Chapter 3 — Topsy Turvy
It was the afternoon of the day of the Polar Night Festival…
The atmosphere was electrifying. The square was spotlessly clean, the accumulated snow had been carefully removed, and the sky was beginning to tint itself an orange-red.
A young woman was moving cautiously, but her mind was racing. Elsa could hardly believe that she had finally left. After so many years, she had finally come out here.
Everything was so exciting, all the colors, all the different people, the mouth-watering smells. The festival seemed like a whole new world, and Elsa felt a mixture of emotions: excitement, fear, and an undeniable feeling of finally being alive.
Holding tightly to the hood that hid her identity, Elsa wondered why she hadn't made this decision sooner. How could she have settled for so little all this time? The buzz of footsteps, voices, and music around her was almost overwhelming, but at this moment she didn't care.
In this sea of people, no one could recognize her, there was no reason to fear. She was determined to enjoy every second of it.
At first, the Snow Queen took her time observing the other people. So much time spent in the bell tower had made her forget how to interact with human beings, who were not made of ice.
Young men approached the beautiful maidens seeking companionship, couples danced harmoniously, and children ran and played, enjoying the contagious joy of the celebration.
In the center of the square, a majestic stage was set up, surrounded by several tents displaying their wares. On the walls were flyers announcing a magician's competition. Farther away was an imposing throne, where the king would later sit. Elsa made sure to lift her hood even more, concealing herself in the crowd.
Subtly, Elsa joined the dance circle, trying to keep up with the frenetic movements of the street performers. She delighted in the food and sweets that were generously handed out. It was like being in paradise, experiencing all the wonders the celebration had to offer.
Suddenly, her eyes were drawn to a young man covered in rags, probably a beggar, who was asking for alms from a miserly man. He stretched out his hand and asked humbly:
"Please, whatever you can spare for me…"
"Get out of my way!" The man brushed him off sharply and walked away, so haughty that he didn't even notice a Northuldra woman's outstretched leg, falling face-first to the ground.
"Gee, I guess it really is a sin to refuse charity, isn't it?" The beggar chuckled, letting out a laugh that soon joined the chorus of Northuldra around him.
In one bound, he made his way to the stage, shed his beggar's rags, and announced for all to hear:
"Ryder Nattura, ladies and gents - Ambassador of the Northuldra - a wild caribou among domesticated reindeer!" He gestured to his companions. "Come on, everyone, let's get to work!"
At the command, the Northuldra scattered. Elsa watched carefully those who once were also her people. From a distance, they didn't look as bad as her master had told her, but she knew they were cunning and skilled at deceiving others.
Most of the Northuldra were engaged in some kind of activity to earn money, selling forest products or performing for the entertainment of others. The younger ones, however, seemed to be allowed to have fun.
They danced, sang, and toasted as if they had no worries in the world. An inner part of Elsa begged her to join them, just for one day, to lose control and let herself go. But at the same time,
Runeard's strict teachings kept her from taking that step.
As she watched in silence, Elsa was surprised by someone holding her shoulder. It was the ambassador himself, Ryder. He wore a mask too small to conceal his identity. His clothes were in bright colors, blue and red, in contrast to the neutral shades the Northuldra wore in everyday life.
"What's the matter, my friend? Too shy to dance with us?"
"Me? No, I…"
"Don't you know, today is topsy-turvy day! The day the devil inside us get released!" He pointed with his head to a group of people dancing in a line. Elsa hesitated for a moment before answering:
"It's not that… I can't…"
Ryder, with a sly smile, interrupted her: "I think you just need a little push!"
With his mischievous smile, he pushed Elsa toward a group of Northuldra people who were dancing excitedly. Ryder laughed as he watched the woman being dragged along with the other dancers. Soon he made his way to another part of the square, disguised among the crowd.
Into this crowd strode a young cavalier - Captain Kristoff Bjorgman - whose dashing manners and bold swagger could not quite conceal a haunted look in his eyes.
He was new to the capital, recently returned from the front. Blessed with this new promotion, he promised himself he would work hard to never go back there again.
Life would be different from now on, he would make sure of that.
He smiled as a group of women waved at him.
Well, he would make an effort after the festival, today was a day of rest and recreation!
He was about to join the ladies when he bumped into a young Northuldra man.
"Oh, forgive me, my lord!" He said, clutching his shoulders.
That was strange.
Kristoff was about to ask to be released when he felt his coin purse being pulled by someone behind him. Instinctively, he pushed the young man who was holding him and drew his sword.
In an instant, the blade of Kristoff's sword was pressed against the neck of Northuldra's ambassador, Ryder. Their eyes locked in a tense standoff.
"Sorry. You're quick, but I'm quicker!" Ryder smiled wryly and whispered:
"I don't want any trouble…" Tension hung in the air as the two men stared at each other, each assessing the threat posed by the other.
But in a surprising gesture, Kristoff lowered his sword and retrieved his bag.
"Neither do I… Believe me!"
His thoughts took him back to four years ago, when he had just enlisted in the army and was immediately sent to fight in the war. The fight against Vesterland had been hard, every day filled with terror and carnage.
He shook his head to push those dark memories away. He didn't want to live that nightmare anymore. The festival was an opportunity to put his worries aside, even if only for a brief moment.
Kristoff turned away from Ryder and adjusted his posture, trying to regain his composure. He didn't want his past to define him, not anymore.
"Look, pal, I've been through a lot and I'm not interested in fighting. Just go your way and I'll go mine." Kristoff sheathed his sword and gave Ryder a last warning glance.
The Northuldra ambassador seemed to be relieved to hear Kristoff's words. He quickly walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Kristoff sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
However, his thoughts were interrupted when a familiar voice called him by name:
"Captain Bjorgman, I am glad to see you here."
It was King Runeard, accompanied by two soldiers escorting him. The young captain respectfully approached the king and bowed briefly.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you, Your Majesty." He spoke sincerely.
"Your early arrival is most auspicious. The pestilence of this Northuldra grows more dangerous every day!" Runeard had a smile on his face as he spoke horrifying words: "We must put a stop to them and their proliferation."
The words shocked Kristoff who remained silent. He kept a neutral expression, although his rebellious spirit made him question the king's authoritarianism. Were it four years earlier and he would have said something he would regret later.
"Your predecessor, Captain Destin Mattias, was a loyal and obedient man…" Runeard seemed to be remembering something with a tone of nostalgia. "Even in the most difficult situations, he accepted my orders without question. I hope you will follow the same path."
Before the captain could reply, a sudden movement caught his attention. A red-haired young woman bumped into him. What was it with people bumping into him today?
Taking a closer look at her, the captain was speechless, not only because of her beauty, but also because he recognized her as a Northuldra. He instinctively bent down to help her, but stopped abruptly when a nobleman came running up, pointing at the woman.
"Hold her down! The Northuldra picked my pocket!"
Anna, elated, promptly defended herself:
"I did nothing of the sort!"
Intrigued, the captain asked:
"No? Then why run from it so fast?"
The girl glared at him angrily, opening her arms in an indignant gesture.
"If you doubt it, inspect me!" She challenged. Kristoff gulped at the suggestion, but feeling the king's heavy gaze upon him, he decided to obey, doing his best not to aggravate the situation.
"Nothing, my lord!" He finally said, and the girl gave him a sidelong smile.
"They work in pairs. I couldn't catch the other one!" Exclaimed the nobleman.
Anna frowned at this statement, while the king looked at her with a look that seemed familiar, as if he had seen a familiar face years ago. But he put such thoughts aside and ordered without remorse:
"Arrest her!"
Kristoff looked at him in confusion.
"On what charge?"
"Plying her trade. If it were up to me, she wouldn't be allowed to walk the streets today. Or she'd be hunted for sport, like the sinful Northuldra she is. Take her away!"
Feeling panic in her chest, Anna stared at Kristoff as if begging him not to carry out the order. The captain hesitated for a moment, but soon moved to carry out the task, sticking to his plan to preserve his position.
But before he could approach her, Anna surprised everyone by tripping Kristoff, knocking him down instantly and running away, cleverly camouflaging herself in the crowd. Kristoff stayed on the ground for a few seconds, his eyes trying to follow the young woman's trail as she disappeared.
"Quick, after her!" Runeard shouted. "There is no time for rest or recreation!"
Determined, Kristoff rose quickly. He thought about taking his loyal reindeer, Sven, to help him, but in the crowd the animal would be more of a nuisance than anything else. He ran off, a few soldiers following him in search of the redhead.
Runeard sighed tiredly, feeling the weight of age on his shoulders. The commotion around him exhausted him. He walked slowly to the throne prepared for him, taking the opportunity to take a sip of wine and watch the people around him, drinking themselves to death, dancing in depraved ways, and chanting various insults.
He was repulsed by it all and it seemed like a sacrilege. It was like being in hell.
Meanwhile, Elsa continued to be dragged along by the Northuldra in their dance. She began to feel more at ease and prepared to follow them, when suddenly everyone turned abruptly, causing her to lose her balance and fall into a nearby tent.
Desperately, she tried to hold on to a piece of cloth, but realized that someone was changing behind it.
"Hey!" Elsa's eyes fell on the beautiful Northuldra in front of her and she couldn't help but blush.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" She said and looked away.
She was about to run out of there, but then she realized that her right hand was missing its glove, which she had probably lost during her fall. Desperately, she knelt down and began to search for it.
Honeymaren looked at Elsa in confusion, but straightened her clothes and bent down to be on the same level as the other woman.
"Are you all right?" She asked. She held up her hands and lifted Elsa's hood, who was so distracted that she didn't notice.
For a moment, Honeymaren's breath caught. The Snow Queen's beauty was breathtaking, her nearly white hair looking so soft that she had to resist the urge to touch it.
Elsa lifted her eyes and was also speechless. Her blue eyes met Honeymaren's honey-colored eyes and they looked at each other as if they wanted to remember every little detail about each other.
Finally, Elsa remembered what she had to do as she felt her fingertips begin to freeze.
"Could you help me find my glove?" She asked, asking the beautiful Northuldra for help.
Honeymaren nodded willingly, sensing the importance of the glove from the tone of Elsa's voice. Wasting no time, she stepped forward and began searching for the glove, which was lost among the cloths and objects scattered around the tent. Her movements were agile and precise, as if she knew every inch of the place. As they searched, the two women began to talk, trying to ease the tension of the moment.
"So, are you enjoying the festival?" Honeymaren asked, smiling gently at Elsa.
Elsa returned the smile, appreciating the young Northuldra's kindness.
"Yes, this is my first time here. It's so different from the life I'm used to."
Honeymaren arched an eyebrow, puzzled by Elsa's answer.
"First time, is it? Then you should watch me dance." She winked at Elsa, who felt her cheeks heat up. "My name is Honeymaren, by the way... Honeymaren Nattura."
"Mine is Elsa… Snedronningen…" The Northuldra raised both her eyebrows at the name, but just smiled at the other woman.
Finally, Honeymaren found the lost glove in a corner of the tent and held it up, ready to hand it to Elsa, but the moment her warm hand touched the icy skin, the bell-ringer couldn't help but let loose a few glistening snowflakes that floated all over the tent.
"What the…" Honeymaren's brown eyes widened in surprise. She reached out a finger and touched one of the snowflakes, watching it with fascination.
Oh no! Elsa dreaded Honeymaren's reaction, expecting to hear words of fear or rejection. But to her surprise, what came out was an admiring sigh.
"Wow, it's so beautiful!" She exclaimed, enchanted by the magic. "You should enter the competition with such skills!"
Elsa was speechless, overcome with mixed emotions. For the first time in years, she had not been judged for her powers, but had been appreciated for her magic. The last people who had been enchanted by her powers had been her parents.
"You could be the Queen of the Festival, who doesn't want to be royalty for at least a day, right?" Honeymaren suggested, while the still stunned blonde picked up the glove that belonged to her.
"Thank you for your help!" Elsa said with gratitude in her eyes.
Honeymaren smiled softly. She could not help but find Elsa's expression cute. She looked down at her own hand, still feeling the cold sensation of Elsa's skin and the snowflakes that had scattered into the air.
"You're welcome." Honeymaren replied, her look reflecting a mixture of curiosity and admiration. "I would love to continue our conversation, but I need to finish getting ready."
Elsa agreed, realizing that Honeymaren had duties to perform. Clumsily, the taller woman put on the glove she had retrieved and walked towards the exit of the tent.
"See you around…" Elsa said somewhat hesitantly, hoping to find a lasting connection with Honeymaren. However, there was a hint of sadness in her voice, for she knew that after the day was over, she would probably never see anyone but her master again.
Yet, Honeymaren stopped her with her encouraging words:
"I hope to see you in the audience…" Honeymaren said with a warm smile that conveyed the promise of a reunion. Elsa nodded shyly, feeling a little more hopeful. "I'll wave when I see you!"
Honeymaren nodded to the girl and then went back inside to finish putting on her red and blue dress. The snowflakes started to melt and she watched them.
"I wonder what trick she used…" The girl's monologue was interrupted when Ryder entered the tent, looking tired.
"Tough day?"
"You have no idea, sis." He sat down and grabbed a canteen of water. "Are you ready to go ahead with our plan?"
His sister hesitated for a moment, considering her options, but soon nodded, determined to proceed.
Ryder noticed his sister's hesitation and put his hands on her shoulders, trying to comfort her.
"You don't have to do this if you don't want to! I'm sure the others will be able to raise enough money from the sales and… Other things."
Honeymaren's brow furrowed, understanding the meaning of Ryder's words, but she reassured him, smiling slightly.
"What's wrong with taking money from some perverted men, especially if it's for something I enjoy?" Honeymaren said, laughing with a hint of mischief.
Ryder was silent for a moment, but soon returned his sister's smile and gave her a comforting half hug.
"If you say so! I'll gather the crowd, be ready when I call you!" He said, leaving the tent.
Outside, Runeard watched intently as the crowd began to gather around the stage. The sun was slipping below the horizon, and his captain had not yet returned. Night was fast approaching, bringing with it the long-awaited selection of the festival's King or Queen.
The king was silently grateful that the capital of the kingdom was not affected by the polar night phenomenon, unlike the lands to the north. His already aging body did not have to deal with more than twenty-four hours of darkness. He breathed a sigh of relief and concentrated on his surroundings.
"Come one, come all, hurry, hurry - this is your chance, see the mystery and romance!" Ryder's words were met with a rousing ovation from the crowd.
Elsa, who had gone back to hiding under her cloak, came as close as she could to the stage, curious to find out what was about to happen.
"Come one, come all! See the finest girl of the land, make an entrance to entrance, dance Honeymaren... Dance!" With a whirlwind of smoke, the man disappeared, giving way to a stunning woman.
All eyes in the square were fixed on her, especially those of the King and the bell-ringer of Arendelle. Unbeknownst to them, that night their destinies would be irrevocably altered.
The Polar Night Festival was sure to be special this year.
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.
We have reached a turning point where our lovers have finally met!
The chapter is a bit shorter, but I think that's how it will be from now on.