Elsa was worried; there was no way to deny it, as she sat on a log in front of the small fire, wringing her hands, alone, waiting.
Her relief at seeing Maren back from the first trial save and sound wiped away bay ice-cold claws around her heart.
And the way the warrior acted was not helping to ease her aching heart.
She was pretty sure that no one else suspected that something was off, all probably assuming that the bold move demanding the next trial to be held right after the first one just a tactic to unsettle the other tribes, just like the merciless pace Maren had set on The Hunt but Elsa knew better.
Mare had told her herself, even though she did not mean to – this look in her eyes as she and Gral Sint had stood before one another, bodies tense like drawn bowstrings, looking ready to tear and strike, fighting without mercy, giving no quarter – Maren wanted that, with all its consequences.
The more Elsa thought about it the more she feared the next days and most of all the last trial, The Ring, were these two would clash.
One look at the sun told Elsa that it was late noon. Only a few had stayed outside, carrying out Yelena's orders or got on with the necessary tasks of the day and for the first time in forever, Elsa could not find in her to join her tribe and help, for there were other pressing matters on her mind.
'What is taking them so long!' Elsa thought, the need to talk to Maren drove her mad, as she waited close to Yelena's goahti where they both had vanished, blue eyes close to burning holes into the wooden structure with their intense gaze.
She was close to just storm into the hut, demanding to have five minutes alone with Maren, knocking some sense into her, as a small hand found hers and like a reflex Elsa opened her intertwined fingers, holding on to the small comfort that was given and she did not need to look down to know that Gelwa stood by her side, her soulful eyes gazing worried up at her and Elsa's heart was suddenly full to the brim, overflowing in an almost painful manner.
"Is everything alright?" she asked, whispering so only Elsa could hear her, and a decision her heart had made already, finally reached her head.
She bent down, still holding Gelwa's hand, smiling reassuringly at her, knowing she had to look calm to not upset the girl further.
"All is fine, little nut." Elsa said, making the nickname up on the spot, thinking of the immense fondness the girl had for walnuts in particular, and as Elsa let her index finger touch her nose, Gelwa laughed in a way she had heard more and more often lately – free, open, happy, like a child should sound.
Like a child should be and she vowed silently in her mind to do all in her power to keep her that way!
'So better get her out of the line of fire She does not need to witness this discussion.'
"But could you do me a favor?"
"Of course!" the girl answered eagerly, happy to help like always.
"Could you stay with the Nattura's a little longer? Distract them a bit? Just so they don't think too much of tomorrow."
Gelwa's eyes started gleam happily, a big smile on her face as she nodded, giving Elsa's hand one last squeeze before rushing off, quickly finding Fiskar and Skjolda who were still fussed over by Ryder and Issun.
A familiar feeling, the same she reserved for Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven spread through her chest as she watched the Nattura-parents greet Gelwa, a fond look in their eyes as they talked to her, saw the relieved expression on Issun's face, that Fiksar attention was now on someone else and the simply love-struck look Ryder gave the young man for trying so hard to get on Fiskar's good side.
'I really have to talk to him not to give poor guy such a hard time.' the fifth spirit thought, succeeding to hold in her laugh about Issun's misfortune, as Gelwa pointed in Elsa's direction and all gathered gave her a small wave or a friendly nod and Fiskar looked like her wanted to call for Elsa to come along but his wife stopped him, shaking her head, speaking words Elsa could not hear.
The tall man shrugged, smiling at Elsa before leading the way to the Nattura home, listening very intently to whatever Gelwa was telling him, Ryder and Issun close on their heels.
Skjolda stayed behind, sharing a knowing look with Elsa, and then following her family, leaving the fifth spirit to her silent vigil for Maren to finally come out of this blasted goahti.
Worry was rising in her again but a mug with something hot was almost shoved into her hands and Anna sat next to her with a deep sigh, smiling, gesturing to the cup.
"Drink, it will help!" her sister spoke, leaving no room for argument.
As she lead the mug to her lips to drink whatever her sister has given her in infinite trust the smell of hot chocolate reached her and she looked at Anna with wonder before taking a hug sip, almost moaning at the delicious taste she had missed so much since she came here. She loved living in the forest but the way of life with the Northuldra allowed Elsa few possessions, much less than she was used too and so she had to allocate her supplies carefully, making chocolate a rare treat.
"I love you!" She said in earnest to Anna, before taking another deep sip, making the red-head laugh.
"You are welcome."
Finishing her chocolate Elsa wiped her mouth with an ice handkerchief, summoned by a quick flick of her hand before saying: "I can't believe you took the time to pack some chocolate before you came here. Wait, on second thought - I can believe you did that."
"Everything gets easier with chocolate! That is a simple fact of life. Try to prove me wrong."
Both laughed at that, and Anna leaned in, hugging her, while Elsa looked back into the mug, suddenly feeling a little guilty she had left nothing for Gelwa to taste.
The girl never had hot chocolate before, only a little piece of Anna's favorite pralines as she visited Arendelle that one time. It had been a little too sweet for her, she had confessed, reminding Elsa much of Maren at this moment, who had also tried to be very polite about her dislike for the sweet treat that Elsa loved.
All the while Linga next to her had stuffed her face with the delicacies like there was no tomorrow, making the taller girl laugh.
But this was dark chocolate, with a rich flavor and much less sweet so it could be more suited for the girl's taste.
"Have you brought more? "
That mad Anna laugh again.
"When did you become so greedy?"
"Not for me! For Gelwa. She never had some." Elsa mumbled the last words more to herself, her mind wandering back to Maren, gaze fixated again on Yelena's goahti.
'What is taking so long?! Come on Maren, I want to get this over with!'
"You love her don't you?"
That question confused Elsa a little.
"Of course I love her. Granted I could strangle her right now for being so reckless. I just don't get what she is trying to-"
Anna laughed again, louder is time, confusing Elsa even more.
"What is so funny?"
"I was not talking about Maren."
Elsa most have looked as confused as she felt for Anna's eyes got a soft, understanding quality to them, an almost amused smile on her face.
"I was talking about Gelwa."
Her sister spoke like she knew what impact her words would have, and sure enough – it was like an avalanche of emotions that had been tread lose.
Uncertainty, fear, joy but mostly love crashed down her as she laughed breathily, not able to stop the big smile on her face as she spoke: "I'm not very subtle aren't I?"
Anna pretended to think very hard, crossing her arms over her chest, tilting her head while looking at Elsa:"Mmhhhh, no I am sorry, you are not. One could stand on top of the north mountain and still see what you feel."
Elsa looked down at her lap, wringing her hands, not able to bring herself to be embarrassed about her deep devotion she felt for Gelwa, maybe just a little overwhelmed.
But happy, so happy!
She could feel Anna watching her from the corner of her eye, an amused expression on her face.
"So, are you going to make me an aunt or what?" she asked bluntly and Elsa was really happy that she had finished her chocolate this time around or she would have choked yet again.
"Anna!"
"What? You look at her like she is the cutest little munchkin ever, which she totally is, and the way she talks to you makes me think you hung up the moon or something. You love her, she loves you, you are old enough, you have the resources to raise her, you have Maren-"
"I have not talked to Maren yet."
"Then do it! Right after she comes out of this goahti."
Elsa was still conflicted.
"Don't you think it's too fast? Too rushed? I don't want to pressure her into anything-"
"Elsa, I am not talking about letting the girl live with you right away! All I am saying is to share your intentions of taking Gelwa in with Maren so she can get used to the thought, really think about it and then decide if she wants to do that with you. Don't wait any longer to make your feelings known. Be open with Maren. You two have to be on the same page for that. Like really, really sure you want to do this so you don't give the poor girl false hope."
Elsa looked at her little sister, one eyebrow raised.
"When did you become so wise?"
"I was always wise!" Anna answered, giving her sister a friendly shove, smiling challenging at her.
But Elsa did not take this invitation to play this time, her heart overflowing again.
"True." Elsa spoke simply, and the smile Anna gave her was radiating, warm like the sun.
But the moment was cut short for finally the small door of Yelena's goahti opened and Maren stepped outside, quickly spotting Elsa, the smile of the warrior faltering a little as brown eyes met blue ones, yet Maren came over.
Anna stood up, giving Elsa a pointed look before passing Maren, greeting her with chipper 'Hello and Bye' and gone she was, leaving the two alone.
The fifth spirit felt her fears and worries eased at Maren's concerned expression, and as the warrior took her hand in hers, drawing circles with her thumb over the back of it, it was nearly gone completely.
"Is everything alright?"
Elsa almost smiled – Maren was so sweet, so caring, always concerned about everyone's wellbeing. It took effort to stick to her plan, knowing what she wanted to say was important and the warrior needed to hear it. So, she pulled Maren her down to sit with her by the fire.
"What is it?"
Taking a deep breath and an almost pleading look, Elsa spoke.
"Please just tell me that you are still aware that this is no game. Tell me that you are careful and aware of the danger, so I don't have to lose it and freeze anyone that looks remotely dangerous to an ice-stature."
Maren looked at her quizzically, obviously with no clue what Elsa meant but then understanding dawned on her face.
"You mean Gral don't you?"
Elsa nodded, watching Maren's reaction very closely.
The warrior looked caught, a little guilty perhaps, but all of that was nearly overshadowed by barley contained gleam in her eyes, the lust for battle shining through – a thing Elsa saw only glimpse of till then and never understood in the slightest.
"Nothing runs past you." Maren said fondly, smiling at her before pulling her in close, and Elsa let it happen, loving how familiar it had become to touch and be touched by Maren in this way like it had always been so – a comfort even now as the warrior was the source of her worries.
"I am still very aware of the danger that walk hand in hand with 'The Proving' and I promise you to be careful as much as I can, it's just…..I never had an opponent of this caliber that I did not grow up with. It's exhilarating, to be honest!"
"Not helping Maren!" Elsa spoke drily, making the warrior laugh loudly.
"Sorry, but my promise still stands! I'll be as careful as I possibly can."
"Good." The fifth spirit spoke, leaning closer into Maren, put at ease somewhat now that she knew that her warrior still took this seriously.
They stayed like this for a moment, and Elsa was happy that Anna had left already or her sister would have teased her for how shamelessly she enjoyed being held by these wonderful strong arms.
But then Maren started to move, disturbing Elsa in her very pleasing cuddling experience and even going as far as to give her a little squeeze, as if testing the feel of Elsa's body in her arms, before making an a displeased sound in the back of her throat, leaning back, looking Elsa straight in the eyes.
"What else is bothering you?
Elsa was the picture of surprise, so flabbergasted that she didn't even tried to deny it.
With Anna's advice in mind, she took a deep breath and spoke: "It's about Gelwa."
For a second Maren looked caught off guard, but then her features turned all soft, a sheepish smile on her face.
"I am not very subtle, am I?"
'What is she talking about?' Elsa thought trying to make sense of what Maren meant but then the bow she had gifted Gelwa came to mind, not any bow, but Maren's first bow, mad by Skjolda herself, a very generous gift indeed.
Or the way Maren checked in on Gelwa, making sure she was well fed and taken care of, going out of her way to keep her happy and healthy, take on so many of the thousand other tiny tasks that needed to be done every day if you raised a child.
"No, you are not." Elsa simply spoke, tenderly smoothing out the collar of the smaller woman's tunic, tracing the hexagon shape that marked her Maren the next in line, with tender fingers, before admitting quietly: „But neither am I."
Raising her gaze to look at Maren's face, Elsa found her feelings mirrored – first confusion, then understanding followed by something warm, deep and true, their shared wish connecting them even further.
"Well, that is a big step." Maren said laughing breathily, breaking the tension.
"Very big! And we haven't been together that long…"
"No, we have not." Maren said, suddenly very serious: "We have to be absolutely sure before we talk to Gelwa about this. And we have to talk with Ven too. When we do this Elsa, we are in for the long-haul, even if we don't work out, we will still be Gelwa's parents! On this level, we have to work together no matter how we feel about each other. And we have to decide where we live and if we – "
Maren stopped dead in her tracks, shooting Elsa a quick glance before blushing madly.
"What?" Elsa asked, caught off guard by the sudden change of Maren's behavior, who had been so down to business, so eager to discuss the practical aspects of adopting Gelwa and now was a flustered mess, swallowing hard before she was able to speak again.
"If we want to marry." Maren's voice was small, hoarse as she looked anywhere but Elsa, who in turn blushed madly.
"It's not needed for an adoption but it secures certain rights for Gelwa when it comes to her inheritance so we should talk about this too, among other things, not now! I mean…." Maren hurried to say, her voice fading out at the end and even though she was still red like a tomato, Elsa could not help but smile – Maren was simply endearing!
'Too cute for her own good.' The fifth spirit thought before making a decision.
"Maybe we could start with something smaller?" Elsa offered carefully, her heart pounding in her chest, as she gently made Maren look at her.
"Maybe we could move in together first? To see how we work on a day to day basis before we drag poor Gelwa down with us?"
Elsa was pretty sure she never saw Maren so happy, her smile was radiating, making her even more beautiful than she already was.
"Yes, I would love that." The warrior spoke, her voice cracking a little with emotion, looking like a total love-struck fool and Elsa only did not laugh because she was pretty sure she looked exactly the same.
"Good, that's settled then. Come, I make you dinner while you rest for tomorrow. AH AH AH!" Elsa said, stopping Maren who clearly wanted to oppose:" You need your strength – so, eat and sleep, win this trial. But before we do that - answer me this!"
Elsa kept her voice all serious and stern.
"How could you tell that something was up by hugging me?"
It took a moment for Maren to catch on but as she did her laugh was deep and rich, a wonderful sound that Elsa never got tired of hearing.
"Normally you-"with her hand Maren drew a vague circle in the air, as she tried to think of the right word: "- melt into me but your shoulders slightly stiff and your back was a little tense. It felt strange."
"Huh?! I do not melt into you!" Elsa huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, before standing, leading the way to the warrior's goahti.
"You so do!" Maren teased, looking very smug, and Elsa rolled her eyes, allowing Maren to take her hand, fingers intertwined, and happier then she had ever been.
The Huldred had watched the whole exchange, eavesdropping shamelessly.
'Gelwa, ey?'
She was pretty sure she had seen the tall girl already. When she was not with Honeymaren or the white spirit herself she was almost always accompanying the little artist.
Another favorite of Ela she had to put on her list?
'One will see how it goes' she thought, looking up at the sky, watching the long-eared owl and the gyrfalcon draw circles over the camp.