By mid-morning two days later, the group of them were on their way to Oaken's Trading Post, and Anna was more excited than she had been in what felt like months.
To be outside again, in the woods with the people she loved and away from all that frustrating paperwork was bliss. The plan was to stop at Oaken's—Kristoff needed to purchase a few things and Maren would say goodbye to Ryder—after that they would set off for Northuldra and get to camp by nightfall. Then, weather permitting, she would be off to Ahtohallan with Elsa by this time tomorrow, and she couldn't wait.
Much of the previous day had been spent with Elsa and had slipped away quickly. Elsa had called the ladies in first thing to clean her room, and then they had spent the rest of the day immersed in paperwork. They initially intended to only spend part of the day getting all the paperwork sorted, but it had proven to be a much more arduous task and had swallowed nearly the whole day—and of course she'd felt guilty about it. Elsa kept reassuring her that it wasn't her fault, as they trudged together through the tedium at a snail's pace—but most of the slippage had definitely been her fault.
It wasn't on purpose of course, reading through and retaining everything just took her more time than the average person—and writing anything was always a depressing journey as it invariably had to be re-written due to her constant spelling errors—and it frustrated her to no end. The stupid letters always jumped around on the page and she consistently read and wrote them in the wrong order, and once it fixed itself she would forget what she was reading and would have to start the whole ridiculous process over. It wasn't so bad when she could do it at her leisure—enjoyable even, sometimes—but the pressure of suddenly having deadlines within which to work had been her ruin. She couldn't keep up with all of it.
She had to admit though, the way Elsa broke everything down simply and concisely, did make it all seem much more manageable—and she felt a lot more confident now that she was caught up. However, that was only because Elsa had verbally explained it all to her, if she had had to read through all that paperwork on her own, she'd still be sitting slumped miserably at that desk. Her worry was that Elsa was not always going to be there to explain things to her, and she desperately needed to find some kind of system so that she could move through the busywork at a quicker pace on her own. Elsa had brought Kai in mid-way through yesterday, and they had discussed strategies for this. For the interim, he would read things aloud to her if she felt she was slipping, and they had talked about hiring a personal assistant for her after the trip to take notes and write her official letters so it only had to be done once. Kai would keep things moving for her while she was away so she didn't fall behind again. It brought some sense of relief, to at least have some kind of solution loosely in place, but she was still embarrassed at the idea of having to use an assistant to do such basic things as read and write.
'You're unusually quiet.' Elsa's voice pulled her out of her thoughts and a cold hand rubbed her back. She hadn't realized how hunched over deep in thought she was.
'I'm ok.' She smiled and Elsa scrunched her brow as if she didn't believe her. Elsa then put a finger to her own smiling lips and tilted her head and eyes to the front of the wagon to where Kristoff and Honeymaren sat. Listen. Elsa curled her lips in to keep from laughing. Anna had been so immersed in thought that she hadn't heard the constant din of arguing coming from the front of the wagon.
'I'm telling you that's not the right way to do it.'
'I'm telling you it is. Brushing in circles with a mud brush is a myth. It just spreads the dirt around that way, it doesn't actually remove it. I nearly lost it watching you do that to Sven yesterday.'
'Fine, I want to see this magic brush you use that perfectly removes all dirt and debris with straight brushing.'
'Fine. I'll show you all of them tonight.'
A pause. 'How many brushes do you use?'
'Seven.'
Elsa locked eyes with Anna as they both tried and failed to stifle laughter.
Another longer pause. Kristoff cleared his throat. 'Oh look, we're here!'
Anna turned to see Oaken's Trading Post approaching in the distance. It had been some time since she'd been out this way, and she smiled at the memories she had of this place.
'Aw, honey look, it's where we first met.' Anna said playfully to Kristoff.
'Best day of my life.' He turned his head to her and said with a smile.
'Worst day of mine.' Elsa chuckled under her breath only loud enough for Anna to hear. She cocked an eyebrow and swatted Elsa's knee playfully.
'Wait, you two met at this trading post?' Maren asked with an air of incredulity.
'The day of my coronation…' Elsa chimed in dully.
'Oooh, right that.'
'Yep, I rode out here in a blizzard completely underdressed in search of my crazy sister.' Anna laughed. Elsa swatted her back this time and she recoiled, but didn't stop giggling.
'And then she commandeered me to take her the rest of the way, and little did I know, she had also commandeered my heart.' Kristoff said theatrically.
'That's possibly the sappiest thing I've ever heard you say.' Maren jested. Kristoff shot her a dirty look as he pulled Sven and Daisy to a stop. Anna chuckled at Maren's jibe.
'Woo hoo! Hello favorite young people!' The door to Oaken's flew open to reveal Oaken himself, taking up nearly the entire doorframe with his large figure. 'You here for supplies for your journey yah?'
'Yeah the usual Oaken, I'll be right in.' Kristoff called as he got out of the wagon.
'Ok I get it ready, bye bye!' At that the door slammed shut. Oaken was nothing if not abrupt and blunt, and a shrewd businessman—though somehow still very polite.
'Wow, so that's—Björn's father?' She heard Maren's surprised voice from the other side of the wagon. She must have met Björn yesterday when she went to the mountains with Kristoff and Ryder. Anna wondered if Maren knew just how close Björn and Ryder had become. Hopefully she would be supportive—she didn't want to think about what it would be like for Ryder if Maren gave him a hard time about his choice of a partner. She could see how much he looked up to her—could seriously relate to it herself quite frankly—and knew the devastation he would feel if Maren didn't support him. Maybe she could talk to her about it sometime… Tell her that as queen at least, she was fine with it. Maybe it would help. Kristoff had told her about Ryder and Björn's relationship and personally she had been thrilled to hear how happy he was and how well he seemed to be doing in Arendelle. Starting off on your own in a new place couldn't be easy, and she was rooting for him. They were a lot alike, and she wanted to see him succeed. Maybe then she could believe she might also succeed…
'You get used to him, he's a good guy.' Kristoff said in answer to Maren.
As they started to walk inside, something caught Anna's eye off in the distance. She turned to look and squinted at what she saw. It looked like two reindeer in a compromising position, one mounted on top of the other. She had never seen this happen before and she was strangely transfixed on it even though her rational mind was telling her to turn away.
'Kristoff…' She asked, eyes still transfixed on the deer. 'Is that…?'
'Iskko—Ryder's deer. Yeah.'
'And that's…' She pointed a finger at the other deer, the one on top.
'Björn's deer, yep.'
'And aren't they both…'
'Males, yeah.'
'Huh.'
'I guess nature doesn't discriminate against same sex attraction.' Maren offered with a chuckle. 'Nature speaks.'
'I guess you're right.' Anna said in awe, finally pulling her eyes away from the deer in search of Elsa. 'Elsa did you see—'
'Yes, I did. Can we go in now?' Elsa was facing away from the deer, a hand cupping the side of her face blocking them all from her vision. 'I think they deserve privacy.' She hissed from behind her hand.
Anna had to stifle a laugh at how uncomfortable this made Elsa. 'Elsa, you're not embarrassed are you?' She teased. 'It's just natures way. It's perfectly natural.'
'Mmhm.' Elsa mumbled and started walking for the door, keeping her hand steadfastly up to her face. Kristoff and Maren exchanged an amused look and then started after her.
'It's kind of beautiful I think…' Anna muttered to herself and shrugged, then jogged to catch up with Kristoff and Maren.
Upon entering the trading post Anna was immediately tackled and pulled into a hug by Ryder. 'My favorite queen!' He said as he squeezed her, then slung an arm around her shoulders. 'Not letting the older ones walk all over you I hope.' He added in a hushed tone, yet everyone still heard. 'Stand strong, my comrade.' Elsa and Maren both rolled their eyes dramatically and Anna giggled.
'Of course! I'm the queen now remember?' She said theatrically for effect, playing along.
'Yes! Power to the younger sibs!' He roared and squeezed Anna's shoulders, shaking her gently.
'Very good. Why don't you use that power to go load our supplies into the wagon Ryder. Chop chop.' Maren's words were laced with sarcasm as she clap clapped at him.
'You know, I don't always have to listen to you.' Ryder said with a raised eyebrow as he picked up a crate of supplies. 'I'm doing this in service to my queen.' He said defiantly, then walked out the door to load it in the wagon. Maren let out an exasperated sigh. Anna tried to cover her smirk.
'What did I miss?' Kristoff said after he finished paying Oaken.
'Don't ask.' Maren said flatly.
'Oh good, you're still here!' Björn's voice came from the door that led to the back of the store. 'Here, please take these back to your people.' He said as he handed Maren a small box of glass bottles.
'What is it?' Maren's face was clearly confused.
'Healing balm of our own invention. Ryder and I have been working on perfecting it, and we would love to hear how well it works on your people.'
'Oh, thank you.' Maren's surprised voice came as she looked into the box. Björn smiled and nodded enthusiastically. Anna smiled too, it was clear Björn was working hard to make a good impression on Maren—which she thought was adorable—but Maren did not seem enthused. Anna felt the need to help them on.
'That's so nice Björn, maybe you and Ryder could pass some out in town too. If it works well you should sell it!' Anna said excitedly.
'That's the plan.' He smiled at her, then easily picked up another crate of supplies and walked out the door to take it to the wagon. Kristoff grabbed the last crate and Maren followed him out with the box of tinctures.
'So, aren't you glad I'm not that kind of annoying sibling.' Anna nodded her head in the direction of Ryder and slunk her arm around Elsa's waist with a smile.
'Mm hm.' Elsa smirked with a raised eyebrow and slung her arm over Anna's shoulder shaking her head amusedly. They started to walk out but Elsa stopped, pulling away from her.
'Anna?' Elsa's eyes were doing the anxious thing they did when she was nervous. 'I need to talk to you about something.'
'Ok…' She tried and probably failed to restrain the worry in her voice. But Elsa's sudden facial expression had worried her. 'Is everything alright?'
'Yes, yes it's fine. Um—' Just then the door opened and Björn returned.
'Oop, excuse me ladies.' He said as he shuffled around them. Elsa glanced behind them, and Anna followed. Oaken also had come out of the back room and was now at the counter counting coins, chatting with Björn.
'You know what, later. Later.' Elsa said resolutely, taking a deep breath and nodding once. Whatever she wanted to say, she clearly wanted Anna alone.
'Ok, you sure?'
'Yes.' She smiled. 'Let's get going so we can get you to Ahtohallan.' She raised her eyebrows excitedly and put her arm around Anna's shoulder again, leading her out. Anna threaded her arm back around Elsa's waist and squeezed her with a side hug. She still didn't like the worrisome look Elsa had writ across her face just moments ago, and later, she would make a point to pry out of her whatever was going on. If she didn't, Elsa would likely never bring it up again. She was like that sometimes—most times—and it frustrated her immensely.
'Have a safe trip!' Björn called to them as they exited.
'Bye Björn.' They said in unison.
'Bye bye!' Oaken waved before returning to his coins.
Outside Maren was being dwarfed by a bear hug from Ryder and Kristoff was strapping down the crates to the wagon. 'Stay out of trouble please.' She said through labored breaths as Ryder squeezed the air out of her. Elsa chuckled at the sight as they approached.
'You worry too much.' Ryder said as he turned away from Maren and towards Anna.
'Safe journey.' He said and gathered her into a hug.
'Come visit when I'm back?' Anna asked hopefully when he released her.
'I will be there my favorite queen.'
'No offense.' He added playfully, turning to Elsa and pulling her into a hug as well. Ryder was very expressive with his emotions and Anna giggled at watching him crush a stiff Elsa in a bear hug.
'Some taken.' Elsa jested as he released her.
'Well, if it's any consolation, I think you are Maren's favorite queen.' He said in a low voice with a smirk. Elsa made a strange noise then cleared her throat and smiled. Before Anna could analyze Elsa's strange reaction Ryder turned back to her.
'No offense.'
'Some taken.' Anna joked back.
Maren and Kristoff were already back in position, with Maren at the reins this time. Elsa and Anna climbed into their respective sides in the back of the wagon ready to go. They all waved to Ryder as Maren took them off and into the woods.
The day wore on, she and Elsa chatted comfortably or slept. They stopped to eat sandwiches Kristoff had prepared, switched seats—Anna moved up to sit with Kristoff while he drove, Elsa sat with Maren while she drove—both situations never lasted long as they quickly discovered neither Maren nor Kristoff could stand sitting in the back for very long. So most of the day consisted of both of them up front, switching driving periodically, and dissecting or arguing over various things about reindeer or the wagon that neither she nor Elsa had any interest in. Finally the sun began to set and they were close to arriving.
'I literally cannot believe you two are still dissecting which type of lichen is more robust for a reindeer diet.' Anna said exasperatedly as they pulled to a stop outside of the Northuldra camp. This caused both Kristoff and Maren to abruptly cut off their involved conversation.
'Anna and I will take Nokk next time.' Elsa said with a chuckle as she slid over the side of the wagon and patted Maren's shoulder. Kristoff and Maren looked at each other and shrugged. Anna climbed out then too and joined Elsa near the front of the wagon.
'Why don't you two go on ahead.' Came Maren's voice as she stood up in the wagon. 'It'll take us a bit to unhook these two and get them fed and settled.' She gestured to Sven and Daisy. 'Also I can show you how to brush them properly.' Maren said under her breath in the direction of Kristoff. He made a face but nodded his head in agreement. Anna looked at Elsa and they both smirked and shook their heads.
'See you soon.' Elsa said and turned to walk towards the soft glow of firelight in the distance. Anna quickly waved to them before turning to catch up with Elsa.
'I'm really excited to be back here.' She said, linking arms with Elsa as they walked.
'I'm glad you're here. I've really missed you.' A cold hand squeezed her own. 'I need to get you out here more often.'
'I would love that.'
'You know, sometimes, when I'm out here alone I swear I can feel mother's presence?' Elsa had closed her eyes and turned her head upward breathing deeply—a small smile had formed over her lips. Anna smiled too. She only ever saw Elsa this peaceful when she was in nature. The breeze blew loose tendrils of hair away from Elsa's face, and she couldn't help but admire just how truly beautiful her sister was. To her, she still looked like a queen—regal and competent—two things she herself felt desperately lacking in. 'I feel like mother is here now with us.'
'Really?' Anna asked and glanced around, immediately aware of how ridiculous it was to physically look for a spirit. Elsa opened her eyes and nodded.
'Here, close your eyes and listen.' Elsa took Anna's hands in hers. 'Take a deep breath and try to listen beyond the sounds of the forest, listen with your heart.'
Anna closed her eyes and tried to do what Elsa said. She could hear the leaves rustling with the wind, people's muted voices in the distance, she could smell smoke from the fires even but she wasn't sure what she should be listening for.
'Keep listening.' Came Elsa's quiet voice and she squeezed Anna's hands. Anna tried to ignore the sounds of the leaves and muted chatter and all the other little cracks and creaks the forest made, and eventually she was able to push those noises to the background and a calm quiet enveloped her. She took another deep breath and heard the sound of the breeze whistle gently above them. It sounded melodic, almost like a faraway voice carried on the wind.
Aaaa-Aaaa.
'Elsa.' She whispered incredulously, keeping her eyes closed and listening again.
'I heard it.' Elsa whispered back and squeezed her hands again.
Aa-Aaa-Aaaaa. She had absolutely heard it that time, a breathy melodic voice on the wind. It would be missed if you weren't actively listening for it—and it sounded incredibly like the calm mellifluous voice of their mother. The breeze swooped down on both of them then, carrying with it the smell of purple Saxifrage—a scent she would know anywhere. The sweet smell of their mother.
Her eyes shot open and hands flew up to her mouth as she gasped. She found Elsa's eyes and stared at her with wide shocked eyes before the image of her sister became blurry with her own hot tears.
'How?' She managed to squeak out, blinking as a tear rolled down her cheek.
'She's here with us Anna.' Elsa spoke through glassy eyes of her own. 'Always.' Elsa smiled and opened her arms, inviting Anna in. She stepped forward and practically fell into her sister, burying her face in Elsa's neck and letting herself cry. 'And so am I.' It was barely a whisper she heard from Elsa but it made her cry harder for some reason.
It wasn't just her mother she cried for in that moment, it was everything. It was the realization of how much she truly still missed and needed Elsa in her life, of the crushing weight of ruling a kingdom she was in no way competent enough or prepared to rule. Why did it all have to always be so difficult? Why couldn't she just for once live with Elsa like normal sisters did, happy and peaceful—bickering about clothes instead of balancing the responsibilities of a kingdom and the natural world simultaneously. It was a cruel joke, and she was beyond tired of it always being at her own expense. So she let the sad, angry, frustrated tears flow. Elsa just held her quietly and stroked her back and hair and pressed her cheek into the top of Anna's head.
'I know.' Was all she said, calm and soothing—and Anna clung to her, sobbing like a child unable to stop. And she didn't care.
After a long moment: 'Anna look.'
Reluctantly she pulled her wet face away from the crook of Elsa's neck and found her eyes, sniffing and quickly wiping her nose. Elsa was smiling sadly at her and wiped tears from her cheeks, then looked upward. Anna followed her gaze up through the trees to the twilight sky, and sucked in a sharp breath at what she saw. The muted purples and reds of the crisp evening sky had started to give way to the blazing greens, purples and pinks of the aurora borealis. Millions of colorful shafts of marbly light shot down from the sky directly on top of them, undulating with color and life—and she clung to Elsa's arms as she witnessed it. The auroras were so much brighter this far north, and they too, somehow reminded her of Elsa and their mother—and she stared transfixed at the oscillating rainbow, unable to pull her bleary eyes away.
A stronger breeze swirled around them then, forcing her to look away as their hair was suddenly blown in all crazy directions. Elsa chuckled.
'Hi Gale. Yes, Anna's back.'
