Basket weaving.

The northauldra had been making baskets for centuries. A select number of the tribe could make baskets quickly. The process was complicated but once learned could be repeated all over again. Yelena learned to make baskets when she was young. Whenever she needed to think she would sit down with material and begin weaving. Lately, there had been a lot to think about. The spirits were angrier than ever and it was taking its toll on her people.

Her fingers worked furiously as her mind worked to find a solution for her people. She was so lost in thought she didn't notice Mattias sitting next to her.

He watched her fingers quickly weave the material together as she didn't even watch it.

"Wow." Mattias said before he could catch himself.

The sudden voice started Yelena, the loom nearly fell from her hand.

"I didn't mean to startle you." He says, "I was just watching you weave. It's incredible you can do that."

Yelena looks down at the loom in her hand.

"I guess it's just muscle memory now." She explains.

"Will you teach me?" Mattias asked.

She nods and hands him the loom. A lost look comes across Mattias' face as he looked at the loom. Yelena couldn't help but giggle which made Mattias smile.

"Go ahead." Yelena says.

Mattias looks at the loom and slowly starts to move his hands. What was once a perfectly weave became jagged and uneven.

"Here." Yelena says putting her hands on his. "Move your hands like this."

Mattias could feel the warmth from the woman next to him. Her body was close to his as she guided his hands. A warm feeling spreads through Mattias, a feeling he just couldn't put his finger on. His eyes wander from their hands to her face.

Yelena looks so determined and at peace while she guided his hands. A radiant glow was coming off her face. Her lips were pulled into a small smile. Her eyes found his as she realized he was no longer looking at the loom. For a moment they just looked into each other's eyes. They were close to one another. Mattias finds himself leaning in. That warm feeling was pulsing through him. He finally realized what it was.

Just as his lips brushed against hers, a horn in the distance got her attention. She quickly pulls away.

"I have to go." Yelena tells him as she stands.

"O-okay." He says,

He watched her get up and disappeared into the trees. His heart soared as he watched her go. She was going to let him. She was going to let him kiss her. He looks down in his hands and sees the loom still sitting there. A smile spread across his face as he began to weave.

—-F2—

That evening after accounting for each and every one of her people, Yelena walked into her tent for the night. She smiles when seeing her bed.

On her pillow was a lopsided, messly weaved basket. She picked it up and examined it. It was by far the most lopsided basket she had ever seen but it was the best she had ever seen. Mattias had taken the time to finish the basket as best he could. She thinks back to afternoon just before the horn interrupted her. The feel of him close to her. The feeling of his hot breath as his lips began to brush against hers. She was filled with a warm feeling. A feeling she hadn't felt in years. She wondered what it would have been like if they weren't interrupted. She puts her finger to her lips. She wondered what it would be like to have his lips on her own. Another thought crosses her mind that stops her in her tracks.

He was a arendellian. His people were responsible for the death of her people. Setting the basket aside, she comes to a decision.

She can't love him. Not now. Not ever.