Usual disclaimer. Heh. Have fun with this chapter.

Noa slowly stirred, his chocolate brown eyes taking in his surroundings. He could tell by the light filtering through the grey curtains that it was later in the morning, possibly around ten. The floor provided no comfort to his barefeet or undergarment clad body, the cool tile making his body shake. The walls around him were dim and dank, mold creeping its way toward the window pane to his left.

When he began to take notice of his physical conditions, he felt the gag in his mouth strain him in his breathing. His wrists felt raw from the chafing of rope against them, and his ankles the same; his behind was numb, aching from sitting so long on the palm tree chair. When he tried to move, a searing pain shot its way through his leg and temple, a grimace etching its way onto his young face.

"... I understand, Your Majesty, but please understand that I have everything in order. Once they go to sleep, it will be for good." Noa did not recognize the slick voice from outside of the supposed hut that he was in. He stayed very still, entirely aware at this point that he had likely been kidnapped. The front door opened and a man walked in wearing the clothes that Noa wore to dinner last night. The man locked gazes with Noa, a piercing green that scorched the young man's eyes to the point where even his soul felt burnt.

"Your Majesty, I must go. I have some business to attend to, you see," he said smoothly into the phone he was holding up to his face. A wicked smile cracked his visage like an earthquake, and the cocoa-colored man sauntered his way over to Noa. The Temple servants lips stung as his captor ripped the gag out of his mouth, the chapped pieces of skin falling off at the roughness.

"Answer my questions, and you will drink and eat," the man said. Noa nodded, willing to comply to the raven haired man in front of him. He knew who held the power in this situation, and guessing by the fact that no one had found him yet, he assumed that they were too far away from the Temple or civilization to try to put up a fight.

"Firstly, when is the trial for the prisoners who were caught by the Terra Magus?" he asked.

"The twelfth strike," Noa replied, voice raspy from disuse. The man nodded, shoving the tip of a canteen into Noa's mouth. He drank quickly, almost to the point of dry drowning. Water almost hit the man when Noa choked, sputtering out some of the liquid. While his coughing fit died down, the man twisted the cap back onto the container.

"Very good. Next, would you normally be present during the delivery of the verdict?"

"Yes." The man pulled out some saltine crackers from his pocket and shoved three into Noa's mouth. He chewed hungrily, the taste of salt like heaven against his taste buds.

"Perfect. Finally, what foods and drinks do the prisoners normally have?"

"Water for drink, soup and bread for food." Noa was willing to be compliant for the time being, picking up on the fact that this man was dangerous and that he was in no position to attempt to take him on.

"If you are good throughout the next day, I will free you and you can be on your merry way, free to go back to the Temple. But if I hear anything about you uttering my appearance or name, I will come back, chop off your cock and feed it to you. Are we clear?" the man said with a sickeningly sweet smile. Noa nodded submissively, his matted black curls coming to hang in front of his face.

"Now, time for you to go back to sleep." There was a brief flash of pain as he felt a knuckle whack his temple, the world going black.

Oran smiled as he finished his transformation, the skin stretched and muscles toned as he shrugged into his new body. The boy, Noa, was knocked out once more in the chair that Oran had found, docile and clearly not looking for a fight. Oran smiled, the knowledge that he had been given being able to produce a fresh image for the new 'Noa'.

He swiftly made his way through the brush, the eleven o'clock hour only providing him with a margin of time to act. He had information to find out, and he knew that his King and Lord Commander would reward him prettily if he was successful in acquiring it.

Finally, he pushed the last leaves out of the way, the Temple coming into view as he made his way toward it. The necklace he wore around his neck thumped against his collarbones, his bare feet digging into the ground as he stepped onto the first stair.

When he reached the top of the white marble steps and walked inside, he found the kitchen chambers and set to work. The Bragsdar was still strapped around his thigh, but he did not want to use it at the moment. That would be for later. For now, he wanted to see how much information they had sacrificed to the Magi. He had learned from observing Noa that the boy was a cook, but also a man of the Terra Magus.

Oran naturally felt a severe disdain for Noa, and had it not been for the fact that he had been given easy access to the prisoners by stealing his face, he would not have even bothered with the sore bastard in the first place. But alas, some things had to be done for the mission. And, currently, he needed to refocus himself on the thing that he needed to get done now. A portly man walked into the kitchen, eyes dark and lips pointing downward. If his memory served him correctly, this Jipalo, one of Noa's best friends.

"Jipalo," said Oran, "Is something troubling you, my friend?"

"Indeed, brother," Jipalo replied, setting to work on tenderizing some meat. "There has been some news on the seven prisoners that has been troubling me." Oran's ears perked at that, and he turned his head towards the cook.

"What do you mean?" Jipalo looked over at him and frowned deeper.

"While I suppose this is good news, we have found out more information on the X-Rebels. They are apparently called the King's Ranks, or…" He tilted his head toward the ceiling, thinking of the actual name that he had heard.

"Well, I can't seem to remember the actual name for them. We weren't able to get any numbers from them; how many people are in their ranks, how many people there are, how many locations. But we were able to get a sure name for the group." He pounded the meat extra hard after that sentence.

"I just didn't like the means that we had to get the information out of them with. Lord Luch pleaded mercy for them, and the Lady Ratulemen agreed."

Of course she did, though Oran, she's too damn soft to be a leader. This is why we need His Majesty. He'd rule with a tough fist.

"So they tortured them as opposed to killing on spot." Oran's eyes widened incrementally, his hand stopping the cutting of carrots he was currently doing.

"I'm surprised. She is a kind leader; an attack on a Magi constitutes death typically, doesn't it?" Jipalo chuckled for a moment.

"What?" Oran asked, internally becoming impatient.

"I am just surprised you used such a large word, brother. It is unlike you to do so," Jipalo replied, mirth settling down, "However… it typically does mean death; only outside of the Order though. Inside would just be excommunication. But they needed the information about the King's Ranks, this time, so they kept them alive. I expect that after the trial today, they will not be alive for much longer."

"Agreed," he said, turning back to the vegetables he was cutting. The Bragsdar felt warm against his thigh, and had Jipalo not been there he would have smiled widely."May Horatius judge them justly."

Swipe left.

Duck.

Weave.

Throw a punch. Don't make it hurt.

Throw a jab.

Fuck. She's distracted; this is no condition for her to be training me in!

Elsa and Anna had been at hand-to-hand combat training for a little while now as part of Anna's physical warm up. It was a good workout indeed – when Elsa was able to concentrate. With the news of her father, she had been distant these past few days. Anna didn't want to press the issue; she knew that Elsa was going through a trying time, and anything she could do to comfort her was taken in great care.

However, Elsa's form was very unstable, unlike how it usually was; her punches were weak and imprecise, and her blocks were failing. This was not the strong, smart fighter that could predict her moves with quick calculation. This was a weakened warrior, distracted by the battles she had seen others suffered. Her eyes were frequently clouded over, and she seemed to only focus on Anna every once in awhile.

This was a frightened Elsa.

When Elsa threw her next punch, Anna caught her fist in her hand, knowing that it would grab Elsa's attention and stop the fight simultaneously. Elsa snapped back to reality then, fixating her light blue gaze on Anna's teal one. Anna noticed, in those few moments, how Elsa's eyes had been steadily going from sky blue to a more icy, silver-blue coloration. She wondered if it had anything to do with the currently loose grasp she had on her emotions.

"Anna, what are you doing?" she asked, clearly surprised at Anna's actions. The redhead lowered their fists, letting go of Elsa's hand and unstrapping the velcro of her own gloves. She took off both before looking back up at Elsa.

"Stopping our training for the day, Elsa. Your thoughts are elsewhere, currently; with good reason, of course. You need a mental health day, Els. I appreciate the fact that you want to train me, but you can't take care of the both of us at the same time. Focus on you before we get back to me," she said. She pointedly looked down at Elsa's still gloved hands, waiting for her to take them off. Elsa sighed and conjured a chair of Ice, tossing the gloves on the floor next to her. She donned a frown upon her face, an unwelcome sight that had marred her beautiful features far too much as of late.

"Thanks, Anna. I appreciate that," she said quietly, looking down at her clasped fingers and fiddling with her thumbs. The redhead likewise created an Ice chair across from her, crossing her legs over one another. The silence hung between them like a snowflake before the blizzard.

"... Elsa, if you want to talk about what's going on with your dad, you're more than welcome to. Even if it's just how you're feeling about the whole thing, you know you –"

"I've never felt so alone, Anna," Elsa interrupted. The proclamation surprised both the blonde and the redhead, neither used to such vulnerability. Anna leaned forward, wanting to show Elsa that she was just as willing to listen to her after Elsa had listened to the story of Anna's parents. Elsa's lips trembled; one, for the fear of opening up; two, for the fear of what would happen if she did.

"It's alright, Elsa; you can talk to me." Elsa glanced up and was met with one of the kindest gazes she had ever looked upon, full of all the warmth and care in the world. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she pushed onward.

"I… I know I have Tonna and all, who's like my mom, and I know that I have Janders – but my father, he's really, truly the only person I have left. I have no family living left; my grandfather died years ago, my grandmother passed away before I was born, and I have no aunts or uncles. My mother… I was a year old when she passed away," Elsa said, looking down, "and while I worry endlessly about him, and he can annoy me to no end, I love my father with my entire being.

"I was too young to really comprehend my mother's death, you know? I just know that for a while, it was my dad and I on our own. We struggled, Anna. We struggled so much. He built this house for us because we had nothing, because we were given nothing. My dad raised us up because he wanted us to be something, he wanted me to be something. For Vita's sake, Anna, he hid the fact that he was living with cancer for Gods know how many months or weeks or days and he didn't mention a single thing to me so I wouldn't freak out.

"While it's stupid of him to do that, he didn't want me to be hurting. So he lived quietly with the burden of knowing that I would find out eventually, and that he would have to hold out as long as he could to keep me from being sad. Despite the outcome, it was intended to be a selfless act.

"My father and I had each other and only each other for the longest time. While I treasure everyone, there is no one that has been more permanent than my father. Not Tonna, not Janders, not anyone. My dad has been the one thing to keep me grounded and sane through all of my years and struggles, through our separation due to my out of control powers. My dad has been my number one fan, my head cheerleader, my happy place in most cases. He's been my rock, my foundation.

"And Anna, I'm so scared. I'm terrified. I'm so fucking terrified of losing the one permanent thing in my life and the only person I have ever felt has really understood me on a level that others couldn't. I'm scared of not having anyone be always here, of someone that I could always call. I'm scared of not being able to have a foundation or a rock, or a cheerleader, or a happy place.

"Anna, I'm terrified of being alone. I'm so fucking fearful of being on my own. I'm so scared that when my dad leaves, there will be nobody left to keep me grounded or sane, nobody to look at the Ice sculptures with me.

"I'm scared that I will just be existing, with no roots for me to call home," she finished. Elsa felt so many things at once: fear, sadness, nostalgia, and most of all, relief. There had been so many thoughts piled inside of her head now for the past Gods know how many days that she had just not spoken out loud. She supposed this is what Anna felt like when she talked about her parents.

Anna, on the other hand, had tears in her eyes. Her heart went out to Elsa; she knew what it was like to feel alone in this world and like everything was against you, and she would never wish that feeling of lostness upon anyone. However, she had been found by people that she had grown to love as she got older who became her new family; a family that had a bond stronger than blood. They had helped her write her own story once her family could not.

She had a place where she belonged.

And she would be damned if Elsa didn't.

"Elsa," she said softly, "Hold out your right hand please, palm up." Elsa quizzically obeyed her command, feeling the familiar warmth of Anna's hand in her own. Anna pressed her thumb into the center of Elsa's palm, and the blonde felt the most incredible sensation. A wonderful heat made itself known in tendrils that wrapped their way around her limbs, spiraling around until she felt it grasp her heart in the most delightful way.

When Anna pulled her thumb back, there was a glowing insignia on her palm of a tiger lily, which began to fade quickly. Anna knew they had to be quick if this was going to happen correctly.

"Elsa, do you trust me?" she asked. She knew it was a loaded question, but she needed an answer quickly. Luckily for her, the blonde nodded.

"Then let me do this." She took Elsa's palm and pressed against the skin on her chest above her heart. The feeling of life beneath Elsa's hand was a breath of fresh air, but she knew that she shouldn't focus on that by the look in Anna's eye.

"Channel all your Magical Energy into the points where you feel the insignia. Quick, Elsa, there isn't much time." She said, in a calm but urgent tone. Elsa did as she was commanded, and made sure that it happened. She was met was another crazy feeling, and this time felt something switch within her. Anna looked at her right hand and watched as a snowflake insignia appeared; looking at Elsa in the eyes briefly, she pressed her hand above Elsa's heart just as she had Elsa do just a few moments ago.

They both felt the shift. It felt as though their hearts were synced, both literally and figuratively. Elsa watched in amazement as a white streak appeared in Anna's hair, running from root to tip through her right pigtail braid. When Anna removed her hand, Elsa did too.

"Look at your heart, Elsa," she said, pulling down the hem of her shirt just slightly. There was a faint outline of a snowflake; for Elsa, a tiger lily. Her head snapped up to Anna, her face inquisitive as to what just occurred. Anna smiled at her, a kind look that Elsa needed right now.

"It's called Cor Scripturam, otherwise known as Heart Writing. It creates an unbreakable bond for two people, syncing their hearts and souls together for the rests of their lives. The insignia in your palm will glow when the other is in trouble, and you can always let each other know you're thinking of the other or want the other when you press your palm to your heart," she explained, "This way, Elsa; even if your father does pass away, you will always have someone.

I might be brash and hotheaded, even a pest sometimes; but I care about you Elsa, and I care about you a lot. I never want to see you be in the position I was as a young child, wandering around with no one to call my own. I didn't deserve it, and Gods be damned if you do," she said, a ferocity coming into her voice, "Elsa, I promise you; from this day forward, you will never be alone again." She put a hand over her heart, and the insignia over Elsa's heart glowed.

"I will be right here." She removed her hand and took Elsa's in her own.

Elsa thought back, for a moment, when she listened to Tonna telling her about Soul Weaving.

It's when two souls are made and interwoven into the fabric of each other's lives. If you believe in soulmates, this would be akin to it. Two souls are born into the fabric of space and time, and are created for each other, meant always to be together; bodies can be recycled, but in Soul Weaving, the souls always find a way back to each other. The Gods craft these two souls for each other, and each soul has an Amor Meam, or ability to find their love, no matter the distance.

She gave Anna a watery smile, swallowing thickly. The redhead's face faltered, and for a moment she had thought that the Heart Writing was a bad idea.

"Elsa, what-what's the matter? Did I do something wrong?" The blonde shook her head.

"No, Sweet Anna. You did something right," she said, "everything right."

Finally, as if compelled by some unseen force, Elsa cupped Anna's face gave her one more smile, leaned in, and kissed her.

A/N: This was, by far, my favorite chapter to write so far. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I also want to thank you guys real quick: I got a lot of reviews this week and I could not. Stop. Smiling. You guys are fantastic people that I am so thankful for to have as my reader base. Thank you for sticking with me since the shitty beginning of this story. You guys rock.

And now, for the reviews! (thanks to everyone who fav'd, followed, PM'd and reviewed this week. Y'all kick ass!)

Strasza: I thought it was impossible to make Scar even more of a psychotic badass than he was in the Lion King, I am pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. The only thing to make this story better is if Frollo is in this as a villain. I'll be back next week, in the meantime, keep on keeping on.

Burns: Thanks! I really tried to make Scar seem like a man without a conscience - which, of course, he is - and I'm glad I succeeded. Frollo has a place in this story, as do Esmeralda, Phoebus, and Quasimodo. I really wanted to put them in, especially since this year we are doing The Bells of Notre Dame as part of the music in our Marching Band show. All in due time, my friend, all in due time...

PenguinVuelve: Hey! Glad to see you again. I hope they spend their time in the most amazing way without risking Agdar's life. See you soon!

Burns: Hello! Good to see you too. They will, certainly; both Agðar and Elsa aren't really people for taking huge risks. See you next week!

MidnightNightm3r3: 1. (ch. 12) SMUUUUT! MUST HAVE ME SOME SMUT! Lol. I got nothing to say but amazing chapter!

2. (ch. 13) I love a slow smolder of emotions before the eruption. (Yes that is a reference to a volcano... speaking of which... do you think that once anna masters terra magus can she pleeeaaase have lava powers like a combination of the two?! IT WILL BE SO FREAKING AWESOME! !) Anyways absolutely wonderful.

3. (ch. 14) Ok... totally having a fangirl freak out! Now she MUST have lava powers...dunno how or when she's gonna use lava but that will be SO EPIC!

4. (ch. 17) Lol... I just came straight to the reviews once I read your A/N. The word in South African English is actually Tagati derived from the Zulu word Umthakathi the plural is Abathakathi if you wanna use that lol. _ Sorry if I offended but thought you'd like some more knowledge :') My grammar nazi brain just had to help out. I think it's supper cool that you used that word lol. And in Zulu Mythology where greek has nymphs and the European folklore have fairies or fae they have Tokoloshes (little dwarf-like creatures). Can't wait for the next update. I think I'm having withdrawal symptoms...

Burns: 1. Consider it done... ;) and thank you!

2. I can't tell you whether she is or isn't going to have Lava powers, but she can and will master every aspect of the four Elements... And Lava happens to be a subdivision of Earth...

3. ;)

4. Thank you! I'm not offended at all; you corrected my bad information, I can't be mad at that :) Tokoloshes sound sick, maybe I'll try and find a way to incorporate them into my story! Also, thank you. Here's the update, I hope I helped with the symptoms!

(Guest) Gg: Wow. It's definitely getting better. I remember starting this a while ago and deciding that two chapters were more than enough. Revisiting it and reading all the way here means that you have defs upgraded your writing. Nice job. Like the intrigue. It helps make the romance less sappy

Burns: I know man. I hate the first two chapters with a burning passion and have debated upon deleting them so. Many. Times. They just aren't reflective of my current writing ability and it pisses me off. However, I thank you for giving it another read and enjoying it. I also agree with you about the intrigue - I like counteracting typical romantic writing cliches with my plot line, and it also makes it much more fun for me as an author to write.

The Myth Rider: First off, this was great and I loved how you included Scar into the story, very nice, me likey. I had a feeling Anna's words were going to get heavier quickly, and now they have. Alas, hopefully Anna can help Elsa enough once the inevitable occurs. I have to say though, I don't know if it's your writing, my being a sap, or both, but I quickly became attached to Noa and concerned about his fate now...minor character or no, hehehehe. Imagine Birger's smug grin once I got the notifications of you finding his story. I wasn't expecting such a quick and gratifying response like that, but knowing him ''twas to be expected. Despite how much grief he causes me, literally everyone else who knows him loves him. You should see his blog on tumblr...he actually managed to convince me to make one for him...

Burns: Thank you! A lot of people seemed to like Scars inclusion in the story, which makes me hella happy. And don't worry, they will always have each other from hereon out, for better or worse... And btw, Birger quickly became a favorite character of mine. He's so snarky and never fails to crack me up. PM me about his tumblr; I'll be sure to follow!

Alright everyone, I'll see y'all next time (also, I feel like I should mention the fact that I'm actually not from the South. I just enjoy saying y'all XD)! ~ Burns