Dear Elsa,
I hope all is well. Little Agnarr said his first words yesterday! Da-da! It's all he says now. It's so cute! I wish my queenly duties didn't keep me away from him for so long. At least he has Kristoff and Olaf to keep him busy during the day. How's Honeymaren? I'm still confused how all this happened, so you better spill the juicy details one day! I love you both so much! Don't be a stranger and come visit more! See you soon!
Love Anna.
"Love you too," Elsa said as she folded the letter. She placed the letter inside a small jewelry box, where she keeps all the letters from her sister.
She sighed waiting patiently. Outside she can hear everyone moving around and celebrating. Honeymaren and other new mothers are celebrating entering motherhood.
It is tradition new fathers wait until they are called by the group. Elsa chuckled. Many were unsure where her place should be. She explained that technically she is the father and didn't mind following the male tradition.
She walked out when she heard her name. A large group of the northaldra males stood around smiling. Lagoon stepped forward. He held out a beautiful hand carved knife. "For you Winter. May your wife's womb be blessed"
Elsa looked over the knife impressed. She tied it to her leg and bowed to Lagoon. Elsa paused for a moment embarrassed. She has been so busy taking over Honeymaren's duties, she completely forgot to bring gifts. She thought of something quickly. Elsa waved her hands together elegantly forming an ice dagger. She handed it to him.
"This blade will never melt."
Lagoon's eyes widened amazed "Thank you Winter!"
They continued exchanging gifts. She felt relieved, they all seemed excited to receive whatever she made. Rider was the last to approach her. He hugged her tightly before stepping back and cleared his throat.
"This was my grandfather's staff. I want my nephew to have it." Elsa hesitated. The staff looked to be hand carved mahogany, with symbols she is not familiar with spiraling down the shaft. "Are you sure Ryder? This seems like a gift you give to your own child. "
Ryder looked around nervously. "I uh. That may never happen..."
Elsa blinked at him sadly. She inhaled deeply, resting her hand over his. They would need to chat later. For now, she will accept his gift.
Elsa paused in deep thought, then turned away. She waved her hands together, sending her magic swirling around forming a glorious frozen reindeer. This creation, the size of a Clydesdale, slowly shook to life before walking over and bowed to Ryder.
"This should make herding a little easier." Elsa chuckled when Ryder engulfed her in a hug.
" Woah. I-I don't know what to say. This is unreal! He needs a name! Hmm." He reached up and stroked the frozen deer's head. "How does Silverwind sound big guy?" The deer nodded in approval. The other males walked over admiring the creation.
Someone suggested they race to see what Silverwind is made of. They spread out leaving space between them. Elsa laughed at how some of the reindeer stared bug-eyed at Silverwind.
Ryder and Silverwind easily beat the first two that challenged them. Some of the men started chanting for the winter spirit to go next. Elsa tried to shyly declined, but she was lifted onto a reindeer anyway. She shrugged and went with it.
She rode over to the end of the group and Ryder winked at her. "Give it all you got! "
Elsa smirked and leaned low waiting for the signal. Lagoon lowered his hand and they both took off. For a second they seemed to be even, until a trail of frost formed under Silverwind and he dashed past with ease. The group cheered and Silverwind trotted around smugly.
Elsa shook her head smiling. She thanked her deer and slid off. This continued for some time. Ryder eventually retired to standing next to Elsa and watched the other men race.
Elsa noticed that Ryder seemed distracted. She followed his gaze to a woman near camp. Elsa playfully nudged him. "You should go over and say hi."
His happy demeanor vanished and he looked away." I-I'm going to introduce Silverwind to the other reindeer."
Elsa gently grabbed his arm. "Is everything okay? You know I'm here if you want to talk. We can go somewhere private... "
Ryder immediately beamed brightly, making Elsa a bit uncomfortable." Yeah I'm great, don't worry about me!"
He walked away quickly with Silverwind before she could protest further. "What is going on with him," Elsa thought.
She was asked to race again, but kindly declined.
Elsa waited for the right moment to sneak away. She missed her wife dearly. She could sense her not far from the group, lounging near a pond. She is wearing a green ceremonial garb and her hair looks freshly braided. The braid is gorgeous and tightly weaved, resembling a fishtail.
"Needed to get away too?"
Honeymaren smiled, motioning her over. Elsa slid behind her, enjoying the feeling of her body as she leaned back. She buried her face into the crook of her neck. They sat that way for awhile, simply enjoying each other's company. A green glow sparkled around them sprouting small red fruits.
Honeymaren happily picked some. The outside of the fruit looked similar to a strawberry, but they are perfectly round.
Elsa examined the exotic berries curious. "What are these?."
"I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted. So he's been making this hybrid."
Elsa's brow's shot up amazed. She leaned forward taking a berry her wife offered into her mouth. They taste amazing. She rested her hand over her belly. She smiled when she felt her son shifting around. "I'm worried about Ryder."
Honeymaren groaned quietly. "What did he do now?"
"Nothing. He gave me your grandfather's staff."
Honeymaren's eyes widened. She turned slightly, her eye's fell to the staff resting by her wife's side. Her fingers traced over the markings. "Grandfather wanted him to give this to his first born... "
Elsa nodded. "I see. Well he told me that's not going to happen."
Honeymaren rolled her eyes. "He proposed to one girl, she said no, and now he's acting like it's the end of the world."
"Perhaps there's something I can do? "
Honeymaren slid into her lab resting her head against her's. "He's just being melodramatic."
Elsa opened her mouth to reply, but closed it instead. Honeymaren is already going through enough mentally and physically. She will figure out a way to help him on her own.
Elsa bit her lip, remembering the conversation they had last night. She rested her hand over Honeymaren's, her thumb massaging her's. "Have you thought over what we talked about last night?"
Honeymaren moved back wearing an annoyed expression. "Really? This again?"
Elsa sighed quietly. She expected this response, but she isn't going to stop suggesting her wife choose safety over tradition. "Darling please, in Arendelle you can receive the best care. I kn-"
"No."
A chill ran down Elsa's spine at the finalitly in her wife's tone. "Our son will be born here, with nature, surrounded by his people."
Elsa stared into her eye's for a long time. She could feel tears swelling in her own. "But your mother..."
Honeymaren's expression softened. She moved back to her and wiped away the few tears that managed to fall. "My mother chose the life of her children over her own. A sacrifice I am also willing to make to bring our son into the world."
Elsa sniffled before resting her head against her's. "I can't lose you."
Honeymaren interlinked their hands together. "Elsa, our bond is more than flesh. In this life and the next, I am your's."
Elsa didn't have words to describe how she felt. She pulled the smaller woman back into her lap and placed lingering kisses on her neck.
She will respect her wishes.