Where Magic Flows
M. Lauren
Part One: Through This Night
Her shock had barely begun to settle before Honeymaren returned to her feet. She was panting. Her heart beat erratically beneath her ribs. She decidedly ignored it while taking a staggering breath. Honeymaren pushed herself away from Elsa and redirected the hilt of her spear back at the red cloak.
"You will stay away from her." She sharply commanded.
"Honeymaren, no- I," Elsa's voice faded. Emotions shifted as her eyes flickered between the figure and her friend.
"Your magic is no match against us, Elsa, and see how another has fallen victim to the Queen of Ice." The last of their statement was directed at those surrounding them. Behind the red silk, the figure's words rang like a melody; soft and soulful. "Elsa of Arendelle has always accepted payment in the form of sacrifice… And always in exchange for their love. It appears she of Ahtohallan, now follows in suit."
Snarling, Honeymaren drove forward with her spear. "How dare you talk about Elsa as if you know her! You know nothing!"
Laughing beneath the shadows of their veil, the figure turned their head. "Oh, but I do know Elsa; better than most, I suppose. However, a more important concern remains- does the young princess remember me?"
Gloved hands wrapped around the hooded opening of their cloak. The fabric pulled back from the figure's face, revealing a women with fair skin and golden hair. From their brown eyes, held in evening shadows, to their tall build; nothing about this woman appeared familiar. She wasn't from Arendelle. Her melodic yet clipped accent, confirmed that much.
"I don't know you." Elsa stated. Her brow pinched, but only slightly.
"This does not come as a surprise to me." The woman continued. "I remind you, you should, though…"
Elsa quickly shook her head. "No, no riddles! Tell me who you are and what you want from me."
"Patience, young one." Her hand raised to silence Elsa. "Do you not know it is ill mannered to make demands when you are so clearly… outnumbered?"
The woman stepped forward again, and Honeymaren stood her ground.
"I no longer have the luxury of patience!" Elsa snapped. "My friend requires help, or my magic will freeze her heart!"
Very slowly, the woman's shoulders drew into her ears. Her hands turned to their palms. "Your foolish friend is as good as dead, then. Any stalling you continue with now will only provoke me to end her life sooner."
Elsa's teeth grit behind her lips. Rage surged beneath her skin. "Say your peace. Make your demands, but do not expect me to meet them."
The woman laughed, and her voice sang with a pitch like a singing bird.
"Oh, Elsa, Elsa, Elsa… how ignorant you continue to be…"
Her two fingers raised above her head, and the woman snapped. The hoods fell from the other cloaked figures in unison. Elsa stared hard. She was standing center to what appeared to be, a female coven.
Their formation briefly parted as a thirteenth member crossed through their circle. Behind them, a hooded-captive dragged at their feet. The body was dumped before the red woman. She smiled graciously at her aid and dismissed them toward the others.
The woman then leaned down. Her smile maintained. Her dark eyes locked on Elsa, and she freed the canvas from around the body's head.
Elsa gasped. "Kristoff!" Her voice fell to a whisper. She made moves to step forward, but Honeymaren turned her spear, holding Elsa back.
Kristoff's eyes opened at the sound. They gave a long, fatigued roll, before he slipped out of consciousness once more.
"When will your friends and family learn to leave well enough alone? Do they not see the truth reflected in the eyes of the woman they condemn their lives for? " The woman snickered. "It is only fair to say, I see what they cannot. I know what grows within you, child. I know what storm you fight inside."
"Please, what do you want from me? You have my attention now!" Elsa's hands pleaded at her side.
"Finally, Elsa of Ahtohallan learns some sense. Good girl." The woman commended with ease.
She stepped forward once again, this time not stopping when Honeymaren extended her spear. The woman snapped her fingers. In a flash, Honeymaren's spear had turned to dust. She was stunned, looking down at the red grit covering her hands. Seeing her distracted, the woman circled in slowly around the pair.
Honeymaren quickly shook from her shock. She slid in at Elsa's side. Her chest drew into Elsa's shoulder as the woman came close enough for them to fully see.
She was young; perhaps only a few years older than Elsa. Her eyes were like slow burning embers, and her cheeks freckled with ash.
"You see me now, Elsa." Her finger brushed against Elsa's chin. Honeymaren growled, moving in closer against her friend. "You see we are both quite similar, yes? I, too, was born with powers, but unlike you, I was ostracized for mine. Imagine a child abandoned by parents whose fear towards her outweighed their love… And so, at thirteen I was forced to leave my country behind. I sailed by ship to find work in the Western Lands, and make more for myself than I could have at home.
"Now, my first job in your country was selling fish on the streets. The men cut my hair short, making me resemble a boy. I worked for ten long hours a day- in the hot sun, and on days so cold my hands would numb. I did this for many months, but then I was finally rewarded for my service. I befriended an older woman from the Kingdom of Arendelle. She was kind, always coming to me for fish. She reminded me of the mother I would never have, and the one I might of had if I been had born here instead. Regardless, this woman found me a work placement in the castle. I would serve as a handmaiden for two young princesses there…"
She smiled slowly. The woman's eyes sparkled with mirth.
"Yes, Elsa… if you will recall, it was I who worked for you."
Elsa's expression never faltered. She remained stern even when she felt Honeymaren hug tighter to her side. She was cold, but Elsa could not be certain, how cold. She didn't know if it was her own fear, or the growing night, but Honeymaren's cool skin reminded Elsa that they did not have much time.
"My name was Cleyomey back then," The woman continued. "However, now I am called Cleyo. I was working for three years at the palace, and I felt I had finally found my place; my new home. But you know what happens next, don't you, Elsa?" Cleyo nodded with a slight turn of her head. "Yes, I was terminated by the royal family at seventeen- placed on a boat, and returned to my home country.
"Not many things went right for me after that. I was lost between places for a long time, and struggling to understand why magic had cursed my life before it began. I was starving and lonely, but then I discovered myself in a place I could not have anticipated."
Cleyo came to sit against the log in front of the dying fire. She stoked it briefly with a discarded stick before turning back to Elsa.
"You see, my people, my country; they fear magic. Even more than your parents did, I am afraid. Magic was seen as a direct act of disobedience against the gods, and more importantly; against our kings. Yet, I had found myself in a place where not everyone felt this way. While drifting, I happened upon a group of sister mages who taught me to appreciate my gifts.
"For the first time in my life I did not hate who I was, and I didn't fear the powers I held beneath my skin. I learned to love magic, more than I ever believed possible, too. I loved magic, yes, but I was also taught how I could love more.
"Mages have much intelligence." Cleyo smirked. Her eyes curled, and her shoulder shrugged upward. "They know how magic flows through the earth. They see how our natural elements respond to that magic, and understand the careful balance between the two sides. The mages also studied our world's creation. They moved beyond religion, beyond talk of gods and goddesses, and look at how natural phenomenons created the bridge between magic and all things living. This is how I know of Ahtohallan. This is why I am certain it is from there in which you were gifted your magic.
There are places like Ahtohallan which exist all over the world. They live in tandem with the life around them. There are some places out there which have already been exploited. Others are still waiting to be found. Yet, regardless of their status, the sister mages seek more than exploitation. We wish to learn how these places decided which powers to gift, and to whom. Then, we will end by draining its magic. We will restore the balance in favor of those who can wield it, and only those who can truly understand."
Hearing her silence, Elsa drew in a sharp breath. Her neck pulled straight and her eyes briefly met with Honeymaren's.
"I cannot allow you to enter Ahtohallan." Elsa's response was blunt. "Even if I wanted to, the forest has lost its balance. I imagine this is due to your meddling, however it has caused the spirits to depart. I can no longer access Ahtohallan, myself. I'm afraid your plan here has failed."
Cleyo chuckled again. Her head bobbled as it shook. "You take me for someone less clever than I am. I left the Nokk uninhibited by our influence. I see how you reach the land that calls you. So long as the Nokk stands, both you and I may access the frozen river."
Elsa shivered as a chill drew up her spine.
Cleyo knew too much. She knew nearly everything Elsa had come to learn herself. She was dangerous, intelligent, yet still; her motives were unclear.
"It is silly to stand against the mages, Elsa. You cannot win. Tomorrow you will take me to Ahtohallan, just before the full moon rises, or else- not only will you lose your friend; but your sister shall lose her husband as well."
The mages moved forward in unison as Cleyo's words fell away. Elsa's hands went up defensively, and they briefly faltered in their approach.
"What are you doing?" She demanded. "Honeymaren must be permitted to leave! She needs medical attention. I will be of no use to you if she dies!"
"Elsa, no." Honeymaren's hand settled at the small of Elsa's back. "I am not leaving you here on your own!"
Their eyes met, and Honeymaren's lowered.
"Your friend goes nowhere." Came Cleyo's sharp response. "You will make do with the supplies you have in your tent. If she lives, I add one more life to bargain with to my list. If she dies… it is your loss."
It was minutes after midnight when Anna awoke with a start. The sudden knock at her door had her jumping to sit up. She gasped for air with a hand against her chest.
"Your majesty," Her door opened.
Kai stood in the archway. His hands tucked behind his back. The light from the hall created a halo around his large form. Seeing it, Anna released a sigh and spun against her sheets.
"I regret to inform you that there has been a disturbance in the Kingdom. You must wake at once."
"A disturbance?" Anna leapt from the bed, ignoring her disheveled appearance. "What kind of disturbance?"
Kai entered and pulled Anna's robe from its hook. He placed it over her shoulders, his eyes following her skeptically.
"Ships have entered our waterways, ma'am. A dozen of them; they have sailed in from international seas."
"Ships?" Anna questioned. Her head turned to the side.
Quickly, she hurried to her balcony and threw back the doors. With her hands wrapped tight around the banister, she looked out over the fjord. In the light of the near full moon, twelve white sails reflected off the water. Ships surround the far banks and blocked access to the estuary. Against the tide, they moved throughout Arendelle waterways; both silent and slow.
"Who are they?" Anna inquired, feeling Kai step in at her back.
"We are attempting to learn that now, your majesty. In the meantime, it is imperative that we relocate to the meeting hall with the Royal Guard."
Anna took one last glance at the overrun fjord. Her heart beat fearfully, and she sighed.
"Give me two minutes." She requested.
Kai bowed. He left her room at once, and waited for Anna just beyond the door.
Honeymaren and Elsa were directed into to her goahti. She had Honeymaren tucked safely into her side, and her arm wrapped tight around her waist. Together, they moved beneath the tarp. Elsa turned back to find Cleyo in the doorway. Her arms were crossed and her lips curled at their ends.
"You are here until the sun rises." She explained. "Do not expect for one minute that you can overpower us. If you try, or if you attempt to leave, your sister's husband dies while he sleeps. Am I understood?"
Lowering her eyes, Elsa nodded.
"Good. You always were quite an obedient child, weren't you?" Cleyo dropped the tarp behind her, her feet never making a sound as she walked away from the hut.
Elsa moved out of the anxious hostage role, and into medical expert so quickly that Honeymaren's head began to spin. She had the lantern brightened. The extra furs were pulled from her trunk, and her bed was turned down to its sheets.
"Come here, and don't dawdle. We have to get you warm!"
When Honeymaren didn't move, Elsa marched from her spot. She snatched Honeymaren's hand and dragged her to the bed, attempting to lower her down.
"Why are you fighting me?" Elsa scolded. Honeymaren remained planted on her feet. "Please, be serious! I have seen how my magic affects people before."
"Elsa…" Honeymaren searched for her blue eyes. She took their hands together, but was quickly shook away.
"Honeymaren. Stop! Can't you see this is exactly what I was afraid would happen!"
Elsa's emotions wavered behind her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to look at Honeymaren. If she did, she was afraid she'd lose control.
She whispered now, "Please, get under the covers. Get warm, and stop fighting-"
Honeymaren's hand pressed to Elsa's lips. She didn't pull it away until Elsa turned to her, surprised.
Slowly, Honeymaren's head tipped forward. "Elsa, I'm okay..."
"What?" Her voice rose, and Honeymaren caught her mouth beneath her palm once more.
"I think I'm okay." She said again. "Your magic didn't hurt my heart, Elsa... My heart is okay."
Elsa shook her head, attempting to free her mouth. Honeymaren's hand caught Elsa's and she pulled her to the bed to sit.
"You don't understand! My magic works slow. It is painful!" A strange noise jared in Elsa's throat. She turned her eyes to her lap.
"Elsa, I think we would know by now if something were happening to me. See?" She lifted her braid. "-no white hair. No chills. I feel fine!"
"What?" Elsa breathed again. Her hand tugged from Honeymaren's and replaced against her forehead.
She was warm. Her tan complexion remained. Honeymaren appeared as she always did. Elsa watched her lips curl upwards, and all at once, the emotions she'd been holding back came flooding to the surface.
"What were you thinking?" Tears sprang to her cheeks. Elsa pushed roughly against Honeymaren's shoulder before folding her arms protectively over her waist. "Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish or something? Are you always this reckless?"
Her fingers swept across Elsa's face, and Honeymaren brushed the fallen tears from her red cheeks. "I didn't know what was happening. I saw the blast coming back at you, and I couldn't just stand there and watch you be hurt! You've already experienced so much in your life, Elsa. You tell me about the sacrifices, the pain, and how you've tried to overcome it all! You didn't deserve this on top of it..."
"But you could have died! You still could! How can I move forward from this if I lost you as well?" Elsa drew back from Honeymaren. Her knees tucked against her chest.
Elsa's breathing was shallow. Her eyes, wild. She was embarrassed by her tears, and by Honeymaren's proximity. She wanted space; space to deal with her thoughts, but they'd been trapped inside together.
Elsa's face buried between her legs, and she fought desperately for air.
"Hey, woah!" Honeymaren's hand soothed over Elsa's shoulders. "Take it easy. You've got this. Slow, deep breaths…"
"I can't!" Elsa panicked. "I have to- we have to get out of here! I have to rescue Kristoff and get back to Arendelle. We can't just wait in here until morning comes!"
Pushing her legs flat, Honeymaren pinched Elsa's chin. She drew her eyes from her lap and softly smiled. "One step at a time, okay? You're worrying yourself sick! We will figure this out together, but you have to take care of yourself first."
"How can you say that? I should be taking care of you!" Elsa shook her head from Honeymaren's hold. "You came back for me and you shouldn't have! Now this, and I-" Suddenly, she froze. Her eyes turned wide and her head snapped to attention. "Kiss me- you have to kiss me!"
"Wait, what?" Honeymaren balked.
Elsa leaned toward her. Honeymaren braced a hand against her chest and held Elsa effectively away from her lips.
"It's the only way!" Elsa continued. "Don't think about it. You have to do it. It's the only way to stop my powers from hurting you!"
Honeymaren was forced to stop her advances once more. "Elsa, I'm not going to do that…"
"Why not? Only true love can thaw a frozen heart! Please, we have to try! It's the only way to guarantee that my magic won't affect you."
"This is silly…" Honeymaren stood. Her arms drew tight around her waist. "A true love's kiss isn't going to save me, because I don't need saving!"
Elsa shook her head. "But it doesn't make any sense! Why wouldn't it? My own sister was powerless against my magic!"
Shrugging, Honeymaren's lips pressed flat. Her eyes drew to the side. "I don't know. Perhaps because the attack was meant for you, it didn't affect me?"
Elsa frowned and rose onto her knees. "It doesn't work that way! Magic is magic, no matter what it's intention is. But listen to me, please! Anna said a kiss should have worked if the two people care about each other enough to show their true feelings!"
Lines creased along Honeymaren's forehead. Her eyes lowered sternly. "It's not going to happen, Elsa! Forget about it. It's not right!"
"Why?" Her expression darkened. "I thought you liked me in that way? Isn't this exactly what we were fighting about three days ago now?"
Honeymaren sighed. Her cheeks turned pink. "Elsa, do you know how long before tonight I have thought about just that; about kissing you? Months! It has been months, but I am not going to do it like this! If I let you kiss me out of desperation- to fix something you weren't responsible for in the first place… it wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't be right! You were only just beginning to understand your feelings for me. You're not ready for that step yet, and I won't force you into it."
"This is my decision!" Elsa defended harshly. She stood in front of Honeymaren, angry and with mused hair. "It's not for you to say when I am ready for the next step. Only I can tell you that!"
Her tears returned, swelling below the lids of her eyes and spilling out onto her cheeks. Honeymaren hated seeing her like this. Elsa was always so regal; so composed. It was heartbreaking to witness, but Honeymaren also felt privileged to be allowed to see this vulnerable side of her.
Without a second thought, she took Elsa in her arms. Honeymaren's hands settled at her back. She held her tight, willing Elsa to relax in her hold. When that didn't work and her tears persisted; Honeymaren directed Elsa to the bed. Together, she laid them down over the soft quilt. Her legs curled upward, and Elsa cocooned herself into Honeyumaren's chest.
"Looks like it's your night to be coddled…" Honeymaren teased her at a whisper.
Elsa's head drew up from her chest. "You find this funny?"
"It's kind of funny." Her nose scrunched, but Elsa continued to glare. "Listen…" Honeymaren encouraged her. She placed a hand against Elsa's head and directed her ear down over her ribs. "My heart sounds fine, doesn't it? And my skin is warm. There is no indication that your magic has hurt me, or that I am freezing to death..."
Angered, Elsa attempted to free herself from Honeymaren's hold.
Honeymaren trapped her there. Her arms tightened around Elsa's waist and she pulled her back down against her.
Once Elsa begrudgingly settled, Honeymaren quietly laughed. "If it makes you feel better, I will let you kiss me in the morning."
"You are terrible! Do you know that?" Elsa cried, but did not move.
Shaking her head, her laughter continued. "I know I am stubborn, and a little bit reckless, but I also know that I love you, Elsa of Arendelle. Now, get some rest. Put your worries aside. Together we will figure out how to stop this disaster, and we will return the forest as it once was."
Elsa had gone siff in her arms upon hearing Honeymaren's confession. She should have felt panicked, or even a little scared. However, instead Elsa felt a burst of warmth swirl around her chest. Honeymaren loved her, and that suddenly seem more magical than her powers ever could be.
She replaced her head against Honeymaren's heart. Elsa nuzzled softly into the fabric of her shirt, listening to the steady beat beneath her ribs. Her own arm clung to Honeymaren's waist. She drew her knees up, and curled onto her side.
"Thank you," Elsa whispered. "-for loving me."
Cheers,
-M.