Chapter 5:
I Know Who You Are
So many thoughts were going through her head the whole ride back to the Northuldran camp.
How... how is this even possible??
She rode behind the rest of the group with Nokk as they slowly trailed. The necklace was still pressed in her palm and the weapons that belonged to the mysterious man had been taken to return back to camp.
Everyone in the whole group was quiet. Even Honeymaren who had been icing Ryder's face after the brutal beating they took from the mysterious man.
"Owwww..." hissed Ryder as his sister placed a small round ball of ice Elsa had been creating and handed to her. They were both riding on top of her reindeer while Ryder was leaning back on Honeymarens arms.
"I'm sorry Ryder but you have to stay still." Sighed Honeymaren as she continued to press the ice all over his damaged face. She hadn't been hurt as bad as her brother, but the right side of temple head had a purple bruise developing and her throat had the mans large hand imprant marked from the viscous choking he had given her. Not to mention that her ribs on her left side were killing her.
Elsa, on the other hand, seemed to only be staring off to the rocky trail as her mind went around in circles, questioning everything she just saw and discovered.
His eyes, his hair, his skin, his freckles... it all made sense...
"Elsa?"
She shook her head and blinked, realizing her name had been called several times. She turned to Honeymaren who happen to be the the one that was calling her name.
"You feeling okay?" She asked again.
Elsa cleared her throat, trying to pretend she hadn't been lost in thought. "Fine... I'm—I'm fine."
Honeymaren pressed her lips together, unsatisfied by the answer but choosing to ignore it. "How's your leg?" She pointed while clearing her throat.
Elsa's now dried up bloody leg had been wrapped around tightly several times with a coat a Northuldran member was kind enough to let her use and wrapped around her. It stopped the bleeding from getting any worse. "It still hurts." She said as she gently rubbed her inner thigh from the deep cut she had received.
The cut from him.
Before Honeymaren was going to open her mouth again, Ryder stood up from Honeymarens arms and groaned loudly as he covered his dried up bloody nose with his fingers. "Ughhh, what a horrible way to start the week." He said turning his attention to Elsa. "Thank you by the way, if you hadn't come along we would have been goners."
"Yeah well... you shouldn't have been there in the first place." sighed Elsa. The twins looked at each other confused and caught off guard by the answer. Honeymaren could tell that her sigh wasn't out of worry. It was out of frustration. Was she angry at her and Ryder for going after the man???
Deciding not to question her at the moment, they eventually arrived at the campsite as the rest of the Northuldran clan had welcomed them in immediately as they helped the three young adults of their steeds and looking over their injuries. Even Ryder and Honeymarens mother came running to look over her children.
"Oh my dear children, are you two okay??" she said grabbing their faces.
"We're fine mother." chuckled Honeymaren.
Elsa didn't even bother excusing herself from Nokk, instead, she ignored everyone who tried looking at her injured leg and started walking, or rather limping to her hut without saying a word to anyone with her expression as frustrated as ever.
That's when Honeymaren knew something was bothering her. She may have only known Elsa for a little while, but she knew it was very uncommon for someone as polite and regal as her to walk away without excusing herself first.
"Elsa, wait!" She called out as she hurried to her friend while holding her injured ribs with her hand. Elsa turned around, her expression still unfazed and emotionless. "Are you—are you mad at us??"
Elsa shook her head quickly with furrowed eyebrows. "No. Now if you'll excuse me—"
"Elsa, please!" Said Honeymaren grabbing her arm a little too roughly that it forced Elsa to turn around and meet her gaze again, her expression with surprise.
"Look..." she sighed as she quickly took her hands off Elsa's arm, realizing she had probably stepped out of the boundary line a little. "I get that you might be a little upset—"
"Upset!?"
The rather loud retaliation caught Honeymaren and several Northuldrans behind her off guard, including Ryder. They stared at Elsa who now had her arms crossed in annoyance. Espeically Yelena had began to study Elsa's frustrated body language. "You go out of your way and chase the dangerous man by yourself and you think I'm just upset?? No. I'm disappointed."
Honeymarens expression slowly filled with worry and confusion. "I'm disappointed that you couldn't just—listen." Elsa inhaled deeply, trying to control her emotions as ice began to form under her feet. "I told you to wait till I return from Arendelle."
This time Honeymaren didn't hesitate to respond as she stepped forward. "He was lurking in our camp, Elsa. I'm not just going to let some stranger into our home, espeically one who is dangerous."
"I'm the fifth spirit, Honeymaren." Retaliated Elsa as she met Honeymarens defensive tone with an expression of annoyance. "Its my duty to look after the forest—"
"And it's my duty to protect my people." Retaliated Honeymaren even more defensively now. Her eyebrows starting to furrow with anger.
It wasn't until Yelena stepped in the middle of the two that they're annoyed gazes finally met another persons. "All right, that's enough." Said the small Northuldran woman as she gently pushed the two away before they got into a even bigger confrontation. "Elsa, whats gotten into you. What happened out there??"
It wasn't until Yelena asked that she realized she had been pressing her palm deeply into the golden pendant. Her eyes widened realizing she had been taking out her anxiety out on Honeymare. She quickly shot her glare to her closed palm, afraid of unveiling anything to them yet.
"I'm—I'm sorry..." she muttered suddenly as she began to look out to the rest of the northuldran people who were only staring at the snow queen with worry. "I just... I felt a little anxious is all... p—please excuse me."
Honeymaren watched with worry as she saw her friend quickly limp back into her hut and closed the drapes behind her. She took a step forward to go after her but Yelena put her arm out. "It's best we leave her alone. She seems anxious after everything you all went through this morning, which by the way you still have to explain to me what happened exactly."
"But—"
"She'll come around. Besides, you and Ryder need to rest and you need to get that checked out." She said as she gently poked Honeymaren side to which she hissed in pain from. "Luckily for you, we have the best nurse in the forest."
—
Elsa sat on her bed with her feet curled together, her left hand still holding his necklace. Her anxiety was through the roof as she began to recall everything again.
The confrontation, their fight, the auburn hair, the emerald eyes...
Bruni came inside the hut and started crawling his way up to Elsa's shoulder where he began to tilt his head as he stared at her injury.
"Long story..." she said annoyingly. Suddenly they both heard the familiar whistling of the wind spirit and in entered Gale in Elsa's hut as her leaves floated in mid air.
Elsa sighed and shook her head angrily, refusing to look at her. "You are the last spirit I want to talk to right now, Gale."
Gale whistled quietly.
"Of course I'm upset!" Exclaimed Elsa which made Bruni jump from her shoulders and hide behind Gale. "How could you keep him a secret from me!?"
Gale whistled again as if she was trying to explain herself.
"Oh please, how could he even get through the mist in the first place! You know what— it doesn't matter." She said lifting her hands up in annoyance. "Just please leave me be, I need time to process all of this."
Gale didn't bother whistling back, instead she left Elsa's hut immediately, even bruni followe Gale out. It wasn't a good time for him to ask for more piles of snow from her.
Now completely alone, she inhaled deeply before turning down to look at her closed fist. She opened her palm slowly, hoping that it was all a dream. Hoping that the golden pendant wasn't there. But it was... it even left a tiny imprant on her palm.
The crest of the Lion.
How did you even make it here...
"Elsa?" Came the sweet sound from a girl.
Elsa gasped silently at hearing her name. Her eyes widening in fear. She quickly jumped to her feet but immediately groaned in pain and only ended up falling back to her bottom with clumsiness as she held her inner left thigh with caution. She quickly turned to her bed and without a second to lose she quickly slid the leather necklace under her pillow.
"Ahem, come in." She replied fixing a lock of her platinum blonde hair behind her ear. The drapes opened and a slight ray of beautiful sunlight filled the hut before the figure stepped inside while holding a wooden tray and with a critter sitting on her shoulders.
"Good morning, Elsa."
Meow!
"Oh, good morning Rhanda." Replied Elsa smiling at the beautiful young girl. Her hair was dark and long and her skin much like Honeymarens. She had the most purest and joyful smile in the whole camp, part of that being because of the joyous person she is.
The seventeen year old had the beautiful habit of always saying good morning to every single person at camp, including Elsa. Besides Honeymaren and Ryder, Elsa talked to Rhanda the most and they even came close friends.
She was always accompanied with her cat, Bridgette. At least that's what she named her. The Norwegian forest cat was like a companion to Rhanda, always following her everywhere and constantly sitting on her shoulder as if she was a parrot.
"I came to clean that injury of yours. I even brought some herbs and bandages to wrap it nice and tight." Said Rhanda smiling at Elsa as she sat in front of her and setting the wooden tray next to her. Brigette jumped off her shoulder and sat on Elsa's lap for comfort.
"You're too kind, Rhanda." Smiled Elsa while petting Bridgette as the cat purred back.
"Oh it's nothing, really!" Replied the joyous Northuldran girl as she began to gently grab Elsa's bare feet and placed it on her lap. "It's my job after all, looking after the injured and sick."
"And you're very good at your job." Chuckled Elsa as Rhanda smiled at her.
She took out a piece of cloth from the wooden tray and began to gently dip the cloth in a wooden bowl of hot water she had brought. "Okay, now I must warn you that this is going to sting." Said Rhanda as she squeezed the hot towel tighly. "You ready?"
Elsa took a deep breath and nodded her head. Rhanda bent forward and with her finger tips wrappped around the hot towel, she began to gently run them down her deep cut, immediately causing blood to spiral down her leg again.
Elsa hissed and groaned in pain, clenching her teeth together as Rhanda began to work on the cut. "Sorry..." she apologized with a worried expression. "But the warm water will be able to let the rest of the infected area leave before it keeps spreading."
Elsa placed her hands on her forehead, trying to focus on anything else but the pain right now. But every time she tried her thoughts only ended up going back to him.
"There we go, you're doing great Elsa." Said Rhanda lovingly as she continued to clean the infected area, causing yellow puss to leak out of her thigh while blood continued to spiral down to almost filled up bowl.
"Okay, now I'm going to spread some natural herbs around your thigh." Said Rhanda retrieving some freshly taken roots from the tray.
"Is that ginger root?" Asked Elsa.
"Yup! I'm going to use the inside of the ginger and spread it on your cut, the texture will help your cut to stop bleeding so much." She said as she began to break the ginger roots into pieces before wrapping them around her hands.
Surprisingly the ginger root texture didn't hurt her this time, instead it only seemed to calm her nerves and pain at the moment.
"Now I'm going to wrap your legs in these bandages." She said as she reached for a roll of white bandage material. She began to wrap her inner thigh, slowly going around in circles one by one, each time pressuring it just a little more.
"It's—a little tight..." breathed Elsa.
"It has to be. When you have a cut or burn this severe it must always remain covered to protect it from getting infected more. But don't worry, it'll help heal it in time." Said Rhanda as she began to the end of the bandage.
"But you will have a permanent scar..."
Great, something else to remind me of him. Thought Elsa to herself.
"There we go, good as new. And to close it off we have some carnation flowers." Said Rhanda teaching for a batch of flowers that were in the tray.
"What do they do?" Asked Elsa.
"Lift the up your spirits. They also smell lovely." Said Rhanda smiling at Elsa as she handed her the beautiful picked out flowers.
"Oh, thank you Rhanda." Chuckled Elsa as her smile returned. She accepted the flowers gratefully and placed her nose on the pedals, inhaling the sweet smell. "They smell lovely, and they are absolutely beautiful."
"All in a days work!" Replied Rhanda smiling back at her as she gently put her foot down again. "You look uncomfortable. Here, lets put a pillow on your back—"
"No wait!"
But it was too late, Rhanda had reached for the pillow and her gaze set upon the gold pendant as it shined beautifully around the dark leather necklace. "Is that yours?" She asked.
Elsa quickly bent forward and grabbed the necklace in her hands as Bridgette jumped out of her lap. "N-no..."
"Really?? Because that necklace is lovely! May I see it?"
Elsa didn't bother hiding it anymore. What was the point? Rhanda already saw it and there was no point in trying to come up with an excuse. She sighed nervously and handed the necklace back to Rhanda to which she took gratefully in her hands and lifted the necklace to her eye level, studying the beautiful details of the workmanship.
"It's beautiful..." she muttered as she continued to study the beautiful necklace. "Oh, there's a lion carved in it! What's it for??"
"It's a family crest."
"A family crest??" She asked looking up at her. Of course, the Northuldra had no idea what they meant to them.
"A family crest is a type of symbolic shield that represents what family you come from. The one you have on your hand is a royal family crest." Explained Elsa.
"Ohhh, kinda like the one Arendelle has. The green and purple?"
"Yes, exactly like that. The crocus on my crest signifies the royal Arendellian family and Arendelle." She said.
"So If this isn't Arendelle's then who's is it?" Asked Rhanda returning the necklace back to Elsa.
Elsa inhaled deeply as she stared at the necklace in her hands. "Another kingdom..."
"What kind of kingdom??"
Elsa was about to open her mouth and speak until Rhanda heard her name being called by Yelena. "Oh! That's my cue... I have to go check up on Ryder before he falls asleep on me." She said as she stood up with the wooden tray of medicine while Bridgette jumped on her shoulders again.
"Hey Rhanda? Can you please not mention this to anyone right now..." Said Elsa.
Rhanda smiled at her with that usual happiness in her expression. "Of course, Elsa. You can count on me always." She said as Bridgette followed her words up with a meow. Elsa Just smiled at her. "I'll come check how you're doing before supper tonight. Try to get some rest if you can."
"Thank you, Rhanda." Said Elsa as she watched the young seventeen year old leave her hut and close the drapes behind her. Now Elsa was completely alone again.
She didn't move for several seconds until she turned to look at the stack of paper and literature books she had brought back from Arendelle to teach the Northuldran how to read.
There on the side was another stack of papers and end slopes specifically meant for her letters woth Anna. She picked up the pen and paper in her hand and began to write.
Dear Anna,
She stared at her sisters name for several minutes, possibly even half an hour before she finally gave up and set her own and paper to the side. She was in no mood to write.
She looked back down to her hands where the necklace was safe and sound.
She continued to stare at the lion again and again while the same thoughts ran through her head and shortly thereafter her eyes began to grow heavier and heavier. Her body was exhausted after the crazy morning she had and before she knew it her head had fallen back and she had fallen in sleep.
—
Knock knock
"Elsa?"
She shot her eyes open, her heartbeat beating fast from the sudden calling of her name. She was sweating and given that there was no light around to shine in her hut, it must have been the afternoon by now.
"Y-Yes, come in." She quickly said clearing her throat and wiping her drool that was hanging from her mouth, a habit her sister and her had a problem with.
The drapes opened again and it was Rhanda again, her smile as lovely as always. "Good evening, Elsa." She said with Bridgette on her shoulders, meowing as always.
"Good evening—Wait what? How long have I been asleep!?"
"Umm, about six hours..."
"Six hours!? Why didn't you wake me, Rhanda." Said Elsa in unbelief as she sad forward.
"I tried! I even tried shaking you awake, but you just kept groaning and mumbling in your sleep." She replied. "Besides, your body was exhausted after the intense morning and was only trying to recuperate all the energy you used. Not to mention the fact that you also had a pretty deep cut on your thigh... speaking of which!"
Rhanda bent down again and took Elsa's foot gently, placing it on her lap. She began to unwrap the bandages, one by one until she was met with Elsa's deep cut. "Perfect! You see you aren't bleeding anymore." Said Rhanda pointing at her inner thigh.
Elsa bent down and gently rubbed her finger on the deep cut that had dried up and had begun to heal by itself. "You're right... it feels a lot better." Said Elsa impressed by the young Northuldra's girls medical skills.
"I'm just going to clean it up again with warm water to get the rest of the puss out, shouldn't hurt as much as the first time, and then we'll wrap up your leg once more, it has to be covered at all times until your new skin takes over."
Rhanda began to clean Elsa's wound again and just like she had mentioned to Elsa, it didn't hurt as much anymore. The stinging was still there, sure. But at least she could be able to take it while her dead skin poured into the wooden bowl again.
"I'm not going to go to sleep for a while now..." Said Elsa. Her stomach began to grumble loudly that it even caused Rhanda to widen her eyes in surprise and smirk at her. "Especially when I have an empty stomach..."
Rhanda laughed. "Don't worry, tonight we're having reindeer. It should be ready in about 10 minutes." She lifted her head up and inhaled deeply the cooked meat as her expression filled with a satisfied grin. "I can already smell it."
Elsa lifted her own head up and inhaled as well. "It does smell good... although I still see Sven's face whenever I try to take a bite out of the meat..."
Rhanda laughed again. "Don't worry, we're only harvesting reindeer. We don't go out of our way and abuse nature. We only borrow. It's a saying us Northuldrans have."
Elsa tilted her head as she began to listen to Rhanda speak. "Nature is borrowed..." she repeated. "That's a beautiful way to put it."
"All life surrounding us doesn't belong to mankind. Not the rocks, the climate nor the animals. In the same way that we try to make a fireplace, we only borrow the wood and the rocks that slam against each other to create fire. But eventually the fire will run out and it will return back to its original state."
"Which is nothing." Added Elsa.
"Exactly! Nothing. Mother Nature belongs to no one, especially not us. But we borrow her energy in the most respectable way possible. Same thing applies to the animals." She said as she finished wrapping Elsa's thigh with the bandage again. "And see, now you're all patched up again."
Elsa chuckled. "You're an extraordinarily girl, Rhanda. I wish I was more like you when I was your age."
Rhanda giggled. "Are you kidding!? You're the snow queen, the fifth spirit, the protector of this forest! If anything I would love to be like you."
"Trust me you don't." Sighed Elsa as a frown filled her face. "I'm no protector of the forest... Honeymaren is, and so are the rest of the warriors..."
Rhanda pressed her lips together, she could tell Elsa still felt guilty about this morning. "I owe Honeymaren a huge apology, I shouldn't have gotten so frustrated with her. She was only fulfilling her duty..."
Rhanda gently placed a hand on Elsa's shoulder, the plantinum blonde looked up to meet rhandas loving smile. "Honeymaren isn't mad at you Elsa, in fact she's felt guilty the whole day too."
"She shouldn't feel guilty..." sighed Elsa.
"Well she does. She and Ryder have been asking about you every hour since you've gone to your hut." Said Rhanda.
"They have??" Asked Elsa as she lifted her eyes to meet Rhanda's.
"Yup! Everyone knows what you did out there today, Elsa. You saved their lives from the man from the shadows."
"You guys know about that already??" Asked Elsa.
Rhanda shrugged and chuckled. "Ryder has a big mouth you know."
Elsa shook her head and chuckled as well. "Yeah he does."
"They respect you tremendously, Elsa. We all do! You're one of us, remember that."
Elsa raised her lips just slightly as they formed into a smile. "Thank you Rhanda. I think I'm ready for supper now."
"Good! Cause so am I, Isn't that right Bridgette?" Said Rhanda as she looked up to her cat who was still sitting on her shoulders.
"Meow."
The two girls burst into laughter in union.
—
The Northuldra had made a long line where each individual was poured reindeer stew in their wooden bowl by several of the cooks. The twins were in line and together as usual.
"Hey."
Honeymaren and Rhyders eyes widened as they turned around to the familiar voice. They found Elsa standing there smiling at the two twins while Rhanda was engaged in a fun conversation with a few of her childhood friends.
"Elsa!" Said Honeymaren cheerfully as a smile spread across her cheeks. She then cleared her throat realizing that perhaps Elsa was still upset about this muring.
But Ryder opened his mouth instead and cleared his own throat too. "Ahem, Elsa Umm... we just wanted to apologize about this morning. We shouldn't have gone after the man alone, we should have followed your orders and—"
"No, don't apologize." Said Elsa raising her hand up. "I'm the one who should be apologizing, I'm not queen of Arendelle anymore and I shouldn't be demanding things from anyone, espeically when I'm not in my home country."
"But you're the fifth spirit, we should have respected your wishes." Added Honeymaren.
"But I should have realized that you two have a duty to your people. I shouldn't have believed that it was wrong of you to protect your home."
"This is your hone too, Elsa. And we are your people too. Next time we'll be more considerate in the decisions we make" Said Honeymaren.
Elsa smiled at her two friends. "Thank you."
They spent the rest of the time waiting in line with their wooden bowls while they continued to engage in conversation, and of course the topic of their intense morning couldn't be avoided at all. "So, what do we do now?" Said Ryder. "That man he's... well he's unstoppable, is he even human??"
"He's stoppable." Added Honeymaren. "Elsa was able to whitstand his attacks so it's safe to assume he isn't invincible."
"He's still dangerous." Said Elsa. "What he did to you two and to me already points that he isn't showing mercy to anyone."
"Who might he be exactly?" Added Ryder. "Did you get a better look at him this time Elsa??"
Elsa pressed her lips together and after a few moments of silence she opened her mouth to speak but someone else's voice came out instead.
"Next!"
They turned around and realized that they were next in line for stew. "We'll talk about it after supper." Said Elsa as the two twins nodded in agreeance.
—
The Northuldran sat around the campfire as usual as they began to feast on their food. It took Elsa a couple of deep breathes and hard metal concentration before she could bite into the tough reindeer meat. But surprisingly after that she was able to swallow without a problem. Having not eaten all day probably helped her block out Sven's face from her mind too.
As usual, Elsa, Honeymaren and Ryder sat next to each other enjoying each other's company. Elsa even made crested a little pill of snow for Bruni as he made himself comfortable while she occasionally gave him little pieces of her food.
The topic of the mysterious man came up at times but none of them wanted to pursue the conversation any further until they were all alone.
Supper came and went and everyone in camp had satisfied bellies and were joyous in spirit. Yelena stood up from where she had been sitting and began to make her way to the middle of the circle where the campfire was set. She sat in her usual log and the people grew silent as they all waited for their leader to speak and tell her usual stories.
"Well, I think we can all agree that today was a very odd day." She said as she gave the three young adults a smirk. A few of the families chuckled at Yelena all while Elsa half smiled and blushed.
"All of you have probably heard the word going around that there was a certain man spotted up in the four peaks." They began to murmur to each other until Yelena raised her hands up again.
"My people, please. It is not a time to worry now. We must continue to do what we have always done with the Arendellians when they resided in the first, keep our distance and avoid contact. Our brave group of Northuldran Warriors who are lead by Honeymaren will reinforce their strategy and we have all five spirits on our side."
Yelena gave Elsa a gentle smile to which she had to force herself to return.
"But none of that matters right now, what's important is that that we are all together safe and sound." She made herself comfortable as she laid her staff in the ground.
"I was thinking of what I could share with all of you tonight, I admit I didn't have a story planned today especially after all we've been through. But then it dawned on me, has anyone heard of The Stalo?"
Some nodded their heads but most of them stayed quiet. "Perhaps it's time we revisit this story then." Said Yelena clearing her throat.
'Mother, I have seen such a wonderful man,' said a little boy one day, as he entered a hut in Lapland, bearing in his arms the bundle of sticks he had been sent out to gather.
'Have you, my son; and what was he like?' asked the mother, as she took off the child's sheepskin coat and shook it on the doorstep.
'Well, I was tired of stooping for the sticks, and was leaning against a tree to rest, when I heard a noise of 'sh-'sh, among the dead leaves. I thought perhaps it was a wolf, so I stood very still. But soon there came past a tall man–oh! twice as tall as father–with a long red beard and a red tunic fastened with a silver girdle, from which hung a silver-handled knife. Behind him followed a great dog, which looked stronger than any wolf, or even a bear—
The story Yelena has begun to tell had made Elsa's eyebrows furrow in annoyance. She actually enjoyed hearing the Northuldra share tales and urban legends, but everytime she tried to change her mind about what she had discovered this morning it only ended up reappearing again and again. Even in the way of an old Northuldran folk tale...
It's as if everytime she tried her hardest to block him, he only ended up appearing in her thoughts again and again.
She ended up spacing out for the rest of Yelena's story as she began to think about him again.
Those emerald eyes full of rage. His hair wet, long and flowing with the strong wing. She scoffed in annoyance and rolled her eyes as she rubbed the nose of her bridge in frustration. The story had already ended and everyone was on their way to retire for the night all except the three friends, two of which who were Ryder and Honeymaren who only gave each other weird looks because of Elsa's sudden annoyed attitude.
"You okay there, Elsa?" Asked Honeymaren.
Elsa shook her head while her eyes still remained closed and her expression frustrated. "No. No I'm not." She opened her eyes and stared off to the smoky fireplace that had been put out by a fellow Northuldran. "And I won't be until I talk to him." She spoke finally after a few silent moments.
She stood up from the ground suddenly as she started walking towards her hut with purpose, her fists clenched as if she'd finally made an important decision.
The twins watched as they saw Elsa enter her hut and closing the drapes behind her. They turned to look at each other, sharing disbelief in their expressions before jumping up to their feet and running after her. Or rather limping, they were still hurt.
Elsa bent down and reached for the necklace that had been hidden inside the letter she never finished writing to Anna. The Northuldran twins stepped inside her hut, their expressions still in disbelief.
"I'm sorry, I-I must've heard that wrong but did you just say that you're going to try to talk to him??" Said Honeymaren trying shake her head as if she was hoping it was just a weird dream.
"Yes." Replied Elsa as she quickly hid the necklace in her pockets and began to take off her sandals in order to put on her majestic traveling boots. She then covered her head with her short hooded cape.
"You're joking right? Tell me you're joking..." Said Ryder with widened eyes. Elsa turned around to face them, her expression unfazed and serious ever.
"It's what I must do. It's the only way I'll be able to find out why he's here." She said.
"But find out what?? Look what he did to us, that man has no reason to talk to us at all. If he's sees you again he won't hesitate to kill you!" Retaliated Honeymaren.
"He won't." Said Elsa digging into her pockets and pulling out the small object. "Because I know who he is."
She raised the necklace up for them to see. There in front of them was the beautiful golden pendant with the crest of the roaring lion. They stared at the necklace and drew closer to it, studying every single detail of it.
"Does that belong to him??" Asked Honeymaren.
Elsa nodded. "That's why I need to go, he won't deny me or even dare to attack me, espeically since he knows that I finally know his secret."
"What is it exactly??" Asked Ryder.
Elsa sighed as she brought the necklace back down gently into her hands. "A family crest... a royal one to be more specific."
"A royal one??" Questioned Honeymaren more loudly. "What-What is he then, some kind of King or something??"
Elsa sighed again. "I need leave and see him, Maren. I need to stop him before it's too late."
"Too late for what??"
Elsa stared at the necklace in her hands again. "Before he causes chaos again..."
Before Honeymaren or Ryder could even open their mouths again, the drapes opened and in entered the seventeen year old. "Hey, Elsa! I almost forgot to tell you that you need to rub some ointment and leave your leg uncovered all night when you go to sleep—"
She stopped and her eyes went wide as she looked up and realized that Elsa wasn't alone this time and was accompanied by Ryder and Honeymaren.
"Oh! Uh, h-hi guys... I didn't know you were having a private meeting and all so I'll just excuse myself—"
"No! Stay, Rhanda." Said Elsa as she brought her hands up to stop her from leaving. The northuldran twins turned to look at Elsa as if she was insane for letting this huge secret get out. "Don't worry she already knows and I trust her."
"Oh, you guys were talking about the necklace that belongs to the man from the shadows, right?" Said Rhanda putting the wooden tray down on the ground. Honeymaren and Ryder's has dropped.
"Yes, and I'm actually on my way to speak to him now." Said Elsa passing though the twins and Rhanda.
"Elsa, you can't go all by yourself, at least let us come with you in case anything goes wrong!" Exclaimed Honeymaren as Ryder nodded and agreed from behind.
"No, Maren you have to trust me. I have to do this. I'm the only one he might know or recognize."
"But—"
"Besides, you two are still hurt. I can at least walk again and if he does try anything again I can just freeze him on the spot." Said Elsa.
Honeymaren bit her lip as she slowly backed up and began to ponder her idea.
"Please, Maren. I'm asking you to trust me on this." Said Elsa.
Finally she sighed and admitted defeat. "Fine, but if you aren't back by the morning sunrise we will come and find you."
Elsa grabbed Honeymarens shoulders gently and smiled at her. "Thank you, Maren. I promise I will return and he won't try anything with me." She turned her gaze to the seventeen year old and her cat. "Rhanda, can I count on you to make sure no one finds out about this?"
MEOW!
Rhanda smiled at her cat and then back at Elsa. "Bridgette says yes." Said the joyful girl as she saluted Elsa with her two fingers.
Elsa smiled at Rhanda and started making her way out of the hut. "Wait, Elsa." Said Honeymaren suddenly. Elsa turned around. "If it does turn out to be who you say it is, what will happen?"
Elsa's expression turned serious as she looked down again at the beautiful gold pendant necklace. She raised it over the back of her neck and clipped the leather tight as the necklace sat perfectly on her neck. She was wearing his necklace...
"I don't know..." she answered finally. "I guess we'll just have to leave that to the hands of fate."
And with that final answer Elsa turned and left her hut as she started making her way to the nearby river where she sung her mothers call, the same call that Iduna had used to call Gale and also call her many times. The river splashed and up from the waters came the water spirit.
"Nokk... there's something we need to do." She said as she placed her forehead gently in front of his, freezing its whole body so the Nokk can step in land. "And you're not gonna like it."
She jumped in on top of the nokk, making herself comfortable for her to ride. She then lifted her voice and sang again, this time calling for Gale.
The wind spirit came flowing down from the skies as she met Nokk and Elsa with her gentle whistles and the leaves floating with her.
"Gale... I'm really sorry about earlier. I know realize you were just waiting for the right time, but the truth is that there is never a right time." Elsa pressed her lips and stared directly at the four peaks. "Take me to him." And this time Gale wasted no moment to whistle in agreeance as she started leading the way up to the four peaks. "Hiyah!" Shouted Elsa as the Nokk neighed and started sprinting forward to follow Gale.
All while Ryder, Honeymaren and Rhanda watched their friend go.
—
It's as if the ride up to the four peaks was starting to become faster than usual, she's been up here four times now and had even memorized the trail even with or without Gale's help.
There was a lot more fog than usual, partly having to do with the intense storm they experienced this morning. As usual it was silent save but a few critters and wolves howling in the distance.
She jumped off the Nokk and led it to the nearby river where the trees were scattered. "I need you to stay here until I tell you otherwise, got it?"
The Nokk tilted his head as if he was questioning Elsa if she was sure about this. "I promise I won't be far, I'm just up that trail." She said poitning to it. "I'll call you when it's time, I promise."
The Nokk bowed respectfully to Elsa as she turned around to meet Gale who was waiting for her. She inhaled deeply and started to make her way up the rocky trail, the same trail that she had to run up to save Honeymaren and Ryder this morning.
She guided herself with one hand grasped firmly on the mountain while maintaining balance and walking further and further up. She found herself holding unto the necklace in her neck for comfort, oftentimes playing with the golden pendant occasionally.
The higher up she went the less she could hear the animals, even the fog started to disappear. Finally making her way up on the cliff she was on top of the tall four peaks where it stood in awe, overseeing the whole enchanted lands, even the oceans and other kingdoms from other countries.
She had to admit that despite the deserted wasteland, the four peaks had an outstanding view, even at a night such as this where the moon shined below her as if it was so close she could reach up and touch it.
She walked around the familiar campsite where she and the twins had encountered the mysterious man just that morning in the most brutal fight. Every boulder and destroyed tree she passed reminded her of their duel. She could even see the deep cut his dagger had created on the tree.
Chills ran down her spine as her finger slid down the bark. She walked around again, trying to spot the man but couldn't find him. She figures she wouldn't, there was no way the man was going to stay there after she had unveiled his face.
But then she started to remember Ryder's words and how he described that he and Honeymaren had spotted the man after he had tried to drag Ryder with a rope and into the hidden trees.
"The hidden trees..." she said to herself as she turned and set her eyes on a small forest that seemed to continue onwards into the darkness. He had to be there; there was no way he could have escaped that fast.
Gale's sudden whistle came from behind Elsa as she floated past her and into the hidden forest. there was her answer, he was in there. And so she started to make her way into the forest as she followed Gale just a little furher in, occasionally stepping over fallen trees and tall grass roots that reached her knees.
The forest was so small that before she knew it, she was on the other side where she was met with a narrow colorful but rocky trail that led a little higher up to the four peaks. She could have sworn that she was already at the top, but as it turned out there was still one level higher than where it usually ended.
She followed Gale through the rocky trail as it expanded more outwards and beautiful greenery began to fill the the trail. She followed Gale up and out of the narrow trail and was met with a small land. A land that had gardens being taken cared of, chopped wood stacked on top of each other in a proper fashion and even a large and majestic waterfall just in the other side.
She would have never guessed there would have been a waterfall in the four peaks, especially one so large. But as it turns out the waterfall was actually hidden behind the large and deserted mountains.
Although there was hardly any light, the moon was so close that it at least helped her make out what she could see. The place reminded her of a local farmers land from Arendelle except it was more empty and with less of its usual accessories.
Gale whistled again, this time grabbing Elsa's attention as she flowed forward as if she was telling Elsa to look closer. Elsa did as she was told and after taking a few steps forward her eyes widened and immediately stopped dead in her tracks.
Their in front of her and hidden behind the small land was a cave. A cave that wasn't large but it was spacious. She furrowed her eyebrows and squinted her eyes, trying to make out what was inside but there was only pitch darkness.
She turned her back to the cave and looked out towards the large view in front of her, she began to ponder an idea. Perhaps she could use her magic and light up the cave to see what was inside since it was Gale who wanted her to go in.
But then her eyes looked upwards as she heard a soft but noticable footstep echo though the dark cave. Her heartbeat stopped at the noise she heard, her body staying completely still.
He was behind her... she knew it.
With a serious expression she slowly turned around back to face the cave and she was met with a dark figure standing inside the cave. His body large in stature, she could see his hair, the same hair she had seen this morning despite it being overcome by the dark cave. He had no cape or hoodie this time and his face seemed more revealing. She couldn't see his emerald eyes this time and his fists were clenched together as he stared back at her.
She continued to glare at him, refusing to stand down regardless of not being able to see his face. The suddenly she created another spear with her magic in her left hand. Majestic and powerful as usual. She raised it up to her head and threw it at the figure as hard as she could but he only moved his neck slightly towards his right and with his right hand he caught the spear with ease.
She glared at him, she didn't doubt he would catch the spear with ease, but she was angry, she was annoyed. She wanted to show him who she was, to let him know she could see him and that she was not afraid of him.
"I know who you are." She finally spoke after several seconds of intense silence. He brought the spear down slowly to his side, still not saying a word.
She grabbed his necklace that was hanging from her neck and raised the golden pendant to show him. The roaring lion shined with the midnight sky. "Only a royal bloodline is allowed to wear these."
He gave no answer again, not even moving a muscle.
"I don't know why you're here, or what gave you the idea to even dare come back." She said slowly bringing the pendant back down to her chest. Her tone cold and serious as ever. "But God help me that I am going to find out if it's the last thing I do."
The dark figure stood still, waiting for her to go on as if he was waiting for something.
"Show yourself." She commanded.
The man didn't move, didn't even say a word, instead he just stood still and cotinued to stare starving ahead.
"Show yourself to me, come into the light, now." She commanded again.
But he did nothing.
"You dispacble excuse of man." She spat as she took a few steps forward while glaring at him "Do you really think I am just going to let you run away again? No. I will blast you back to hell if you don't do as I say."
She clenched her fist with anger as ice particles began to form around her fists, ready to unleash a storm.
"Show yourself, come into the light or you or I die this instant." She commanded again.
Few moments of silence passed while she continued to glare at him, she was losing her patience and she was not in the mood for negotiations. But then suddenly he moved.
She backed away slowly her fists clenching even more as she brought her hands up, ready to blast him, ready to meet her enemy's face again.
And then her eyes widened.
He stepped into the light and she could finally see his face again and this time he had no mask...
His emerald eyes sparkling in the midnight sky, his auburn hair long and unkept as it reached the back of his neck and his auburn full beard spread on his face.
He had no armor, no cape and weaponry on him this time except the spear that Elsa threw at him. Bandaging was wrapped around his left shoulder where had been struck by her that morning, he wore dark worn out leather clothing that fit just right on his muscular body.
He wore no gloves, his breachers were of dark material as well and his leather boots still on him.
He showed himself to her.
"Hans..." she said with mouth parted in shock.
It was him, just as she had suspected. It was the same Southern Isles prince that visited her kingdom three years ago. The same Southern Isles prince that tried to woo her sister and take over the throne. The same Southern Isles prince that lied to her that she had killed her sister when it was he that left her for dead. The same Southern Isles prince that tried to raised a sword above her head to trike her down and kil her at her most vulnerable moment.
And although she already suspected it would be him, she had no idea that he would look like this, let alone be prepared to ever see him again.
He glared at her, his eyes staring into hers.
"Your Majesty." He replied, darkly and arrogant as always.
I would like to dedicate this chapter to Rhanda, otherwise known as rhandomfangirl from Tumblr and A RHANdom Artist from the Helsa Kingdom Discord room who has sadly passed away three weeks ago.
With permission from her family, I have introduced Rhanda, a new character in my story inspired by her but a familiar friend and leader to the Helsa fandom.
Rhanda was a big inspiration to many in the Helsa fandom, she was always so positive and friendly to everyone and I intend to keep her memory alive in this story forever.
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, I will try to update as much as I can. Unfortunately I am always busy but I will try when I have time.
Also for all those following the "Destiny Awaits" story, I have NOT given up on it, I am just taking a break. Please remember that I have been working on that story for over a year now and I thought I should just give myself a break. It takes a lot of commitment to write just one chapter.
Anyways, please leave your reviews and thoughts about the chapter, they always motivate me to write more.
Till next time!