Chapter 2 — The People of The Sun
The year 1820...
Agnarr sat in a tavern, his head in his hands, overcome by fear and the weight of his decisions. He felt like vomiting.
He had defied his family!
Beside him, Iduna stroked his back, trying to comfort him through the whirlwind of emotions. They were in one of the rare shelters for the Northuldra, The Apple of Iðunn, where the generous owner, Gerda, allowed the persecuted to hide in the cellar.
"What have I done?" Agnarr whispered, remorse and uncertainty intertwined in his mind. His words struck Iduna, who was torn between supporting her lover and worrying about the paths he had chosen for her sake.
"Agnarr, my love... If you go back now, perhaps they will still accept you." Iduna said, her voice full of compassion but also fear for the uncertain future that surrounded them. Despite what she said, she feared most that Agnarr would abandon her at this moment of fragility.
"Iduna…" In a gesture of determination and affection, he took her trembling hand and kissed it.
He knew he was at a crossroads in his life, where his choices could determine his destiny and the future of his love.
"I won't abandon you!" The words brought a calm Iduna didn't know she needed. She smiled and gave him a chaste kiss.
"You two have gotten yourselves into a bit of a mess." The deep voice made them both turn around.
Yelana looked at them curiously. She, the leader of the Northuldra, had never fully trusted Agnarr, being skeptical of his intentions. But as she listened to Iduna's emotional account of how Agnarr had renounced his status as prince to flee to her side, Yelana began to question her own impressions.
Perhaps she had been wrong about Runeard's son.
"The kingdom's guards are acting like bloodhounds, after you for sure." She pinched the bridge of her nose, her tone irritated. "We must return to our camp as soon as possible."
Iduna listened to the words with a sense of dread. She knew she had to make a decision that would change her life forever, but looking at Agnarr, she made up her mind.
"Neither of us can stay here any longer." She murmured, her voice heavy with conviction. "The guards are ruthless and will not rest until they separate us. We must find a place where we can be together without fear."
The Northuldra leader looked at Iduna in surprise and sat down beside her to make sure she heard well.
"What are you saying, girl? You will leave your people to be with this boy?"
"Yelana, I love Agnarr! He gave up everything for me… I can't let him face this persecution alone. I just… want to protect him and all of you!" Iduna spoke with conviction, looking into Yelana's eyes.
The Northuldra leader sighed deeply, her face showing a mixture of concern and understanding. She had seen many challenges in her life, but Iduna and Agnarr's situation was unique and complex.
"You are about to embark on a perilous journey. It won't be easy, my sweet, but I understand the strength that love gives us. I, too, have known forbidden love and the difficult choices it brings."
Iduna felt a mixture of relief and gratitude when she heard these words. Knowing that she had the support and blessing of the leader of the Northuldra was comforting and strengthened her resolve.
"It's not like we'll never see each other again!" Iduna smiled and hugged Yelana, unable to help but feel a little sad.
The woman had been a mother figure to her since her family had been wiped out. Despite her stoic demeanor, Yelana could not hold back the tears that welled up in her eyes.
"You, young Agnarr…" He tensed a bit when he was called by Northuldra. "Take care of my Iduna, will you?" He nodded and shook hands with the woman.
The other Northuldra approached one by one to say goodbye to Iduna. Agnarr felt somewhat isolated at the moment, with a pang of guilt for being the reason his beloved was separating from her people. The sad looks and warm embraces marked this moment of farewell.
Finally, a couple approached and greeted Iduna. The woman, shorter than Iduna, had dark hair in a braid and expressive blue eyes, blurred with tears. The man was tall and strong, with a captivating smile and honey-brown eyes. He held his bride in a protective embrace. They both wore matching scarves.
"I'm sorry you can't come to my wedding, Iduna! But I understand that love means putting the needs of others before our own. I would do the same for Tor!" Iduna smiled, grateful for the comforting words.
"When we meet again, you will be a Nattura." They both laughed a little, sharing their special bond. "I wish you all the best, Maarja! And to you too, Tor!" The young man smiled radiantly, enfolding Iduna and Agnarr in a tight embrace that left the prince speechless.
"Now, let's not be sad! We will meet again soon." Tor let them go and patted Agnarr on the shoulder. "And who knows, maybe one day our children will play together!" The thought of having a child with Iduna brought a deep blush to Agnarr's cheeks.
Yelana called to the bride and groom, and they reluctantly said their goodbyes.
"You are always welcome!" She said and Iduna thanked her. As everyone started to leave, Yelana turned to them and smiled: "May the Spirits guide you!"
The two watched in silence as the Northuldra walked away, Agnarr's heart sinking as he saw the tears streaming down Iduna's face. He hugged her tightly, promising himself that he would do everything to protect her and build a future together.
Now it would be the two of them against the world.
On the winter solstice of 1822...
In an inn on the edge of the kingdom, Agnarr sat in a small room, anxious. His hands trembled and he could hear only a few voices behind the door.
Much had happened in the past three years, and Agnarr's greatest regret was that he had not been able to marry his love. He remembered the moment when his life changed forever.
On a dark and silent night, as they rested under the soft glow of the stars, Iduna revealed to Agnarr news that shook the very core of his being.
With a mixture of fear and hope, she revealed that she was pregnant.
Agnarr's heart was filled with emotion. Of course, the arrival of a child would only increase the risks and challenges they faced. But that was little compared to the indescribable joy he felt.
Fortunately, they were able to find a place to stay for the next few months. And now Agnarr looked forward to the birth of his child.
Hours passed, until finally the cry of a newborn filled the room. Barely able to contain his anxiety, Agnarr rushed to the room where the woman was.
But when he entered, he noticed that some snow had accumulated on the floor of the room. The midwife looked terrified, and Iduna was holding the baby with a surprised expression on her face.
"Iduna, what happened here?" Agnarr's voice was full of concern and confusion. The child's crying grew louder.
Suddenly, snowflakes began to fall softly, filling the air with their icy beauty. Agnarr realized that this was the work of the little girl his lover was holding.
"Magic?" The sight filled him with terror. His father's teachings immediately came to mind, and he feared that this was a demonic manifestation.
But the radiant smile on Iduna's face made Agnarr reconsider his assumptions. He looked at the child, whose blue eyes watched him curiously.
This was his daughter, a wonderful gift! He felt foolish to have thought otherwise, even for a brief moment.
"She has been blessed." Iduna interrupted him with conviction. "The Spirits have blessed her!"
Agnarr approached cautiously, reaching out to caress the snowflake-covered cheek. The child held his finger in her delicate little hands, and fear gave way to overwhelming love.
"Our daughter, our little miracle."
The midwife, though frightened, was moved by the sight and excused herself.
Agnarr took her daughter and saw that her hair was blond, almost white.
"Have you thought of a name?" Iduna asked.
Agnarr nodded, looking at his daughter's hair and remembering his great-grandmother. He didn't have many good memories of the woman, but he always regretted not being able to attend her funeral.
"Elsa... Elsa Agnarrsdatter…" The woman agreed, and the two of them stayed together, embracing.
Years later...
Elsa had grown up as a child full of energy and enthusiasm. Her parents loved her deeply and encouraged her not to fear her powers, but to explore them and learn more about them.
Agnarr was saddened that he could not provide a more stable life for his daughter, that he had to travel from city to city, but he knew that this was the price he had to pay for his deeds. Iduna, on the other hand, more accustomed to the nomadic life of the Northuldra, was not as troubled.
Still, many people looked down on little Elsa every time she manifested her magical abilities. They said it had something to do with the devil and that she was wicked. This deeply distressed Iduna, who saw her daughter's powers as a blessing and could not understand why others saw them as something bad.
Although Elsa's birth was unplanned, Agnarr and Iduna wished to have another child, especially so that Elsa would not feel so lonely. It was no surprise when Iduna told Agnarr that she was pregnant again. But joy soon turned to despair when, a few weeks before her due date, Agnarr began to show signs of a disease, smallpox. Each day, new blisters appeared on his face, and Iduna unfortunately fell ill as well.
They tried to shield Elsa from reality, telling her that everything would be fine. But when Agnarr saw Iduna die after giving birth, even though he felt a mixture of happiness for the birth of their new daughter, he could not hold back his tears. He knew his own life was fading, and the two girls would be alone in the world, with no one to care for them.
For a moment, he considered searching for the Northuldra, but he had no idea of their whereabouts and knew his time was short.
It was then that Agnarr made a difficult decision.
He wrote a letter to Runeard and gave it to a messenger without revealing his identity. He hoped that in the end his father, as bad as he was, would spare Elsa and take care of her. However, he also had a decision to make about what to do with the newborn.
Although he knew that Elsa would be rejected because of her magical powers, he could still offer Anna a better future. The thought of separating the sisters tore at his heart, but it was necessary.
So one night, as Elsa slept peacefully, Agnarr took Anna to the door of an orphanage and left her there with a note asking them to take good care of her. He also left a scarf that her mother had sewn months before as a gift for the little girl, assuring her that she would have something of her family with her.
Elsa asked him about her sister, but Agnarr always managed to avoid the subject, despite the girl's insistence.
A few days later, his father visited, and Agnarr begged him to take care of his eldest daughter. It was either that, or the little girl would be alone on the streets, and probably die. After an expected argument, his father asked him to go to sleep, and he did so, overcome by an unusual fatigue.
Unfortunately, he would never wake up again.
Anna's life in the orphanage was monotonous. Her bubbly personality and hyperactivity made it easy for her to make friends with the other children. The directress of the orphanage, Mrs. Westergaard, was kind enough, but one question remained in her mind throughout the eight years she spent in the institution.
Why had her parents abandoned her? And more importantly, who were they?
Anna was sure they cared for her. She carefully kept the note and the scarf she was left with the day she was dropped off at the orphanage. The loving words on the paper were proof enough that someone had once truly loved her.
As Anna ate her breakfast with the other children, she thought about all this. Suddenly, Tuva, who sat next to her, smiled and asked:
"Hey, Anna, are you excited about the field trip?" The redhead smiled and had to stop herself from jumping for joy.
"Of course I am! This will be my first time camping in the Northwoods!" She sighed with a dreamy look on her face and Tuva laughed, infected by Anna's contagious enthusiasm.
"It is very cool! The forest is beautiful, although there are a lot of Northuldra…" Tuva whispered the last part, as if telling a secret.
Confused, Anna wondered why this was a problem. She had always heard people insult the Northuldra, calling them dirty, thieves or sinners, but she had never met a real Northuldra to confirm these claims.
Soon, the directress entered the cafeteria and told the children to get ready for their trip. Anna ran excitedly to the room she shared with the other girls. It was the first time she was going on an outing like this, as the younger children usually stayed at the orphanage for safety reasons.
As she prepared, Anna's excitement and curiosity took over. She had read that forests were places of transformation, and wondered what kind of transformation she would experience.
The trip went smoothly, considering the number of children in the wagon. Anna stayed next to Tuva and the other girls from her room. The directress reminded everyone every 20 minutes that the trip was being funded by the church, so the orphans should behave accordingly.
When they arrived at the campsite, Anna couldn't help but sigh with delight. The forest was truly magnificent. She and the other children spent the rest of the day playing, setting up their tents, and then going to a nearby stream to play on its banks.
By the end of the afternoon, Anna was exhausted. She ate dinner, enjoyed some soup with a piece of bread, and almost fell asleep right there. Her excitement was renewed when they began to roast marshmallows.
Tuva accompanied her to their tent and the two of them got ready for bed. After a few minutes, Anna was about to fall asleep when she heard the sound of leaves moving. At first, she decided to ignore it, but the sound continued for a few minutes, arousing her curiosity.
She peeked out of the tent and noticed something moving among the leaves. Rubbing her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things, Anna was surprised to find a small blue salamander running between the trees. The little creature even turned to look at the girl, who was delighted by its cuteness.
Anna thought about waking Tuva so they could follow the little animal, but decided it would be faster if she went alone. As she carefully left the tent, the little salamander began to run, and the girl, without thinking too much, decided to follow. Maybe it wasn't her smartest idea, but she didn't think it would be a problem.
Running between the trees, lit only by the moonlight, Anna almost caught up with the amphibian several times, but it always found a way to escape. Finally, when the animal was within an inch of her, she decided to jump and catch it.
What Anna didn't know was that the small animal had jumped out of an almost invisible ravine in the darkness, and she slipped and fell hard. She rolled around for a few seconds before she felt something sharp hit her face.
When she finally stopped, she brought her hand to the wound. It was a deep cut that hurt badly, and Anna couldn't hold back her tears. She called for help, but there was no answer. She rose to her feet and began to walk back the way she had come. But as the minutes passed, Anna realized she was lost. Darkness filled the forest, making everything unrecognizable.
Suddenly, she heard voices. She silenced herself and tried to hide behind a tree.
"Maren, I'm scared…" whispered a voice.
"Be quiet! The noise came from here!" Anna looked around and saw who the voices were.
They were two Northuldra children, probably siblings, judging by the resemblance between them, they couldn't have been much older than Anna. They were looking for someone. And that someone was surely Anna.
Even though it looked a bit ridiculous, the redhead picked up a branch that was lying on the ground to protect herself. However, it made more noise than expected and Honeymaren jumped at her.
Startled, Anna jumped backwards and shook the branch frantically while keeping her eyes closed. All of a sudden, she felt the branch being ripped from her hands. She opened her eyes and saw the two siblings looking at her as if she were a madwoman.
"Hello!" Anna said sheepishly.
The Northuldra siblings' eyes widened. They approached cautiously, but with a gleam of curiosity in their eyes. The girl with the honey-brown eyes, the braver one, was holding a staff, probably the weapon that had disarmed Anna. The two exchanged a few words in a language she could not understand, but soon turned their attention to her.
"Who are you?" Honeymaren asked, pointing the staff in the girl's direction.
"My name is Anna. I was out walking when I fell out of a hole." The blue-eyed boy noticed the cut on her face and came closer. Even though she was frightened, she realized that he wanted to help, so she didn't move away.
"Ryder…" Honeymaren was about to ask him to move away, but when she noticed the bruise, she was moved as well. She put down her staff and took a cloth from her bag, carefully wiping away the blood that was beginning to dry.
"You hurt yourself badly…" Anna laughed in agreement and thanked him for his help.
"Are you part of the group that's out in the clearing?"
"Yes, today was our orphanage outing." The siblings exchanged glances. "I got lost. It's really quite silly. I was chasing a blue salamander and ended up falling into a hole."
Ryder laughed at the girl's confession and offered his hand to help her up.
"Blue salamander? It seems you have met the Fire Spirit…"
Anna looked at him without understanding, but accepted his help. Honeymaren introduced herself and her brother.
"My name is Honeymaren Nattura, and this is my little brother Ryder!" He nodded with a smile.
"And my name is Anna, oh wait, I forgot I already introduced myself." She giggled embarrassed.
"Well… You are lucky, because we know these woods like the back of our hands." Honeymaren's smile managed to calm the redhead. "We'll take you back, don't worry."
Smiling, Anna thanked them and started to follow them. They walked in silence for a while until Ryder asked:
"You... Are you an orphan?" Anna nodded, seeing sympathy in the twins' eyes.
"So are we." Ryder said almost in a whisper. "They died a year ago, because of the soldiers."
Anna saw Honeymaren's body stiffen. She clenched her hands tightly, obviously affected by the story. Trying to break the tense atmosphere, Anna asked:
"What was that story about the Fire Spirit?" The two laughed at the question and Honeymaren replied:
"I don't think you know the legends of our people, but since you seem interested, we'll tell you about the Spirits and Ahtohallan." And they continued to talk.
Every step of the way, they told stories of the legends and magic that surrounded these lands. Anna was delighted and at the same time felt a special connection to these two.
After a few minutes, Anna finally began to recognize her surroundings. She felt a mixture of joy at having finally returned and melancholy at having to say goodbye to her new friends.
"I guess this is where we part, Anna…" Ryder said in a slightly dejected tone. "We can't get any closer or we'll get into trouble."
Honeymaren agreed and held out her hand to Anna, who shook it.
"You're a very nice person, Ginger." Anna pouted at the nickname, but then laughed, and the siblings followed her. "What is the name of the orphanage where you live?"
"The Westergaard Orphanage! But why do you want to know?"
"Who knows, maybe our fates will cross again?" She winked at the younger girl, who looked a little confused.
The three said goodbye, and Anna headed back to her tent.
"And no more chasing spirits!" The boy's comment made the redhead laugh again. Before entering her tent, she took one last look at the siblings as they started to leave.
It had been months since the trip to the Northwoods, and though Anna had moved on with her life, she remembered the Northuldra siblings and their amazing stories from time to time.
One day, a church soldier called everyone from the orphanage to a meeting, probably with some important announcement.
"I wonder what he has to say?" Tuva asked.
Anna shrugged, also unsure. When everyone was gathered in the room, Captain Mattias, a tall man with dark skin and hair, began to speak:
"I suppose you are wondering why we have called you here…" The children nodded. "Well, the reason is simple. Our guards have received many reports of the presence of Northuldra in this area, especially in the nearby woods."
Almost everyone was startled by the news, except Anna.
"It is extremely important that you report any suspicious activity you see! And don't be alone after sunset, because that's when the Northuldra usually come out of hiding." The captain continued to explain, but Anna was already distracted.
Her curiosity had been piqued, and she wondered if she would ever have the chance to meet Honeymaren and Ryder again.
But despite the captain's warning, weeks passed and no one had seen a single Northuldra. Anna lost hope. Perhaps the reports were lies invented by the people of the kingdom, like almost everything else about the Northuldra.
One late afternoon, as Anna was getting ready for dinner, she heard someone calling to her:
"Anna, can you help me find my toy?" Asked a red-haired boy a few years older than her.
Hans, the directress' youngest son, was funny and kind, maybe too kind, she thought. But he never gave her any reason to be suspicious of him, and the two of them eventually developed a friendship when he came to help his mother at the orphanage.
"Of course, Hans, but we have to get back soon or we'll get a scolding." He nodded, and the two left without anyone noticing.
Hans was someone Anna liked to have at her side. He always seemed to know what to say to make her smile. With his jokes and gentle manner, very different from the other boys at the orphanage, he managed to get the little girl to develop a small crush on him.
He showed her where he was playing when he forgot his toy, and the two of them began to look around. The sun was almost setting on the horizon, making the search more difficult.
After a few minutes of searching for the doll, Anna moved a little farther away. She was about to give up when she heard footsteps approaching. Thinking it was Hans, she did not turn around. She only did so when she heard someone asking a question:
"Still hunting salamanders, ginger?" The voice made Anna turn around immediately, and on an impulse she hugged the two siblings who were standing there.
"Honeymaren, Ryder! I missed you guys so much!" The two returned the hug. Honeymaren looked at the younger girl's face and ran her fingers along the scar on her face, just above her right eyebrow.
"I knew this wound would leave a mark." Ashamed, Anna tried to cover it with her hair.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, trying to draw attention away from her face.
"We weren't kidding when we said our paths would cross." The boy explained. "Besides, the soldiers invaded the Northwoods and forced us to find another place to stay."
"I'm sorry to hear that… But look on the bright side, we found each other again!" The three laughed and began to catch up.
The brothers talked about how they had started training as soldiers, while Anna talked about Hans and the other children. When Ryder told a story about his pet reindeer, Anna noticed that he was holding a wooden doll.
"And his antlers started growing a week ago…"
"Ryder, where did you get that toy?" Anna asked, interrupting him.
"Oh, this? I found it on the floor about an hour ago. Why?"
Anna wanted to answer, but was interrupted by Hans' voice calling her. The two siblings tensed up, afraid that they might be discovered.
"We have to go!"
"Wait! Hans is a nice guy, you don't have to run away!"
"No chance, Anna! You may be nice, but we can't trust him not to turn us in!" Said Honeymaren.
The siblings were about to run away, but Anna said:
"Please, let's meet here tomorrow morning. I promise to come alone." She pointed to the doll. "And I have to give this back to Hans!"
Ryder did not hesitate to return the toy. The twins said goodbye to her and left. Hans called out to her again, and this time she answered.
"I'm here!"
The boy appeared, looking a little annoyed, but his expression soon changed when he saw Anna. He smiled when he saw the doll.
"Why didn't you answer when I called you the first time?"
"You called me? I must not have heard…" She said, feigning innocence.
"Well, at least you found the doll. Come on, let's get back before my mom notices we're gone."
Quickly they went back and made it to the dining hall without being noticed. Anna's thoughts remained far away, she was looking forward to tomorrow.
On the sunny morning after her classes, Anna decided to meet her friends at the arranged place. She was looking forward to spending the day with Honeymaren and Ryder, but was disappointed when she arrived and did not see them. Worried, she began to wonder if they were not coming.
"I wonder where they are?"
As she was thinking to herself, a pine cone fell on her head, causing her to look up. To her surprise, she saw Honeymaren and Ryder camouflaged in a tree, watching her. A smile spread across Ryder's face as Honeymaren laughed at Anna's startled reaction. The two of them climbed down from the tree and hugged the girl, who soon returned the embrace.
Anna felt incredibly comfortable in the presence of the siblings. She wondered if the other members of the Northuldra tribe were like them, and if so, why did the rest of the kingdom treat them with such hatred?
As the sun shone brightly over the clearing, the trio entered the woods surrounding the orphanage, sharing games typical of their culture. Honeymaren and Ryder began teaching Anna the games and customs of the Northuldra, and she quickly learned to play.
Late in the afternoon, Anna said her goodbyes and returned to the orphanage. Tuva questioned her absence during the afternoon, but she managed to make up an excuse that she had been studying on her own.
In the days that followed, her meetings with the siblings continued. As they explored the forest, they spent some time playing and some time discussing more serious matters. Anna used these conversations to better understand the history of their people and their strained relationship with the rest of the kingdom. Honeymaren and Ryder explained the ancient traditions, the connection to nature, and the challenges they faced as Northuldra.
Each day the girl's admiration for Northuldra culture grew, and deep inside she felt a strong connection to her own identity. The bond between Anna, Honeymaren, and Ryder grew even stronger. They were a refuge for each other, sharing joys and sorrows, dreams and fears.
As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the horizon, the three friends returned to the orphanage, saying goodbye and promising to meet again. And so it went for the next few years, even when the Northuldra were forced to change their home again, the three still found ways to meet.
During this time, Anna decided to teach the twins to read and write the language she had learned at the orphanage, and they taught her their native tongue in return.
One day, when one of her friends asked her what her dream family would be, Anna couldn't help but think of the two siblings. In a way, they had become her family.
Everything changed in 1841…
Anna, now 15 years old, walked to the appointed place to meet the Northuldra siblings. Her normally cheerful expression was now somber. Her eyes were blurred from the tears she had shed earlier.
Visiting them should at least cheer me up a bit, she thought.
The two were in their usual spot, up in the trees, hiding their presence so that no one but Anna would find them. When they saw her, the two got down and ran to greet the girl, but were surprised by the redhead's face.
"Hey, guys…"
"Anna... What happened?" Honeymaren asked, offering her a handkerchief.
"Adoption day…"
Honeymaren and Ryder looked at each other, understanding the pain Anna was going through. Ryder walked over and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?"
"Just the usual, you know how it is, they take one look at my face, at my scar, and decide to adopt someone 'cuter'..." She wiped her wet cheek. "Every year my chances of finding a family diminish, I should just accept that no one will ever want me!"
Unwilling to allow the girl to continue to wallow in self-pity, Honeymaren lifted Anna's face and declared in a firm voice:
"Listen, Anna! You are the kindest, most unselfish person I have ever met! If these people are so shallow as to not want you because of a scar, then they don't deserve you at all!"
"Exactly! This was actually a blessing in disguise!" Anna chuckled softly, which soon turned into a real laugh, and the siblings followed suit.
The three friends embraced, sealing their friendship and the bond they had built over the years.
"Thank you guys. You know… You're like a family to me!" Anna said, crying again, but this time from happiness.
It was late fall, and Ryder noticed that Anna, who was wearing a sleeveless dress to impress the families who visited the orphanage, was shivering. He took a scarf from his bag and wrapped the girl in it.
"You can count on us, come what may!" She smiled, but when she noticed the scarf on her shoulders, Anna was surprised to see how similar it was to the one she had.
Noticing the teenager's silence, Honeymaren asked:
"Is something troubling you, Anna?"
"It's just… this scarf looks a lot like the one I had when I was abandoned." The young Northuldra had a puzzled look at each other.
"Are you sure, Anna? This is a Northuldra scarf, they are passed down from generation to generation, each with the symbol of a family. Maybe you're confused…"
"I am sure! I'll show you!" She stood up and gave the scarf back. "Wait here, I'll bring it over for you to see!"
Before either of them could say anything, Anna was already running.
Her legs moved as fast as they could. She felt she was about to discover something about her origins and could hardly contain her excitement.
Anna hurried into the orphanage and went to her room, which was surprisingly empty. She opened the drawer and took out both the scarf and the note from so many years ago. Without wasting any time, she left the room, unaware that someone was following her.
"Here it is!" She shouted as she ran towards the siblings.
Ryder was the first to see the scarf and was speechless. Honeymaren, more skeptical, came closer and was also at a loss for words upon seeing it.
"This is too detailed to be a rip-off…" The older girl looked at her brother and asked a silent question, which he promptly answered. "Anna... I think that your parents were Northuldra. I think... you are Northuldra!"
The revelation shocked the redhead, who felt dizzy.
"But how? All orphans are taken care of by the entire tribe. Why would your parents leave you in an orphanage?"
"Maybe we should talk to Yelana... Anna, do you know where the forest west of the fjord is?" Even though she was still shell-shocked, she nodded her head affirmatively.
"I… I don't know what to say… I am Northuldra, just like you…"
"What do you mean?" A voice interrupted the trio, startling them.
It was Hans, who had followed Anna.
"Anna, what are you doing here with them? Did I hear you right?" Hans asked with a confused look on his face.
"Hans, that's not how it sounds!" Anna tried to explain.
"Oh, but I think it is exactly what it sounds like." Hans' expression changed from confusion to sadistic satisfaction. "I always thought you were a fool who would do anything I asked if I just used a few kind words. But to think that you are one of those savages…"
"Hans?" Anna could hardly believe the cruel words he uttered.
"No wonder they abandoned you, that's typical for this kind of race!" The provocative remark made Honeymaren grit her teeth, and Ryder held her back to avoid a fight.
"All this time… Have you been lying to me?" Anna asked, feeling betrayed.
Hans let out a cruel laugh, showing no remorse.
"Come on, Anna, you really are quite stupid, aren't you? Of course I was lying the whole time. Do you really think that someone like me would be interested in an orphan like you?" Hans sneered, revealing his true cruel nature.
"That's enough!" Honeymaren cried out, struggling to free herself from Ryder's arms and punch the young man.
"And to think you have been involved with the Northuldra all this time. Well, now that I know where to find them, I can inform the soldiers and of course I will be rewarded with a high position in the army…"
Hans' arrogant monologue was interrupted when Anna landed a sharp punch on his nose. He fell backwards, screaming in pain.
"That'll teach you not to mess with me or my friends!" She declared firmly.
"You little bitch! Look what you've done!" Hans angrily wiped the blood from his nostrils. "You and your little friends better run, because after this I'm going to report you to the whole army! And when they find you guilty of treason, you'll be lucky if they just arrest you!"
The girl panicked when she realized that Hans had discovered the truth. She knew that she could not go back to the orphanage because she would be in danger. Her old friends would be left behind. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stopped when she felt Ryder and Honeymaren's hands holding hers.
"Come on, Anna! We have to go now and warn the others." Ryder said, trying to convey confidence.
Reluctantly, she followed them, leaving her old life behind. All she had was her scarf and the treasured note that connected her to her origins.
Upon arriving at the Northuldra hideout, the siblings were promptly scolded by Yelana for bringing a foreigner with them. They tried to explain the situation while the leader looked at them suspiciously.
"Where is the scarf you spoke of?" She asked.
Anna slowly approached and handed it to the older woman. As soon as Yelana began to examine the piece, her reaction was the same as that of the siblings earlier.
"It can't be… This is Iduna's family crest."
"Iduna?" All eyes turned to Yelana.
"Years ago, young Iduna ran away with an exile." Yelana decided to spare the girl too many details so as not to overwhelm her. "You must be her daughter; Iduna must have made this scarf for you."
"But why did they leave me in the orphanage?"
"I knew Iduna well, and I know that she would only leave you if she had no other choice." Yelana held the redhead's face in her hands. "I see her likeness in you, little one."
Wordlessly, Anna smiled at the words that brought peace to the fear that had accompanied her since childhood. Her parents truly loved her.
But the question of why they had abandoned her still haunted her.
"Girl, I heard that you were threatened by that boy. I'm sorry, but I don't think they're going to allow you to go back to the orphanage."
Anna sighed, feeling defeated.
"Now I have nowhere else to go…"
"That's not true!" Honeymaren said as Ryder nodded beside her.
The elders formed a circle and spoke to each other for a few minutes before all eyes turned to Anna.
"The Northuldra must remain united, child. If you wish, you have a place among us." The elders' words shocked Anna, and she smiled and hugged Yelana.
"Thank you so much! I don't know how to thank you." Although a little surprised, Yelana returned the hug.
"We are the People of the Sun! Welcome, Anna, daughter of Iduna!" Yelana said with a big smile on her face.
A celebration began around them, and Honeymaren and Ryder hugged the little girl, who was crying with happiness. Looking at them, Yelana remembered a scene from the past, two couples talking and a sentence:
Maybe one day our children will play together! The Northuldra leader smiled and began to introduce the little girl to everyone.
Finally, finally I have found my family, Anna thought.
I do not own Frozen, or any of the related characters. The Frozen Franchise is owned by Walt Disney Pictures. This fanfiction is intended for entertainment only. I am not making any profit from this story. All rights of the original Frozen story belong to Walt Disney Pictures.
Lots of hugs and tears in this chapter.
It should have been longer, but I felt it ended on a good note.
Will our star-crossed lovers meet in the next chapter?