Where Magic Flows
M. Lauren
Part Two: Through This Night
Warm in each others arms, time moved slowly. Elsa's ears trained to the steady beat of Honeymaren's heart as it clenched beneath her ribs. She was ready to react if anything happened; not that she was certain it would anymore. Too much time had gone by since her magic first touched Honeymaren's heart. Now, only confusion kept Elsa's senses alert. How this happened in the first place; how Honeymaren survived it- it didn't make sense.
Feeling Elsa's muscles tensing once again, Honeymaren knew the woman had lost to her mind. While she had relaxed in her arms, a part of Elsa refused to settle. Instead of prying, Honeymaren was content to hold her tighter. She said nothing. She did nothing, while Elsa mulled over her thoughts. Yet, only silence had filtered between them for a long while. Despite all the worry and uncertainty, their simple shared warmth was enough to carry them through the night.
"May I try something?" Elsa said, breaking their hold. She rolled to face Honeymaren and drew her head further onto their shared pillow.
"You're not going to try and kiss me again, are you?"
Blushing, Elsa emitted a soft giggle. "No- just, I need you to trust me."
She held up her hand, and without prompting, Honeymaren did the same. Their palms fit together. Fingers laced. Elsa closed her eyes and felt her magic begin to flow beneath her skin.
"What are you doing?" Honeymaren asked.
Elsa's brows pinched. "Shh…"
Her eyes remained closed, and her frown continued to deepen. Honeymaren felt Elsa's fingers twitch uncomfortably against her own.
"What? What is it? What's wrong?"
A tiny huff escaped her lips. Elsa slowly rose, keeping their hands braced between them. "It's strange… I feel my powers. They're right there... and almost stronger than I've felt them yearn before, but look-"
Her hand pulled from Honeymaren's. Immediately, a gentle flurry began over Elsa's own head. Yet, as their hands touched together once more, the flurry came to a swift halt.
"My powers don't seem to work when I'm touching you…" She shook her head.
Honeymaren's expression soon matched Elsa's. She rose to sit beside her, eyes low and brows furrowed. Her hand fell into her lap. "If you can feel them, they must be working. Perhaps your magic doesn't work against me, and that would be a good thing; wouldn't it?"
Shrugging Elsa turned her eyes. "I suppose, but I don't understand... They worked against you once before- all those months ago, when I first came to the forest. Why would they not behave in the same way now?" Her fingers lingered between them briefly before settling over Honeymaren's. "When I am touching you, I feel strong; powerful. But my magic won't release against your skin."
Her other hand clenched around the furs beside them. Ice rose to the surface, coating the fine hairs in frost. Meanwhile, the fingers splayed to Honeymaren's remained warm to the touch.
"That's a good sign. Is it not?" Honeymaren nodded. "Your powers are not affected by me, nor am I by them."
"I wonder…" Elsa hummed, and her eyes drifted close.
Her hand clasped tighter around Honeymaren's. The second raised to the air. Without the bright ignition of magic, nor the sound of release, the walls around them flash-froze. Everything from Elsa's desk and chair, to the ground beneath the frozen bed, covered in a block of ice. All that remained unscathed was Honeymaren, herself.
When her eyes returned, they grew wide. "I hadn't meant to do all that!"
Elsa pulled her hand from Honeymaren's and released the room from ice. She listened intently, training her ears to the door. When nothing beyond the goahti stirred, she released a breathy sigh.
"It's as if my powers are reacting to your touch." Elsa shivered, whispering her words softly. "Over the years, they've continued to grow, but this is different; it feels different, somehow... It's as if I am stronger by being near you, yet also more uncontrolled. What does this mean?"
She turned to Honeymaren. The panic trickled back in.
Sensing it, Honeymaren drew nearer. Her fingers brushed against Elsa's cheek and soothed down the length of her arm.
"Only Ahtohallan knows." She offered her a small smile.
Elsa tilted her head. "Are you suggesting I bring the mages there?"
"I think…" Honeymaren began. "-that while they know more about Ahtohallan than most, only the Fifth Spirit may access what they need. Why else would they require you to take them there? They made it no secret that they know exactly where the frozen river lies. Whatever they want, only you can get it for them. And what that means is- only you, Elsa, can protect it from them. The sooner you learn what it is they are after, the faster we can figure out a way to use that information against them."
Elsa pulled back from her. She combed her fingers through her long strands of tangled of hair.
Sighing, Elsa allowed her hands to fall into her lap. "I have already walked myself into a trap once today. I truly don't want to back us both into another one so soon after…"
"You said it yourself." Honeymaren explained. "We're already in their trap. Our goal now should be, getting ourselves out of it. Whether that means escaping to regroup, or ending it once and for all; we can't do that until we understand our enemy better than they understand us. We need to even out the battlefield. Make ourselves strong in both knowledge and tactic."
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Elsa arched her brow. Her curiosity peaked.
"How do the hunted become the huntsman?" Honeymaren asked, and Elsa's face lowered into a frown. "-by learning the environment better than their assailant, and by blending into the scenery."
Her shoulders raised. Honeymaren leaned forward and her lips tugged to the side.
"We know this forest better than anyone, Elsa." She continued. "Do not allow their confidence to fool you into believing any differently."
Their faces held mere inches apart. Elsa's eyes subconsciously flickered downward and settled briefly on Honeymaren's lips.
Quickly, she sat back on her hands. "May I ask you something?"
"You just did, silly." Honeymaren teased, yet she could tell by Elsa's expression that she didn't enjoy her comedy.
"Why do you think my powers didn't work against Cleyo, yet the others flinched when I raised my hands?"
Pursing her lips, Honeymaren shrugged. "I don't know. Perhaps Cleyo's magic deflects yours, but the other mages don't have the same ability?"
"If we're going to gain the upperhand," Elsa continued. "We have to find out what kind of resources they have, and what kind of magic we are dealing with. I need to know what Cleyo meant when she said our natural elements respond to the magic that flows through the earth. If we can understand this, I'm confident we can figure out how to overpower them."
Suddenly frowning, Honeymaren leaned in close once more. "Did you see what Cleyo did to my staff? Snap. Poof, and it was gone… You don't think she can do that to people, do you?" Her eyes bore wide.
Turning her attention to the sidewall, Elsa tilted her head. Hanging there were the maps that she and Anna had found aboard their parent's ship.
"Only Ahtohallan knows…"
Honeymaren's frown deepened. "Yes, but-"
"No, listen to me!" Elsa was facing Honeymaren faster than she could blink. Her legs crossed. Her voice lowered, and she touched their foreheads together. "Whatever they did to the spirits, it affected Ahtohallan as well! I couldn't search through the past because the balance in nature had been overthrown. This means, whatever piece of information the mages want- it's not accessible without all of the spirits united. In order to go to Ahtohallan, they will be forced to bring them back! Then, the past will be written again, and I will know what their methods were to deter the spirits. I will know what they are searching for, and how to use it against them! The timing, of course, will be a challenge, but I will know their weakness!"
Honeymaren's head shook against Elsa. "Don't you think they know that?" She asked. "-or at bare minimum, are counting on it? We'd be foolish to think they don't know how Ahtohallan holds its secrets. Why else would the mages use Kristoff and I as leverage against you? They're anticipating for you to ignore their weaknesses, because of your commitment to your family and friends..."
Elsa's brow furrowed, tickling Honeymaren's skin. "Only I command the spirits. Once rallied, they can be used to save both you and Kristoff."
"And you as well." Honeymaren bartered. "I told you, I am not leaving you alone with these people! I won't do it."
Pulling back, Elsa glared hard. Tight fists directed into her lap. "I cannot leave Ahtohallan without my protection. If the mages drain it's magic, all of this will be for not."
She growled, taking Elsa's chin between her fingers. "When will you learn to stop fighting support when it is so freely given to you?"
Cleyo's words flashed through Elsa's mind. Her face fell from Honeymaren's hold. "Why do those I care about allow themselves to be sacrificed in exchange for my love?"
Honeymaren moved onto her knees at once. Her hands caught Elsa's cheeks, and she lifted their eyes together. "No, you beautiful, thickheaded woman, you- If you think that. If you really, truly believe that what Cleyo said is true; you are already letting them win! She was wrong, Elsa. Cleyo was counting on you to dwell on her lies! This is what she expects from you, and you have to fight it! That is not why your sister followed you into fire. That is not why she weathered storms in the North Mountain to bring you home! I didn't come back for you tonight because I wanted to win your love, Elsa. I did it because I already had love for you in my heart! Don't you understand? It is no different than Yelena making decisions for the tribe that are in their best interest. It's the same as Ryder facing the fire spirit to save our huts from destruction. We don't do these things because we want to justify our love for people, Elsa. We do them because we already have love burning deep inside our heart!"
Her words cut off with an exasperated breath.
Elsa's stare was wide against hers. Air caught painfully in her lungs. She'd never heard Honeymaren speak so passionately before. How she described love for Elsa; it proved she had been fighting those same words for some time. Honeymaren was both so angry with her, and yet filled with adoration. The expression was startling. It was both beautiful and terrifying to witness. And just upon hearing her words; Elsa's skin had begun to heat. Warmth surged between Honeymaren's hands and her cheeks, and sent a ripple of static out across her face. The sensation caused Elsa's lips to part. She forced air into her throat. She couldn't think. Elsa couldn't see beyond the brown eyes in front of her, and so she leaned forward to do what felt, … the next right thing.
Her lips brushed against Honeymaren's; once, and only for a second, before they fell away. Waiting a mere breath apart, both suspended there in silence. Shared air mingled between them. Hearts raced with shock as fuel, however, the magnetizing action had Elsa leaning forward once more. She closed her eyes, fingers clenched between layers of white fabric. All the while her actions remained terribly stiff. Yet despite the novice fire, her lips continued to meet Honeymaren's firmly for the first time.
The kiss had Elsa's fighting a gasp at the back of her throat. It escaped in a rush, and both women quickly separated.
"I-I'm sorry…" Elsa stammered. "You asked me not to, but I-"
Honeymaren's hand settled over her mouth. "Stop talking," She told her, and turned quickly to the door.
Her brows pinched and lowered. Honeymaren's stare turned harsh.
"Do you hear that?" She continued.
Breathless and dazed, Elsa slowly moved beside her. She turned her ear, and her eyes drifted back closed.
Above their heads, and high over the roof of the goahti, leaves shifted amongst the wind. Branches creaked against the pressure. Sticks and dirt bounced together as they swirled up from the ground.
"Gale's back…" Elsa whispered. Surprised blue eyes turned to find brown.
Honeymaren blinked. "As your power grows, theirs' weaken." She explained.
Honeymaren's words filled her with confusion. Her mouth tipped to respond, but Elsa was suddenly startled silent. The tarp to the goahti was thrown back, and Cleyo entered the room.
Her face was red with anger. Fists braced at her side. "What did you do?" She commanded them. "What did you do to call back the wind?"
Shaking her head, Elsa rose to meet her. "I-I don't know!"
Cleyo reached forward for her hand, but Honeymaren halted her actions by taking Elsa's other one.
"She's telling the truth!" She told Cleyo. "We don't know why the wind spirit has returned!"
"It's too soon to unite the spirits!" Cleyo continued. "You will ruin everything I have worked so hard to plan if this power surge continues on!"
She ripped Elsa out of the hut. Honeymaren was dragged to follow, but was quickly forced back inside. Two mages had surfaced in the doorway. Their shoulders tucked together, and they created a barrier Honeymaren was all too eager to take down.
Elsa was forced to sit against log in front of the fire. Gale, who had been circling the skies, dove down low to greet her. The wind tickled against her cheeks, but Elsa dutifully ignored her.
"Tell me what you did and how you did it!" Cleyo towered over her. "I knew better than to allow you two to conspire against me, but I will be made a fool no longer!"
She snapped and Honeymaren was brought forward. Elbows linked quickly with hers. Honeymaren fought against the hold, but the mages had her locked firmly in place. She was directed to the other side of the fire pit, and forced down onto her knees.
Cleyo snapped again. Two hands braced Elsa's shoulders. She looked up to see two dark coats stationed behind her back. With her detained, Cleyo circled the flames. She came to stand at Honeymaren's side.
"Don't you touch her!" Elsa cried out.
"No, Elsa, the time for bartering is over!" Cleyo snarled behind grit teeth. "Now, we will say goodbye to your friend here, and to your sister's spouse. Elsa of Ahtohallan, your reign has finally met its end! I eagerly pronounce, The Dawn of Mage has just begun."
Cheers,
-M.