Where Magic Flows
M. Lauren
Part Two: Of the Earth
Elsa was roused from sleep. The brush of a tail stroked beneath her chin. She swatted it away, irritated, and rolled onto her back. Her head buried into the pillow, hoping to hide from her intruder. Nevertheless, the disturbance came again. Small feet scurried up her stomach, and settled against her chest.
When Elsa opened her eyes, she found two more looking down on her. They were wide; curious even. Elsa blinked, and the eyes blinked back.
She laughed. Her finger lightly scratched along salamander's side. "What are you doing in here?" She asked, and emitted a small yawn.
Bruni leapt down onto the floor as Elsa sat up. She stretched her hands overhead, and Bruni stopped to stare. His tongue held impatiently outside of his mouth. He waited. When Elsa moved again, Bruni bounced towards her excitedly. Elsa hadn't quite made it up from the bed before Bruni forced his way back into her lap. He settled there, smiling, and begging for more scratches.
"Okay," Elsa sang. "-but only for a minute."
Bruni grumbled happily. His eyes blinked slow, and began to close as Elsa softly stroked his skin.
"It seems you have trapped me here." She giggled. "You planned this, didn't you? How can I possibly move now?"
Craning into her touch, Bruni purred. She caressed him, watching his legs kick as a gentle flurry began over Bruni's head.
"How frightening you are." Elsa teased.
Bruni responded by turning onto his back. He blinked at her again, grinning goofily. Feet swatted at the snowflakes, and his tale whipped playfully; much like a cat would do.
"Don't tell the others, but sometimes you are my favorite."
A quick rap of fingers suddenly sounded at her door. Elsa was startled silent, and her spine pulled straight.
She cleared her throat. "Come in."
Elsa shook out her hair and straightened the fabric of her nightgown as Honeymaren entered her hut.
The woman smiled cheekily. She had a knowing look on her face. Her eyes gleamed, and Elsa knew that her silly, one-sided banter had been overheard.
"So, we are having early morning chats now, are we?" Honeymaren pulled the door closed behind her. She brushed her hair behind her ears and stepped into the dim light of the small bedroom.
Elsa turned onto her side as best as she could manage. Spinning the dial on her lantern, the glow brightened. Bruni protested her movements by curling into her stomach, and Elsa laughed.
"We were." She hummed. "I woke up to find that I had a visitor, and now it appears, I have two."
With her shoulders tight, Honeymaren nodded. "I hope you don't mind my intrusion."
"Not at all. Please, have a seat."
Elsa lifted Bruni to her shoulder as she moved over on the cot. She patted the space beside her, motioning for Honeymaren to join. Honeymaren, with her lips pursed and hands clenched, slowly crossed to Elsa's side. She sat. Her legs crossed, and their eyes came together when Honeymaren offered Elsa a tiny grin.
"Thank you," She whispered. "I apologize if I disrupted your morning."
"It's quite alright. We aren't bothered." Elsa turned her head to find Bruni with his neck stretched high.
He looked between her and Honeymaren. His tail twitched as his eyes wandered.
"Anyway," Elsa's attention sheepishly returned. "How can we help you?"
"Oh, of course!" She batted her hand. Honeymaren shifted as she dug through her coat pocket. "I have this for you; from down by the river."
She withdrew a small sack of burlap, displaying it at the center of her palm. Honeymaren held it out to Elsa, and watched her take it into her hands.
"What is it?" She mused. Elsa undid the ties.
As the fabric unfolded, a bit of dark red powder appeared. It looked soft to the touch, like sand; though it's grainy discoloration most resembled crushed stone.
Elsa's brow narrowed. She replaced the ties and turned back to Honeymaren.
"During the taming of the giants, Ryder and I noticed this powder all over our clothes. It stretched all along the bank of the river. We weren't sure what to make of it. It is unlike any natural element we have seen in the forest before. So, I made the decision to bring what we could salvage back to the elders for them to assess."
With a slow nod, Elsa replaced the sack at her bedside. "Interesting…" She mused.
"Are you upset with me?"
Honeymaren's nose had pulled to the side of her face. Her lips pursed, and her forehead wrinkled. Elsa watched as she wrung out her hands.
"No." She breathed, feeling more than surprised. "Why would I be?"
"I should have told you sooner." A sigh of relief escaped her chest. "You were busy, and I was worried that by turning the powder over to the elders before taking the time to explain... I thought I might have offended you."
Elsa shook her head. "There is no need to worry. I am not offended!"
She patted her hand against Honeymaren's knee before quickly shying away.
"Fears aside," She cleared her throat. "What did the elders have to say?"
"They sent Hlif down to the river to investigate." Honeymaren began. "He found what he believed were faint markings, just north of the falls. It was as if the powder had been used in some sort of foreign ritual. At least, that is what he has come to assume, anyway. I am afraid have not seen the markings for myself yet."
Bruni leapt from Elsa's shoulder when she suddenly went rigid. "Even more interesting…" She sang.
Displeased, and even more tired, Bruni crept from her lap and onto Honeymaren's. He settled there with his head warm against her thigh. She smiled, feeling honored, and began to stroke his head.
As a child, Honeymaren had heard tales about the spirits; and how they lived alongside their ancestors. Despite this, she had never experienced the magic for herself before. Now, with Bruni trusting her well enough to sleep against her leg, Honeymaren felt blessed beyond measure.
Elsa, however, was distracted by her new knowledge. She hadn't noticed her friend's excitement, and was now standing on her feet. Elsa dropped her mother's shall onto the corner chair, and stood before a small mirror.
"Oh! I should leave you!" Honeymaren began to fidget as she attempted to stand.
Bruni remained heavy in her lap, however. He burrowed into her, seemingly pleading for her to stay still.
"It is fine." Elsa soothed.
In the blink of an eye, and with a quick flash of hands, her nightgown had transformed. Gone were the tangles of maroon fabric. In its place, her white-patterned dress had reappeared.
Honeymaren giggled at the display. "I always forget you can do that."
"I can dress you up a bit, too. If you would like? Anna always enjoyed when I added my flair to her wardrobe."
She blushed at Elsa's teasing fingers. Honeymaren's attention diverted. "Perhaps another time..."
Seeing her friend's cheeks aflame, Elsa briefly wondered what she had said to make Honeymaren uncomfortable. The curiosity had her hands suddenly very warm, and her heart reeling in her chest. Elsa brushed her palms over her legs before hiding them at her back.
"Suit yourself." She scaled her eyes and hid her ears into her shoulders. "So," Elsa continued. "Shall we be going, then?"
"We are going somewhere?"
Honeymaren replaced Bruni against the bed. He spun twice until he settled amongst the blankets, and feigned an irritated yawn.
"We are. You and I are going to investigate those markings." Elsa redrew her mother's shall around her neck.
"You want me to come with you?" Honeymaren tried not to balk.
"Of course." Elsa pointed. "I have yet to understand as much about this forest as you do, and besides, this was your discovery. You want to see it through to the end, don't you?"
Her hands twitched at her waist. "And what of the giants?" Honeymaren asked.
"What about them? The giants have been tamed, and there is no indication that whatever happened yesterday will ever happen again."
Honeymaren slowly nodded. "If you are certain."
Elsa smiled. "I am! Now, come along! We are wasting daylight here."
They started for the exit, and Elsa quickly opened the door to her hut. A passing calf was startled by their appearance. It panicked, and rammed the door closed with its head. Elsa toppled backwards, falling into Honeymaren's arms. She caught her and had Elsa back on her feet in the blink of an eye. Embarrassment coursed through both women. Elsa swiftly pulled free from the hands at her back. She brushed the fallen hairs from her face, as a heated blush took to her cheeks.
"One thing remains one hundred percent certain, though. Mornings in Northuldra are much different than they were back in Arendelle."
"I can only imagine." Honeymaren laughed, and trying again, Elsa held the door for her.
"I will have to show you sometime." Elsa whispered, and she turned away as Honeymaren passed her by.
It was the same time in Arendelle. Daylight had barely begun to greet the small village. Birds were now awake. The bakery had opened, and Queen Anna was, once again, headed across the square.
This time, Kristoff was stationed at her side. His hand was warm on her back. He paid no mind to the people and their stares as he led Anna straight through the masses.
The two passed by the flower stall. They accepted the polite nod in greeting from the blacksmith and his wife. Even still, no one approached them; not even the children who hid at their parents' backs. The villagers gave their space, and anxiously watched as their queen and her prince consort make their way toward the clinic.
There, the physician awaited them at the door.
"Your majesty," He bowed, and allowed the couple to pass through.
"Doctor," Anna turned to him. The door behind them closed.
They continued through to a small study at the rear of the clinic. The dimly-lit room was littered with old textbooks and mugs of stale tea. Anna settled in a corner chair, and Kristoff came to a halt behind her shoulder.
"What more do you have for us this morning?" She asked calmly.
Doctor Laugen, a young man in his early thirties, drew a hand along the back of his neck. Despite his young age, on this particular morning, the doctor appeared much older than he was. He had dark bags under his green eyes. His yellow hair was mused from lost sleep, and there was the fatigue; which had left him discolored.
In comparison, Anna assumed that she had looked about the same.
"We had another child come in during the night." He began. "-a young boy this time; a six year old. I am afraid I cannot say yet how long this one will have left before he, too, is taken."
Anna's blood ran cold, yet her composure maintained. "And you still believe this to be some type of influenza?"
His eyes fell away. "It is too early to know, but as with the girl from last night... this illness moves fast, much faster than any flu I have ever seen before."
"Something troubles you?" Kristoff guessed, recognizing how the doctor's thoughts moved behind his eyes.
He stepped forward, and Anna tensed in her chair.
Kristoff decidedly ignored her. "Doctor Laugen, if you know something, you must tell us."
Laugen's gaze returned. His eyes flickered amongst the lantern light.
"I know nothing," He whispered. "-nothing at all. However, that is what frightens me most. Arendelle does not need another epidemic on its hands. Forty years ago, when the last illness spread, Arendelle lost more than a third of its population. With a summer as hot as this one, the people won't stand a chance. If the illness doesn't take them, dehydration will."
"An epidemic?" Anna's eyes turned wide.
She glanced at Kristoff who mirrored her expression.
"We must learn whatever we can about this sickness." Anna directed her words to the doctor. "Hearing rumor of an epidemic will send the village into a frenzy. I need something factual; something real to tell them. A hypothesis won't do."
"I will do what I can," Doctor Laugen nodded. "-for the Kingdom of Arendelle, and for you, your majesty."
"I appreciate you coming with me, by the way." Elsa turned to Honeymaren. "I did not mean to make it sound like you had no say in the matter, of course."
The two were headed back south. Elsa stationed atop of Nokk, and Honeymaren held at her side by horseback. The day was coming to a close, and the summer sun had begun to fade from the sky.
"It is not a problem." Honeymaren assured her. "I am just sorry there was nothing left to find."
Elsa's shoulders pulled into her ears.
"Not nothing," She said, and dangled the sacked-powder between them. "We still have this. The elders can complete their assessment, and perhaps learn something more within its contents."
Honeymaren fell silent for a time. Her eyes drew up high towards the trees. The warm sun hit her face, and she grinned.
"May I ask you something?" She finally spoke.
Honeymaren's gaze had yet to return from the clouds. That left Elsa with a rare moment to admire her. The way her skin shown like liquid gold in this light, and how her face appeared, as if carved by nature itself. The Northuldra were remarkable people...
"Of course." Elsa remembered to answer, and she quickly turned away.
Honeymaren's attention returned. "Do you feel at home here, Elsa?"
Elsa blinked. Her jaw wavered. "I- I suspect I do."
"With me?" Honeymaren continued, her voice holding barely above a whisper. She watched Elsa's eyes widen in response, and she quickly retracted her statement. "-with all of us, I mean. Do you feel at home with the Northuldra?"
Her mouth hung open. "Oh…" Elsa breathed. Her hands twitched against the reins, and she dropped her gaze to view them. "I suppose I had not taken the time to consider that yet."
"You don't have to now!" Honeymaren assured her, batting her hands for effect. After, though, she settled, and Honeymaren's face pulled low. "-not now, but.."
"But, what?" Elsa encouraged her.
With a sigh, Honeymaren fought for Elsa's eyes. They locked on to hers, and she tried again. "-but I do worry that if you weren't comfortable here, you wouldn't feel confident enough to tell me. I know you are content to be our bridge, though, I am concerned you don't trust us. I worry you might be lonely, but have been too afraid to seek us out."
Elsa couldn't look away. At some point, Honeymaren had seen through her mask. She had seen through to the parts of Elsa that lay in constant debate between Northuldra, and a home back in Arendelle. Honeymaren saw her conflict, her regret, and her redundant thoughts. She saw her hurt, and now it pained Elsa to think she may have offended her by it.
"I- I don't know what to say." Elsa admitted.
Blushing, Honeymaren shook her head. "No, I am sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I-"
"Ladies!" A top of his reindeer stead, Ryder drove in at their side. His cheeks pulled up in a grin as he looked between them eagerly. "What have you two been up to?"
Both women turned silent. Elsa's eyes remained diverted, and Honeymaren responded by doing the same.
"Am I interrupting something?" Ryder questioned, and when Honeymaren's reply never came; Elsa cleared her throat.
"No, no, of course not." She quickly assured him. Her poised demeanor returned. "Though, I do have something which requires my attention. So, if you'll both excuse me. I will talk with you later."
From there, to gone. Elsa had pulled up on Nokk's reins and was but a blur out of sight.
They watched her go. She drove through the trees, and Honeymaren visibly tensed.
"No really," Ryder stressed. "What am I missing? Did I say something stupid again?"
Honeymaren rolled her eyes. "You didn't say anything." Her head shook. "It was me who did."
"What did you say? Was it embarrassing?" Ryder teased.
"No." She scolded, and her arms crossed.
Sensing his sister would say no more, Ryder frowned. "I see… well, gotcha…" His grip tightened against the reindeer's fur.
"So, anyway…hey, Mare!" His head pulled into his shoulders. Ryder's eyes circled high. "I wanted to throw something passed you. I was wondering...what do you think about, maybe, I mean, could you possibly-"
"Out with it, Ry!" Honeymaren called him out.
"Okay, okay." He sighed, and hid his blush behind an open hand. "I was wondering... what you might think of me... asking... for Elsa's hand?"
Honeymaren's horse came to a quick halt. "What?" She balked.
"I mean, look at it this way. Elsa is single. I am single. She is one of us, which makes it totally cool by elder standards, and she is the only one around here who doesn't know about my training accident!"
"You are out of your mind!" Honeymaren stopped him.
Quickly, she pulled back on the reins and steered her horse away.
"What? Why?" Ryder demanded.
"Elsa is the fifth spirit!" Her words directed over her shoulder. "She walks like a goddess amongst our people. Why would she wed a Northuldra like us?"
"Hey! Someone has to!" He shouted, but Honeymaren had galloped from sight.
"I could be a god!" He chuffed again, and then a slow grin spread across his cheeks. "Yeah! Ryder, the God of reindeer... I like it! What do you think, Dahl?"
The reindeer beneath him rolled his eyes. "I think you're an idiot..."
Ryder sighed and crossed his arms. "Who asked you anyway?"
-M.