The days are crisp cold, the familiar sent of fall has long drained, winter is already peeking its head around the corner.

Everyone is bundling up, the children readily coming home from school, to help prepare for the winter, or help around, or simply stay warm with the family.

Standing in front of dinner, I think to myself that Della has always kept the house in perfect order, but without her here, the usual cheeriness isn't prominent. I've never been one for house work. Mother would often tease, stating "It's a good thing I'll be leading and not cleaning."

A part of me feels a bit discouraged. Because by this time, I would have taken my place as leader, at the very least training taking hold of some of duties, attending meetings.

If I'm not there to take on my role as leader than who? My uncle has no children of his own, that's why his only other living relative was my Mother, and I was hand picked at birth to take on the role as leader. If my uncle had passed on before I came of age, my Mother would have taken on the duties herself until I was old enough.

If I wasn't there, than what if my mother gave birth to another child? My heart aches at the thought, but realized she couldn't. My birth was a difficult one, and they were worried about the outcome of another pregnancies. For the longest time, the Northuldra have been squished dry due to the Arendellian settlement, let alone the expansion of other countries, leaving little to no room for us to heard our reindeer. Our only source of income and importance, what kept us standing as we were, and not blending with people who would take our knowledge and discourage it. It wasn't until King Rudnar that we thought it was safe.

Now Arendelle has banded the use of the Northuldrian language. Any books that held the ancient language was confiscated or already in the possession of the Royal Household.

I know Agnarr is understandably afraid after loosing his father, being attacked by my people, but what can I do, when I myself am a threat to myself?

I wish I could make him see that people are people, no matter where they come from, or what runs through their veins. Fear has clearly strung us like puppets. Only problem is, no one realizes it.

I'm only seen as Iduna, the sociable girl who's grown at the knees of her guardians. Nothing more, nothing less. Now life has thrown me onto a twist of fate.

Della has become sick, and Kye is wracked with worry. The doctor says it may be hereditary. Apparently Della's family has a history with cancer, and it's too early to know for sure. I'm scared.

Thinking this, I realize something. Both my Mother and Della have kept peace in my life, one way or another.

My mother's stories, advice, words of wisdom, and understanding, along with Della's unwavering understanding and compassion.

If she dies, what will life be for me Kye. We've always been good acquaintances, but with Della to keep the balance, and peace. However with her sick, an awkward silence has befallen the house.

As I stand here, preparing dinner for Della, I can already guess what the rest of the evening be.

Della eats her supper, or what little she can. Kye gets home, won't eat until he's satisfied Della is all taken care of. Than to finish his meal, ask about my day, but it only goes in one ear and out the other.

I know this because as soon as I recap a look of confusion hits his eyes, he gets lost, but doesn't say anything. Than to go back upstairs and nurse Della. If she's a sleep he just sits there next to her, incase she wakes up, and needs something.

I've asked Halima about what I should do. She smiled, and said, "All you need to do, is be there for them, and let them know it's okay."

Perhaps she's right, maybe I'm over thinking it.

Just than the door behind me opened. Kye was right on time, and as before. Taking off his coat, hat, and boots, he made his way upstairs, as I kept watch on the food. Keeping it warm, so when he came down, the food would be warm for us to eat. Today Kye had to work later than usual. So Della already has had her dinner.

*

Another winter is creeping upon us, coldly rearing itself, mockingly drawing near, as another year is coming closer to a close. Despite the risk, and guilt I tried having another child, but I lost it before it could even decide on a name.

Iduna is gone, and we still don't know what to say to our people. Some think she was kidnapped, made to be a some sort of prize. Others think she might have been killed, as she is a Northuldra. Some suggest she escaped, and was fortunate enough to do so, and so somewhere out there, living the best life she can.

Constantly I pray to our Mother for guidance, and courage. The mother diety that knows all, her spirit dwells deep in Ahtohallan, too far for anyone to reach.

We've lost our leader, and I have done the best I could. Now I must find another leader. One who is capable and willing. The oldest family in the Northuldra has ended. Now we turn to the nearest and most capable of kin. My second cousin, although about my age, has already been blessed and acknowledged to lead us onward.

Yelena has always been a strong character, and that's what we need. I can't be what we need. We need someone who can give us strength, as well as courage to face tomorrow.

I can't do that. Iduna could have. She was always high spirited. She wouldn't have shied away. There was a time, where I felt so free, but never was I so willing to step over the line as far as Iduna or Yelena would do.

Though he puts on a brave face, I can tell even my husband has lost hope of seeing the sun again, seeing the light that filled our days. I only pray now, that she's alive, and well. Maybe she's out there waiting on the other side of the wall? Or maybe, just maybe she's with those Arendellians. Even if it is so, if that's what it takes for her to be safe and well, than so be it.

If they hurt her for simply being born a Northuldra, than may Ahtohallan see the day they pay for their crimes, barried in the river's wrath.

*

The sound of another stack of papers landing on my desk, succeeded in draining me of energy. I knew being King was hard, but no amount of breeding is enough to embrace the work.

Kye won't graduate til next Spring, and the towns folk still go about their lives. While the the crown Prince of the Southern Isle has invited me to attend his Princess Katherine's wedding next summer.

The two clearly love each other a lot, last I heard the ambassador was feuming about it.

To him life is war, and you gotta be prepared for it. Not too long time ago I would have agreed full heartedly. In a way I do. However, his actions and reasons weren't wise, nor in the right place. He let his fear of Nepol to control him. I remember realizing it, I also questioned if that's what lead the Northuldra to attack us.

We're they afraid is us? Did they think we'd take their land? My father gave them a gift of peace, and they had the nerve to doubt us? It just doesn't add up. Than again fear can do that to people.

I refuse to be that scared boy anymore. I have all the books that contain resources of the magic that processes or has been documented in this land, but no one even reads this ancient language. The last who has, had died by the time I came of age.

The law was put in place to sneak around and find someone who did. But no one has. Again I feel anxiety twist in my chest.

"Your Magesty?" A voice called behind me.

Turning I remember I'm still in my study going over the winter plan. Composing myself, I move away from the window towards the draining stack of papers. Dreading the amount of time it will take to get through it all.

A sudden image crosses my mind. It's Iduna at the Fall Festival. She looked so lovely, calm and serene. I still am taken aback by it.

I fortunately had ran into Kye later, asked about his attendence at the festival. Apparently Della is sick, and Kye had to attend to her. He didn't want Iduna to miss out on the fun, so he played down the sickeness as nothing more than a cold. He couldn't fool her long though.

When he said that, I had to agree, Iduna has always been well aware of her surroundings. She's always had that sense of understanding and wisdom, but I didn't see it at first, due to her playful nature. Now fifteen or sixteen, she's gained a sense of grace and dignity. Almost makes her seem regal in her own right. Making

me feel a bit misplaced, ya know?

*

Wrapped in my scarf, I made my way down for a drink. I was plagued by that nightmare again. It's the day, my life changed. It's always the same, I'm playing with the wind spirit, when suddenly it stopped, everyone is fighting, and Agnarr is thrown against a bolder, and hits his head.

Coming to his unconscious body, I calling out to the Wind Spirit, when instead of pulling us up, and into the wagon, a figure amerges.

He wears a cloak of leaves and barley, wearing a mask of a reindeer's skull, with intact antlers, if that wasn't enough his size was huge, as if some sort of giant, only smaller than the rock giants of course. Looking down at us with eyes that held an unreadable expression, I could feel him looking through me, into my soul. That alone is enough to make it a nightmare.

The sudden sounds of weapons clashing draws our attention. Without warning, the mythical creature than leaps and sprints North, it's always North.

The constant sounds of clashing weapons, people yelling, crying, grows around us, til finally I can't take it, further sinking into anxiety and panic, all I can do is close my eyes and wrap my arms around myself, clinging into a ball, it's me, still wrapped in my scared, only hearing the rage of war all around me.

It's there I always wake up, in a sweat, and tears, running down my face. Its not long before I know what to do. I've had this dream so often, I already know what I need to do, what will help. A drink of water, always makes me feel better, than by the time it takes to walk down, drink and back up, I feel better and refreshed.

Emily once caught me in my nightmare, whe she stayed over once. Fortunately I don't talk in my sleep, so I lied to her, saying it was something along the lines of running into a bear, or a wolf. She understood as always, and even tried to comfort me. It was nice, having someone comfort me after a nightmare, instantly brought back a soothing feeling. One I haven't felt in a long time.

Emily doesn't know how grateful I was at the moment. It was definitely what I needed.

{ AUTHORS NOTES }

Hey I hope you're enjoying the story!

I'd really like to know your thoughts on how it's going to far. I did a time skip if you didn't know. The last chapter explains that.

Iduna and Agnarr have their own lives by now, and they haven't really connected in the past years but a particular meeting in the last character takes us further in their growing relationship.

Please share your thoughts. I'm sorry if the grammar isn't the best, but I'm trying.