The fire started to race and spread all around them.
"Get to the river!" Mattias yelled and everyone started to run.
The Spirit started to surround Elsa. Olaf coward close to her to escape the heat, and Elsa shot her hands out and started to freeze the fire. The fire blazed all around them, but then a spark fled away as the fire started to diminish.
A bunch of reindeer burst through the forest and started to flee from the flames.
"No, no that is a dead end!" A Northuldran said as he stared after the reindeer.
Kristoff quickly took action and jumped up on Sven. "Don't worry I will get them." He raced off into the flames quickly catching up to the deer and herded them. A tree branch started to fall in front of them almost landing on Sven's neck, but Kristoff quickly thrust out his arm and smacked it away, burning himself.
Anna looked around trying to find something to do. Elsa and Olaf were in the mist off the fire and Anna was trying to find a way to help them. Elsa's magic was easily overpowering the Spirits magic, but the forest was still a blaze. Anna noticed the trail of fire running away from Elsa and tried to intercept it.
Anna saw a stream of water and made a quick judgment to try and help Elsa corner the Spirit. She ran forward and soon the fire Spirit was right in front of her. It quickly stopped and back peddled when it nearly ran into her.
It was then that Anna got a good look at the Spirit.
It was a blue salamander with purple designs on its back. It looked up at Anna and Anna saw something in its eyes.
It opened its mouth and shot a fire ball at her.
A blast of ice crossed Anna and saved her from the flames. The Spirit quickly ran past Anna as Elsa came running up.
"Get out of here Anna!" Elsa yelled at her sister as she gave chase.
"Elsa, wait!" Anna yelled as she ran after her.
Elsa ran as fast as she could jumping over tree logs and rocks. She quelled the fire as she ran and blasted the Spirit every chance she could. One time she got a direct hit and the Spirit jumped up but kept running.
Elsa remembered how she had to use all of her powers to tame the wind Spirit. She would not back down or hesitate.
The Spirit's fire was slowly dissipating. It ran into a small crevice in a rock and realized quickly that it was trapped.
Elsa raised her hands.
"Elsa, stop!" Anna screamed as she grabbed Elsa's hands and yanked them down.
"Anna, what are you doing?!" Elsa looked angerly at Anna, but Anna held her gaze.
"Look Elsa, it's scared!" Anna said as she gestured to the Spirit.
Elsa looked over at the Spirit. It was still running around in the hole but then slowed down and stared angerly at the two sisters. It puffed up its cheeks preparing a fire ball. Elsa raised her hands again, but Anna quickly pulled them down and stared worriedly at the Spirit.
The Spirit stared at them in surprise and gulped down the fire.
Elsa relaxed in surprise. Anna gently pulled her sister down and motioned for her to stretch out her hand. Elsa did it and the fire Spirit slowly crept forward curiously. It crawled into Elsa's hand. Elsa started to pass the Spirit from hand to hand as her magic slowly cooled the Spirit down. Soon the Spirit sprawled itself against her skin and a lot of steam came off of it.
Anna got up and backed away. She stared at Elsa and the Spirit with a soft smile on her face. The Northuldran came up behind her and also looked at Elsa.
Elsa smiled down at the Spirit and raised one of her hands letting a flurry of snowflakes fall down on the Spirit. The Spirit stuck out its tong and ate one off the snowflakes. It smacked its lips happily and looked up at Elsa, and Elsa smiled down at it.
The Spirit tilted its head and tried to look behind Elsa. Elsa tilted her head, mirroring the Spirit.
"Are they watching us?" Elsa asked feeling everyone's eyes on her.
The Spirit lifted his head and licked his eye.
"Am I supposed to know what that means?" Elsa asked with a shrug.
Behind them, Anna stared sadly. Elsa looked so happy and the Spirit liked her.
"Ah-ah-ah-ah."
Elsa gasped as she looked up. The Spirit happily turned to where she was facing.
"Can you hear it too?" Elsa whispered to the Spirit. The Spirit looked up at Elsa excitedly. "Who is calling us? Is it Ahtohalla?"
The Spirit jumped from her hand and climbed up the rock. It looked back at Elsa one more time, it tilted its head looking behind her.
"Ah-ah-ah-ahh, ah-ah."
The Spirit turned back to the voice and dashed into the forest.
"Follow the voice." Elsa whispered, interpreting what the fire Spirit was trying to tell her.
Elsa started to move forward but felt a hand on her shoulder stopping her.
"Elsa?" Anna asked gently.
"Anna, what were you doing." Elsa asked angerly, but it was laced with concern. Anna flinched away but realized Elsa was talking about how she had chased after the Spirit and almost got hurt.
"You can't just run into fire, you could have been killed."
"I am sorry, I thought I could help." Anna said, bowing her head.
"Anna, you do not have powers. You can't defend yourself. What were you going to do if I didn't reach you in time?" Elsa said trying to get her point across.
"I'm sorry." Anna repeated. "But I did help you tame the Spirit."
"The Spirit was only tamed because I had weakened it." Elsa said and Anna looked down. Elsa relaxed and touched her sister's shoulder. "I am just trying to keep you safe."
"I know." Anna said sadly.
"Are you okay?" Elsa asked as she looked her sister over.
"I could be better." Anna shrugged, and Elsa gave her a kind smile.
"I think I have just the thing." Elsa dug into her satchel and pulled out their mother's shawl. "I brought this along just in case." She wrapped it around Anna's shoulders and Anna held it close, smiling at Elsa.
"That shawl." The Northuldran man said as he walked forward. "That is from Northuldra." He said and the others followed him including Yelena.
"Where did you get that from?" Yelena asked in suspicion. Anna and Elsa smiled at each other and walked back over to the ice statues. They showed everyone the sculpture of their parents.
Kristoff came walking from the woods and stood next to Anna and Elsa.
"Our father was king Agnarr of Arendelle, but our mother was a Northuldran. she helped save our father when the mist had fallen over the forest." Elsa exclaimed proudly to the people surrounding her and Anna.
Yelena looked at Anna and Elsa and then at the statue of their mother. The Northuldran man placed his hand on Yelena's shoulder and smiled at her. Yelena softened and grabbed a hold of Anna and Elsa's hand, she also motioned for Kristoff to put his hand on Elsa's.
The Northuldran people placed their hands on each other's shoulders, all leading to Yelena, and they all started to sing.
The forest seemed to come alive to their singing. The trees that seemed lifeless started to shine and lights glowed in the air.
"We are called Northuldra, we are, the people of the sun." Yelena said proudly and tenderly.
"I promise you, I will free this forest, and restore Arendelle." Elsa said confidently as she looked at Yelena and then at Mattias.
Yelena nodded.
"It is late, rest with us and continue on tomorrow."
"Free the forest." The Northuldran man said excitedly. Kristoff was standing next to him and gave him a look. "Sorry, it is just that some of us were born in here, we have never even seen the sky." He explained and then raised his hand. "Names Ryder by the way."
"Kristoff, and don't worry, I understand." Kristoff said friendly.
"How did your parents escape the forest?" A Northuldran asked. All eyes landed on the statue and took in how the two children were being lifted up.
Anna then remembered the statue she had noticed and walked over to it.
"Elsa, come look at this." Anna called out and Elsa and Yelena walked over to her.
The statue was of a beautiful woman that reminded Anna of Elsa, but not quite. She had one hand stretched out and the other around her waist.
"Is that?" Ryder said as he got close.
"Ahtohalla." Yelena said in confirmation.
"Ahtohalla saved our parents." Elsa said in amazement.
"Iduna was one of her most cherished friends." Yelena said as she studied the statue.
"She's hurt." Anna said and all eyes lowered to her second hand that was wrapped around her waist, a sword wound in her side.
"Is that why she has abandoned us?" A Northuldran asked in fear.
"She would have gone back to Ahtohallan to recover." Yelena said almost distractedly and then she snapped back. "Get back to the camp, a lot has happened and there is much to discuss."
Anna grabbed Kristoff's arm to pull him to come along but he yelled out in pain.
"Kristoff your arm!" Anna said worriedly as she inspected his arm. It was burnt and he clutched it close.
Elsa rushed over but hesitated on whether putting ice over it might make it worse.
"We need to treat that quickly." Ryder said. "Here let me help you." He grabbed Kristoff and him and another Northuldran led him away. Anna followed close behind.
Elsa was about to go with them but was stopped by Yelena.
"Ryder will take care of them. I need to speak with you queen Elsa."
/
Anna stood next to Kristoff as Ryder wrapped his arm up.
"So, you two are a couple?" Ryder asked nervously trying to start a conversation.
"Almost a year now, yeah." Anna said happily and Kristoff blushed.
"Must be something really special to be able to date a princess right." Ryder said cheerfully to Kristoff and Anna nodded.
"He really is." Anna said enthusiastically but Kristoff looked down. Anna looked at him in concern when Mattias approached them.
"Princess." He said as he gave Anna a small bow. "They are giving out drinks." He pointed to a couple of Northuldran who were handing drinks to everyone.
"Oh." Anna said interested, but then glanced at Kristoff hesitating.
"I will be fine." Kristoff said as he gave her a smile and waved her to go.
"I still need to wrap it, and I would love to chat and learn about outside of the forest." Ryder said helpfully.
Anna nodded and followed Mattias.
/
Anna soon found herself holding a cup of warm liquid. She didn't really like the drink, but it still warmed her fingers. She and Mattias had found themselves talking about Arendelle.
"So does Maria still bake her famous pies?" Mattias asked.
"Yes! I accidently tipped them over a month ago. Helped her re-bake the entire thing!" Anna said excitedly. Now that she was getting to know Mattias, she was starting to relax. "Kristoff and Olaf also helped. It was actually quite hilarious with Olaf constantly setting his arms on fire."
Mattias laughed heartily, and Anna giggled at the memory.
They went silent and Anna looked over the camp.
"It must have been heard all these years." Anna said quietly.
"We make do, I could have lived with a little less hostility from the Northuldran, but it could have been a lot worse." Mattias said almost nonchalantly. Anna frowned a little.
"You don't like the Northuldran." Anna looked at him, she wasn't calling him out, just trying to understand.
"They aren't bad." Mattias didn't met her eyes.
"But?"
Mattias looked at her. "They are too prideful."
"Do you think they started the fighting?" Anna asked.
Mattias looked over the camp. "I don't know. Maybe, or maybe it was an Arendellian. I don't know why any of us would start it, so that means it could have been over anything. My disputes with Yelena are simply because she whole heartedly believes an Arendellian did it, but has no evidence, and I just want her to admit that there is a possibility that one of her people could have been responsible."
Anna followed his gaze and looked at all of the Northuldran.
"Do you think the one responsible is still alive?" She asked.
"No." Mattias said certainly. "I don't know for sure, but I have lived in this forest for years, and believe me when I say that all of us are completely clueless and just want out."
"Elsa, Kristoff, and I will do what ever it takes to free you all. I know we don't look like much, outside of Elsa and her powers, but I will have you know that I managed to save myself from a magical frozen heart." Anna said confidently with a smile.
Mattias returned her smile. "You have my utmost faith."
Anna's smile once more faded. "Do you know of anyone from Arendelle that you are even slightly suspicious of?" Anna asked, and Mattias understood why. No matter which side had done it, the other would be mad. Arendelle had moved on from the tragedy of the Enchanted Forest and therefor would only look down on the Northuldran. But if Arendelle was to blame, vengeance was rightfully in the Northuldran's hands.
"There is only one person I can think of that would have a motive to do it." Mattias confessed solemnly.
"Who is it?"
Mattias shook his head. "I don't want to spread doubt, you will find out the truth either way, no need to start putting blame on a dead person now after all these years." He looked down. "You have no idea how much I hope it was all just a misunderstanding, or at least both sides are at fault.
Anna nodded her head. She decided it was best to change the subject and thought for a moment before brightening back up.
"Did you know my grandfather?" Anna asked excitedly.
Mattias gave her a happy smile. "Sure did, I stood next to him often on these trips to the Enchanted Forest, and I was often appointed with keeping your father safe as well."
"What was he like?"
"He was a good king, always did his best for his people. He did have a problem with thinking he was not good enough and would over work himself."
"Sounds like Elsa." Anna said a little sadly.
"You mean how they can both be stubborn, but it doesn't matter because they exude such regal air about them?" Mattias teasingly said.
"Yeah, that sounds exactly like Elsa." Anna smiled brightly and the two of them laughed.
/
"We have our annual reindeer races. Those get really competitive, so far I have been the winner for the last three years." Ryder explained to Kristoff proudly as he kept him company.
"That sounds awesome. I have never even thought of racing reindeer." Kristoff smiled happily as he chatted.
"They are the best creatures on this planet." Ryder said and Kristoff immediately agreed.
Kristoff then found himself looking around in wonder.
"Everything all right?" Ryder asked.
"Yeah, its just that my parents' tribe is practically gone so I never thought I would ever get to interact with others like this. People who live in the great outdoors and stuff like that." Kristoff confessed. "I think I understand more of why Elsa wants to meet others with powers now."
"Well, I am glad we got to meet." Ryder said and Kristoff nodded.
/
Yelena led Elsa into a tent, lifting the flap to let her in.
The tent was bigger than the others but still felt cozy inside. It was layered with rugs with one wall holding up a tapestry filled with multiple pictures. Yelena offered Elsa to sit down.
"Now, your creation mentioned you are hearing a voice?" Yelena asked Elsa. "What does it sound like?"
"Yes. Ah-ah-ah-ah." Elsa sang, a slight smile on her face.
Yelena nodded and continued the song. "Ah-ah-ah-ahh, ah-ah."
"I never thought I would ever hear her call again." Yelena said sadly.
"Ahtohalla?" Elsa asked. She said it delicately, trying to respect Yelena and what she had been through, but there was a hint of eagerness in her voice.
"What do you know about Ahtohalla?" Yelena asked.
"Only what my parent had told me about her." Elsa answered trying to remember everything she knew. "That she had ice magic, and that she was the Fifth Spirit."
Yelena nodded approvingly. "Yes, just like your magic."
"My magic?" Elsa said in confusion.
Yelena smiled at her. "The ice is obvious, but you also seem to be able to tame the Spirits just like her."
Elsa looked down at her hands in wonder. "I, I always hated my powers." Elsa looked at Yelena. "My mother said that Ahtohalla could not grant powers, but do you think that there is a chance that I am somehow connected to her?"
"I think you are more connected than you think." Yelena said. She stood up and walked over to the tapestry. "Long ago, Freya came to this place to grieve for her lost family. She cried for months, and when she finally had enough, she realized that nothing was alive around her. She created this forest. She wanted to show the world that there is still hope, that life and beauty can still go on even if it looks hopeless. And then she created the Spirits, to help and protect her forest." Yelena paused and smiled at Elsa. "And then we the Northuldra came. Our ancestors had traveled in hopes of finding someplace to truly call our home. When we came into the forest, we were welcomed but nature does not like to be disturbed. Our people had trouble with the Spirits and believed that there was no way to live here. Freya saw this and was sad. She had grown found of us and did not want us to feel unwelcomed or to leave. So, she created the Fifth Spirit. First, she created Ahtohallan, a place that holds all memories so that we can always be reminded of who we are, and what is right. The glacier arose from the water and with it, Ahtohalla was born. The water Spirit came to her and with a wave of her hand it bowed to her. Then the wind created a storm but as soon as she touched it, it calmed down. The earth Spirits threw huge boulders at her, but she simply created an ice wall and overpowered them. And then the fire Spirit attacked her, but she simply picked him up and extinguished his flames. The Northuldran welcomed her with open arms, and Freya, knowing that peace would reign over this land finally, left with a smile."
Elsa stared in awe.
"There is one way for Ahtohalla to give someone powers." Yelena said as she looked at Elsa seriously.
"How?" Elsa asked as she sat up straight.
"Ahtohalla is eternal. She cannot be killed with a mere sword." Yelena explained. "Yes, her form can be destroyed, but she will always come back, her spirit still exists, and her powers passed down."
"You think Ahtohalla has given me her powers?" Elsa asked, almost not believing it."
Yelena shook her head. "I do not think she has simply given you, her powers. I think you are Ahtohalla. Her soul is inside your body, reincarnated to protect this forest once more."
Elsa looked at her hands in wonder. She, the Fifth Spirit. The bridge between magic and people.
"Ahtohallan is calling to you, go to her and find out the truth." Yelena encouraged with a small smile.
Elsa nodded. She now felt rejuvenated and wanted to go immediately, finally, answers were at her fingertips. How she was born with powers, and why. Suddenly the earth started to shake.
"What?" Elsa said as she got up and dashed to the entrance.
"The Earth Spirits." Yelena said in a worried whisper. "They never come down at this time." She then dashed to help her people gather their stuff and move away from the stone giants.
Elsa sneaked to a tree. She saw the Spirits and quickly hid. But she was not afraid. In fact, she was eager.
"They can sense me." She whispered excitedly. The wind and fire Spirits had quickly found her, and she had tamed them. Now she must do it for the earth Spirits.
"They are huge." Anna whispered as she came up behind her. Elsa smiled at her sister and moved to get around the tree, but Anna stopped her.
"What are you doing?" Anna asked her scared.
Elsa could almost not hear her. "My powers managed to calm the wind and fire Spirits, maybe I can do the same for the earth." Elsa said excitedly.
Anna looked behind the tree and stared at the earth Spirits. There were three of them. Anna noticed how they were even bigger than Marshmallow and an image of them squishing Elsa ran through her head. Anna then looked at their eyes. They looked sad and lost. They had a deep sorrow and anger that they cannot unleash, and so they wonder aimlessly. Anna instantly knew that the fight with them would be much different then with the other Spirits. She knew that they would not relent unless either Elsa or they were dead.
"If you fight them right now it will endanger the Northuldran and the Arendelle solders." Anna reasoned.
That snapped Elsa back and she looked at the people as they rushed to get everything they had. If she attacked, she didn't know if she could control the damage area. Elsa also realized that she was assuming that she was the Fifth Spirit. She had to find out the truth first before she made any brash actions.
"Alright, but we have to leave now." Elsa said as she put her hand on Anna's shoulder, calming her down. "We need to head north, that is where the voice is coming from." She moved to leave but Anna stopped her.
"What about Kristoff and Olaf?" Anna asked. "We should go get them."
Elsa sadly shook her head. "Kristoff needs to rest his arm and Olaf can help ice it." Elsa said and Anna looked down. "Go tell them we are leaving. I will lead the Spirits away and will wait for you up ahead." Elsa encouraged her sister and Anna smiled gratefully as she dashed back into the camp.
/
Anna dashed into the tent that she had left Kristoff in. She found Yelena was also there and she and Ryder were trying to think of the best way to move Kristoff while he was injured.
"It is just a burn, I can walk." Kristoff said a bit exasperated.
"It is a burn from magic fire, you could collapse any minute." Yelena told him and Kristoff just huffed.
"Elsa is leading the earth Spirits away." Anna informed everyone. All eyes snapped to Anna. Yelena nodded her head.
"They are attracted to her. I assume that the queen has left." Yelena asked Anna.
"Yes, I am going to go meet up with her." Anna informed them all and Kristoff moved to get up.
"You are not going anywhere until your arm heals." Yelena instructed.
"I am fine." Kristoff said as he continued to stand.
"Kristoff."
Kristoff turned to Anna as she said his name. She had spoken so sadly, and she looked torn. Kristoff slowly sat back down. They stayed in silence and Yelena and Ryder left them alone.
"I won't go if you ask me." Anna said. She did not know what to do. She did not want to leave Elsa alone, but she didn't want to abandon Kristoff either. Elsa did not seem to want her to come anyway, so if Kristoff needed her, she would stay, even if she would still be torn. She had promised to keep Elsa safe.
"You can go Anna." Kristoff said and Anna looked at him confused and worried. He simply gave her an encouraging smile. "Elsa has been on a one-track mind since we got here. You should keep her safe."
"But your injured." Anna said.
"I have Olaf and Sven, also there is a reason why the Northudra have survived in this forest for years. I will be fine." Kristoff shrugged.
Anna glanced out the tent and saw Olaf talking to everyone and telling them the importance of getting along and forgiveness. Everyone was simply ignoring him.
"I think you should be keeping Olaf safe before he angers someone." Anna said distractedly.
"I'll keep him distracted." Kristoff promised with a salute and a smile.
Anna laughed. She then walked over and hugged Kristoff tightly.
"I promise to come back." She said to him as she hugged him.
"Just don't get hurt." Kristoff said and they let go of each other.
Anna stood up and left, giving him a small wave on her way out.
/
Author's Notes:
The one thing I realized in this chapter is that line breaks give me power and I should abuse it more often.
I really do not like third person point of view in which we keep skipping from one character to the next and you have to explain that you are now with this character. I am also trying to write it like the movie. So, line breaks are a big help.
This chapter felt like it went by to fast. We just met the Northuldra and Arendelle soldiers and now we are leaving them. I hope we got to get to know them a little more than in the movie.
My original idea was an Olaf song. He would be talking about how they should get along and sunshine and rainbows, and everyone is just "no". It would show how the Northuldra, and soldiers felt about each other and see a little of what their life is like in the forest.
However, I don't know how to write a song so that is scrapped. Sadly, the only one who really suffered is Olaf. I did not feel like Olaf needed an ark in the movie, especially with everything else that is going on. So, in this story I wanted him to keep his childlike innocence. He pretty much tells everyone the answer but because they are all stubborn adults, they ignore him. But right now, it feels like he isn't doing much. But I honestly think that is fine.
One of the things I changed was how the Northuldra and soldiers felt about each other. In the movie it was petty squabbling, but they all just wanted out. I turned it to where they really were still slightly at each other's throat and believed the other was the one who started the war.
One of the scenes that always felt weird, was how Yelena insisted that none of the Northuldran would start the war.
It just felt wrong. I like to think the Northuldra are prideful.
Yes, the Soldiers were also pointing fingers, but they never out right said that they were completely innocent. They just knew that there was a fight, and no one knows who started it. So, they were just on guard against the people who supposedly attacked them.
Also, if we look at what we see in the movie. Arendelle had more damage done to it then the Northuldra, at least what we were shown. The only Northuldran that we see die is the chief. Except for the fact they are trapped in the forest and are hiding from the spirits, the Northuldra seem fine. There is a lot of them, and they still have their reindeer. This was supposed to be a war. Arendelle has the better weapons and armor and supposedly was prepared for the fight. And yet the king dies and there are only five soldiers left.
Yes, it has been 43 years and that a bunch of kids were born, but that still shows how much the Northuldra were doing okay. And I really think that the 5 soldiers were the only ones left from the fight, and that they did not just die off in the years.
So, with that in mind, I would not be surprised that Mattias thinks that the Northuldra betrayed Arendelle.
Just something I realized. What do you think?
I over exaggerated Kristoff's injury.