"Settle down."

Gale was restless. Leaves from nearby trees rustled endlessly as the sprint danced wildly back and forth. Light streaming down from the setting sun blinked in and out with the swaying branches. Elsa simply shook her head; the Wind spirit's nervous excitement was unnecessary. If anyone had a right to be anxious, it was Elsa.

After all, it was her wedding day.

Elsa slowly paced the small clearing, bare feet against the soft dirt near one of the former sites of the Northuldran camp. They had agreed the location of their first meeting to be the ideal setting for something like this.

A village fire. A baby reindeer. A lullaby.

Gale suddenly swirled in place and barreled to the east. A figure emerged from the tree line.

A herder with a charming smile. Indeed, this spot was filled with wonderful memories.

Honeymaren's hair was free from her usual braid, long and free-flowing. She had told Elsa she was loath to cut it after spending years with it so short. The pragmatic tunic and hat of the shepherd were gone, instead replaced with a simple dress. Embroidery decorated the edges of the cloth, reminding Elsa of her mother's shawl, of family and the history of Northuldra. Deep, golden eyes sparkled against the natural tan material.

Elsa never tired of seeing her. Rolling up her sleeves in the field, walking into their shared tent, excitedly recounting her day, pulling Elsa's body against her after they retired from the nightly fire…

This new outfit had her beaming. A wedding outfit. Their wedding.

"Wow."

Maren shrugged, "I'm still trying to forget that stuffy uniform."

Elsa grinned gently at the seemingly half-hearted joke. Maren still awoke gasping and sweating in the middle of the night, fighting off nightmares of a war so few remembered now. Elsa would catch her staring at her brother or going out of her way to talk to Yelena. When phantom pains of battle wounds haunted her under unscarred skin, Elsa kissed every spot with deliberately soft caresses.

They were learning, together.

"You look wonderful," Elsa firmly reassured her, gladly accepting a kiss on the cheek as the other woman walked up to her.

"Look who's talking," Honeymaren quipped with a smirk, glancing down at the Ice spirit's signature white tunic.

Elsa shook her head, trying to hide a smile. "I wear this every day."

"And every day you look lovely," she replied with a wink before extending her arm, "Ready?"

Elsa easily accepted the offer and allowed herself to be guided. Linked arm in arm, they casually and contentedly strolled through the clearing. Gale rustled and huffed nearby in a small patch of soil, marking their destination.

They settled on their knees on the ground, and Elsa looked expectantly at Maren.

"So, it's pretty laid back compared to the capital. We don't wear anything fancy or have a bunch of people watch," she explained, her fingers beginning to move the earth before them, "Dig a hole. Plant the acorn. Normally, we'd thank Ahtohallan," she paused and pointedly looked at Elsa, "Thank you for choosing me."

Elsa rolled her eyes, but her smile never waivered. "You chose me. Elsa. Not a monster or a powerful spirit. Just me."

"I was still a little star-struck when I first saw you."

"Was that before or after Olaf put all of my past drama on a theatrical display?"

"He is pretty talented," Honeymaren admitted, snickering as she continued to dig, "Aren't you glad he's planning our wedding for the city?"

"I can't believe Anna," Elsa sighed, "You'd think she'd have her hands full enough with just her wedding."

"For us, it's been a hard five years. It's nice to have something so happy to celebrate. Plus, she's technically been married already, even if no one else remembers. Not as exciting for her," Maren reasoned, whipping her hands on the sides of her dress.

"At least we've proven our love is truly timeless."

"That was pretty cheesy, even for you, dear," Honeymaren teased, reaching out for Elsa's hand.

"Now seems like the time."

"Fair enough."

They admired each other for a moment in the warm tones of the sun dipping below the horizon. Gale still hovered amongst the swaying branches nearby, but it was calm. Peaceful.

"I'll save the fancy vows for the formal affair," Maren started, thumb rubbing the back of Elsa's hand, "But I hope you know there is no time or space that can keep me from you. I will always find you, and I will always be by your side. War and peace. Cosmic spiritual destinies or simple nights by the fire. I'm yours."

Despite promising herself she wouldn't turn into a blubbering mess, Elsa felt the tears sting her eyes. Emotions came to her so much more easily now, especially around Honeymaren.

"With you, I know no fear, only love. I am balanced with you in my life. You are my peace, and I hope to bring you some, day by day."

They leaned into each other gently. Sighs against soft lips sealed a promise.

With a shared smile, they pulled away slightly. Honeymaren cupped her hands and nodded towards Elsa.

"May I?"

Elsa bowed her head, and the ice draped around her neck levitated up from her skin. The simple chain and pendant she had created began to melt away.

The acorn landed in Maren's hands with a light plop. It was gently deposited in the ground, and she began to cover the hole. Elsa eagerly helped, their fingers brushing in the freshly overturned soil as they buried the seed. When they were done, Maren gave the spot a firm pat.

"Now, no cheating and making it grow all at once with whatever special spells you have planned."

Elsa dispelled the dirt from her hands with a mist of ice. She proceeded to make a show of screwing her face in mock thought. "Hm. Can I send Nokk to water it?"

"Nope! We have to do it. Without magic," she quipped back as she clapped her hands to remove the bigger remnants of soil.

"I guess I could manage when you're working with the herds," Elsa bemoaned playfully.

"Better."

Elsa admired the other woman's smirk.

"What are my other duties as a shepherdess' wife?" she murmured teasingly.

Honeymaren paused in the process of cleaning her hands on the edge of her dress and glanced at her bride.

Her voice was husky when she replied slowly, "Shall I take you to our tent and show you?"

Tempting offer.

"Your brother, Yelena, and the entire village are waiting to celebrate," Elsa reminded gently.

Honeymaren rolled her eyes, and the fire was dampened. For now.

"Oh, fine. I do like the idea of showing off my new wife," Maren said as she stood up, reaching down to offer Elsa her hand, "Let's go home."

Home.

Elsa smiled as she took Honeymaren's hand.

She was finally home.