, but Anna beat her to the punch, ever quick to play peacemaker when she could.

'Okay! Okay! That's enough, you guys!' She leapt up and stood between the two individuals, her arms stretched out to exemplify her plight. 'Fighting is definitely not going to help anybody here!'

Mattias appeared ready to object passionately, but then his whole body's rhetoric softened, and his voice appeared once more with a gentility Elsa could easily call paternal.

'My goodness…' He started, Yelana taking the opportunity to seat herself once more. 'I see him.' He focussed on Elsa a second later. 'I really do see him in your faces.'

Elsa bit at her bottom lip, pushing back her emotions again and again. She felt raw, as if all her old scars had been lay bare for these near-strangers to see. It was uncomfortable, to say the least. She was ever thankful for Anna's ability to facilitate such talks so competently.

'Really?' Anna half laughed. 'I'm sure Dad would have been so happy to know you're okay.'

'Right…' Mattias sat back down, eyes searching desperately. 'What happened to your parents exactly? If…if you don't mind me asking.'

'Lost in the Southern Sea six years ago.' Elsa answered, blocking out the ache in her heart partially.

'Ah.' The lieutenant calmed his own personal response down to a quiver in his throat. 'How tragic. Poor Prince Agnarr.' A pause, the man hesitating to go on but understandably wishing for answers. 'His wife – your mother – what was her name?'

'Iduna.' Elsa smiled wryly. 'Queen Iduna.' Before she even finished the final syllable, some of the older the Northuldra people present gasped in unison, Yelana standing up once more.

'Iduna!? Are you certain?'

'Of course!' Anna became excited. 'She was…Northuldra, wasn't she?'

'W-what?' Mattias stammered.

'Did she tell you?' Yelana ignored the old soldier's confusion.

'No. But those ice sculptures back at our camp…one of them was of our father and mother, I guess. At least, Elsa and I suspected. It looked like our mother saved Father from…something. He seemed hurt, and…'

'It was the day the Arendellians betrayed us, surely.' Yelana hissed.

'This again!' Mattias countered swiftly.

'Please. As my sister said, there is clearly more to this battle that occurred between our people and the Northuldra than meets the eye. It could even be the reason I was called here. The spirits wish for me to right a wrong of the past, but before I can do that, they desire for me to also win their approval.'

'The snowman mentioned as much…' Yelana cupped her chin thoughtfully. 'Yes. I may struggle to trust any Arendellian after that day, but when Nature herself speaks…'

A flash of light interrupted Yelana, an immediate wave of heat engulfing the entirety of the campsite. Every person present and awake made various sounds of shock and surprise before a mighty roar filled the Enchanted Forest. A fire had sparked out of seemingly nowhere, and Yelana finished her thought with perfect dramatic timing, her strangely calm visage burrowing into Elsa's soul.

'…We listen.'

This time, instead of a spirit Elsa couldn't see without using her magic or watching the debris it kicked up, the queen bore witness to the awesome might of another version of Nature's four pinnacles of power. As Elsa's eyes widened at the sight of fire rapidly spreading through the forest like swiftly flowing rivers of red, blue, and purple, destruction, another incredible roar vibrated the earth itself, and what the queen saw next in the distance, illuminated by the flames it created with but a breath, sent shivers of terror through every fibre of her being:

The Fire Spirit was nothing less than an enormous dragon.