Elsa sat very still in her goahti, feeling Anna gripping her hand tightly again as both sisters sat close to each other, intensely listening to Iloh, who shared all she knew about the Proving.
Kristoff was glued to Anna's other side while Olaf sat in front of Elsa and Anna, leaning back against them, his mere presence a great comfort for the snow queen.
Flippan was there too, preparing the tea and coffee for all.
"There are three trials in the Proving – the Trial of the Hunt, the Trial of Endurance, and the Trial of the Ring.
At the Trial of the Hunt the contender, in this case, Maren gets a head start of an hour before the chosen hunters of the other tribes can go after her.
They will try to catch her…without weapons!"
Iloh hurried to ad as Elsa had caused a snowstorm in the little hut that made Flippan nearly spill the tea, and let everyone inside shiver.
The young man placed a warm cup of Elsa's tea in her hands, the simple gesture calmed the upset spirit immediately, reminding her that she was not alone with this problem, but had her family and friends at her side.
She took a deep breath to make the snow go away again, gesturing for Iloh to continue.
"But there is a little twist in this trial. One of the hunters has a trinket of some sort, that the contender has to bring back, something small that is chosen by the contenders….wife, husband or …someone the contended might be courting…"
"What? I have to choose what Maren has to bring back?"
"And present to the hunters that are after Maren. It is a little ceremony to be true and when I know anything about my mother than that she would not let this chance pass her by to make you look more….like a human with feelings, not what they see in you. I bet she even asks you to lay the mushy stuff on thick!"
The snow was back, no storm, only a soft fall, not caused by dread this time, but embarrassment.
Elsa felt her cheeks turn hot as she imagined herself acting like one of the 'fair maidens' in these prosy romance novels Anna loved so, swooning at the side of their knight and somehow always fainting at the smallest thing so they could be caught in strong arms.
She almost cringed visibly at the thought that Yelena could ask her to do something like that, but she tried to restrain herself, knowing that Anna would jump at the chance to tease her, when she realized just how embarrassed she was but Anna seemed totally distracted.
"Your mother?"
"Yep I do have indeed a mother and did not just blossomed out of a mystical pool that reflected the moonlight."
Iloh seemed surprised about what she said herself, clearly loving it.
"Uh, I use that as my pick up line for next time. Sounds really great…"
"No, no I know you have a mother, because everyone has one….obviously. What I meant to say was: Who is your mother that she could make Elsa participating in a ritual?"
"Yelena, the leader of all Northuldra!" Iloh stated promptly, her nearly childish pride making Elsa smile.
"Wait, what? You are Yelena's daughter?"
"Yes.."
"But you look nothing alike! You are nothing alike! Not even a little!"
"Yeah I get that a lot. I come after my father. Lucky for me, he was the hot one." Iloh whispered, winking at Anna; giggling at her flabbergasted face.
"That is all very interesting but should we not come back to the real problem?"
Flippan's unusual solemn expression quickly brought them all back on track.
"So this trinket has to be brought back to the person who gave it to the hunters. The contender has till next sunrise. Maren will be the hunted and the hunter at the same time.
Then there is the Trail of Endurance. The contender has to stand on high pole on one leg, for forty -eight hours, keeping her balance, with no food or water, no sleep. The trial ends after the time runs out or the contender gives up.
And last but not least we have the Trial of the Ring. And you have seen it already."
Elsa blinked, trying to remember what Iloh could mean.
"The one time Mattias asked her to play 'Ring' with guards at the castle? When we visited Arendelle to see the trolls?"
"Exactly. There is a ring and Maren has to defend it against all fighters that chose to challenge her. When no more challengers step forward, Maren wins."
"Over how many days the trials are held?"
"A week."
"What happens when Maren wins?" Elsa asked, suddenly curious of the price for such an ordeal, cramped in such a short amount of time.
"She will be honored beyond belief and recognized as one of the strongest and bravest among the living, a blessed one. It's the way to prove ones worth, and by extension, our worth, that we are blessed by nature. And she can ask the tribes for the Great Favor, anything she wants." Iloh spoke simply, her eyes very serious.
"Anything?"
Elsa could barely believe what she heard.
"Anything."
"And they have to give it to her? Even when she asked to… I don't know get the firstborn child of every family or something crazy like that?" Anna asked, also astounded at this weird tradition.
"Yes."
Elsa took a deep breath, calming herself for the last question she had to ask Iloh.
"What if Maren loses?"
Iloh paused for a moment, confirming Elsa's fears.
"The tribes may ask anything they want of us …"
There was silence; even Anna seemed to be speechless for a moment.
But only a moment!
"That is absolutely insane! When they can ask for literary anything, there are a thousand ways this could end very badly. Why did Yelena and Maren agree to this?" Anna could obviously not believe it that the normal so progressive Northuldra would participate in such a backward tradition and Elsa shared the sentiment.
But what was done, was done.
Maren would compete to protect the tribe from ridiculously high demands at the cost of her own safety.
The weirdest feeling overcame Elsa. Not the hot passionate anger that radiated in waves of her sister, but something colder, but just as threatening, like the quietness between blizzards in the mountains.
"That's it! I am telling them to stop this madness!" Anna stood, ignoring Kristoff's try to stop her.
Elsa followed only a second later but no talk was on her mind.
She was going to send the tribes' home, her magic already rising in her, her hands sizzling with its power! She was going to protect Maren and her people.
She was going to realize the wrath of the witch!
The mood was heavy in Yelena's goahti, and even though Maren tried not to show it, felt her inside burning with anger, as she placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of Vil Skog, who finally had condescended herself to tell them her full name, but with no formal greeting, no sign of respect a leader like Yelena deserved, from her position alone.
The nerve of that woman!
And the way she treated Elsa, insulted Anna…..
Maren's fist balled, her anger now burning her throat too and by the challenging smile, Vil gave her it was clear that the old warrior knew exactly what Maren hid behind her friendly facade, shamelessly enjoying the fact that she could not act upon her impulses.
'Spirits, please let me face her in the Ring!'
At least her successor, Hankana Skog, seemed to possess some basic manners, speaking in a respectful voice whenever she addressed someone.
The others were friendly enough as well.
Alykas Fjell and Vouri, his eldest son, gave little away from themselves, polite yes, but distant too, clearly estimating the situation.
Lato Grauugle and her next in line, Usko Linien acted similar but more open, even laughed sometimes over one of Yelena's dry remarks. Clearly the two women seemed to get along well, a glimmer of hope at least but this Taitava Sint….it was hard to figure this one out.
He was pleasant, friendly even but every time she looked him in the eyes, a strong instinct that nearly made her jolt up, urging her to attack or flee, overcame her and all her self-control was needed to stop herself. The same instinctively reaction she had when she found a snake on her path, silently waiting for someone to be careless enough to step to close.
'Or like a spider in its web.'
His daughter Gral was made of different stuff, not as subtle or smooth as her father, trying her best to be polite but it was clear that she rather be anywhere else than here. Maren had learned that Gral was not the successor of her father, as Taitava had corrected Yelena, his ever-present smile only slightly moving, but her older brother Harmaa, who stayed behind to take care of the Etelar.
But one look at Gral was enough for Maren to know why Taitava had brought her along instead of his son – she was here for the Ring, a true adversary to look out for and the warrior in Maren felt the spark of excitement at the upcoming competition with her! It was weird how much she liked that feeling...
On and on they talked, about the details of the Proving, exchanging trivial pleasantries and Maren listened closely, watched each interaction like a hawk until something clicked in her mind, finally understanding why they had come, challenging the tribe in that way.
It was in Taitava's ever pleasant smile, Gral's darting eyes, Alykas' and Vouri's stiff shoulders and Lato's and Usko's slightly furrowed brows.
They were afraid!
Some could hide it better than others, but it was now it was painfully clear to Maren.
The way they spoke about the mist, the spirits and especially Elsa and they were more than warry of Anna and Arendelle…..
Maren bit back a deep sigh.
'Spirits.'
Since the time of old the Proving had only been won by strongest, the bravest and the smartest – the ones blessed by nature itself.
Trying to comprehend their thoughts Maren went through them step by step.
If she won, she was a blessed one, and if a blessed one accepted Elsa in her tribe, put her under her protection how could she be a witch, a threat to them?
And if a blessed one approved the alliance with Arendelle, it was like nature itself approved of it.
But when Maren loosed….well, the course of action was clear too when nature withdraw her blessing for the protector of the forest.
It was maddening how much was at stake, and Maren felt reminded of that dance at Anna's coronation, but only ten times worse, for failure here could mean at best a tense peace and at worst case, war.
'So, no pressure Maren, right?'
"It is decided then! Tomorrow we hold the first trial." Yelena spoke, the rest of the room agreeing with her before the wise leader offered their high guests to show them to their goahti's.
"Rest now, Maren. You will need your strength." Yelena spoke simply and without saying more Maren understood the silent order.
'Go find Elsa and Anna. Calm them down and then convince Elsa to play along.'
One by one they left and Maren followed their every step, trying to find the nature of their true intentions.
As there were gone Maren quickly made her way to Elsa's goahti, knowing the poor woman must feel like cat on hot bricks by now.
As she reached her destination she could hear loud voices from inside:
"That's it! I am telling them to stop this madness!"
And just as Maren wanted to get the door, the small entrance to Elsa's home flew open, and Anna blinked at her, her righteous anger put on hold at Maren's sudden appearance, and close behind her was Elsa, and even though she looked absolutely murderous for a seacond, Maren could not help but smile as she dismissed her magic quickly.
"What are you two doing?" she asked as she stepped inside, raising an eyebrow at them both and it was amazing how a powerful spirit of nature and the queen of a large nation could look like two girls caught with the hands in the honeypot in mere moments.
"I….I" it was rare that Elsa stuttered like that, especially when she talked with her, but it only lasted for a moment, her shoulders straightened, standing tall, looking Maren straight in the eye.
"I will not let a stupid tradition get you killed. Iloh told me all about the Proving and I…."
"Elsa, its fine I am not going to die. That someone died had not happened for hundreds of years and…
"So it has happened?"
' Damn, walked right into this one, Nattura.'
"Yes, but that was long ago."
"But it is still dangerous."
"Of course it's dangerous, Elsa. It is a trial to prove Northuldra's strength, to defend our place in this forest, as its protectors. Tomorrow, at the first trail –"
"Tomorrow?!"
'Damn Nattura, watch your mouth!'
"Yes, tomorrow."
Maren took a deep breath, slightly agitated at Elsa's rebellious look, blue eyes telling her that the 'ice-witch' would take things into her magical hands if not given a good reason not to.
Their voices had gotten louder, both not really yelling at each other yet, not a fight but their first real disagreement and Maren could feel the other's in the room shift uncomfortably like most people do when they witness a quarrel between lovers.
"Do you understand why I have to do this?" the warrior tried to sound calm.
Elsa fixated her with an icy stare, blue flames burning high, her chest heaving slightly and in this moment Maren had never seen something more beautiful than this woman, ready to fight and protect her loved ones, not caring of her own safety.
"Why?" she asked, no demanded an answer, her voice unusual hard as she talked to the warrior.
Desire sparked in Maren's loins, surprising herself how much she felt drawn to this more forceful side of Elsa.
'Concentrate! Now is not the time!' she thought, pushing her lewd thoughts down, taking a deep breath and folding her arms across her chest, calming herself with the familiar gesture.
"For me to face the Proving and win is the only way to convince the other tribes that we still blessed by nature and belong here, that you belong here, gain there respect and eventually reinstall old alliances."
"I am the fifth spirit! If they honor nature so much they should honor this fact by all means! Athollan has called me."
"The Northuldra believe in Athollan, Elsa. We respect the wisdom of the great mother but she is no part of their culture. There have they own 'Athollan's', you might say.
Take the Nord for example; they believe in the great green owl, strong mother of the sky, whose eyes reflect the truth in one's heart for anyone to see or the Itaan. They honor Hálogi, the personified blue flame that gave them the heat to work their metal and planted the bright ideas in their minds.
Athollan means nothing for any of them, but all except the judgment of the Proving."
Elsa's eyes still burned for a few moments, before her fighting spirit was replaced with concern, intense worry looking at Maren and love flooded the warrior' heart, strong and steady.
She tried a smile, reaching for the other's hand, holding it tenderly, her once so smooth skin now a little ruff from living in the forest and a new wave of love hit her hard, speaking softly almost intimate, in that tone of voice she reserved for Elsa when there were alone, coaxing something new into her eyes besides the worry, something Maren could not quite place.
"Hey, do you think I roll on my back and let myself be beaten? You have seen how I crushed Trad last sparring match, right? Or these poor fools in Arendelle that thought I was just some tree-hugger with a stick?"
That made Elsa smile, her gaze all soft before she lowered her eyes, looking to the ground, obviously thinking, before sighing deeply, reconnecting their gaze again.
"Trust me." Maren spoke softly and her small smile grew a little even as she held her gaze cast downwards.
"I trust you." She spoke so quietly that Maren nearly missed it and with a sharp intake of breath blue eyes met hers again, now full of warmth.
"Seems like I have to pick something for you to bring back to me." she said quietly, smiling timid at Maren, before raising one eyebrow at her.
"But if they try anything fishy they get the ice-spikes treatment."
"I am counting on it." Maren answered, laughing lightly, her heart fluttering.
Someone cleared their throat close by and the warrior jolted slightly, realizing she had forgotten the others completely.
Kristoff looked extremely uncomfortable, Olaf obvious to what was happening around him for he had one of Elsa's books in his little stick hands, reading intensely, Iloh and Flippan proudly sprouted cat-like grins on their faces and Anna, who had still had her hand against her mouth, indicating that she was the one that wanted Maren's attention, had slightly red cheeks but her grin fought with some other emotions, making her look she was in pain.
"Sorry!" it blurted out of her and Maren must have looked just as lost as she felt, for Anna hurried to continue.
"Sorry for rushing in like this. Me being here makes everything tenser and I should have thought before I-"
Maren stopped her right there with a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"Anna, it is fine. Neither Yelena nor I hold the worry for your sister against you. If I had been at your place, I would have done exactly the same."
Anna looked immensely relieved at Maren's words.
"Thank you. I still want to talk to Yelena though. Do you know where she is?"
"Sure. I bring you."
And with one last fond squeeze for Elsa's hand, she lead Anna out of the goahti.
Mere moments after Maren and Ann had left her little home, Elsa found herself alone, for Kristoff head out to find Ryder with Iloh and Flippan close at his heels, planning to help where there could and Olaf had wandered off at one point, probably finding some children to play with, asking them complex questions about life while they're where at it.
Sighing deeply she roamed her humble passions for a trinket, the price Maren had to bring back to her, as a knock at her door interrupted her.
As she opened it, she found Gelwa, something clutched in her fist, smiling up at her.
"Hello, Elsa!" She said, clearly excited about something.
"Gelwa! What are you doing here? It is getting late; you should go back to your Gran-Ven."
"I know! Sorry, but everyone is talking about the Proving and Gran-Ven has told me about the price Maren has to bring back to you. And I thought you could take this!"
The girl opened her hand reviling the white queen of the chess game Elsa has gifted her.
The snow queen's eyes widened a bit, touched at the thoughtfulness of the girl, and this strong feeling made a comeback, the urge to protect the young girl nearly overwhelming.
'When all this mess is over, I talk to Anna.' Elsa thought pushed the complex emotions aside again, for more pressing matters were waiting, first and foremost to get Maren safely through the Proving.
But as Elsa insisted to bring Gelwa back home, waiting until she had entered the small resting hut, she had a pretty good guess where this river of feelings was going to take her if she dared to go with its current.
As Elsa returned home, the sun had set and Maren was waiting for her inside, already laying in bed, and as Elsa joined her under the many fur blankets, they held each other close, the spirit relishing in the contact and by the way, Maren sank onto her side, the warrior seemed to feel the same.
They did not say much, not needing too, even if most people would say that in this kind of situation, more talk was in order.
But for Elsa, chose only three words, knowing they would convey the depth of her worry and commitment better than any big speech she could ever give.
"I love you."
It came surprisingly easy over Elsa's lips. As she imagined this seance, she had stumbled more over her own tongue, was nervous, but now was now tremble in her voice.
Rarely she had felt so sure of anything in her life before.
Even in the dark, she could see how Maren's eyes light up, her happiness clear as day on her face.
"I love you too." she answered, no hesitation, her words full of honesty.
Being with Maren had taught her, that she could not melt, no matter how warm she felt.
'Lucky me!' she thought, a slight smile on her face.
Knowing that both had to get up early tomorrow, made her succumb to the unavoidable and with one chaste kiss for the warrior, she snuggled even closer into Maren, breathing in her familiar sense, enjoying the warmth that radiated of her skin, allowing sleep to take her.