Maren had never been more thankful for Vakker's sure step. The way she had to take was rocky and steep and every moment she half feared seeing Gelwa, lying somewhere, badly hurt, face down in the snow. But to her surprise she found the hove tracks of another reindeer, clearly visible in the snow. She did not need to get of Vakker's back to know which deer Gelwa had managed to coax into carrying her, knowing the culprit all too well - Sir Jorgenbjorgen!
'That girl….unbelievable.' Maren thought and shook her head; half angry that Gelwa had deliberately disobeyed her orders but also very impressed and even a little proud how efficient she had implemented Maren's teachings. There had not been that much time for her to sneak out of the small hut she lived with Ven, moved unseen through the camp and managed to stay undetected by Ryder and his helpers as she made her way to the heard. Try as she might, Maren could not deny that Gelwa had learned her lessons well.
'Unbelievable!
There was no time to marvel more about Gelwa's deeds, for the next rocky hill Vakker climbed
brought her in eyeshot of her goal.
There on top of a hill, still covered in some early morning mist and freshly fallen snow, lay the grove of the ancestors, where all Northuldra found their final rest among those who came bevor them.

The grove was always a sight to behold, no matter what the season.
In winter it had something peaceful about it, quite an undisturbed was the snow that covered it for only a few made the way to visit lost relatives and friends when the cold time of year heightened the risk to join them sooner than necessary.
Yet there was a clear track, leading to a Sir Jorgenboregn in front of the tree line, digging in the snow for something eatable that survived the harsh cold. The young reindeer had grown quite a lot, his antler's slowly getting bigger and bigger and under his fur, that was such a light sandy color that he nearly looked white, lean muscles were growing. Soon Elsa would be able to ride on him but for Gelwa he was more than big enough, telling Maren that her first instinct had been right again.
Sir Joregnbjoregn had at least the decency to look guilty as she arrived with Vakker, jumped off her back while giving him a stern look, but as soon she passed him by she could see him in the corner of her eye, as he tried to impress the much bigger female, giving it his all to look older than he was, showing off his growing strength.
Vakker seemed only mildly interested, huffing at his antics before turning to the ground, digging for some food, the expression on her face made Maren pretty sure that both were thinking the same thing.
'Teenagers.'
Maren rolled her eyes and stepped beneath the trees of the grove.

It was like stepping into a world of near silence, the sound from the outside world dampened, Sir Jorgenbjoregn attempts to impress Vakker barely audible anymore. The trees stood so close that even without leaves the branches nearly drowned out any sound and in summer, when the branches where dressed in thick green, it was a quiet, serene place, only the rustling of the leaves and the birds singing mixed by little twinkling sounds, originating from the thousand small trinkets grieving tribe members had hung the surrounding fauna with.

Maren knew were exactly she would find the girl, her feet finding the way without her help, for she herself had picked the place and laid nearly all of the Gatar family, Gelwa's family, to their final rest.
Her Grandfather had died as Gelwa's mother had been young and so she chose the big, strong oak, where he lay already, sleeping and waiting, their roots connecting them in an eternal embrace.
'Together forever' Maren had thought bitterly that day as she had dug five graves for Gelwa's mother and father, her older brother, barely eight as he died, her grandmother and her aunt, only with Yelena and Alvor for help.
Both women had stayed behind to care for the sick the rest of the tribe had been sent away, only moving after a heart to heart with Yelena and only under protest, to a safe distance, so the risk of catching the decease lay with as few people as possible.
It had been devastating work and even after many years, Maren felt tears well up in her eyes as she thought of the lives lost, snuffed out in mere days, ones so kind eyes, bright minds, and good hearts lost forever, only alive in memory now.
'And in Gelwa.' Maren thought as she found the girl in front of the very oak were the warrior had done her last service to her fellow Northuldra, to her friends and comrades.

Gelwa had not noticed her yet, to occupied with hanging little reindeer figurines on a branch she could not quite reach while humming a song with her beautiful voice.
'For her brother.' Maren thought and it felt like a punch in the gut again.
The boy, Sternjel, had been small for his age, Maren remembered, coming after his mother in that regard.
He had been sweet and attentive and so happy when Gelwa was born. He had been very good with the reindeer and the light brown eyes he shared with his father and sister had always looked kindly upon animals and humans alike.
Ryder had liked him a lot and whenever the anniversary of his death came close her brother became very teary-eyed around Clover. The proud mother of Sir Jorgenbjoregn had been Sternjel's favorite.
Maren had known Gelwa's aunt, father and grandmother very well, all three being fellow warriors and for a short time Gorave, Gelwa's aunt, had been a little more than just a friend to Maren.
What Gorave and her had shared so long ago, hidden away so others could not disturb them, may have quickly faded out, but Maren had found herself blessed that their friendship didn't.
The tall woman had been strong like the oak she now rested forever under, and steady like the seasons.
When Gorave had your back, she had your back no matter what, a true friend and comrade to the very end.
Dron, Gelwa's father, and Dera, her grandmother had been not as broad or strong like their in-law but they too had been tall, lean and fast and very good with the bow. Both could be a bit wily sometimes and had made the worst jokes only Gorave would laugh about, for all three had the same silly humor. But mother and son had been loyal to a fault, and as Maren had looked down upon them, laying in their graves, she could not bring herself to cover them with earth, asking Yelena and Alvor to take over, as she had turned to the other graves waiting for her attention.
She had not known much about Gelwa's mother Goril but Gorave had looked up to her big sister, who did not even reach her shoulder, loved her greatly and the way Alvor, who had been good friends with Goril since childhood, had broken into tears on random occasions, even many months after her death told Maren a lot about her kindness and friendliness and how dearly she was missed.
She could see them all in Gelwa and her heart squeezed painfully as she remembered.

The tall girl suddenly stopped in her task, probably feeling Maren's eyes on her and the warrior had to shake herself a little to get back in the here and now, angry that had she had allowed herself to get caught up in her own thoughts like that.
She had not planned to be strict with Gelwa, maybe just a slight reminder that running off alone could be dangerous but as the girl turned around, locking eyes with Maren only for a moment, before averting her gaze to the ground, shoulders tight, admitting her guilt and awaiting her punishment, looking like Maren had yelled at her, even that flew… how did Elsa said again…. ah yes, flew out of the window.

Maren felt for the girl, a kind smile spreading and eyes soft she walked over, looked down at the remaining reindeer figurines, before sitting down on her knees.
She looked to the side, meeting Gelwa's eyes again for only a mere second before the girl quickly turned away again; avoiding Maren's gaze like it was burning her.
Maren's smile got a little sad tint to it, but she tried to hide it as she pointed at the figurines.
"May I?" Maren asked and light brown eyes finally met hers, searching them for sternness or disappointment, but only finding kindness and love.
There was silence for a moment, as both looked at each other, understanding filling the space between them before Gelwa nodded.
Maren looked down at the figurines, each bound with a string so it could be hung up in the tree.
They were pretty, and in some Maren recognize Linga's style, and a wave for affection for the small artist hit her, thankful that Gelwa had found such a faithful companion.
The warrior sorted the reindeers carefully, before standing up and hanging them easily on the branches Gelwa had so much trouble reaching before, while the tall girl gave her timid suggestions were they would look best.
When Maren was done with her work, both stepped back a little, taking in the picture before them.
"Mmmhh, what do you think? Good?" Maren asked and Gelwa actually smiled and nodded.
"Yes, it looks great. Thank you!"
"You are welcome. Have you brought anything else?"
At that, she looked suddenly very forlorn, an unhappy frown on her face as she fumbled with her hands, a habit she had not noticed Gelwa doing before Elsa came to the forest and the thought Gelwa might have adopted the gesture from Elsa squeezed her heart painfully again!

"No, I don't know what they liked most; I was too young when they died. Gran-Ven gets so sad when I ask about them, I well….." she trailed off, her voice sounding a little hoarse at the end.
'Spirits, between Elsa and that girl I am going to have a heart attack soon!' she thought, her chest tight, blinking tears away before she could upset the Gelwa further.
Of course, she would be considered to a fault, trying her best not to upset Ven even at the coast of something so important like memories of her family, knowledge she must have desperately yearned for.
Suddenly Gelwa acted very strangely, looking almost guilty like she was to about to do something that was forbidden, opening her mouth once, twice before finally talking very fast, like she was afraid to lose her courage if she was to slow.
"Could you tell me about them? I know you were good friends with my aunt!"
'Strange..' Maren thought but she knew Gelwas well by now, probing her would amount to nothing.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything!"
She would have to talk to Ven about this hesitation to ask about her family, but for now, maybe this was enough, sharing all she knew of the Gatar family with Gelwa listening intensely.
Maren lead her back to the reindeer, telling her about her aunt's strength and her fearlessness in battle, her laugh, that shook her whole body whenever Gelwa's father made one of his bad jokes, and as Maren assured Gelwa that her aim was just as good as her grandmother's, maybe even better, her little chest puffed out in pride, her eyes gleaming.

As they reached the animals, both peacefully munching on some moss they had dug out, Maren helped the girl on Vakker, ignoring the surprised look on her face, tensing up a little as Maren took her seat behind her, probably sensing the meaningful words that Maren's instinct demanded to be said out loud.
"Gelwa, why didn't you ask anyone to go with you? Why sneaking out like that?"
The girl shrunk a little into herself, her voice was very quiet, almost shy as she answered.
"I didn't want to trouble Yelena and I was sure she would say no with the tribes coming and all. I thought it would be better to just go, be real quick about it and then go back before anyone noticed."
Gelwa's honesty was disarming and Maren nearly snorted, her logic more than sound!
It was true; Yelena would have been very unwilling to let Gelwa go, let alone spare a warrior to accompany her, Maren could not deny that.
"Why didn't you ask me?"
Gelwa thought for a moment, probably unsure if it was alright to speak the honest truth again.
"You would have been nicer about it but in the end you would have said no too, to make sure I am safe." she said and for a moment Maren could only look down at the back of Gelwa's head, dumbfounded by her words. Then the warrior laughed, long and loud, her body shaking, surprised at how well Gelwa knew her.
"True, I give you that! But Gelwa?" Maren said, her tone more somber now and the girl leaned back a little to look up, meeting Maren's gaze.
"Listened to me now, for what I have to say is important, always remember it!"
She looked into these light brown eyes, making sure Gelwa's attention was solely on her.
"Never vanish like that again! What if had not noticed that you left and you had fallen of Sir Jorgenbjorgen? Or a predator would have found you? Or a snowstorm would have surprised you?
No one would have known where you were and before we even noticed that you were gone it would already be too late. When you don't want to put your trust in Yelena, me or any of the grown-ups I cannot force you to, even when it would have done you good to listen to another opinion on your little adventure, one made by someone with more experience surviving in the forest, someone that could have told you that the groove would still be there when or 'guests' have left again and the forest would be safe again, but if you leave camp for whatever reason tell at least Linga or one of your other friends what you're up too! Or do you not trust them too?"
Gelwa looked extremely guilty and was not able to hold Maren's gaze anymore, she looked down on Vakker's back.
"I do.… I do trust …." she spoke with great effort, searching for words, her emotions too big for her to grasp and the warrior felt a painful squeeze in her chest, for the probably hundredth time in the last few hours, but she could not soften the blow for her, for it was the truth the girl needed to hear and feel.
There was silence for a few moments, only Vakker's sure steps and Sir Jorgenbjorgens huffing as he pushed out his chest, trying to look his best for the older female as walked next to her and coming across pretty ridicules in the progress.
"I am sorry."
It was barely a whisper and had Maren nearly missed it, but she did not miss the small body that leaned into her, love exploded in her chest, sudden and infinite.
It was a new kind of love she had never experienced before – strong, patient, all-engulfing, with a sharp, protective edge to it that feared nothing.
"It is fine, I trust you to make a wiser choice next time."
Maren was proud that she managed to let her voice sound natural, not revealing what had just settled in her heart and so she left it at that and Gelwa relaxed against her. But there was one more thing that needed to be said.
"Gelwa?"
The girl looked up again.
"When you have questions about your family please don't hold back just because you are afraid to hurt someone. I will talk to Ven, I am sure he didn't mean to make you think you are not allowed to ask at all. But for the best stories about your mother, you could go to Alvor for a start."
"Alvor knew mother?"
"Best friends since childhood."
Maren had to stifle a laugh at the surprised expression of the girl. The warrior could nearly see the wheels turning in her head as she reevaluated all the small gestures of the healer, seeing the strict woman a totally new light.
"Why didn't she say anything?"
Maren thought for a moment, trying to think of a reason but could think of none, only a dark premonition, an uneasy feeling she pushed back. There was no point in accusing someone without having proof.
"I am not sure." Maren said truthfully: "I will talk to her too. But I am sure she will not mind if you talk to her."
"I will go to her as soon as we are back!" she said, in her excitement reminding Maren of Linga.
"But not before you have talked to Linga! Your poor friend looked pretty worried."
Gelwa nodded, her eyes still gleaming at the prospect of hearing more about her mother soon.
Maren smiled until a thought hit her.
"Oh and one more thing."
Gelwa looked up again, one eyebrow curiously raised, another one of Ela's habits she had adopted.
"When Yelena asks you what I did when I found you, could you tell her I yelled at you for half an hour? That I was very strict with you? Or by the spirits, I will have the lecture of a lifetime!"
At that Gelwa laughed, free and loud, making Maren smile as she dug her heels in Vakker's sides, letting her run at full speed back home, Sir Jorgenbjorgen running close at their sides.

To calm Gale down was hard work! Her fellow spirit was angry, her rage so hot and burning that it would have made Bruni proud! It took a little of her magic but finally, Gale settled down enough so Elsa was able to make sense of the snippets Gale bombarded her mind with!
She saw the intruders, that Gale had kept at bay with her storm, the word ice-witch echoing over and over again in her head, and then the Huldred, taking the wind spirit by surprise, imprisoning her and only after Elsa reassured Gale that Maren and Yelena knew about the threat, were on high alert and that a council with the tribe was in order before one could decide the best course of action, Gale agreed to come with her.
That the Huldred had intertwined like that was very concerning, her power surprising Elsa as she pondered about her motive.
'Why would she do that? What could she gain from this?'
She had to warn the others and talk with Yelena and Maren. She chided herself for not having anything to write on her and so she begged Nokk to run as fast as she could, and with the help of Gale, it felt like Elsa was flying home!

Maren and Gelwa reached camp it was only an hour before dinner and the warrior had barely time to witness how Linga tackled Gelwa to the ground, more than happy to see the taller girl and have a little chat with Alvor, the warrior had just wanted to ask why the healer had never mentioned to the girl that she knew her mother as Elsa stormed in on Nokk, the friendly breeze that ruffled her hair and stole her hat and the bell-like laugh told Maren that the fifth spirit had been successful in her search.
The joy that swept through Maren as she saw Elsa again quickly vanished, replaced by worry as she heard what the Huldred had done to Gale! It was more than a little worrying and Yelena shared her concerns.
Always the provident leader, she ordered a thorough search of the village to see if the nymph was or had been here, if anything had been changed, touched by magic or any out of the usual and ordered a messenger to find Fara, Lakris and the other scouts, give them the message that the Huldred had taken an interest in the spirits and probably the tribe, before moving on to the border and alert the guard there.
"Tell them they should have always something at hand to clock their ears!" she said to Finbar a small but lean warrior, before shoving two pieces of clothes into his hands, turning around, giving Elsa and Maren a sign to follow her.
For a moment Maren's eyes followed him as he sprinted to his reindeer to carry out his order, then she turned around, catching up with Elsa and Yelena, the leader asking the spirit to repeat what Gale had told her as they rushed to a destination only Yelena knew.
"I see..."
There was silence for a moment and Maren did not have to see Yelena's face to know that her brows were drawn down in concern, her mouth a thin line, her head bending down a little in thought.
Then Maren could see by the way her shoulders straightened that a decision had been made.
"As much as the nymph worries me, I am afraid the guests at our doorstep are the pressing matter. We cannot let them run around the forest forever so we will have to deal with her afterward. But I have an idea that might help."
They rushed after their leader and as Maren opened her mouth to agree, Yelena stopped abruptly, and Maren saw Issun still backing.
'I will tug him in personally if he is not going to bed soon!'
"Issun, do you mind if I lend this and take some of these?" she pointed to a small basket and the little, in Maren's opinion, nauseatingly sweet, flat cakes the young man made so skillfully.
"Of course not Yelena. Please take as much as you need." he said respectfully, and the leader grabbed the basket and filled it with the cakes.
Suddenly Issun smiled.
"Hey, Elsa! Catch!" and he through one of the cakes to the young woman who caught it and smiled at the nearly childlike happiness on the fifth spirit's face as she took a huge bite, obviously hungry like a bear.
Her relish at the sweet taste nearly made Maren gag. Of course, Elsa noticed, her dislike of too sweet foods a more than welcome opportunity to jest the warrior and as an eyebrow was raised teasingly at her, Maren knew her fate.
Slowly, without taking her eyes of the warrior, she lead the cake back to her mouth, taking a huge bite, and Maren could see the honey dripping out of it and the warrior had to lock away.
"Yuck, Elsa that is disgusting! How can you eat one all alone? And not having a proper dinner at that!" she said, silently thanking Issun who passed her loaf of still warm bread, filled with herbs, mushroom and nuts, that she could share with Yelena.

Elsa only smiled slyly, at least as good as one could with the mouth full of sweet cake, chewing deliberately and letting out a long and leisurely 'mhmmmm' and Maren had to turn away, rolling her eyes breaking the bread wordlessly giving some to Yelena who gave a curt nod as thanks, looking equally grossed out by Elsa's eating habits, as she chewed her share eagerly.
Now Maren rolled her eyes at her leader.
"When was the last time you have eaten Yelena?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"When was the last time you have eaten?" was the simple replay and just like that Maren found already short for an answer.
'I walked straight into that one!' she thought, took a bite from her bread and shoot Elsa a dirty look, who sniggered at her misfortune.

They followed their leader until they reached Venling's goahti, the young mother happily let them in, greeting Elsa especially warmly, glad her friend was save.
Then there was wild ruckus as Linga all but tackled Elsa, ramming in her stomach like a whirlwind, knocking all the air out of the spirit, asking so many questions in quick succession that it was impossible to answer them all and Maren was flabbergasted how Fen was able to sleep through all that, sprawled out under thick fur blankets, comfortable close to the small fire.

Gelwa's hello much less wild, but the genuine joy as she saw Elsa, touched something deep within Maren that was hard to describe.
She noticed that she gave Yelena a slightly worried side glance, probably wondering if Maren had told her everything about Gelwa's little adventure and had come now to punish her. But Yelena had not asked were Maren had been most of the day and the warrior had not told her.
She caught the tall girl's eyes and winked discreetly at her, indicating that she had nothing to worry about and was rewarded with one of Gelwa's adorable half-smiles. The warrior turned slightly as she felt someone was watching her and saw that Elsa looked curiously, but just as discretely between Maren and the tall girl before fixing Maren again with a look that asked 'What is this about?'.
Maren tried so hard to communicate wordlessly that she would tell her later, that she barely noticed what Yelena and Venling talked about.
"Tea? Coffee?" the young mother asked, while wordlessly calming her daughter, who still bombarded Elsa with questions, even though she was clearly only half listening, coaxing her with practice eases to play dominos with Gelwa. The snow queen had brought the game along from one of her visits to Arendelle and Linga loved it.
Yelena thanked Venling profoundly, pulling Maren down to sit, forcing a break for her tried feat.
"Coffee for me, tea for those two! If you don't mind Venling." Yelena asked and the young mother was happy to comply.
"Of course not." She said kindly and got to work.
"When was the last time you sat down?" the older woman asked Maren as Venling prepared there beverages, a mirthful sparkle in the leader's eyes.
"When was the last time you sat down?" Maren answered dryly and could not help the laugh that bubble up in her chest, the easy feeling of comradeship that connected her with the older woman strengthen as she joined in.
She noticed how Venling gave Elsa, who sat next to her, a questioning look, probably hoping she could let her in on the joke. Maren turned slightly and saw how Elsa shrugged, stretching out her hands in a 'What-can-I-say-you-know-these-two' kind of way that made Venling laugh and Maren's heart flutter.

After Venling had given everyone a steaming cup, she turned to Maren, smiling proudly.
"Before you ask: we are done!" she said, giving her the inventory list, written in Venling's neat hand on some paper she probably got from her eldest daughter.
Maren must have looked as surprised as she felt, marveling at the efficiency of the young mother and her helpers, for all three women around her started giggling.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" the young mother asked, after calming down somewhat.
"Well, not you if I am honest. I need Linga's assistance in this." Yelena said, sipping her coffee and Maren wished she had one too. Tea always mad her drowsy and there so much left to do but she would rather drink old puddle water than be impolite, and so he lifted the cup to her lips.
The girl in question, which had been quietly playing with Gelwa, perked up, the usual gleam back in her eyes.
"What can I do?"
Her eagerness to help was heartening and Yelena's smile was genuine as she looked down at the girl.
"Do you have more of these adorable wind chimes you made?"

Linga had indeed many wind chimes, and all were simply beautiful, so much so that even Maren herself thought about to ask Linga if she may have one herself.
With the little artist's, the simple basket was now very pleasing for eye and ear.
"What do we do with it?" Maren asked Yelena as she and Elsa followed her outside, heading for the woods.
"We do nothing with it! I will head out and leave this as a gift for the Huldred, a peace offering. They are very wily creatures but love sweet and beautiful things. We must have angered her in some way and sometimes a simple apology can do wonders! I will try my luck. As for you two: go inside and sleep." Yelena said sternly, pointing at the door of Maren's own goahti. The warrior had not even noticed that they had reached her home.
"Are you sure? I could help, my magic may…." Elsa offered but Yelena shook her head.
"From what you have told me about her I think your power has drawn the Huldred to us and whatever she wants, she most likely wants from you. So, maybe I should go alone. Don't worry I doubt she will harm me.
I see you both in the morning. Be ready, at noon we will welcome our guests!"
And off she was into the woods, her light and silent step betraying her age.

Maren and Elsa stood next to each other, looking after Yelena than at each other, grinning sheepishly, before Elsa shrugged, opened the small wooden door and let herself in.
Maren followed her, loving the way the spirit moved around her home, all casual and relaxed like it was her own, like she belonged here.
"Sending us to bed like children?" Elsa said more to herself, shaking her head.
"Well, at least she allowed us to have a sleepover." Maren joked, bending down to light a fire.

At that Elsa stopped, looking over her shoulder, fixating Maren as she sat on her knees in front of the hearth, freezing her to the spot, not needing her magic form this feat.
Gone was the playfulness in her eyes, replaced with something smoldering, wanting, a look that made Maren's pulse drum wildly, her blood boiling in her veins.
"She had to emphasis 'sleep' like that, didn't she?"
Maren swallowed thickly, her voice a little tight as she answered.
"Of course! That woman stops at nothing; she even tried to drug me with tea. I always get tired when I drink some in the evening."
Maren was rambling a bit, she knew but when Elsa showed this side of her she could not help herself. It was hard to think clearly when most of your blood rushed downward.
"I hope not too tired!" the fifth spirit said, turning around fully, facing Maren, her back to Maren's straw mat covered with thick fur blankets.
Slowly Maren rose to her feet, not bothering with the fire anymore; the space between them filled with tension, which made everything else seem superfluous.
They prepared, ready as they ever could be for tomorrow, the talk about their 'guests', the Huldred, Gelwa could wait a little while.
For now, it was just them, alone.
She got closer to Elsa, holding her gaze, a soft smile gracing the spirit's face and as Maren cupped her cheeks with her hands, pulling her downward, and as warm lips met hers, the warrior knew she would not be could tonight.

Anna knew Elsa was in trouble! Or Gale was at least.
The queen of Arendelle had called for the wind spirit and she always, ALWAYS had answered before, never late for to carry her weekly later to Elsa, always on time for the replay.
She may be the wildest spirt to most but to Anna Gale was reliable as a rock and she just knew when Gale was in trouble, which she was because she ALWAYS answered her call, Elsa was in trouble which she was because she was Elsa.
Her sister would blindly rush forward to help her fellow spirit and perish without a second thought.
So Anna had resolutely ordered Matthias and Kai to take over for some days, grabbed Kristoff, Olaf, Sven and the sled and head to the forest, to Elsa….WHO WAS IN DANGER! She just knew it, panic gripping at her heart.
She had begged Kristoff to not make camp, pushing through the night so they could reach the forest by noon tomorrow. Kristoff had caved at her fear-stricken face, asking Sven to go as fast he could.
Olaf sat close to Anna, hugging her side, but Anna had only a little smile for him.
'I am coming, Elsa! Please be alright…'

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