Okay, so maybe the creature wasn't in a listening mood after all and decided to just drop off the face of the earth but Elsa could not leave that to chance. She frowned as her eyes skirted across the green and vibrant summer landscape. She was grateful at not being prone to sunburn due to her constant lowered temperature. This allowed her to wear less constrictive clothing, her white short sleeved tunic was opaque and billowy exposing just one shoulder while the other shoulder had a intricately woven snowflake crest of the spirits upon it. Her blue pants were more tight yet flexible meeting above where her ankles were, and her feet well. . . Elsa had discovered she enjoyed open toed shoes and sandals when her environment allowed it. Sometimes going completely barefoot with simply compacting ice along the palms of her feet allowing to feel the earth more intimately.

Materializing a telescope she took one more sweep of the valley below. Grunting in dissatisfaction she held on as Nokk reared to back away from the cliff's edge galloping down the ridge. So they weren't in the valley but based on what Mattias had reported the creature was injured and no animal Elsa had ever encountered stayed in the open during a vulnerable state. Still she would leave no stone unturned and keep her promise to Anna.

"Any sign of them?" She asked Gale gusting by her head. The fellow spirit left with a somber mood, Elsa huffed as Nokk treaded to the forest lowering his speed to a rushed trot. Elsa had never felt her eyes become so hyper focused in all her life as every slight movement caught her attention. Unfortunately every other movement was either a rabbit, a bird or nothing.

"Well Anna has absolutely no need to be concerned, since I can't even find them." Dejected Elsa let her mind wander to the early morning.

"Are you sure you don't want to take Mattias with you or some guards? They'd be more than willing." Elsa bemoaned at Anna's bemoaning and took her eyes from the last of the books that she was packing into her satchel, some were objective to figuring out what she was exactly tracking, others were more indulgent reads she found while scouring the library for Intel. Slinging the strap around her shoulder Elsa took a cleansing breath. Before she could reply Kristoff beat her to the punch.

"She'll be fine Anna, if Elsa can herd a pack of wolves she can drive away whatever that weird beast was." If Elsa didn't know any better she would have sworn she heard reverence in Kristoff's tone as he consoled his wife who still didn't look convinced. Elsa finally stepped in taking Anna's two hands in her own. "If I encounter the creature than I'll be able to bring closure to this whole situation easier if I'm not surrounded by people to protect-No offense General Mattias." She glanced at him apologetically.

He raised a hand placating. "None taken, I'm well aware what you're capable of Elsa and well aware of who would be protecting whom but uh know you have backup here in Arendelle if you so need it." Elsa smiled gratefully nodding to the man. Her attention was then turned back to her family.

It was rare for Olaf to look so melancholy but when it did happen it was usually the result of Elsa leaving. She knelt before him expression just as grieved. "I'll be back soon Olaf but I have to catch this creature before they seriously hurts someone, besides I'll have Gale, Nokk and Bruni- even the earth giants will help."

"But you were supposed to stay." Elsa placed a hand on his cheek running her thumb along it. "Hey we can have the best biggest sleepover when I return and while I'm away you can plan it and I'll do everything in your itinerary." His pep returned instantly as he clapped his stick hands. "I better get to preparing. I'll need a list or- what no no a list of all our slumber party activities. Oh and Sven can come-" He leapt and kissed Elsa's cheek and bounded off to tell the reindeer. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Mattias watched after him fondly.

"Almost everything." Elsa's after thought drew a giggle from Anna. Her eyes turned serious as they made contact with Elsa's. The spirit did not enjoy looking into people's eyes. She saw fear, so much fear in many eyes before and although she knew that was no longer her predicament it still made the activity unenjoyable.

"Promise me you'll come back safe." Anna's tone rarely sounded as it did at the moment. Closing her eyes slowly Elsa nodded. "Say it." Anna urged. "I promise." Elsa said holding Anna in her arms once more. Kristoff smiled he never expected Elsa to be so touchy and it initially took him by surprise. She was definitely more comfortable with giving touch than receiving it and only reserved her touch for family and friends. Speaking of, said woman smiled at him and held out her hand. He took it and allowed himself to be pulled into the embrace. He was the last to join and the first to pull away, Elsa had let him. Another aspect of her touched he noticed, she never enforced it.

"Alright well remember our deal?" Elsa nodded. "I return every week to report back to you, my queen." Elsa could see the blush rising to Anna's face as she looked away before clearing her throat. "Right well." She kissed Elsa's cheek and held on to her until she mounted. Elsa waved as she and Nokk took off. Something inside told her this would be no easy task.

At least it would be If she knew what the creature actually was! That would at least give her some indication of where they went. Did they go in search of food and water, did they search for a river or den?

When there was no traces of them she headed to Northuldra. Ryder waved her over to the fire pit he and Honeymaren were currently seated at and handed her a wooden plate of Gáhkko with a knife and a small bottle of cloudberry jam. Thanks was given to him quietly. Honeymaren smiled in pity watching Elsa fix the jam on her bread pointedly, the spirit took failed tasks very seriously, maybe a little too seriously. "I'm guessing no luck." She started as Elsa took a bite. Swallowing she shook her head. "Any theories on what it might be?"

"I have few but they only share two traits with one of the possible choices." Elsa reached in her bag as Bruni glided over climbing up her lap. He punched his tongue against the smeared jam that was on her knife.

Honeymaren took the notebook offered and opened to the marked page. "You think it's a dragon?"

"But haven't they been dead for like centuries?" Ryder added as he was handed the book. "Well that's the only lead I have."

"I wouldn't put it past the thought. Arendelle, besides the enchanted forest, is one of the strangest places ever." Elsa smiled nodding slightly. Honeymaren was right, Arendelle could possibly be the only nation on earth which still had magic it was only befitting that dragons were added to mix as well."What are you gonna do with it when you find it?" Elsa looked back down at her plate mulling the question in head. What was she going to do with creature when she found them? She had told Anna she'd drive them away but was that such a good idea? She had never heard of such an animal or even read about them. They had to be incredibly rare and if they were a dragon they may have been one of the very few left. Based on the measurements Mattias and his soldiers gave her they weren't as big as the dragons of old so perhaps they were a hatchling. That posed a another problem, were dragons incredibly maternal and paternal? And if so how far away were the parents? Would it be smart to study the creature and then perhaps drive them away if they still posed a threat? Elsa decided to let the situation if she found them decide.

"I'll drive them away." Ryder and his sister did not look convinced. "I do not like how long it took you to answer that." He admitted quickly. "You were doing that face." Elsa titled her head in confusion at Honeymaren's accusation while she rubbed her temples.

"That face you make when you're contemplating something or figuring something out or debating on it. Elsa if the stories from Arendelle aren't exaggerated this thing is dangerous."

"I won't let them hurt anyone."

"And yourself?"

Elsa's shoulders dropped, she stood up and thanked them for the meal and began walking to the village's edge. Honeymaren met her there clasping her hands tightly. Dread clenched her brow and stomach. "Elsa your sister writes me telling me to keep you from doing anything asinine and dangerous, she warned me that there maybe moments where you put yourself in danger for the sake of helping others, please tell me this isn't one of those moments." Elsa hated causing her friend such trepidation. So she gave an undaunted nod and mounted Nokk.

At night she looked up at the northern lights then down at her sketch of her query wistfully. "Why did you attack Arendelle?" She asked the picture. Were they scared? Or perhaps ill? She remembered when Ryder's Reindeer Emil was sick with a virus she would aggressively attack the village or at least attempt to. Maybe Arendelle's attacker was sick or injured. Mattias did say they walked with a limp. If that was the case Elsa hoped to find them before they injured themselves. Maybe they'd be grateful for medical care which would give Elsa the chance to learn about them. Her mind meandered to less quintessential questions.

Were they a boy or girl? Neither? Was it a youngling?

Reclining back gave Bruni the chance to crawl onto her knee and contemplate the sky just like his friend. His little paws caused steam to evaporate from her exposed knee. It was then she leaned up surveying him. He glanced back sensing the scrutiny but then opened his mouth as if asking for payment for being observed. Amphibians and reptiles weren't related but they definitely were close in other aspects. There was just so much to possibly learn how could she pass the opportunity?

Her previous conversation when Yelana discovered word of Arendelle's mild destruction had caused her to seek Elsa out. She too sensed Elsa's hesitation to cast the creature away. She did not like it one bit. It disturbed her.

"Elsa I understand that there could be much to learn but at what expanse? The forest is in a delicate state and this is not one wolf seeking refuge but a great beast!"

"We cannot take that risk! Our village is not as fortified as Arendelle. . . Yes we have you and other spirits to defend us but I would prefer it to not get to that point, what if you get hurt?"

Elsa didn't want to admit that it irritated her, everyone's concern. It wasn't an insult per say, just misplaced worry. The only ones that weren't worried was Kristoff and Mattias. She knew it was silly to think that perhaps it was a female trait cause Ryder had also shown perturbations at the idea of her keeping the possible dragon around. There were always outliers however. He definitely was that. Red took residency on her cheeks when she remembered his proposal to her.

He took her wide eyes and blank face as a positive shock. "Rendered Utterly speechless" as he put it until Elsa found a voice and told him "Um uh- no- no thank you." Then jumped onto Nokk and raced incredibly fast away from Northuldra in a panic attack. She hid in Arendelle for a few days seeking comfort from Anna.

Returning was just awkward affair as leaving and Elsa feared it was even worse when she saw Honeymaren slap the back of his head urging him to approach. Elsa's own anxieties eased into pity as he apologized, shoulders hunched eyes casted downward, for making her uncomfortable and being a "vagrant" as his sister had said. He begged that they could just write it off as another one of his clueless blunders. Elsa confirmed they could by giving him a tender hug.

A bubble of a giggle rose as she remembered all the marriage proposals that came in and still hadn't slowed down that she and Anna would sit up at night and read, the poems were especially hilarious. Still Elsa found that her disturbance was not union itself but who was proposing it. She couldn't begin to imagine what it would be like to have a romantic partner. And at this point it seemed silly to even think about. It wasn't the first time she had thought of it by any means and didn't even understand the need. She had her family and friends, a purpose that was far beyond anything she could imagine, her freedom. All amazing things on their own and put together made a amalgam of perfection. It felt selfish to even think of wanting more.

She stared at her hands wondering though, What would it feel like to hold another's in a non platonic manner? She then felt along her lips slowly. What did it feel like to kiss someone's else's lips? She remembered how tolerant Anna and Kristoff had with her when she stared intently at them kissing from time to time. Was this just innate nature of curiosity wanting the answer to everything or was it a desire?

Sighing she gave up asking pressing her notebook against her breast slipping down against the tree. She didn't want to go to her cottage tonight and instead allowed sleep in where she lay.

Bruni would have to confess hanging on to Elsa's shoulder as she sailed through the forest was even more difficult than running.

The woman giggled propping him into a better position, she was especially ecstatic today after five whole days of searching high and low.

"Gale at the rivers divide it's a left correct?" She asked, the spirit of air went left at the fork and Nokk followed. They were in-between a ravine that grew more narrow and more flooded. Reason being the blockage a rock trolls leg provided, perhaps Gale had instructed him to do so they're fire breathing friend would stay put. Elsa wondered why they didn't simply fly. Detection avoidance could be their desertion to taking flight.

Eventually as they drew close the troll lifted his leg allowing Nokk to rush past with the water that had collected, Elsa ran her hand along the troll's. The river led to a grassy shore she dismounted upon. She froze Nokk so he could follow. She took note that there was quite a bit of underbrush around. This part of the enchanted forest was definitely uninhabited, well until recent.

Gale gusted in front of them and sped forward deeper into the bush. A low hanging fog appeared claiming the ground. It was incredibly lush green. A weak waterfall that casted a small rainbow explained the fog. Elsa's eyes were so busy taking in the environment she missed the Blue and grey mass shifting a few feet ahead of her in a clearing. Her Yelp when Nokk grabbed her purple half cape was short when she hit the ground behind a fallen log. She glared at him until she saw him kneel on his front legs thrusting his neck forward. Her head slowly rose just above the log. Her eyes widened and breath held at the sight.

They had a slip stream body, smooth that appeared to seamlessly curve into other body parts. Incredibly elegant when they moved even with a limp. The very little light that filtered in through the trees caused their skin to glisten. Not very inconspicuous. Elsa shrugged her neck but still pretty all the same. Their tail, light grey with a blue underside which covered the entire under belly and chest, long and perfectly controlled definitely perhaps acted as a rudder with the way the end was shaped. They looked as if they were built for high speed. Their fur also seemed to glitter with some particles littered throughout.

Elsa immediately began memorizing the face, elongated muzzle but still somewhat round. A cute little fang was poking from an unadjusted curled lip. They're eyes intrigued Elsa the most. On the outer side of the pupil a dark slither of purple sat, lightening as it rounded toward the cornea and following into a pink turning blue. The iris was slightly rounded, but still more vertical than horizontal, grew and shrunk accordingly when they faced the light and looked away. Almost cat like.

"Gorgeous." Elsa breathed adjusting to a more comfortable position. Bruni titled his head then looked at Elsa then back at the dragon and began crawling towards them until Elsa grasped him firmly shaking her head.

The creature shooed away the fog in a little circling prance which made they're captivated audience grin. They moved regally, steps dainty and light. It reminded Elsa of a princess. . . Not like Anna she had never been an ordinary princess.

The wings were large and ended in sharp tips the top of them matched the creature's skin but the underside was a dusty purple that fused into a blue.

Elsa looked to the fur again, that somewhat disparaged her dragon theory, she had never seen a dragon having fur in any book or painting.

The body stiffened and they rose to their hind legs sniffing the air, the appendages on their head rotated and swiveled listening for audio cues. Elsa Clenched her teeth and ducked down. They had caught scent of her. She heard them chitter curiously and waited till she was sure it was safe. Peeking out again the creature was looking her straight in the eyes. The temperature dropped.

A low growl showcased sharp white fangs, the appendages now flattened against the head. They chose to not fly over the waterfall and was backed against a ridge. Taking a deep breath Elsa stepped from her hiding place. Nokk followed snorting irritably. Being the only thing between the creature and escape. They gave a quick bark standing once again on their hind legs flapping powerful wings disturbing the foliage and remaining fog, a clear threat display. Bruni responded with his own. That's when Elsa noticed the gaping hole in the right wing. So that's why they didn't fly.

The chest began to light up which Elsa had been warned meant fire was to be blown. She shielded herself and her friends with ice ready for exertion of heat but the fire was aimed three feet in front of her. That is perplexing. This suddenly reminded her of when Bruni flexed his power by shooting past her at a tree, he too titled his head intrigued by the flames. She flicked her wrists and suffocated the fire. The slitted irises widen for a short moment in surprise lowering down to a near crouch. They gained eye contact which Elsa kept. Then slowly took one step to the left. Elsa copied. Then another step. Again Elsa mimicked smiling now. They were trying to switch positions with her to escape. After three steps Elsa refused to move again. They growled this time trying the right, again only managing to get three steps out of Elsa. She giggled at the deadpanned exasperation on their face shoulders and wings lowering. She herself had made that face many times when an animal was stubborn. With a low chirp it bucked a ducked head forward signaling Elsa to get lost. Instead she took a step forward hand held outward.

"I won't hurt you." She assured gently but it was clear she was not believed and received a growl and hiss. So instead she retreated and sat on the log taking out her notebook jotting down all details of the interaction. It watched her still crouched stiff remaining so for two hours. Impressive. Till finally, in a slow cautious manner as if Elsa would attack if they made any sudden moves, they lowered to the ground keeping pressure off the injured leg watching her. When they wrapped their tail around themselves Bruni glided over. He was regarded with curious eyes and every now and then it still glanced at Elsa but now Bruni claimed the foreground of attention.

Elsa saw how he crawled onto their paw without fear. A little worry tugged at her chest when the large paw was raised but instead of slapping him away the dragon leaned back to sit on their rump forearm dangling while the one that held Bruni was raised for closer inspection. He titled his head which was copied. Elsa giggled and was glared at, the ears lowered again in agitation. She folded her lips to keep her amusement to herself.

It chortled at him, he chortled back. Are they communicating to one another? They allowed Bruni to explore their body which urged a little envy into Elsa's heart for the salamander. In closer viewing Elsa discovered the skin was covered in fine scales. She filled fourteen pages with notes while Bruni made acquaintances. Nokk kept his distance. Gale blew through the dragon's fur messing it into a comical up do. Elsa smiled.

After sitting and just watching the spirits interact with the strange- Elsa still wasn't sure if they were a dragon or not. She found herself wishing she resembled less of a human since Bruni's new buddy seemed more accepting of creatures except humans. What had led it to attack Arendelle? Was it even an attack?

Standing, Elsa shifted hearing bones crack as she stretched. Bruni understood and crawled back to her after casting one more gaze at the larger animal. Gale too pulled away. Their arms dangled lamely at the sides as the company began to leave. Elsa felt remorse for them. "I'll be back tomorrow okay? I'll bring food this time." Even though I have no idea what you eat, most likely a carnivore with those fangs. She could always bring a variety. Maybe they liked chocolate. Arendelle would have a chocolate shortage at that point for sure, the kingdom was barely hanging on supporting her and Anna's addiction as is.

Her head made frequent turns toward the small waterfall. They now settled themselves near the small reservoir and began drinking watching the spirits leave. She longed to stay but she had other matters that required her attention. She had to remind herself she'd be back tomorrow and most likely even if they did change location they wouldn't make too great a distance with their injuries. "Hopefully they aren't infected." Elsa mused aloud sending Nokk in the direction of her cottage.