Where Magic Flows
M. Lauren
Part One: Of the Flame
As the sun set on Arendelle, the last light of day glistened upon the fjords. Waves rippled against the shore. The fishermen retreated from the docks, and the villagers returned to their homes.
At the same time, Elsa arrived in Arendelle. Avoiding a scene and lost time with her sister, she decided to sneak in. Nokk carried her up to the rocks surrounding the palace, and bowed to let her off.
Elsa pat his head. "I will see you again soon." She promised.
Nokk neighed and crooned against her hand. Then he faded back into the waves.
She turned. Her eyes lifted to view the castle. Rays of light cascaded around the stone walls, creating a halo above their peaks. It was as if a beacon had formed to call Elsa home. She raked in a deep breath and grinned. Whether it was the thought of seeing her sister after weeks apart, or the warmth of the kingdom and its people; Arendelle would always be her home.
Anna must have been waiting at the entry for her. Elsa had barely made it through the doors before she was tackled into a hug. Anna's arms latched around hers. She held her still and buried her face into Elsa's hair.
"You are here!" Anna sighed.
She went limp in Elsa's hold. For more minutes than either felt passing, they simply clung to each other.
"I have missed you." Anna grinned, and pulled back to see her sister's face.
Hands went to her hair, fluffing it, and laying each strand flat. "I missed you, too, so much." Elsa took Anna's fingers between hers.
She was led towards the main hall. Their hands swung between them.
"Gerda baked fresh bread and made a vegetable stew. Are you hungry?"
"I could eat." Elsa squeezed Anna closer.
Her ear came to rest against Elsa's shoulder, and she brought her arms around Elsa's waist. "I am sorry about last week. Something came up. You know I wouldn't reschedule if I didn't have to."
Smiling, Elsa drew her fingers down Anna's back. "I understand. Besides, I am here now, and so happy to be with you."
"You are!" Anna cheered. "You should visit twice next week to make up for it."
Elsa giggled. "I like the way you think."
Anna released her before opening the door to the dining hall. Inside, the warmth of a roaring fire soothed against Elsa's skin. The tables had been set. It was a simple spread with sweet bread and dried meat. It was simple for Arendelle, anyway.
Meals in Northuldra were vastly different. They were usually enjoyed in passing. Only during dinner did most of the village convene together. Additionally, it was the women who hunted, harvested, and then prepared most of their foods. One person saw through their meals from beginning to end, and Elsa found that fascinating.
"Ah! Miss Elsa!" Gerda approached from the kitchen. Her arms held wide in greeting, and Elsa accepted the hug. "You are looking well. Are you eating enough?"
"I am." Elsa nodded as she was released. "Though, I cannot say I haven't missed your home cooked meals."
Gerda grinned. "That's my good girl. Now, sit tight. You won't have to waste another minute. I shall leave the two of you time to catch up."
Gerda's hand briefly squeezed against Anna's shoulder before she departed. Both women waited until she had gone, and then sat before their meal.
"So, how are you? How is Arendelle?" Elsa didn't waste a minute. Her eyes were on Anna as she sipped at her tea.
Something in Elsa's tone struck Anna as odd. Her sister was rushed. Her thoughts were elsewhere, and her eyes traveled away with them. Even Elsa's hand corded too tight around her mug. The knuckles bore white, and her smile shown a tad forced.
"I am good. Arendelle is good." Anna feigned.
She did not have to be a good liar in this scenario; only a better liar than her sister.
"That is good to hear, then." Elsa teased, and smiled at Anna behind the brim of her cup. "And where is your husband?"
Anna fought the blush coursing across her cheeks.
She and Kristoff had been married three months prior. However, Anna could not calm the butterflies that ran rampant in her chest every time she heard his new title.
"Kristoff will join us shortly." Anna cleared her throat, hoping not to give too much away. "He was taking care of a few things for me down in the village."
Biting into a bit of bread, Elsa nodded. "How far our valliant reindeer king has come. Did you just say he was assisting you with royal duties?"
Anna waved her fork at Elsa. "Yes, but don't tease him! He may stop helping me all together."
Elsa laughed and shook her head. "No. He wouldn't."
"You're right." Anna agreed. "He wouldn't."
She felt warm knowing Elsa supported her marriage to Kristoff. Sure, Anna had given her sister more time to get used to the idea; this time around, anyway. Nonetheless, Elsa had blessed the ceremony, and even gave the first toast to the happy couple.
Enjoying the togetherness, the two fell silent for a time. The piles of food between them shortened. And despite all her other concerns, Anna's eyes continued drifting to Elsa's. Elsa was keeping something from her. Anna could tell. Her sister was mowing through bread like she was using it to keep her mouth shut.
"So…" Anna sang nonchalantly. "How is the forest? Are Honeymaren and the others doing well?"
Elsa didn't immediately answer. She took her time to chew her food and swallow before lifting her eyes.
Across from her, Elsa could see Anna's impatience. Her sister saw right through her; clear through her mask. Anna's eyes never wavered from hers. All of her attention fixed on Elsa, and Elsa wondered why she even bothered trying to hide things from Anna at all.
"I cannot lie to you, Anna." She released with a breath. "And it would be untruthful to tell you that everything is fine."
Anna frowned. She leaned forward over her elbows. "What's wrong?"
Elsa shrugged and looked away. "There was a disturbance amongst the earth giants."
"A disturbance?" Anna widened her eyes. "What happened?"
Sitting back into her chair, Elsa replayed the events of the last week for her sister. She told her about the giants' disappearance, and about the mysterious markings down by the river. Anxiously, she told Anna about Ahtohallan, and how she hadn't been able to locate any answers yet. Elsa was finishing the wrap-up on her week when Kristoff finally strode into the hall.
He greeted her with a quick wave, and then kissed Anna's cheek.
"Ladies," Kristoff sat. "So, what have we been talking about here?"
Anna looked wordlessly at Elsa, wondering if she should share. Elsa merely nodded, and her attention pulled back down to her soup.
"Elsa has been experiencing some complications in the forest. The earth giants departed-"
"-but I am going to call them back." Elsa quickly defended.
"Of course," Anna flashed her sister a grin. "I have faith in you, Elsa; we both do. There is no limit to what you can accomplish with your heart, and your powers combined."
Shaking her head, Elsa cleared her blush as it formed. "See, this is why I miss Arendelle. My Anna-pep-talks always got me through another day."
"Well, there are more where that came from. I plan to make up for lost time."
The sister's shared a smile, and Anna reached across the table to squeeze Elsa's hand.
The three finished their meals. Their chatter had turned casual, and Kristoff stretched back into his chair.
He fought a yawn. "Shall we, ladies? If we don't get this game night started, I'm afraid I may fall asleep on this buffet."
"Don't you dare." Anna giggled. "We can't have that! Why don't you go prepare the fire in the lounge, and I will ask Gerda to start another pot of tea?"
"I can do that!" Elsa stood from her chair. "Go on, I will meet you both in there."
"You better get your game face ready!" Anna called, watching as Elsa disappeared into the kitchen.
Kristoff squeezed a hand against Anna's shoulder. She turned to him with a pale face. Anna was missing her usual light this evening. Sadness clouded her eyes, and the haze rolled in thicker once Elsa left the room.
"I am assuming you have not told her yet?"
Anna shook her head. "No. Elsa is dealing with so much right now. I don't want to add to her list of things to be worried about."
"Anna," Kristoff sighed. "You have to tell her. This illness is dangerous. In the least, you have to warn her about it."
Looking away, Anna brought her hands into her lap. "I am the Queen of Arendelle now. This is my home, and my responsibility."
Kristoff touched her chin. With a single finger, he lifted Anna's eyes to meet his. "Both your sister and I are here to help you, Anna. Having a new title doesn't change that. Not for you, and not for Elsa. Just as you want to help her, Elsa wants to be there for you as well."
Anna turned, flattening her cheek against Kristoff's hand. She felt his fingers brush against the skin of her jaw, and Anna shivered.
"I will talk to her." She promised.
"Good," Kristoff nodded with a grin. He leaned forward and placed his lips lightly against his wife's. "Now, shall we go to the lounge?"
He stood. His hand extended and he held it out for Anna to take.
Anna looked at the hand, but she didn't move. "Could you give me a minute, please?" She squeezed his fingers before offering him a reassuring nod. "I'll be there in just a second."
"Of course, my lady." Kristoff playfully bowed. "But know, I will start looking through those charades cards you made if you are not there in five minutes."
Anna rolled her eyes as she watched him go, and her soft laughter faded when the door shut behind him.
Stretching back into her seat, Anna reeled in a deep breath. Very slowly, she came to her feet. Her legs bobbled a bit. Her knees quivered uneasily, and a fog of darkness rushed to her brain. Anna gripped the table for support. With her eyes closed, she allowed the darkness to take over. Her nails scratched into the wood as she fought for balance.
When Anna released a sigh, the dizzy spell faded. As quickly as it had come on, her trance had fallen away.
She shook from the sensation and released the table. Anna nodded to herself. She grit her teeth, and strode from the dining hall with her chin held confidently high.
Hands fought for the spoon at the center of a small tea table. Anna swatted Kristoff away, and clutched the silver to her chest. Excitement filled her body. Yet, before she could yell out her feat, the spoon was pulled from Anna's grasp. Ice worked it way up the stem of the spoon and it sailed across the room into Elsa's hand.
"Hey! No magic!" Anna shouted.
"I don't believe we established those rules. Did we, Kristoff?" Elsa gleamed, dangling the spoon between her two fingers.
"I am not getting involved." He deadpanned, and Kristoff pushed himself away from the table.
Anna grumbled. "I don't think I like this game."
"It's okay, Anna." Elsa patted her sister's knee. "You know, very few people are good at family games; that's just a fact."
Anna pushed Elsa's hand away as she giggled.
"Okay, okay, I asked for that one." She surrendered. "So, what's next? Charades? I could go for another round! Oh! Or Kristoff, didn't you pick up that game from Oaken's with those dangerous looking dart things?"
Both Elsa and Kristoff began to squirm.
"Actually," He sang. "It is getting pretty late. I thought I would hit the hay, and let you two ladies stay and chat… give you time to talk about that thing, perhaps…"
"Thing?" Elsa's eyes widened. "There's a thing? What thing?"
"It is nothing!" Anna defended. "It's less than a thing; a small thing. What is that? A thinglet?"
"Well, that's not exactly true." Kristoff sighed, and squeezed his wife's shoulder. "It is most definitely 'thing' sized."
Elsa stood up with her hands wringing at her waist. "I knew it! I knew something was up. I could feel it, but I was too distracted by my own thoughts to read between the lines. There was something you weren't telling me! And there I was, ranting about my own things! I can be so dense sometimes-"
"Hey, woah, woah, hey!" Anna quickly rose, taking her sister's arms between two hands. "This isn't like you; this ranting. It's okay! I just didn't want you to worry."
"Worry me?" Her voice lifted. Elsa tried to step back but Anna's grip held firm. "This is a serious thing, then?"
Hands suddenly very heavy, Anna allowed them to fall away. She crossed the room on shuffled feet, and her fingers splayed along the window glass.
She sighed against it. "I am afraid it is... pretty serious..."
"Tell me," Elsa whispered, approaching Anna's side.
Kristoff cleared his throat from his spot by the door. "I will, uh, give you two a minute. It was nice to see you, Elsa."
She nodded to him. "You too, Kristoff."
Once he had gone, Elsa withdrew their mother's shall from hiding. She wrapped it around Anna's shoulders and listened to her sigh.
Anna crooned into the fabric. "Thank you." She whispered, and her eyes returned.
"It is your week. I would not forget."
Elsa watched Anna's nose bury deep into the silk. She breathed. Her eyes briefly closed.
"Come," Elsa instructed. "Let's sit."
She led Anna back to the couch. Elsa sat first before pulling Anna under her arm. Their heads fell together. Their elbows linked beneath the shall, and Anna squeeze Elsa in a show of relief.
"There is an illness spreading through Arendelle." Anna finally divulged. "The village children are dying, and there is nothing the doctor nor I can do to stop it."
"What?" Elsa's reply came at but a breath.
Anna turned to Elsa with her lips pulled to the side. "I am sorry, Elsa. I am failing you. You put your faith in me to protect Arendelle, but I have let you down."
"Hey now," Elsa soothed. She brushed Anna's fallen hairs from her face. "You are not responsible for this."
Anna turned her cheek. Her eyes fell to the floor. "Nothing like this happened when you were the queen."
Elsa shook her head and pulled Anna in closer. "No, perhaps not. I did, however, cast an eternal winter over the kingdom, destroy thousands of crops, and damage the livestock."
Anna frowned. "Why didn't I know the rest of that?"
"Because you didn't need to. I took care of it." Elsa touched her sister's nose. "All I am saying is- we are all given our own hands in life. We are all tested in different ways."
Anna remained silent. Her head fell to Elsa's chest, and she snuggled into the sound of its beating.
"Illnesses happen." Elsa continued. "They strike villages all over the world. They run their course and-"
Shaking her head against Elsa's chest, Anna frowned. "This illness is different. It's not spreading through the air. It has traveled through our food, or our water... Everyone is worried, and I don't have any answers for them."
Elsa hummed. The vibrations carried up and through Anna's ear.
"What do you need from me?" Elsa asked. "Do you need me to address Arendelle? Should I go to Ahtohallan and try and find you answers?"
Her head rose quickly. Anna's tired eyes found Elsa's blues. "You would do that for me?"
"Of course." Elsa smiled. "We do this together, remember?"
The barest hint of a blush tinted Anna's cheeks. "I have missed you." She sighed, and pulled back into her sister's arms.
Elsa's ride back to Northuldra was unusually warm. The day's humidity lingered, causing the air to stick to her skin. Nokk could feel it, too. His footsteps weighed heavy against the earth, yet he galloped along peacefully without complaint.
The two found their solace in the clear night sky.
"I could get used to this." Elsa whispered to him.
She relaxed back on her hands, and her eyes held high toward the stars.
"It is peaceful." She smiled.
The calm of the evening was a welcomed change of pace; when compared to all that had transpired back in Arendelle. As it appeared, both Elsa and her sister were facing problems. The only difference was, Anna's problems had carried along a tome of death notices with it.
Elsa's eyes watered at the thought.
When she agreed to stay in Northuldra, Elsa believed she had made the right decision. She knew she had a responsibility to the people and the spirits, but she had a commitment to honor with her sister, as well. Now, she was conflicted. Her heart was being ripped in half. She had a family in Arendelle, but there was family in Northuldra now, too.
"What to do?" She groaned.
The night sky twinkled in reply, and Yelena's words began to echo through her mind. Elsa's heart expanded in her chest.
"I am one with the wind and sky." She felt herself calm.
The spirits were guiding her, just as Elsa was guiding herself. Together with this new power, she could serve Arendelle, and still solve the secrets of the forest.
Elsa breathed and allowed herself to be captivated by the stars once more.
With her eyes transfixed above, Elsa did not realize when Nokk suddenly slowed. His head was turning erratically to each side when Elsa pulled herself up.
He sensed something.
"What is it?" She reached for his neck. "What is wrong?"
Nokk brayed, deep and loud. He pulled his weight back onto his rear legs. His front hooves kicked toward the sky, and Elsa fought to catch herself against the reins.
That was when Gale appeared.
Gale poured through the trees with a tempest force. She snaked around the earth before making her way to Elsa. Swirling and spiralling, Gale moved up the Nokk's legs. She braided into Elsa's hair and stole her attention.
The Nokk whined fearfully, and he kicked at Gale with his hoof. Elsa reached down to soothe him as Gale quickly darted away.
Elsa's hands replaced around the reins, and her knuckles pinched white.
"Go!" Elsa called to Nokk. "Follow the storm!"
Nokk quickly shook from his fear. He leapt into the air and advanced on Gale at a full-sprint.
Gale lead them through the forest, dodging between the trees. She made tailing her at night a challenge for Elsa. However, she had Nokk, and they both had their instincts.
Unfortunately, those instincts told Elsa where they were headed.
Something was wrong in Northuldra, and Elsa could only hope to arrive as fast as she could manage.
-M.