~Chapter 10~

Anna

After that intense encounter, everyone felt uneasy. Everyone aside from Olaf, he bounced back pretty quickly as he always does. Kristoff and I walked ahead of Marcus and Elsa who were several paces behind us. Yelana found us again after hearing the extra ruckus from Elsa taming the fire spirit Bruni. It was probably like following an unmistakably loud trail. Bruni seemed quite content nuzzled up on Marcus's shoulder. Kristoff put his arm around me as we walked watching me nervously.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Is that a trick question?" I smirked, trying to keep the mood light.

"I feel as if you've been a million miles away since we got here."

"Uh, last I checked I'm pretty sure I'm walking right beside you."

Kristoff raised his brow and quickly pinched my arm.

"Ow, what was that for?" I complained rubbing my arm.

"Just getting the proof I needed."

"Wow, how old are you again?"

"All jokes aside, Anna. Please, be open with me. Relationships are about trust and honesty, right?"

"I don't know what you want me to say Kristoff?" I shrugged, "Marcus is in the same position that Elsa was just months ago and I'm not sure how I can possibly help. Elsa is being reckless and throwing herself into danger with little to no regard for herself. It's just a lot and I'm useless to help. I offer and do all that I can, but it's pointless."

Kristoff sighed as he pulled me closer and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"I call false on that whole speech, Anna. Everything that you do has a purpose. You take initiative always putting others before yourself. Those are just some of the reasons why I love you and why you are an amazing leader."

I smiled warmly as I wiped a single stray tear that fell from my eye. I could always rely on Kristoff to cheer me up. He always managed to do so with minimal effort. I leaned up kissing his cheek softly. Even though this journey has been confusing and full of trials, I just gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other and move on to the next best thing that lay ahead. One moment at a time.

After a few miles of hiking through the forest after our confrontation with Bruni, we found ourselves in a large clearing among the trees. The Northuldra camp wasn't a city, but by a rough estimate there looked to be about thirty to forty people cramped up in this space. White tents lined a dirt path down the center of camp. There were two treehouses built in the trees along the outskirts of the boundary probably made up for the lookouts. Coming behind us from the rear, the group of Arendelle soldiers were following us. Yelana stopped abruptly once she noticed this and got in that man's face from earlier.

"Mattias, what have I told you about showing your face here?" Yelana growled.

"Last I checked, you don't own the forest. Besides, the king and queen of Arendelle are here. Me and my men are sworn to protect them no matter where they are...even if it's in enemy territory." He grumbled.

I don't know what happened between the Northuldra and Arendelle, but I was curious to find out. The anger was tangible between these two groups of people and we had to find out especially if this disagreement involved Arendelle. I stood beside my sister leaning close to her ear.

"Remember what Grand Pabbie mentioned? There is wrong that needed to be made right or whatever. Maybe this is it…" I whispered to her.

Elsa just shrugged seemingly distracted watching these two opposing sides really show anger toward each other.

"Our new friends will rest here for the night." Yelana proclaimed.

"Not a chance!" Mattias spat,

"Enough, everyone!" Elsa shouted, "Please, we should all be civil."

"How about a compromise?" I offered.

"What do you propose?" Yelana asked.

"What if the guys rest with the Arendelle soldiers? My sister and I will rest here."

"No, it's all of us together or none of us." Marcus insisted.

Elsa grabbed his hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

"It's just for tonight. Please, our hosts are already on edge as it is."

Marcus didn't like it. You could see it as clear as day on his face. He gave Elsa a quick kiss before pulling away.

"Kristoff, Olaf, Sven, you guys are with me." Marcus directed promptly as they all wandered in the opposite direction toward Mattias.

"Sleep over!" Olaf shouted excitedly.

Sven started snorting toward us hesitant to separate himself.

"It's okay, Sven." I nodded.

Elsa grabbed my shoulder. Kristoff approached me giving me a kiss on the forehead before joining the rest.

"See you in the morning?" He nodded, looking between Elsa and I curiously.

"Uh huh. Don't let Marcus burn anything, okay?" I smirked stifling back a laugh.

"Don't worry, I got his back." Kristoff said determinedly.

"Thanks Kristoff." Elsa nodded.

As the boys all left with the Arendelle soldiers, I watched as Elsa's face fell solemnly.

"He'll be fine." I nodded patting her shoulder.

"I know," She paused taking a deep breath, "And I get to practice patience and trust that he will be."

"Marcus clearly has managed control. A lot faster than you did, I might add." I said laughing lightheartedly. I wanted to get my sister focused on something else.

"Hey!" Elsa complained.

"You know it's true." I shrugged.

Her mouth tilted into a smile.

"Don't worry, Queen Elsa." Yelana interrupted, "The soldiers' camp isn't far from here. You can regroup in the morning."

Elsa nodded as Yelana brought us further into the Northuldra camp. Many of the people stared, but waved at us as we walked by their tents. There was a bonfire burning bright as we made our way into the camp. Yelana introduced us to a brother and sister duo of reindeer herders. Their names were Honeymarron and Ryder Nattura.

"I have to say Yelana, for a people who claim to not tolerate Arendelle soldiers, you have warmly welcomed the Arendelle royal family into your midst with little issue. Can I ask why?" Elsa asked suddenly.

What was Elsa doing? Trying to anger our hosts and get us cast out of the forest, not like that mist would let us anyway. Yelana hesitated an immediate answer, but finally obliged us with one.

"We Northuldrans find beauty and harmony within nature. The spirits let us dwell with them in this land, so we are careful to listen to the spirits. Always a peaceful people unless threatened, such a threat came from Arendelle thirty-four years ago and time has not healed a thing between us. I always do what I must to protect my people…"

"We're your prisoners aren't we?" I asked simply.

"Nothing of the sort," Yelana retorted, "Queen Elsa, you have tamed two rampaging spirits since you first arrived here. They don't answer to just anyone. Trust is earned and so is respect and you have mine."

"Great so the feud is over?" I asked, and Yelana quickly refused.

"I don't know what happened in the past," Elsa added, "But I will do whatever it takes within my power to fix what's been broken between the forest and Arendelle. The sins of the past are mine to bear."

"I will share more about that in the morning, if you truly wish to know…" Yelana muttered.

I yawned casually as we continued along. Not even realizing how tired I was, my eyes suddenly felt so droopy. A group of kids waved at us as an older woman approached Yelana. Her dark greying hair was pulled back in a ponytail with a loose strand dangling in front of her face. She wore Northuldran garb, but with one exception and bold choice of color for this particular crowd of people. A bright, magenta shawl hung around her shoulders with embroidery near the fringed hem.

"This is Elise Soknes, she's a member of our council." Yelana introduced.

"Your shawl...where did you get it?" Elsa asked.

I realized the same thing my sister did the moment we saw it.

"I made it." Elise replied, "It's kept me warm on many occasions over the years."

"It's beautiful." I added.

Elsa wiped a single tear that fell from her eye quickly.

"Are you alright?" Elise asked.

"Fine," Elsa muttered sheepishly, "It's just I have an identical shawl back in Arendelle. It's a treasured possession because it belonged to our mother…"

Elise stared between us both with wide eyes and she smiled warmly.

"Your mother wouldn't happen to be Iduna would it?"

My sister and I both nodded together. My heart was racing starting to put together who this woman was.

"I can see her looking back at me in both your eyes," Elise smiled as her eyes got glossy, "She's my daughter."

"So that makes you our…" I muttered.

"Grandmother." Elise nodded and quickly hugged us.

Yelana looked stunned, but smiled at the reunion. Neither of us had no idea another member of our family existed.

We were left alone with Elise and she offered to let us stay with her for the night. There was much we had to talk about. Thousands of questions permeated my mind, but I didn't tiptoe around many of them. Elise asked questions probably just as much as I did. Elsa mainly listened and nodded her head.

"This shawl, I've never noticed all the intricate patterns on it. Are those symbols for the four elemental spirits?" I asked.

I never really noticed it on mother's shawl before, but I already knew the answer to the question. The symbols matched those four rocks that lay outside the entrance to this forest. Not to mention the sketches father had in his journal.

"That's correct." Elise nodded, confirming my assumptions, "Though you see that middle point in the center of each of the four elements?"

Elsa and I nodded urging Elise to continue.

"The Northuldra believe that there is a fifth spirit that keeps all the elements in balance together and in harmony."

"Elsa, do you think the voice you've been hearing...could be tied to the fifth spirit?"

"It's possible." Elsa shrugged casually.

I could see my sister start to zone off in thought though it had us both quite curious. How could there be a fifth spirit with there only being four elements?

"When was the last time you saw our mother?" Elsa asked.

Elise frowned trying to recall clearly what was a distant memory for her.

"I think maybe at ten years?" Elise replied.

"Ten years ago?" I questioned, "That's not so bad."

Elsa grabbed my shoulder shaking her head.

"I think she meant ten years old, right Elise?" Elsa questioned.

Our grandmother nodded as I fell silent feeling immediately awkward.

"My memory is a bit fuzzy, but thirty four years ago, after crown prince Agnarr was injured everything erupted into chaos especially within the spirits of the forest. Iduna hid a letter for me explaining how she helped Agnarr since they were friends and she wanted to make sure he was okay. She said she stowed away to Arendelle and would be back once the prince had improved."

"But then the barrier to the forest went up…" Elsa continued.

"That's right. I haven't seen my daughter in over thirty years, but I see her in both your faces, so that helps more than I could possibly express."

"Elise, she married Agnarr, our father." I added.

"I wondered about that." Elise nodded, "Iduna and Agnarr were quite close. They kept their friendship private because of King Runeard. I'm sure Agnarr became a better king than his father..."

"He was until Elsa was crowned…" I added.

"But why would Elsa…" Elise's eyes widened as she slowly began to connect the dots.

Elsa and I exchanged curious glances. Surely, Elise was told by Yelana about Elsa's rank and especially Marcus's by marriage.

"Forgive me, my memories play tricks on me sometimes." Elise muttered.

"You need to know Elise," Elsa replied taking in a slow, steady breath, "Our parents took a ship that went down during a storm in the North Sea when we were teenagers. I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you."

Elsa hung her head as we all fell silent again. Stirring up those memories was harder than I anticipated, but understandably so. Elise cried silently and it was very composed and dignified. I wish I was like that. The only way I knew how to cry was to cry ugly. I could easily see where mom got many of her personality traits from the longer we spent with Elise.

"Well at least I get to reconnect to my daughter through my granddaughters." Elise smiled warmly. We spent many more minutes exchanging memories. Elise showed us drawings mom drew when she was a kid.

"Are there any areas mom would often go to? I'd love to check them out if it's possible."

"Anna, not tonight." Elsa said.

"I don't mind." Elise nodded, "Let me show you a few of her favorite spots."

We left her tent trying not to disturb the peaceful sleep from all those around us. Elise pointed out the reindeer pasture where Honeymarron and Ryder watched over the animals. Mom apparently loved playing with the young reindeer. Next, Elise brought us just a few paces south of the Northuldra camp to where mother practiced archery for defense even as young as nine.

"What are some of your favorite memories with your mother?" Elise asked as we walked through the trees.

"Too many to count…" I smiled, "I remember Gerda getting mad at us for sliding down the stair banisters at the palace. She always said 'proper ladies don't do such things', but then mom found out Gerda was giving us a hard time and slid down the banister every time she was around Gerda and Gerda never mentioned it again to us." I snickered trying to contain my laughter.

"I remember her voice. Even if we were in trouble, she never raised her voice at us. She was patient even with everything I put them both through…" Elsa mumbled growing solemn and grabbed her hand, "But I loved it when mother sang. She knew such beautiful lullabies."

"Huh...I barely remember her doing that." I shrugged.

"It's cause you were often asleep before she made it to the chorus, silly." Elsa smirked.

"Please, do you remember any of the tune?" Elise urged.

"Hmm…" Elsa muttered closing her eyes trying to recall and then she opened her mouth starting to hum a familiar tune. "Sleep my darling, safe and sound for in this river all is found"

Elsa couldn't quite remember the rest of the words, but Elise sang the rest of it for us. We listened in awe.

"You know it…" I smiled.

"Who do you think taught it to your mother?" Elise winked.

"Elise, do you know what they say about water in relation to memories?"

"I know that water contains memories. We Northuldrans believe there is a river leagues away that is a resting place for all memories, past and present."

"Really?" I replied.

"Is there a name for it?" Elsa pressed curiously.

"I'm afraid I don't recall, forgive me." Elise replied glumly, but she immediately perked up when we stopped in front of a wide oak tree.

"We're here." She said with a wide smile.

"Where? The middle of the woods?" I laughed.

"My daughter spent a lot of time up there." Elise replied, "By herself, with Agnarr, and even with those other three from that visiting kingdom..."

"Kalde?" Elsa questioned.

"That's it!" Elise exclaimed.

Elsa and I glanced up to find ourselves looked up seeing wooden planks nailed into the trunk leading up to some sort of treehouse hidden beneath the leaves.

"May we go check it out?" I asked Elise.

"By all means." Elise nodded.

I quickly grabbed onto the wooden planks and began to climb up with Elsa right behind me.

"You coming?" I asked Elise.

"I don't think this woman has the capacity for climbing anymore. I'll wait for you down here." She nodded.

I helped Elsa the rest of the way up as we looked around. This little makeshift playhouse was covered in leaves that had fallen scattered all across the floor. Books stacked in rows against the wall. Though pinned to the wall were random pictures of animals, people, and other random things. All of these pictures were signed by our mother.

"This is incredible." I muttered.

"It's amazing getting a glimpse into her past…" Elsa muttered.

"Father must have brought these books here. It's packed just like the library at home." I added.

Elsa and I explored for several minutes even finding some scattered journal entries written by father. He talked about mother often and how much time they spent in the treehouse a sort of hidden sanctuary unknown to our grandfather. We read on further and apparently after befriending the trio of people from Kalde, they all became very close. Mother extended the invite for Zane, Lucia, and James to meet up at the treehouse. I would have kept reading, but there was an immediate shaking beneath our feet that set us on edge.

"Anna, Elsa! We must hurry back!" Elise called to us.

Elsa and I spared no time quickly climbing back down to join Elise, but not before I grabbed the picture sketch of our parents. I knew Marcus would want to see it too. The rumbles continued and we all looked around feeling on edge.

"How are they here? They never come this way…" Elise muttered.

"What is it?" Elsa asked.

"Those stone monstrosities." Elise pointed, putting a finger to her lips.

Rising above the trees nearby, were two enormous creatures probably the size of a small mountain. In fact, they were a small mountain. Small pebbles fell off their form as they seemed to shift the earth under our feet as they made their way through the trees. Elsa looked on terrified and I just watched partially scared, but also intrigued. I quietly took a few steps heading in their direction.

"Anna, no!" Elsa said.

I had to check this out, but the noise stirred the giants as the three of us ducked behind tree trunks to hide our presence. They glanced our way as I peered at them through the leaves of the trees. How extraordinary they were. Once they moved on again, Elsa ran over to me looking angry.

"What did you do that for? You realize those things could stomp once and kill you?" Elsa growled.

"I'm sorry." I shrugged, "I was curious as to what those things were…"

"Those aren't friendly giants, Anna." Elsa replied, sighing heavily.

"Your sister is right, dear…" Elise added as she took a seat beneath one of the tree trunks to catch her breath, "Those creatures are the reason you girls won't have a chance to meet your grandfather."

Elise's voice fell as she recalled the memory and Elsa quickly grabbed her hand.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be careless." I said solemnly, "But sometimes you have to take initiative to discover an enemy weakness."

"The Northuldrans just always keep the motto of steering clear when those creatures come around. Your grandfather just got too close." Elise muttered sadly.

As I helped Elise steadily onto her feet, Elsa looked off in the opposite direction. Her eyes looking lost in thought.

"Elsa?" I mumbled.

Then I realized what she might have been hearing and she turned toward me quickly.

"Anna, get our grandmother back to camp. There's something I have to do and it's close." Elsa muttered.

"What?" I asked raising a curious brow.

As quickly as she spoke, Elsa took off in a full sprint toward the north. If the giants were still no so close, I would have yelled her name. Immediately frustrated, we promised to do this together. I glanced at the horizon and it was nearly daybreak.

"Elise, I know we just met, but I have a huge favor to ask and we're family after all, right?"'

Elise just smiled putting her hand to my cheek.

"You have your mother's adventurous spirit in you, Anna. What do you need?" She asked. Once I gave her my specific instructions, I hugged her and ran after my sister without any further hesitation.

Marcus

The Arendelle camp was small with just a handful of tents and a small campfire in the middle in a clearing of trees maybe a quarter-mile from the Northuldra camp. Mattias apologized that we would be sleeping under the stars tonight due to limited tent provisions. Kristoff didn't mind and honestly neither did I. As tired as I was, I knew that it would be a miracle if I could even sleep tonight. It was late and it had been a tiring day, so we wasted no time bunking down for the night. Bruni hardly left my shoulder and it was kind of great having something even an animal that had powers like mine. His feet and curled up body on my shoulder didn't even hurt. I steered clear of the campfire because it didn't want my powers to be drawn to it and accidentally set another thing on fire. I already had enough of that. Sven hunkered down beside the flames and Olaf settled on the opposite side of Sven so his big, body would block the heat from hitting Olaf too hard, but regardless, his permafrost helped with all things hot. He still avoided getting too close to me though.

Kristoff noticed my hesitation of being near the campfire as I sat down leaning against a hollowed, mossy log behind one of the tents. I closed my eyes leaning my head back in a slump trying to take easy, steady breaths.

"You okay?" Kristoff said as he sat beside me.

I just shrugged casually. The only thing talking would do is stir me up more. I had to keep calm.

"Marcus, you're like a brother to me and we're almost in-laws. I know all those years in the Arendelle guard taught you to shut down and not react emotionally. Those days are behind you and you don't have to put up a front with me. You're a king to two countries now. I know you and normally you rise to all challenges."

"None of those challenges involved anything with fire." I spat.

My outburst stirred Bruni who was napping right on my shoulder. I gently rubbed his head and got him calmed down as he curled right up again against my shoulder comfortably.

"True, but it's time you forgive yourself and do what you've always told Elsa to, what?"

"Own it." I finished with a slight nod.

"You're still you." He said grabbing my shoulder, "You just have a bit of an edge now."

"What? I didn't before?" I said raising an accusing brow.

Both of us started laughing.

"Thanks Kristoff, I needed that."

"It's a season of learning...for all of us." He nodded with a slight smile, "I was raised by trolls. Magic doesn't scare me, it's just misunderstood most of the time."

"I wish more people felt the way you did." I replied.

We rejoined Sven and Olaf beside the fire and after my talk with Kristoff, I was not afraid to be next to the fire, but I still wanted to be as cautious as possible. If I let my guard down for a second, I could accidentally light up the entire forest unintentionally. Sleep found me sooner than I anticipated and my thoughts drifted to my wife.

A quake beneath the ground stirred me awake. At first, it was faint, but it only grew more intense. There was a vacant spot on my shoulder where Bruni once laid and I couldn't see him anywhere. A soldier rushed to put out the fire as Mattias brought a finger to his lips signaling us to keep quiet. Walking through the trees probably a hundred yards away were two giant creatures made entirely of stone.

"Stay quiet and we'll let them pass," Mattias whispered.

None of the soldiers drew their weapons. More sound that way and it's not like the weapons could even be a useful offense against those creatures anyway. Olaf hid behind Sven's antlers nervously as the earth beneath our feet continually pounded and shook slowly fading as the creatures made their way past. Bruni appeared out of nowhere behind Olaf glowing purple. Olaf scooped him up as Bruni happily melted into his cool snow. Bruni couldn't light up, not now. The creatures moved along and everyone somewhat relaxed.

"That was close," Mattias muttered.

"What are those things?" Kristoff asked.

"Stone giants. Earth spirits of the forest." Mattias answered.

"I thought the elementals were smaller," I replied glancing at Bruni.

"Not them." Mattias nodded.

I watched curiously where the creatures were headed and it looked to be in the direction of the Northuldran camp.

"We have to get back," I said, raising my voice full of urgency.

"The Northuldrans can take care of themselves." Mattias nodded, "They know how to start a fight."

"Enough with this feud!" I snapped, "Elsa and Anna, your queen and princess are over there."

"They can handle themselves," Kristoff added.

"I know, but I need to help," I replied.

My hands began to glow as I took off running trying to keep calm and not burn anything. Soon, I saw Bruni floating beside me engulfed in purple flame though looking very calm in expression. His fire wasn't lighting up anything. How could he control it? Kristoff chased after me riding on Sven and as I ran down the hill overlooking the Northuldra encampment, I spotted an elderly Northuldran woman waving me down.

"Over here, your majesty!" She yelled.

The giants had moved beyond the camp by now, so the immediate danger was passed at least. Though curiously, I went over toward the woman with Kristoff and the others following behind.

"You're Marcus, Elsa's husband?" She asked.

"Yes, yes. Please. Are they okay?"

"Fine. We had a close encounter with those giants, but all is well. Elsa took off into the forest and Anna told me to come find you. All of you." She said glancing at Kristoff behind me.

"Who are you? Why did you separate from the camp?" I asked.

"In short, I'm their grandmother, Elise. Now, please go find them. I sense something within the forest that isn't right. The girls will need your help." She told me.

I thanked her promptly as Kristoff offered me a ride on Sven, which would save me some energy. Suddenly, I heard that voice ring out in my head coming from the opposite direction. Curiously I glanced at Bruni who didn't seem stirred by the voice at all. What was going on? No matter, I followed Elises' directions and we quickly took off to find my wife and Anna.