Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: So, the handfasting ceremony in this is actually taken from Zani's and Evan's wedding. They had a hand-fastening ceremony when the rings were exchanged, and it looks like Zani took the officiant's speech and their vows and slipped it into YATOIBWFAOML. For those of you who have been with Zani since she started writing and posting to the site, here's a little taste of their wedding ceremony, just... without the magic.

Written: 2019 - Licia

It had taken Yelena half an hour to calm Elsa down enough to get her to focus. She had then set to work on helping the younger woman get ready, for they had but a couple short hours until the witching hour arrived. She knew the traditions of the Northuldra were ancient and binding, that the dress worn by a woman of the tribe on the eve of her wedding was often stiff and hot, and while she knew Elsa would not object to the dress, it would not suit their needs tonight.

Normally, Northuldra weddings took two weeks to prepare- there were traditions to follow and rituals to play out- but given the circumstances, they would have to make do. Yelena knew that often, the bride and groom had to request permission for fate to smile upon them on their day of marriage by the spirits; since Elsa was the Fifth, essentially, it was not needed, and they did not have time.

As she rummaged through the basket that held the precious dress- the dress she had worn to her wedding, the dress Iduna would have worn had she not escaped- she knew that there was something Iduna's precious daughter could wear on the eve of her wedding. She glanced behind her; Honeymaren was working on Elsa's hair, chatting with her cousin and making the girl chuckle. At least she could still find the ease to smile, no matter how grim the hours before had become.

A moment passed, before she grabbed the entire basket and returned to the girls. "What's that, Mother?" Elsa followed Honeymaren's gaze.

"This was the dress I wore on the night of my wedding." She held up the dress, and a moment passed, before Elsa reached for it, hesitating. Yelena nodded.

"It's beautiful." The simple bead work and stitching gave off a feel of much tender love and care, but the younger woman also noticed how soft it was. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was lined inside with fur, making it heavier than it looked.

"But it is not quite right for a rushed wedding ceremony; there is ritual that goes along with a Northuldra wedding gown, and we don't have the time."

"Traditional Northuldra weddings take two weeks of preparation before the actual event." Honeymaren clarified at Elsa's confused look.

"We need something else, though the rest within the basket we may be able to use." She gently folded the dress back up and set it aside, before returning to pull out the rest of its contents. The cousins watched as Yelena pulled out a pair of beautifully decorated moccasins, some simple jewelry-

"Elsa?" The girl turned to her cousin, waiting for her to speak. "Could you... maybe... make your wedding dress?" Honeymaren stopped, eyes going wide. "I... I mean with your... your..." She made a waving motion with her hands, and Elsa giggled softly as the girl blushed.

"With my magic?" Honeymaren nodded.

She took a deep breath, glancing at Yelena, who had stopped at Honeymaren's voice, as though waiting for the chief to give her approval. Yet all her aunt did was nod and return the things to the basket, giving her the floor. After a moment, Elsa stood; Honeymaren joined her mother, and Elsa bit her lip, thinking of the dress Yelena had shown her, and then lifted her hands and flexed her fingers.

Something like that, that keeps to Northuldra tradition. She stopped. But you are not full Northuldra, you are half. Half Northuldra and half Arendellian- even if you're no longer allowed in Arendelle, you were still born there, Papa's blood still runs in your veins, as much as Mama's does. Perhaps... She looked up at her aunt and cousin, swallowing softly. Perhaps something that represents both.

After a moment, she flexed her hands, thinking. When she'd made her ice dress that long ago day on the North Mountain, her only thought had been that she was now free- free from the fear, the pain, the backbreaking ostracization of the crown forced upon her as she kept her secret; she hadn't really put much thought into it at all. She'd only been thinking of her freedom, and wanted something which reflected that.

But this-

This was her wedding; it would be the one day she could look back on with happiness, that she could reflect on, where she could speak of what it felt like to marry the man she loved; it would be the first thing Hans saw, and the last thing she wore before he would take her in the hours after the ceremony, when they'd lay together among the blankets, when hands would roam and mouths would meet, and the last barrier that separated them would be torn away, allowing them to join together in that delicious dance only couples partook in.

The dress she wore had to reflect not just her double heritage, but be something that would steal Hans' breath away, making those beautiful green eyes of his shimmer with desire. And yet, it still had to reflect her. She clenched her fist.

It's just a simple dress! You're the famed Snow Queen of Arendelle, damn it! You've started blizzards, frozen the fjord, built two ice palaces, broken the curse of the forest, tamed the spirits... you cannot be defeated by a simple dress! But it's my wedding dress-

"Elsa? Are you okay?" She looked up, pulled from her thoughts by Honeymaren's voice, surprised to see a small blizzard blocking their path. With a wave of her hand it was gone, and she nodded.

"I'm fine, just... couldn't concentrate."

"Was it-" Yelena rested a hand on Honeymaren's shoulder, and the other girl fell silent. Her mother had filled her in on what had happened, on what exactly was wrong with Elsa and why she'd been acting so strangely, and the girl would be lying if she said she wasn't confused. A moment passed before Elsa merely nodded, glancing at Yelena before turning back to her hands. Taking a deep breath, she flexed her fingers.

It's my wedding day, and I want something that reflects both parts of my heritage, but is still me. Mama, I need help. Please.

Close your eyes, and breathe. Slowly, she let her eyes flutter closed. A moment passed, and she swore she could have felt her mother's arms around her, felt Iduna slide her hands down her arms, as she used to do when she was little, and her mother was trying to help her focus, and take her hands. Focus on what you feel, my darling. Iduna's fingers slid through hers, as they so often would when she was little, because her mother was never afraid to take her hands, never feared her magic. Concentrate. Think of the man you're going to marry, how he makes you feel. She swallowed, trying her hardest to picture Hans, his smile, those glimmering eyes, the way he would tease and simultaneously comfort her at the same time, how he worried about her, and the fear in his eyes earlier this evening when he'd pulled her into his arms after she returned and begged her not to do such a reckless thing again. Open your heart, my Gitta, and let it guide your hands.

Releasing a soft breath, she waved her hand up her body in a flourish, letting her magic take over. She could feel it swirling around her, feel it dance along her skin in the softest of caresses. That's my girl. Keep going. You're doing fine. Taking a deep breath, she reached up, fingers moving to pull her hair from the elaborate updo Honeymaren had put it in- nowhere near traditional, but something the girl had wanted to try. The pins tumbled from her hair, and she quickly ran her fingers through the silky locks, straightening her back as she did so, until it tumbled back onto her shoulder in a slightly loose, chaotic mess. After a moment, she finally opened her eyes. For the briefest of seconds, Iduna stood before her, tears of pride in her eyes.

"You will be the most beautiful bride, Gitta, my darling." When she blinked, Iduna was gone, her sister in her place, the same pride evident in her gaze. She furrowed a brow, but tried not to look upset.

"You're almost ready, just one more thing." Yelena whispered, removing something from a small bag. Elsa couldn't stifle the small gasp that escaped her throat as she laid eyes on the crown.

"I... I didn't know-"

"Whether Northuldra, or Arendellian, there some traditions all brides share." Yelena whispered as she gently settled the crown atop the snow white braid that tumbled down Elsa's back. "There." Once secured with pins, she stepped back, reaching out to lift the younger woman's chin. "You're ready."

Elsa glanced at Honeymaren, who held out her hand, and she took it, squeezing firmly, before following them out of the hut. She glanced back however, watching as Iduna faded from sight. Thank you, Mama. She followed Honeymaren; her eyes had to adjust to the darkness, and she stopped, catching her bearings. As she moved to take another step, she looked up.

"Hans."

He stood waiting for her, green eyes wide and a small smile tugging at his lips.

The gown she wore had been crafted of her ice, with beautiful slightly puffed shoulders that exposed her neck, shoulders and chest, however the waistline was roughly an inch or two lower than the familiar Empire styles famous in the French courts during Napoleon's reign- and now that he got a good look at it, the waistline was actually the intricate design of the belts worn by the Northuldra. The skirt flowed down her hips and belled out slightly about her; the open robes that had been popular three decades ago trailed out- not to much, just barely- behind her.

He smiled softly, recognizing the beautiful Rosemåling that had been on her coronation gown that long ago day, married with the pattern of Elsa's mother's shawl along the bottom of her dress and the open robe. The sleeves of the gown were transparent; glittering frost that wrapped around her arms, almost akin to her having having been dusted in flour. She wore no makeup, which made her look even more radiant, and as his eyes came to rest on the headdress, he couldn't help the twitch at the corners of his lips.

So that's what was making the noise. She blushed, ducking her head slightly, only serving to make his point when the beads upon the small crown she wore clicked together. A little smaller than a traditional Norwegian Sogn- a small silver crown adorned with metal flowers and occasionally beads- it was not made of any sort of metal like Sogn traditionally were, but instead, tightly woven root and bark, giving it an even lovelier appearance. He leaned over when she got close, unable to keep the mirth from his eyes. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She breathed, admiring the Northuldra clothing he wore- it was nowhere near the traditional clothing they wore for their wedding ceremonies; neither was, but it would do for the night, they both would. His hair was neat as were his sideburns, and he wore his boots, and she a pair of snow moccasins with the same intricate beading as the ones in Yelena's basket, that had been made when she'd made her dress. The pair stood drinking the other in, unsure of where to go now, but not entirely bothered. "What about tradition?"

He shrugged, holding out a hand. "We aren't exactly traditional, Elsa dahl."

"Shall we? The witching hour approaches." Elsa smiled softly at him, taking his hand and falling into step beside him as they followed Yelena. It was tradition in the Northuldra for a couple that married at the witching hour to be married before the four giant runes that signified the main elements; it was seen as a way of accepting the magic of their culture and agreeing that they would do all they could to preserve their relationship with nature.

Hans chuckled softly, and she turned to him. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, it's just..." He leaned down to whisper in her ear as they got closer to the stones. "Ryder explained the marriage at the stones. I don't think he fully realized that by marrying you, I'm marrying the living embodiment of snow and ice; I've already accepted the magic and I intend to do everything I can to preserve our relationship." He brought her hand up to kiss, and she blushed.

"I never thought-" She stopped, catching her breath. The glimmer of a thousand candles encircled the other side of the runes, as the rest of the tribe waited to witness their marriage. The familiar, beautiful chant she had first heard that long ago day when she and Anna had discovered that their mother was Northuldrian reached her ears, and she choked on a sob. So caught up in the sight of the candles' flames, in the singing, she didn't hear Yelena ask them to stand in the center, before her and between the runes for water and fire. As Chief, it was Yelena who performed the marriage ceremony, and once they were settled and silence fell, she studied the pair.

Elsa had pulled away, tucking her hands behind her back. She could feel her magic starting to pulse just below the surface of her skin, and she feared what would happen, especially with this most sacred of hours upon them. She looked up as Yelena softly cleared her throat, and hesitantly pulled her hands out from behind her back.

"It's okay, love." She met Hans' gaze as her words came back at her, and slowly, she slipped her small hands into his, reveling in the warmth of his touch. It didn't stop her from worrying about her magic, and he gently squeezed her hands. A spark shot between their palms, and both jumped; Yelena's gaze widened before she realized what it was and began the ceremony with a soft chuckle. "Just relax." She nodded, returning the squeeze.

"It is during this most sacred hour that we gather together to witness a union, built on love and trust and acceptance. It is rare that such is found in unions, even rarer when both parties willingly and openly agree, for love as pure as what is here tonight is the most precious of jewels, not often found, and when found, rarely cared for properly. Many who do find even an ounce of love expect nothing less from that they choose as their mate, but are they themselves often unwilling to give the same." She glanced between the pair. "For Elisabeth and Johannes, they have found such a mate in each other, that they are willing to bind themselves together in this most sacred of unions for all time, until the specter of death tears them apart."

She watched the pair, saw Elsa suck in a breath, and realized that the faint bluish glow dancing over her skin was actually her magic. She chuckled inwardly at the firm lecture Vanja had given her before she'd left to help prepare. "Your magic will become stronger at the hour of your marriage, because that is when the magic in our world is strongest, and it is impertinent that you are bound together by the time the magic reaches its peak."

"Why?"

"Because then we have a better chance of beating the river at its own game, even if only for a night. Binding an elemental and a mortal at the stroke of the witching hour ensures that they will be together for all eternity. Not soulmates, for only true soulmates occur when one willingly gives part of their soul for another- that itself is rare and often difficult to do, only done under great, terrible strife. This will bind you together, ensure you are bonded for all time; no matter the decades that pass, the millennia that come, you will always be able to find one another. Once you are bonded at the stroke of the hour, the elements take over; and because it is one of their own being bound, they will ensure it goes well."

She glanced at them both, noting the curious glance Hans tossed Elsa as he glanced at her hands. A blush covered the bride's cheeks, and Yelena chuckled softly. "Marriage is not about ownership, which many believe it to be. In reality, marriage- true marriage- is about partnership, it is the continuous ebb and flow, give and take of one person to another. It is the security that when the burden becomes to heavy for one, the other will be there to share it, that when the joy overflows for one, the other too shall partake, when the only appropriate time for obedience is centered around the joint rearing of children." She watched the couple share a glance.

Children.

Elsa swallowed, squeezing his hand hard; hard enough that the coolness of her skin and the warmth from his forced steam to appear between their fingers, and Yelena chuckled, before turning back to the tribe. "Tonight, we shall bear witness to a hand-fasting, the declaration of intent, in which Johannes," She glanced at Hans, giving him a small smile, "and Elisabeth," She did the same to Elsa. "have stated they are marrying of their own free will." She glanced at the pair, who shared a glance, and both nodded, not trusting their voices. Despite the horrid circumstances, this marriage was a long time coming, and both wanted it, very, very much, for however long they were allowed to have it.

Elsa felt the magic underneath her skin begin to quietly roil, similar to the waves upon the Dark Sea, and she shivered, shifting her shoulders uncomfortably as her magic curled slowly up her back. She met first Yelena and then Hans' gaze. "Sorry." He swallowed his snort, the meaning clear in his gaze, and she glared at him. A soft wave of laughter rippled through the tribe members, for all knew it was Elsa's body reacting to the magic that was reacting to the hour growing ever closer with each moment that passed. Yelena didn't let it bother her; she knew Elsa's magic would be reacting to the hour, and simply smiled softly at the ever growing magical discomfort her niece was going through.

"It has been proclaimed within the stars, that Elisabeth and Johannes be bound for all life, natural and unnatural, in this life and the next, and every life thereafter. Fate has tied them together with the dust of the star and the light of the moon, and they are fully aware of the vows which they will soon take and speak. Here now, within this sacred circle, before not only the great tribe of the Northuldra, but the four powerful elements of nature, you understand that this path you have chosen, you have chosen to walk together, and that you must walk this together, for however long, however far, regardless of the trials you will face and the joys you will partake in. This sacred marriage is your true intent upon this eve?"

The couple shared a glance, small smiles tugging at their lips. "Yes."

"And you willingly enter within this ceremony?

"Yes."

She nodded, reaching out and taking their hands, slipping Elsa's right into Han's left and his left into her right, squeezing her niece's hand as she let go. Relax, you are doing fine. A little longer, my niece. Once you are bound together, the elements will do their part and your magic may join them.

Elsa gave her a small relieved smile before meeting Hans' gaze. Yelena studied them. It was Northuldrian tradition that the bride's right hand be bound to her husband's left; so that her left would be free to accept the ring. Even in countries such as Arendelle, it was common for only women to wear a ring signifying their marriage. So what Hans had for Elsa was rare of itself- to the point where it had stunned Yelena.

They had decided to use three of the original cords that had been used for the few marriages that had taken place during the thirty-four years they were trapped within the mist; Elsa had chosen the cords for the specific beads and their meanings- red for love, courage, health and passion; blue for strength and longevity; green for prosperity, luck and fertility- and the other three cords she had made specifically for the ceremony. The three beautifully braided cords were made of thick frost, each with colored ice crystals at the ends- white for peace, truth and devotion, silver for creativity and protection and black for strength, wisdom and success. They were partially chosen for the importance of what Elsa had to do, but mainly because they were what she wished to get out of this marriage, no matter the outcome:

Courage, health and passion, strength and longevity, prosperity, luck, creativity and protection, devotion, wisdom, success, peace and fertility.

The last two Elsa wished for most of all; that she would be strong enough. Strong enough to carry and bear a child, strong enough to keep her life, strong enough to command the river and free the souls trapped in Ahtohallan... and strong enough to defeat the troll queen and get her sister back- her real sister.

Yelena glanced at first Elsa and then Hans as she spoke, laying down the first cord as she did so. "Johannes, will you promise to share in Elisabeth's pain and thus seek to alleviate it?"

He caught Elsa's eye, squeezing her hand softly. She jerked at the gentle movement, more from the magic beneath her skin than his touch, and nodded. "I will. Promise."

She smiled softly at his whisper, barely hearing the repeated question before hurriedly answering with, "Hmm? Oh, I... I will. I promise."

Yelena chuckled softly, "And so the first binding is made." Continued with the questions, laying a binding down for each until she had only one left- the frost cord with the white ice crystals at the end. But instead of speaking, she studied the couple, seeing how they refused to take their gazes off each other, and a smile tugged at her lips. "This last cord is decorated with white crystals. White is for devotion, truth and maybe most importantly, peace. Peace is something so rarely found in the world now, and ever rarer in a marriage. That Elisabeth and Joannes chose white crystals means they seek to find peace within their marriage, for however long they may have it. We can only hope they will find it, and that revel in it together, never taking it for granted."

She glanced between the pair. "Johannes, you will honor Elisabeth within this most sacred of unions, treat her as your equal, share in her laughter and her joy, her tears and her burdens, her dreams, and do all you can to temper the strength of this sacred union with the heat of anger, so that your love may grow stronger and deeper, allowing it to take root within your heart and soul, so that you may know the excitement of her accomplishments and find the peace so many seek but few achieve?"

Hans smiled softly at the chief before turning back to Elsa, squeezing her hand. "I will, with all my heart." He could see the tears glistening on her cheeks, and reached out to brush them away with his free hand, whispering a soft apology for making her cry. A soft ripple of laughter met them, and she took a deep breath, glancing at Yelena.

"Elisabeth," Her voice was soft as she spoke to her niece, studying her, and for the briefest of moments, Iduna stood before her. "you will honor Johannes within this most sacred of unions, treat him as your equal, share in his laughter and his joy, his tears and his burdens, his dreams, and do all you can to temper the strength of this sacred union with the heat of anger, so that your love may grow stronger and deeper, allowing it to take root within your heart and," She paused, saw her niece flinch, before giving her a smile.

"It's okay, Yelena." Elsa whispered, and after a moment, the older woman nodded.

"... allowing it to take root within your heart and soul, so that you may know the excitement of his accomplishments and find the peace so many seek but few achieve?"

Silence fell, and Elsa met Hans' gaze. She swallowed thickly, nodding, unable to free the words that clogged her throat. "Yes... Yes, I will. I will... I promise." She watched him release a slow breath, and let out a soft giggle at the tears swimming in his green eyes. Yelena laid the last cord over their hands and then tied them all together.

"And with that promise, the final binding is made." She finished tying the knot, glancing at the pair. "As your hands are now bound together, so to are your lives, your hearts and souls, now bound together, joined in this sacred union that consists of love and trust. The cords represent the vows you have spoken before your tribe, your chief, and the elements of which we are all tied to. The fate of this union rests on you, and only you can decide its fate. Only you can choose to continue on or walk away, and these cords show that you are to make that decision together."

She made a point of catching Elsa's gaze. "The four spirits you stand before each represent a part of your union; like the wind, there will be moments of playfulness within your marriage, and like the wind, you will push and pull each other and find resistance at each step; it is up to you both, to decide whether you keep going. Like fire, your love will burn- sometimes hot and fast, other times slow and steady, but it will always burn, and you must make sure that you keep it burning, for when one allows the flame to extinguish, the other will suffer for it. Like the water, you are a force, stronger together than apart; may you draw from that strength and keep one another afloat even in the most dangerous of storms. And like earth, tonight marks the seeds of a strong, sturdy foundation of which you will grow and build your marriage on. This foundation will keep you steady, it will remind you that no matter what, the strength of your union will see you through life's hardest trials."

Her gaze locked on Elsa, her voice soft. "And the Fifth Spirit, that of soul; that which everything possesses. She is to remind you of your worth to each other, that though you have separate bodies, your hearts beat as one, and you are forever linked, that no matter the millennia that pass, your hearts will find one another again, because you were destined long before Great Mother created earth's first man."

Elsa turned back to Hans, choking on a sob, only half hearing Yelena continue. He squeezed her hand, gently stroking his thumb over her skin, smiling softly at her. So lost in each others' eyes, neither heard Yelena's request, and after a moment, both turned back to her. She shook her head with a soft chuckle. "The ring, Johannes?"

He nodded, handing her the simple piece of jewelry. Elsa studied it, intrigued. It was common that only women wore wedding rings as a sign of the dowry, but Elsa had no dowry, not anymore, and in all honesty, a dowry was nothing compared to the woman standing across from him. Yelena nodded softly, studying the ring. "The symbol of eternity is represented through the ring. Many other cultures chose to take the precious metals from the earth; we however, prefer the wood of a tree, for trees are representative of life, and that life is continuous; it is perhaps the rawest of materials, and like love, is humble in its beginnings, only to grow into something stronger over time." She handed the ring back, and smiled softly as Elsa.

"By giving Elisabeth this ring, you are promising that your love will be eternal, as the ring is eternal, that it is humble in its beginnings, and that you will do all you can to help her create a marriage that is stronger over time, correct?"

"Yes. I do."

Fresh tears slid down her cheeks, as Elsa watched him slide the ring onto her finger; beautifully carved, it fit perfectly upon her finger. So entranced by his handiwork, Elsa barely paid enough attention to agree. When she looked up next, it was to find that she'd stepped closer, and they stood nose to nose, eagerly awaiting Yelena's signal. The chief chuckled softly.

"On behalf of all those present, by the witness of the tribe of the Northuldra, and by witness of the four elements of nature, by the strength of your own love, that which you will grow and nurture as Great Mother nurtures us all, I pronounce you married." The words caused them both to turn and look at her, expectantly. She chuckled softly. "You may seal your vows with a kiss."

As the change in the air plucked the veil aside at the hour of the witch, allowing for all supernatural magic to step within the world, their lips met in their first shared kiss as husband and wife.