Chapter 2. Separate stories.
Elsa
The day was beautiful. Elsa had gone back to the Enchanted Forest and the Northuldra people that morning and was enjoying walking through the woods. Gale, the wind spirit, was in a playful mood and leaves swirled around Elsa as she walked her favourite trails. The snow reflected the light of the sun, making the forest glow. Icicles hung from the rocks around a big waterfall.
"Wow. I know the mist has been gone for a while but every time I see things like this, it feels like I'm seeing it for the first time," Elsa's best friend, Honeymaren said.
"I've seen things like this as well and I still find it breathtaking," Elsa agreed. She waved her hand over a patch of early blooming flowers, just coming up for spring, and watched as the snow and ice melted, soaking into the soil. Honeymaren laughed.
"It's so peaceful here, even with Gale insisting on messing with my hair," Elsa commented.
Gale had given Elsa a total of three new hair styles since the beginning of the walk, each crazier and messier than the last. Elsa didn't mind though. She loved the company and found it funny. Gale eventually left her hair alone for a bit but not after somehow braiding fall leaves into it.
"I love it," Honeymaren agreed.
"Watch this," Elsa said. She stopped beside a small waterfall that hadn't frozen over. Elsa ran her finger through it and the water froze. Patterns formed in the ice. Images of each season, the spirits, the Northuldra people, and the animals of the forests.
"Wow," Honeymaren breathed. She watched as the patterns moved around and interacted with one another. The children smiled as they chased the animals, people sat in circles talking, and the spirits danced.
"I've been practicing with that," Elsa said after she melted the ice to let the water flow again.
"I can tell," Honeymaren praised. The two continued down the path towards the river.
Following the familiar path, they made it to a small clearing a little way from the river. Burni was rolling in the snow, leaping and bouncing through the drifts. Honeymaren and Elsa laughed at him.
"You look like you are having fun," Elsa said as if talking to a small child.
Burni squeaked and buried himself in the snow. He popped out wearing a snow hat.
"Very nice," Honeymaren praised.
Elsa waved her hand next to the pile of snow and a small castle formed. Burni excitedly skuttled over to it. Sliding a little on the ice, he explored the tiny castle. Sitting on the balcony looking at the woman, he croaked at them in thanks.
"You are very welcome Burni," Elsa said.
Honeymaren laughed as the fire salamander curled up and fell asleep.
They left him to his nap and continued through the woods.
"Look," Elsa said pointing at the sky.
"Doves. These ones are native to the forest. They are found nowhere else. Each one has a different sounding call, like how we have different voices. When the mist was here, they spent their time hiding and we rarely saw them," Honeymaren told her.
"They are beautiful," Elsa said.
Just as they were about to continue on, when the Nokk came running up, whinnying.
"Whoa, whoa! Slow down," Elsa said, trying to calm the horse.
"What's he saying?" Honeymaren asked.
"He says he saw signs of people North of the river," Elsa replied.
"People?" Honeymaren exclaimed. "I have to tell Yelena!"
Before Elsa could say anything, Honeymaren had run off toward the village. Curious, Elsa decided to go to the river to see if anyone was there.
Jack
"Prince Jackson, your father wants to see you," one of the messengers called to Jack.
"Coming," Jack called. He climbed out of the tree and ran inside.
He found his mother and father in the meeting hall.
Two wooden double doors lead into the long room. Stone pillars supported the high ceiling and detailed stained-glass windows let light in. A large round table sat in the center of the room, ringed with chairs. Candles and torches helped keep the room well-lit along with a roaring fire at the opposite end of the room. Jack had spent many hours sitting in the rafters listening to reports from patrols, hoping to learn about some cool place. As Jack walked in the two guards shut the doors and he walked over to his parents.
"The patrol by the enchanted forest got back and said they had lots to discuss. You had seemed eager to join in the meeting when they got back so I sent for you," King North said.
"Where is Bunny and Sophie?" Jack asked as he took a seat.
"Aster is out on a hunting trip and Sophie is teaching the children of the town how to read and write in the library," Queen Toothiana said.
"Won't they be upset they missed this?" Jack asked.
"Sophie said that as long as we tell if anything interesting happens, she is fine not joining. Aster made it clear he would rather go on a hunting trip than sit through this. He will eventually have to learn to sit through meetings if he is going to be king," North said.
The double doors opened and a group of 10 knights walked in and waited for permission to sit down to give the report. North nodded for them to sit and the knights eagerly told the king what they had found.
"The mist has cleared form the enchanted forest! We were able to walk in with no problem. The forest is as beautiful as we remember. The spirits didn't try and attack us but we could sense Gale staying near us to make sure we weren't going to harm the forest," Sir Kert said.
"We didn't see any of the Northuldra people but we didn't explore very far in," Sir Hunter added.
"None the less, that's wonderful," North said.
Jack had stopped listening after Sir Kert had finished talking. He was thinking about the forest and how it would be an amazing place to explore. Jack had only heard stories about the forest and had seen the mist. Of course, he had tried to walk in but the mist kept him out. It was an unnatural mist, not cold and wet just there. It was also solid which Jack had found out by trying to fly though it at top speed. He had ended up staying in his bed for three days healing.
"Jack," King North said, bringing the prince's attention back to the meeting.
"Yeah?" Jack asked.
"I was saying that you might be the right person to check the forest out," King North said.
"YES! When can I go?" Jack said.
"How about we get you packed and you can go today," North said.
"Awesome!" Jack said.
"Do you want us to accompany him my lord?" Sir Hunter asked.
"Yes. Jack, you will stay with Sir Hunter and Sir Kert," King North said.
"Dad! I don't need a babysitter! I can take care of myself! I'll be fine! Please let me go by myself. It would be faster anyway," Jack whined. He made an ice ball to show he could defend himself.
"My decision is final. I can always change my mind and prevent you from going," North said sternly.
"Yes Father," Jack sighed.
He slouched back in his chair and waited for the meeting to be over. Jack knew his father had plans to send guards on the trip, but Jack had a different idea in mind, one that didn't involve the other knights being his babysitters.