"Be sure to let me know how it goes?"
"And any intel we can share with the village about Ryu..." Yelana interrupted before Elsa could answer as she packed the fish and other ingredients to a pack.
Elsa looked up and smiled small. "Of course."
"Can you even begin to think about the possibilities this could bring!" Elsa chuckled at Honeymaren's enthusiasm. "I mean Elsa we've probably seen more than most people around the world, magic, spirits, you-" her hands grandly gestured to Elsa bringing a blush to her cheeks. "- and now dragons! I've been doing some reading and I don't think any other place has such plethora of wonders."
Elsa couldn't open her mouth to agree before the less jovial Yelena interjected. "All the more reason we must proceed with caution. I have seen the greed of humans and what it is capable of. A greed so great that they would sooner destroy something precious if they cannot contain it for themselves. Even now Elsa's life is being threatened and by extension the balance of the bridge." She shared a glance between them.
"Besides reading have you had any reports back from your warriors Honeymaren?"
"No, but we're still scouring every inch of the forest, the beach is next on our list."
"Now it is imperative that we must focus on protecting our people, our home and each other. We will keep any new developments small and to ourselves." The last part was spoken in a hushed tone.
Both young women bowed their heads respectively. Yelena gave an acknowledging grunt and left them when a hunter beckoned her away to the large communal goahti.
Elsa appreciated both efforts and thoughts from Honeymaren and Yelena although the motivations seemed mildly different. While they both sharer similar temperaments and ideals Honeymaren had always been more in touched emotionally in her endeavors, her heart was incredibly strong.
The mind and heart both have their strengths and weaknesses, do not favor one over the other.
"Would you like to join me when I introduce Grand Pabbie and Bulda to Ryu?" The question came fast and unsuspected by both of them. Elsa wasn't entirely certain why it had crossed her mind. Maybe it was the way Honeymaren tensed up when Yelena spoke, or the way her eyes became crestfallen when she was asked of any reports to share, either way Elsa had a feeling she could use a break from her duties for the day. It wasn't as if it wouldn't be conducive.
While Honeymaren debated silently what answer to give Elsa reasoned with her sense of duty by stating. "It could be best if both us heard and were educated by Grand Pabbie about dragons... To share with everyone."
That seemed to do the trick as Honeymaren let out a loud and sharp whistle. Soon Erin trotted over to them nuzzling his nose against Honeymaren's chest
"Ready when you are." She smiled at Elsa's ice knapsack then looked over at Nokk.
"And maybe we can take some of those supplies off you two."
Elsa relaxed somewhat atop of Nokk with the morning fogged spreading beneath his hooves as Erin easily kept up. She glanced back at them and wiggled her fingers creating small snowflakes which fluttered into Erin and Honeymaren's noses. She wiped away the itch with her tunic sleeve and playfully glared at the spirit. "That's enough of that."
Elsa laughed watching as Honeymaren bent down scratched Erin's nose.
Yes she was certain that Honeymaren would make an amazing successor for when Yelena retired... If she ever did retire.
She also couldn't wait for the time when both Northundra and Arendelle could accept the dragon and Ryu could soar through the skies to her heart's content.
And as she rode back to her cottage those thoughts are what she used to wash away the grim of anxiety of Grand Pabbie and Bulda's arrival. She'd meet them at noon Gale informed based on their route they had taken.
The cross road of telling them of the attempt made upon her life was easily resolved, they could use all the help they could get and the wise trolls would be a powerful asset with their immense knowledge and surprising worldliness.
Still... She knew it would be disappointing to them that a precious rarity as the Dragens lys was involved heavily in murder conspiracies.
"So-" Honeymaren poked her head in curiously. "Where is she?"
Elsa hummed resting the supplies down on the counters. "Probably still sleeping. Hungry?" Honeymaren shook her head but slowly stopped when Elsa raised her eyebrows and began unpacking.
"-I could probably eat again." She mumbled quickly to which Elsa nodded satisfied knowing the girl had skipped breakfast.
While she cooked Honeymaren wandered around until she made her way back to the kitchen. The silence was telling and after thanking Bruni for lighting the stove she faced Honeymaren.
"Do you have anyone you can talk to about it?" At first Honeymaren's expression was nothing but caught off guard and perplexed.
"Huh?" Elsa drew in closer pouring her a cup of tea.
"Your worries. They aren't the same ones are they?" Sighing Honeymaren took a sip and shook her head.
"No you were right I can't and shouldn't force Ryder into becoming someone's he's not thinking it would make him better. He's already great- albeit eccentric- but great all on his own and shouldn't be molded into who I think he should be." The spirit's cocked brow only brought a new layer of confusion.
"What?"
Turning back to the eggs stirring them up Elsa thought of how to proceed. "Have you tried applying that same standard to yourself as well?" Honeymaren pursed her lips together focusing on her cup of tea. "Yelana has done an excellent job in training you everyone can see that but- but you aren't her, and you try very hard to complete your responsibilities as if you were and it stresses you out." Grabbing the plates Honeymaren held them as Elsa loaded some eggs and fish onto them. "There are some traits that leaders can share but what makes them amazing leaders is they themselves-" placing the plates down she gripped Honeymaren's hand sharing a mutual gaze. " And Honeymaren you are remarkable just as you are."
For a few moments the younger woman choked down some emotion as she hugged Elsa tightly. Recovered her smile shifted to a smirk. "You're a bit of a hypocrite you know that?"
Elsa balked pulling away to pick up the plates. Playfully scoffing she says in a haughty tone. "I have no idea what you are talking about." She rolled her eyes at the coy 'Uhuh.' Following her up the stairs into the guest bedroom.
"Whoa Elsa is this where you keep your dirty laundry?" The spirit shook her head as she examined the large pile of linens, towels, and blankets alike atop the bed.
The giant heap seemed to be moving steadily... No it was breathing.
The small fat of a grey tail was poking out not giving any clue as to where it began and ended.
Honeymaren watched as Elsa scratched the scales making them twitch, tightening, and stretching much like the hide of a snake, until the annoyance was put to an end as it tucked in.
A low grumble mewled. After three minutes of attempting to pull and yank at the pile to awaken the dragon all efforts came out fruitless. It was a well known fact to Elsa that if Ryu did not want to do something she wouldn't and negations were tough if one didn't know the proper bargaining tools.
"Here..." Said Elsa grabbing the plate of laks og eggerøre. She held a piece of laks in front of the pile. A little wiggle here and some shifting there.
A light grey muzzle rooted its way out an opening of the blankets. The nostrils flared in a deep inhale. Her mouth opened as if to eat the smell.
Honeymaren covered her chuckles with her hand while the dragon gently maneuvered towards the fish which Elsa mercifully gave smiling as she chomped on it.
A large head followed wrapped in the blanket.
"Good morning Ryu." Elsa states softly. Ryu's irises slitted from the sunlight filtering in through the window. Clearing away some of the blankets Elsa placed the plate in front her.
The smell even drew out groggy Bruni whom Elsa was not expecting to be in the pile as well.
"Anyone else in there?" Honeymaren jested lifting some of the sheets.
Noticing Bruni's attention on her food Ryu glanced between him and the plate, offering a bit of egg which he chewed curiously.
Honeymaren sank into a chair against the wall while Elsa created her own to sit in beside her. Ryu didn't pay much attention to the conversation as she juggled eating and observing Honeymaren closely deciding she didn't mind her either much like her brother, though Ryu could say that she was more impartial to Ryder. Honeymaren and Elsa seemed share an understanding for one another as well as similar interests one key difference between them was noticable right away. Honeymaren seemed much more brazen than Elsa which could be alarming at times, she had an understanding for the mystical and occult though and from the bits Ryu picked up held a respect for said subjects.
"So need any help dolling her up for the trolls?" Ryu's stubby tendrils pricked up at this.
Elsa mulled over the idea and after sharing a quick expression with Ryu nodded.
"Probably."
"Well-" Honeymaren rose collecting the plates. "Let's get to it then shall we!"
Ryu being the least unenthusiastic of the three tried to burrow her way back into the comfy nest she had constructed but was intercepted by Elsa throwing the blanket off.
"Oh no you don't!" Elsa chastised, shaking her head at the growl she received in reply.
"Ryu we have two hours according to Gale to prepare you for the visit." She told her.
Still this did nothing to raise the dragon's disposition. So she sulked, she knew of the visit and had been dreading it everyday since. One part of her being elated to knowing more of her own kind and the other part feeling very self conscious of meeting dragon experts knowing she herself was a disappointment having been told by her previous household. It was much better being surrounded by those ignorant to what she was, she wasn't the grand and terrifying beast of old but rather a caricature and now she had to represent her entire species.
What would they tell Elsa? That she managed to save and find the shadow of what dragons once were? Would she be disappointed?
"Hey-" Elsa says a bit more gently, her palms cupped Ryu's muzzle rubbing her thumbs the way she knew relaxed the dragon. "There is nothing to be worried about. I know it's alot of pressure but I like to think I have impeccable judgement-" she giggled then smoothed Ryu's mane from her eyes. "They'll be in awe of you."
Sighing Ryu retreated into the blankets and Elsa watched as the sizable lump grew smaller and smaller. Changing had become easier the more she did it, not as painful but more so uncomfortable tucking herself into a smaller body till everything was secure and in place.
Elsa yelped as Ryu bursted out from the nest starkly nude. Covering her eyes Elsa carefully wafted her hand and used the quick memory of Ryu's form to cover her in a long tunic.
Elsa's cheeks were so red she'd felt as if she'd expire from the inexplicable embarrassment. Warm hands pulled at her wrists to see Ryu frowning and cocking her head. "You okay?"
"Yes I am!" It was a louder octave than what was necessary, either Ryu didn't noticed or she simply didn't care.
"Good." She said curtly. They both turned to Honeymaren calling in the hall.
"Elsa!" She entered the room once more. "I couldn't find any towels- oh that's right they're all on the bed."
With the towels gathered Elsa and Honeymaren managed to warm a bath up for Ryu as she hovered over them inquisitively as they filled the tub with a eucalyptus and other fresh smelling concoctions.
"Alright hop on in-" Honeymaren made work of the ice tunic pulling it over Ryu's head, Elsa looked away she was clearly more prudent of nudity than either of them and only turned back around when she was sure Ryu's form was obscured by the bubbles.
Honeymaren removed her hands from the situation when Ryu growled at their aid, she held them up in surrender and was content to just sit back and pontificate the small scales littering her neck and shoulders. She left after a while to retrieve some clothes Elsa said that were in her wardrobe.
When Elsa took a comb to her hair she frowned glancing at Ryu as she taste tested the bubbles. Gripping the ends to not hurt the girl the comb still did not want to go through the wetted curls.
"Ryu?"
"Yesu?"
"How do you usually comb your hair?"
"I don't." The clanking of the comb hitting the ground turned her around, gripping the sides of the tub to lean over Ryu reached down and handed it back to Elsa before turning around.
With it back in her hand Elsa found her voice again. "Why ever not?"
Ryu shrugged. "Never needed to plus it hurts." Elsa smiled sadly at the wispy light blue and pink locks.
"Well the more you do it the less it will hurt, if your hair tangles it can fall out." She flicked her wrist and disposed of the ice comb replacing it's teeth with her fingers instead.
A constant purr rumbled through Ryu's throat and chest as the soft fingers worked their way through the knots, sometimes it smarted but it wasn't anything she couldn't handle, the pleasure definitely outweighed the pain in this instance.
"Why does that matter?" Her voice shook.
It was sad, the young woman was depraved of alot of things that much was certain, but to be depraved of basic self care Elsa just simply could not wrap her head around. It made her feel a bitterness towards Ryu's household she had been raised in.
"It'd be ashame if your hair fell out- you have such pretty hair." This heightened the volume of Ryu's purr as she closed her eyes leaning further into the touch.
Messaging deeper revealed she had more prominent scales all over the entirety of her scalp. Some fell out easily which was alarming but somewhat expected.
Honeymaren retrieved a simply white cotton dress for Ryu to wear and despite the expectancy of protest she wore it.
"I look like a lilly." Honeymaren agreed and Elsa nodded. They probably would have to remind her to take it off before changing bodies though.
"Or like a snowflake cause of how light your hair is." Honeymaren ruffled Ryu's curls cussing her to purr for a couple of seconds.
Olaf had joined them for their walk to the meadow where Grand Pabbie and Bulda would meet them but before entering Honeymaren and Olaf gave Ryu some tips on how to present herself.
"Give a little flourish-" Ryu folded her head tendrils sideways. "After all they haven't seen a dragon in- how long Elsa?"
"Centuries." She replied quietly.
Honeymaren's stare lingered a bit longer on the woman before smiling at Olaf and Ryu.
"Olaf why don't you show Ryu some good twirling effects."
"Ah! Come here watch carefully it's not as easy it looks- actually let's do it in the sun come on!" The snowman cheered leading Ryu a small distance away.
"Hey-" Elsa turned to the Honeymaren's concerned face. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
Elsa opened her lips a few moments before she could speak. "I- just a little nervous is all." Honeymaren's mouth pressed together disapprovingly.
"Elsa..."
"I just, I already feel as if I failed." She breathed out. "I was supposed to keep Ryu safe and healthy and I- I did the opposite."
"Well not really, the opposite of that would have been... Mm not good. You did the best you could-"
"And it still wasn't enough, it's like I'm a sundial for danger."
"Or life happens and happens to all of us quite fast, I've seen the way she is with you Elsa. She doesn't trust easily cause she's been hurt but she trusts you- do you trust her?" Elsa nodded.
"Then trust that she trusts you, besides she seems a good judge of character." They both glanced over.
Ryu twirled in place her paws tapping the ground like a ballerina to the claps and cheers of Olaf.
"Elsa! Olaf! Honeymaren! It is a great pleasure to see you all again." Grand Pabbie cheered as they approached the trolls. Bulda gave everyone a long and strong hug- careful to not crush Olaf's snowy physique.
"It's an honor to meet you both again." Honeymaren respectively bowed.
"We haven't seen you since last year, please sweety don't be a stranger."
Elsa grinned at Bulda's repetitive saying. They chatted idly, catching up before Honeymaren bumped Elsa's elbow with her own.
It was time.
"Oh right yes umm-" she coughed into a closed fist.
"Grand Pabbie, Bulda-" They gave their full attention.
"Allow me to present to you-" they all were excited, no one more than Olaf who could not contain his joy interrupted Elsa with a sing song voice.
"The Dragen Lys!" His stick arms waved to the sky.
Elsa awkwardly recovered. "Well... Yeah." Honeymaren clamped her shoulder giving it a little shake.
A roar tore through the air followed by a swift shadow that passed over them. Bulda squealed holding her fist up to her mouth. Grand Pabbie's face remained neutral but more enthused than normal.
Ryu twirled in the air wrapping her wing round herself and dove towards the ground, landing with a cat like grace displacing some grass and dust around her large frame. Her tail loosely curled around her legs. She performed the twirl she and Olaf practiced ending the show with a loud gutteral roar.
To Honeymaren it was reminiscent of an eagle cry, and bear growl.
Elsa lips split in a grin and chest filled with pride from the awed expressions of the trolls at the regal specimen she presented before them.
They stood still allowing the trolls to take in the sight before them. Bulda wiped away a few tears clasping Grand Pabbie's hand which rested upon her arm.
"Allow me to introduce you formally please." Elsa spoke up walking to Ryu. She petted down from her head to her muzzle locking eyes with Ryu.
"Ready?" It felt as there were no other options for Ryu but to match Elsa's determined gaze with her own. She chortled low and deep.
Turning back she followed Elsa to the others slowly as they watched her every move.
"Grand Pabbie, Bulda this is-" Elsa hesitated for a moment. Would they judge the name chosen for Ryu? Her hand flattened against Ryu's hard neck. Strong and resilient. If Ryu could face the trolls with such Elegance and stunning composure so could she.
Besides, Ryu liked her name so what others thought of it did not matter.
"This is Ryu." Grand Pabbie confidently approached gripping his staff. He bowed his head to the dragon. "It is an honor and blessing to make your acquaintance."
Ryu mimicked the gesture to him and Bulda. Elsa noticed the trolls made no move to touch the dragon.
Eventually they settled into each other's presence as Elsa retold of the events that transpired the past few weeks. The trolls listened and simultaneously kept attention on Ryu as well.
When they sat on the grass Ryu laid behind Elsa wrapping her tail in front the two of them lazily.
Honeymaren had to admit the goofy and stubborn dragon looked nothing short of royalty with her head held high, shoulders straight and forepaws crossed. She welcomed Olaf to sit in her lap as she reclined against the tree shading them.
When Elsa approached the assassination attempt portion of the story she had began to stammer a small bit to her mortification. Ryu twisted her head to face the spirit warbling at her softly. Shifting somewhat her chest pressed to Elsa's shoulder putting them at the perfect height for the top of Elsa's to tuck snuggly into the crook of Ryu's neck and chin.
The trolls soaked up the interaction as well as Elsa's words. "Can they see it?" Elsa asked looking up at Ryu. The dragon growled cementing herself into the grass, she had no intention of showing anyone her caved in scales, why did they have to see it? They could take Elsa's word for it.
"This does complicate things immensely." Grand Pabbie mused scratching his chin. "We will help you with this matter as best to our ability Elsa."
Elsa let out a held breath in relief. "Remarkable isn't it Pabbie?" Bulda chirped shaking his arm.
"Now onto the the reason of our visit. It would seem Ryu is not exactly a Western dragon." Elsa glanced at her.
"And she does not look like any eastern dragon's I've seen before either."
How could she be neither?
"She does share qualities with both however."
"Like-" Honeymaren goaded on.
"Like her coloration-" Bulda said. Ryu regarded herself. "Western dragons tend to be more dramatic and darker in colors, richer you could say while Eastern dragons are more lighter and pastel, glittery." She fluttered her fingers in effect.
Elsa began noting down the information.
"And she has fire breath?"
"Oh yes, she's quite enamored with fire actually." Ryu impishly looked away from Honeymaren's suggestive tone. She did at least help clean up the dungeon fire, but she had a sneaking suspicion the woman would never let her live it down.
"A Western dragon trait! But her features and scales are much, much more smoother than dragons of the west, almost slipstream as if she were built for the water." Elsa grinned she hadn't caught herself till it was too late, she was already affectionately nuzzling into Ryu's chest thinking of the lavenders back in Arendelle.
My little Gyakusetsu.
"Oh and think of all the temples that are possible to visit now!" Bulda's exclamation was met with Grand Pabbie's caution.
"Dragons had temples?" Elsa asks.
"Indeed, dragon temples have been lost to the world since their mass murderers, only a dragon has access to such places, most are underground or hidden within mountains."
Bulda cut in."They were places of communions, and guidance. Hatchlings, chicks, fledglings, and even primed dragons within the community would gather there for social events, guidance and teachings provided by elders and later during the wars refuge."
"However-" he shot her a warning glance. "They are unstable and dangerous now without upkeep, Many humans have lost their lives searching, hoping to find treasures and riches when the famed lies of dragon hoards were believed." The meaning was not lost to them, there would be no visits to such places.
"Grand Pabbie please reconsider, such a place could answer so many of questions for us, for Ryu- it's apart of her heritage."
The troll looked remorseful at this. "I'm afraid even for a fledgling as Ryu-" Elsa made an awkward face. Ryu was a fledgling? She'd need more elaboration on that later.
"Such a visit could be dangerous. The dragons may be gone but their magic still dwell in the temples, unruly, and untamed. It is best to not disturb them."
Elsa's shoulders slacked, she looked to Ryu who was staring down the troll defiantly. She had seen the expression before. Ryu did not really pay heed to authority and she wasn't going to start now.
"And she loves flowers, and water, excellent swimmer-"
They listened on walking back to Elsa's cottage as Olaf lamented facts about Ryu for the trolls information. Grand Pabbie and Bulda could only stay for three days, but during that time they'd trade off as much intel as possible and now it was Olaf's turn to contribute.
"What in the world!" Honeymaren exclaimed seeing one of her troops standing sentry outside of Elsa's house. One of the windows were broken and the door was ajar.
The group rushed forward to the man holding a spear.
"What's going on here Juffe?" Ryu brushed passed them sniffing the ground leading into Elsa's house. She let a dangerous growl when the intruders scent was picked up.
"I was on my way to inform you that we found troubling evidence of the assassins at the beach, the spirits were in Elsa's home in a frenzy when they zipped off. My guess is one of the assassins attempted to break in but ran off at the sight of them. I kept post here in case they returned."
After checking every inch of the house nothing had been stolen just out of place, a few plant pots broken and papers thrown haphazardly.
"Perhaps when they found you to not be home they decided to snoop about." Bulda added.
"Perhaps." Grand Pabbie agreed grimly.
"I should go help the other spirits." Elsa stated standing. "And warn Yelena."
"Umm perhaps it best if you come to the beach Elsa at least to see what we've found." Juffe said.
"What did you find?"
"Bodies."
Elsa's stomach sank to her feet. Ryu just continued to stare blankly, she changed shaking up some of the room a bit. Elsa looking away quickly retained her modesty cloaking her in the same Icy tunic as earlier but she was indifferent to it.
"I did it."
"What?"
She lifted her hands. "The bodies, they- they were the men who I spoke of before, I killed two of them." She said plainly.
Silent, Elsa retreated into the kitchen to fix and gulp down a glass of water, small crystaline patterns spread across the glass when she held it. Her hands gripped the counter top frosting it turning her knuckles white. Her head sank between her shoulders which shook taking uneven breaths.
Ryu followed looking lost to the reaction.
Elsa rallied her rapid firing thoughts inside box to compartmentalize them into actions reigning in her magic's stress response.
She had to go to the beach now, those men had been killed for her sake. Recomposed she returned to the living room with nothing more than cold chill following her.
"Juffe can you return to the village and inform Yelena of what has transpired." He bowed and left immediately.
"Grand Pabbie, Bulda I apologize for the state of my home-"
"Nothing to apologize for Elsa."
Rolling over Bulda caressed her leg.
"Olaf would you mind helping Grand Pabbie and Bulda settle in?" The snowman hugged her legs.
"You can count on me, You're not going to danger are you?" Elsa smiled down at him shaking her head.
"We'll be back for dinner." She promised.
"Ryu, Honeymaren." She called them outside.
Taking a deep breath Elsa bounced in place shaking her hands, out came residual snow and ice.
For some reason a shame filled Ryu watching Honeymaren relax Elsa. It was confusing, those men had wanted to kill her yet Elsa seemed full of grief. Yes killing was bad but it was necessary sometimes. Those men worked with Julien and were cold blooded but with the disappointment in Elsa's eyes Ryu felt like even more of an monster than she already did.
She had killed before- once, and the guilt ruined her life so she callused herself to it, avoiding it mostly unless it was necessary, with the prospect of her actions about to be shown to Elsa those calluses softened to red nerves.
"To the beach?" Honeymaren said.
"Yes, Ryu? Ryu?" The dragon kept her eyes casted downward and merely jerked her head towards her back.
Slowly Honeymaren touched Ryu's flank but she didn't react just waiting for her to hoist herself up.
"Whoa okay, I've ridden Emil I can ride a dragon." Settled on Ryu's back she offered her hand to Elsa.
Before getting on Elsa placed her hand on Ryu's neck. "Are you alright?"
When given no reply she retracted her palm and climbed up taking Honeymaren's hand.
It wasn't a weight Ryu was used to but it wasn't detrimental. Slowly her wings unfurled as her rump raised in a bow. Four hands gripped tightly her mane when she lespt into the sky.
Notes:
Happy 4th of July to anyone who celebrates it.
