Where Magic Flows

M. Lauren

A Bridge Between: Part One

'A frozen heart worth mining…'

Honeymaren frowned. Her eyes lowered over Elsa's shoulder. "I don't understand…"

Refolding the note, Elsa stashed it beneath her top. "It's Anna." she sighed. "It's a code, a Arendellian harvesting rhyme. It's something only I could understand. Ryder and Kristoff must have returned to Arendelle and told her about the mages. She wants to make sure it's me before saying anything that might be intercepted."

Honeymaren nodded. "Smart thinking… what's the answer to prove it's you?"

She watched as Elsa's hand lifted to the air. A sudden burst of her powers erupted, and was carried up into the sky by Gale.

"It's ice... Anna knows if I can use my powers, we are safe."

The two watched Gale disappear into the darkening horizon.

"So… now what?" Honeymaren asked.

"Knowing the mages will return, I know I shouldn't leave Ahtohallan unprotected, but I don't want to leave my sister defenseless either. I know nothing about Russhave, nor their armies… I'm worried that Arendelle is not equipped for their numbers. But it could be another trap set by Cleyo, and you and I really can't afford another one."

Elsa's toes planted against the shore as she stared across the Dark Sea. The air was humid. Their vision grew more limited with the fallen sun. Honeymaren could see Elsa was battling between thoughts. Responsibility tugged her in two directions, and neither held any guarantees.

"Arendelle will be Cleyo's next target." Honeymaren stepped in closer at Elsa's side. "She has already been overpowered by you twice. She knows now that Ahtohallan cannot bestow powers, nor give her the answers she desired. She'll seek alliance with her country, and lead the war against the family of Arendelle."

Frowning, Elsa turned to her. "You sound certain of that?"

Honeymaren shrugged. She bit her lip. "It's hard to explain…"

"I'd like you to try."

Her brown eyes diverted. Honeymaren's gaze turned to her toes as she fidgeted with her hands. "We should head for Arendelle. I'll explain on the way."

Elsa studied her for a long moment. Her head tilted and she sighed. She was too tired, and too worried about her sister to question it. "You hide those amulets while I fetch Bruni. I'm sure he's missing the forest by now…"

Honeymaren waited until she could no longer hear Elsa's footsteps behind her. She spun, catching a glimpse of her swishing blonde hair as it disappeared beyond the walls of ice. Her heart was sinking fast. Honeymaren's throat was suddenly, painfully dry.

"Only Ahtohallan knows…" she whispered. "-yet now, so do I."

Quill tip to parchment, ink traveled quickly across the paper. Anna had the tiny snowflake carving clasped against her chest. Her hands flexed over its cold surface. Like a teether, Anna worshiped the sculpture as if it kept her closer to her sister.

"Go on now…" Anna folded the note, hurrying to lift her hand into the air.

Gale swooped down at once. She tugged the letter from Anna's hold and departed between the balcony doors. Sighing, Anna watched her go. Not until her final green leaf was lost to the distance, did she turn back around.

Once she had, Anna's brows lifted to her hairline. "Kristoff?" she whispered, disbelieving.

She was running across the room as fast as her feet would carry her. Warm hazel eyes watched her closely from the bed. Kristoff weakly straightened into the pillows. He let out a faint cough and sagged onto his arm.

"Anna? What's going on?"

She collapsed beside him. She lifted a hand to her husband's cheek before kissing his head. "You're awake-awake, right?" Anna nearly begged. "-not like before… you're really okay?"

Kristoff glanced down at his shirtless state. The feeling of silk against his bare legs suggested he wore nothing more than the bed sheet covering his body.

"What am I doing here?" His attention returned. His vision was foggy, but with Anna's face as close to his as it was; Kristoff could see her as clear as day.

Anna dropped her hand. "Tell me what you remember..."

Pale cheeks flushed to red. There was an ache in his head that hadn't dulled. "I was on my way to the forest. It was me and… Sven!" Kristoff panicked. "We were attacked. He was-"

"Sven's down in the stables..." Anna's hand settled over his chest. "He returned just before you did."

The air left Kristoff's lungs in a single breath. "Oh thank goodness…"

"But go on, what do you remember?"

Kristoff frowned, clenching his hands around the bedsheets. "It's fuzzy… we were attacked by people without faces. They did something to me… I don't remember… and Elsa. She was there; and Gale..." he shook his head. "How did I get back here?"

Anna drew closer to his hip. She placed the snowflake in her lap and took Kristoff's hands in hers. "There were mages in the forest… they must have captured you before attacking Elsa and Honeymaren. The rest of Northuldra had been sent to the North Mountain, but Elsa was there and helped you escape. It was Ryder who brought you back here. He told me everything he could."

Her thumb stroked his. The skin beneath Anna's eyes was dark and puffy. She looked as if she hadn't slept in a week, and Kristoff's heart ached at the sight. So much had changed in this face since he'd last seen it. Anna was in pain.

"How long has it been?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Sven returned two days ago now, and Ryder arrived a day after that, but… you wouldn't wake up. Every time you did, it never lasted long. I didn't know if you were poisoned or injured… Are you sure you feel alright?"

Kristoff stretched his neck to the side. "Thirsty mostly… and I have a bit of a headache, too. It feels like I was given a sedative of some kind."

Before he could stop her, Anna moved from the bed. She left the room, and when she returned; Kristoff's gaze stayed strictly on her.

Anna remained standing as she handed him a glass of water. "I've sent for the doctor. He'll want to see you again now that you're awake."

Kristoff quickly polished off the glass before handing it back to her. "Where are Elsa and Honeymaren?"

Her blue eyes dropped to the floor. "I don't know… with Gale back, I sent her a message. We need to wait for her to respond, but…"

"-but what?" Kristoff tried to move onto his knees, but Anna was suddenly beside him again. She placed a hand to his chest and directed Kristoff back into the pillows.

"There's more." Anna whispered.

He watched Anna take her bottom lip between her teeth. "More?"

Anna sighed. Her hands were back in his. "Arendelle has been invaded..."

"What?" he shouted and pulled from her hold.

Anna quickly caught his arm, holding him still. "Nothing has happened yet." she explained. "It's two countries- Russhave and Westleton. I've been advised not to engage until after they make their demands. We don't know enough about them yet, and it's not the right time."

"What, Anna! Arendelle can't sit back and wait to be invaded! It doesn't make any sense!"

She was shaking her head. "Their numbers far outweigh ours… If I force Arendelle to stand against them, the whole kingdom would collapse… I've called for a formal hearing with their leaders, but they appear to be sitting on it."

Seeing Anna's tired face further drain had Kristoff relaxing into the sheets. He dragged her with him until she was laying in the crook of his arm. "So… invaders, Sven, Elsa, Gale, and now me… you've had quite the week, haven't you?"

Tearfully, Anna laughed. "Honey, I've had quite the life."

"Touche." Kristoff scoffed.

They waited a long moment in silence. Kristoff's fingers combed through her loose hair. He felt the tension draining from Anna's shoulders and he held her tighter.

"We will figure this out." Kristoff promised. "This is Arendelle, and it's our home. No one can come in and take it from us."

Anna rotated to look at him, her chin dragging along Kristoff's chest. "-and Elsa's… Arendelle is Elsa's home, too. But I can't do anything without my other half of the bridge. I'm afraid for her, and for Arendelle."

Kristoff softly hummed. His hand replaced against her hip. "You know historically speaking, neither of you are in the same place at the same time, but somehow you still manage to work together to fix the problem at hand. For all we know, Elsa is already doing her part. You know she'd stop at nothing to make this right."

Anna turned from him. Her lips curled downwards. "I do know that, and it's what has me so afraid. No matter the issue, no matter the consequences; my sister will sacrifice her own life to solve the world's problems."

"Funny," Kristoff teased. "That reminds me of someone else I know…"

"Who?" she questioned mindlessly.

His finger touched to her cheek. Kristoff turned Anna's head until their eyes met. "You, Anna… I'm reminded of you."

Elsa,

Arendelle has been invaded. It was mercury that poisoned the fjord. I know there are problems in the forest, but I need you here with me.

Love,

Anna

Elsa could feel the note tucked against the bare skin of her chest. Heading to Arendelle had been the right course of action. She missed her sister, and she needed to make sure she was safe. But how had Honeymaren known? Why did she speak as if she was certain? Those thoughts had plagued Elsa the most. Since leaving Ahtohallan, she could think of nothing else.

"You've been awfully quiet…"

Elsa looked to her travel partner. As Honeymaren turned, the full moon caught against the sides of her face. Her brown eyes scanned Elsa cautiously, and her arms wrapped tight around themselves.

"I'm sorry." she frowned.

"It's okay, it's just- usually you're the one trying to get me to open up…"

Honeymaren shrugged. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come out. Her lips came back together and she sighed.

It was late. By tell of the night sky, it was sometime after eleven. The two had crossed the Dark Sea, and now navigated the river by moonlight. They'd said next to nothing since leaving Ahtohallan. Yet, Honeymaren looked as if she wanted to. She'd turn to Elsa, blink, and then quickly look away. Even Bruni was curious. From his station on her shoulder, he'd eye Elsa and tilt his head. She thought perhaps he was ushering her into saying something nice.

Before she could scold him, Bruni lept down from Elsa's arm. He zigged and zagged at her feet for a moment before scurrying off into the woods.

"Do you, um, want to try and explain what happened earlier?" Elsa wrung her hands at her waist.

"Not really…" Honeymaren divulged.

"Why not?"

She groaned. Honeymaren ran a hand through her hair and came to a swift halt. Elsa was forced to follow. She stood in front of her with her brows held low in curiosity.

"I don't want to say it, or tell you anything; because I don't want you to get upset. Or run away, or whatever else you decide to do when you're uncomfortable!"

Honeymaren wouldn't look at her, and Elsa took a cautious step back. "Why would I do that?"

Stifling a breath, Honeymaren's eyes pulled up from her feet. "-because… I know… I know what gift Ahtohallan has given me."

She'd said it so fast, Elsa nearly hadn't caught it. Her head shook, and her face lowered to frown. "I thought we knew. I thought- it's different from what I've seen?"

"No…" she sang awkwardly. "-but it's different than you might think it is."

Back straightening, Elsa's chin tilted and her teeth grit. "Well, I don't think I understand it much at all, so why don't you explain it to me."

Her tone was sharp; not nearly as soft as Honeymaren was used to. Elsa's walls were coming up. She was pulling away and getting ready to run.

"Did you understand what Cleyo meant when she called me your totem?" Honeymaren asked.

"You were feeding my magic… making me stronger, no?"

"Kinda…" Honeymaren's fingers danced at her waist. "Can we sit?"

Her blue eyes widened. Elsa took another step back. "You're making me nervous…"

"I know, I know… I don't mean to, but here- just sit."

She directed Elsa over to the ledge of the cliff. Honeymaren sat with her legs dangling over the side. Elsa hesitated. She appeared skeptical, but then decidedly dropped a safe distance away from her.

"Go on…" her voice nearly pleaded.

Honeymaren caught her eyes before she began. "Ahtohallan didn't give me powers… not like it did for you and Cleyo. I can't do magic, or shield myself from it… only yours… as it stands, Ahtohallan's gift was giving me to you."

A thick mask of confusion layered over Elsa's face. "What? I-I don't understand..."

Without asking permission, Honeymaren took Elsa's hand in her own. "What Ahtohallan gave to me, it can't be used by anyone else. It's like being your totem, but different… it's a connection between a spirit and the human world. You can use me to draw wisdom and power like you do at Ahtohallan. It's like having an empath."

"-but how do you know this? No one ever said…"

Honeymaren's head shook. "No one had to. I could understand Ahtohallan when you held my hand. It was as if I lived in each second of every memory we'd seen."

Elsa slowly pulled her hand away. "You know everything?"

"No…" she bit her lip. "-only what was shown to us. I could feel what you felt. Even here, now; I felt your fear, your confusion… I don't know why, but in those memories- it felt like being there. Knowing everyone and everything, and understanding their decisions."

"That's how you knew Cleyo would go to Arendelle?"

Honeymaren nodded. "Her anger was… powerful. She wants to take from you what she could never have herself."

Elsa held her breath. "My family."

Honeymaren nodded again. "-but there's more… this is more complicated than that."

However, Elsa wasn't prepared for more. She didn't want to hear complicated. She stood up quickly and started back down the river.

Yet, Honeymaren followed after her. She came to walk at her side. Elsa had wrapped her hands around her arms and was soothing herself in long leisurely strokes.

"I understand this might be strange for you, or upsetting, even… I'm not sure I can process it myself yet-"

"Process?" Elsa nearly snorted. Her head tilted to each side. "You just informed me that you can read all of my emotions, Honeymaren! I can't even do that on my own! Upset doesn't begin to cover how I'm feeling, but you should know that… shouldn't you?"

Honeymaren momentarially forgot how to walk. She stumbled and raced to catch up. "I know, but Elsa, listen!"

She grabbed her arm, but Elsa quickly pulled away. Eyes wide and staring at her, Honeymaren couldn't help but laugh. She laughed until Elsa stopped walking away from her.

Angered, she turned back. Her hands planted over her hips. "What's so funny? What about this could possibly be funny?" Elsa demanded.

"You!" Honeymaren managed between laughs. "You're funny! I've never seen you like this before!"

"And how am I, exactly? Angry? Scared? What is so funny about that?"

Silencing herself with a deep breath, Honeymaren slowly approached. "No, it's… you're defiant… childish, I think."

"Are you really calling me childish right now?" Her blue eyes flashed with rage.

"No, yes- I don't know!" Honeymaren continued until she was standing in front of her. "It's… different. I haven't seen this side of you. It's refreshing, and I like it, honestly. It makes you… human. I didn't mean it in a bad way!"

"There's a good way to be called childish?" Elsa's arms folded.

"No, but- forget about that! Forget I said it. Elsa, we have to talk about this!" she forced. "I know you're scared and angry, but I'm not thrilled about it either! I don't want to be some sort of vessel for you magic. I didn't ask for this. I was happy being me!"

Frowning, Elsa turned to her feet. Her hands clasped together against her stomach. "I know… I'm, I'm sorry. I know this is not easy for you either… I just- I can't process what this means, or why it happened! A totem… it makes no sense… I'm already the bridge between spirits and humans."

"Well, the way I see it- a bridge is grounded to the earth by pillars; a totem, if you will. Something connects them to the ground so they don't get lost to the other side. You said it yourself, Ahtohallan decides on a whim when it should intervene. Your mother defended your father. I defended you, and Cleyo was left defenseless… There's no rhyme nor reason for it, but Ahtohallan only takes what was already there inside of us. Born from love, you were given light. I respected and trusted you, like a totem, long before I was made into one…

"I know it's scary and strange that I might understand emotions you haven't figured out yourself, but imagine what I can teach you; show you… it's not a threat, Elsa! It's just expanding on what you already are."

Her attention rose to Honeymaren slowly. Elsa's temperature steadily increased. "We should keep going." she requested.

Honeymaren gave her a short nod. "Of course…"

She knew Elsa had been pushed far enough. She was overwhelmed. They both were. There was so much left to say, but there was time for that still. Instead, Honeymaren allowed Elsa to take the lead. They continued down the river with the full moon directly above their heads. The entire forest awashed in a wave of white. Reminenets from Gale's tirade littered the shore. The water surged like it did after a day of rain. It was quiet, though, and seemingly peaceful. Both women felt the blissful night closing in around them.

For a long while, she had kept her distance from Elsa. Honeymarens eye's held at her back. They wandered that way in silence; neither saying anything until Elsa suddenly laughed.

"I can't believe you called me childish..." Her head turned over her shoulder, and she rolled her eyes.

Elsa's feet had slowed, allowing Honeymaren to catch up. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

She hummed and faced forward. "No more ridiculous than you." Elsa whispered as they walked side by side.

"Well, I can't believe you said you loved me…"

Wide blue eyes shot to Honeymaren before Elsa's expression turned coy. "You said it first, you know?"

"I did." Honeymaren's lips pursed and she nodded. "I just never meant for you to feel like you needed to say it back."

"I said it because I meant it… I felt it, but you should know that now, hmm?"

Elsa didn't appear as fearful as Honeymaren would have guessed. "I'm not sure I understood what was happening until after Ahtohallan brought back the past…" she explained.

"So, you're saying you don't believe me?" Elsa arched her brow.

"No, no I was saying- I believed you without needing to try. I know you wouldn't have said it if you hadn't meant it. That's not like you at all." Honeymaren shrugged.

She turned her attention back to the walk. Elsa contemplated her silently. Her eyes traced the side of Honeymaren's face.

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

Honeymaren's attention held straight. "I'm not sure I'm thinking anything at the moment..."

"Liar…" Elsa jested. "You're frowning, and you won't look at me!"

Facing her briefly, Honeymaren smirked. "I wasn't aware you wanted me to. I thought you might still be mad."

"Mad?" she reeled back. "Why would I be mad at you?"

"Oh, I don't know… for leaving Northuldra, taking that hit from your powers, attacking Cleyo, or gaining these strange abilities neither of us understand…"

Elsa fought to giggle. Her lips curled upward. "Only three of the four were your fault… well actually, that's not entirely true… They're all your fault, but no… I'm not mad at you, Honeymaren."

"A few minutes ago you were."

Bumping against her lightly, Elsa rolled her eyes. "I wasn't mad. I was afraid! There's a difference between the two. But, I'm not afraid anymore… not about that anyway."

"Really?" Honeymaren's feet came to a halt.

Elsa stopped beside her and shook her head. "No… not when there are plenty of other concerns to be worried about. Being upset about that seems silly. I can't change it and neither can you. Besides, if I'm being honest, I don't think it affects us all that much."

Honeymaren's brows lifted. "What makes you say that?"

Elsa shrugged. She averted her gaze. "Before yesterday, I still would have said being your friend has made me stronger. There's a good chance you could read my emotions better than I could, too. Sure there are a few grey areas in there, but now that I've thought about it; not much has changed..."

Skeptically, she turned her head. Honeymaren's eyes lowered and her lips drew to the side.

"You don't believe me?" Elsa asked. "-that I'm telling you the truth?"

"No, I believe you… I'm just surprised, is all."

"Is that all?" Elsa held out her hand.

Honeymaren's attention flickered between Elsa and her hand. Very slowly she reached out. Her fingers touched her palm, and then she flattened them at the center. Elsa took their hands against her hip. She smiled briefly before Honeymaren by their hold.

The two continued South toward Arendelle; both content in their short moment of peace.

Cheers,

M.