Winter's Echo
Chapter Eight - Feelings on the Fjord
Life went back to relative normalcy in the enchanted forest for the next several weeks. Honeymaren taught Elsa how to fish, legitimately this time, and the two women continued to enjoy bonding over this and that. Once a week, Elsa would visit her beloved sister in Arendelle for a day or two, often helping Anna with the affairs of the kingdom. Though she had yet to openly accept the proposition of ruling the kingdom together, Anna was careful to show Elsa that it was more than possible for the blonde to have her freedom and her Crown. Though, if Elsa were honest with herself, she was becoming less concerned about losing her freedom and more conscientious of any time she spent away from a particular member of the forest tribe. They pair had become quite close in the nearly two months of Elsa's presence in the enchanted forest and the spirit found herself increasingly eager to explore her growing feelings toward the charming woman.
At the evening meal, the night before they would depart for Arendelle for the Winter Solstice, Honeymaren and Elsa were watching several of the other Northuldrans dancing animatedly around the large fire. The spectators were singing a song, clapping and banging on the logs they sat upon to keep the beat. Elsa smiled broadly and laughed happily at the show, even joining the other tribespeople in clapping along with the ancient song. Honeymaren set down her bowl with a grin and stood, offering her hand to Elsa. "Would you like to dance, spirit?" she asked. Elsa grinned up at the woman but politely shook her head. "No, thank you. I don't dance," she said, giving her standard response. "I would love to see you dance, though!" Honeymaren shrugged and smiled, turning away and heading toward the group to join in on their fun. Elsa smiled warmly at the dark-haired woman, watching as she moved seamlessly through her people. She laughed when several of the dancers gave a cry of excitement as their noaide joined them. The dancers linked arms then and pranced merrily in a large circle around the fire, their shadows dancing to and fro as well against the trees.
After a short while of simply taking in the festivities, Elsa felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and smiled as she saw Honeymaren, then blinked in confusion when the woman took her hand and pulled her to stand, leading her toward the rest of the tribe. "Wait, Maren! I told you I don't dance!" Elsa protested, trying to prevent herself from being dragged any closer. Honeymaren only smiled back at her. "If I must dance in the world you left, then you must learn to dance in the world you chose," she challenged. "I'll teach you, it's easy. I promise, I won't let you fall, Snowflake," she said with a warm smile. The entire tribe cheered as Honeymaren broke into the circle with the beautiful winter spirit in tow and Elsa couldn't help but laugh and smile sheepishly, the Northuldran laughing right along with her. Elsa had to admit, despite the awkwardness of the situation, she felt much less embarrassment and shame than she thought she would have as Honeymaren and the others began to teach her the steps.
True to her word, the noaide did not let the queen falter or feel embarrassed or out of place. Ever the quick study, the winter spirit was easily following the steps with the rest of the tribe within minutes and was having a fantastic time laughing with her new people. Once the queen began participating, the slightly rambunctious dinner turned into a full-fledged celebration. The Northuldra brought out musical instruments and games, eager for the winter spirit to join them in their festivities - and join them, she did.
Several hours later, the noise finally began to settle as, one by one, the Northuldra began to bed down for the few hours they had left before morning brought about a fresh day of chores. Fires were put out and cooking pots set aside to be cleaned in the light of day. Elsa and Honeymaren made their way to the lavvo they shared near the edge of the forest, laughing as they stumbled about clumsily in the dark. "I thought queens were supposed to be graceful," Honeymaren teased as Elsa stumbled over a stone, reaching out to steady her. Elsa turned her nose up at her, not bothering to hide her smirk. "I thought the noaide was supposed to respect the spirits," she shot back in challenge. "And to think, Nokk thought so highly of you." Elsa made a playful 'tsk' noise, then wagged her finger warningly at Honeymaren. "You'd better change your attitude before we get to Arendelle," she teased.
Honeymaren grinned, walking beside the beautiful queen. "What, you think I can't keep up with the blue bloods?" Elsa laughed at that, pausing at a tree and leaning against it, rubbing her hands across her face. "Are you kidding? I can barely keep up with them and I am one," she joked, leaning her head back against the tree. "I wish you the best of luck, brave noaide. Especially because Anna is quite keen to spend time with you as well. I'm sure she will drag you onto the dance floor more than once to teach you one of our dances," she said, grinning at the image in her mind's eye.
Honeymaren raised an amused eyebrow, leaning on the tree next to the queen. "Ouch, not even willing to share a dance with me in public, Your Majesty?" she asked in mock offense, placing a hand over her heart. "You wound me, sweet spirit." Elsa chuckled and bumped the dramatic woman off balance with her hip. "I told you, I don't dance - tonight was an exception and entirely the product of your clever manipulation. I definitely don't teach dance." The Northuldran chuckled and shrugged. "Alas, I shall never learn the dances of polite society, then. How will I go on living?" Elsa laughed and shook her head. "Only Ahtohallan knows," she answered playfully before hiding a large yawn behind her hand. Honeymaren smiled and offered her arm to the queen, who took it with a smile of her own. "Let's go. We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow and I'm not keen on traveling with a cranky royal." Elsa just rolled her eyes and yawned again. "Hypothetical question, you can swim, right? Just asking," the blonde questioned. Honeymaren just laughed as she held open the flap of the lavvo for the queen. "I guess we will find out tomorrow if it's necessary."
Elsa chuckled and stepped into the dwelling, shaking her head, the noaide smiling after her. If she was honest with herself, Honeymaren really was quite nervous about going to Arendelle. What was more, Elsa was quite aware of her persisting uncertainty and distrust of the kingdom and its people. She was excited to see Anna again; she had liked the fiery young woman straightaway. What she wasn't excited for, however, was to be reminded of all the ways that the beautiful queen was as far out of her league as she could get. Noble born, a queen, a goddess, and revered by what was likely to be thousands of citizens - a shiver went up Honeymaren's spine. She knew she would stick out like a fall leaf against the pristine snow. She only hoped to not embarrass herself too badly, or worse, embarrass Elsa. Honeymaren was not one to doubt herself or to change who she was to fit in. She just hoped who she was would be enough for the kingdom of Arendelle, and that the kingdom of Arendelle would live up to the high praise Elsa had spoken.
The next morning, the two women headed out bright and early. Honeymaren spoke at length with Yelana, nervously fidgeting. She had never left her people in such a way since becoming the noaide and was having a hard time not feeling like she was shirking her duties. The old woman insisted that distance and perspective were not only healthy and good, but key to personal growth. "You can only serve as the noaide as well as you serve yourself, child," she had reasoned, which eased the anxiety in Honeymaren's heart. The pair waved goodbye to the tribe and set off into the woods, reaching the shore where Honeymaren usually saw Elsa off on her visits with Anna. Honeymaren walked over to her canoe that she had stored earlier and dropped her small traveling bag in it, rubbing her hands together to prepare to pull it into the fjord.
"Um...what are you doing?" Elsa asked curiously from the shoreline. Honeymaren blinked and turned to find Elsa standing next to Nokk, one hand on his powerful shoulders. "...you're joking," Honeymaren said flatly. Elsa tilted her head in confusion, looking at Nokk before looking back to the dark-haired woman. "What's wrong?" she asked, genuinely confused. The noaide's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding? I can't ride the water spirit! That's...that's just...it's sacrilege, is what it is!" Elsa laughed lightly, covering her giggles with her hand. "He doesn't mind, Maren. He likes you, I promise," she tried to reassure her, but the Northuldran was having none of it. "Absolutely not. It's one thing for you, Elsa, you're the fifth spirit. I'm just a humble noaide who will not be asking a god for the equivalent a piggy back ride." Honeymaren crossed her arms over her chest and Elsa bit the inside of her cheek hard to keep herself from grinning at the petulant looking woman. She pressed her head gratefully against Nokk's before bidding him to return to the water with an apologetic smile. *Impeccable manners* his voice commented as he disappeared.
Elsa walked up to the Northuldran, eyeing the canoe. "You really want to paddle all the way to Arendelle? It will take us all day," she mused. Honeymaren looked back at the canoe and then at Elsa before shrugging. "If you have any non-desecrating ways of traveling, I'm open to suggestions," she answered. Elsa thought for a short moment before grinning and grabbing Honeymaren's bag out of the canoe, handing it back to her. "Follow me," she said excitedly, grabbing the dark-haired woman's hand and pulling her to the shoreline. Once at the edge of the water, Elsa lifted her free hand in front of her, closing her eyes as an image began to form in her mind's eye. Honeymaren stared in wonder as a large, magnificent shape began to form several yards out in the water. Two tall masts with billowing sails of woven frost appeared above a beautifully intricate and crystalline ship that looked as though it could easily transport several dozen people. "Elsa..." Honeymaren breathed as she admired the piece of art. "It's...amazing." Brown eyes turned to regard the queen sincerely. "You're amazing," she said softly, a proud smile on her lips. Elsa blushed and lowered her gaze shyly. "Thank you," she said politely, though she was beyond thrilled at the Northuldran's praise. The queen wanted very much to impress her and planned on doing so any chance she could get for the next few days.
"How do we get on?" Honeymaren asked curiously. No sooner had she said it than the shoreline seemed to reach out for the women, snaking amongst the river rocks beneath their feet and lifting them on a small wave, carrying them out to the waiting ship. The Northuldran scrambled slightly but caught her balance quickly at the unexpected movement, shooting Elsa a small glare when the blonde snickered to herself, unable to hide her amusement behind her hand quite fast enough. As they approached the ship, the wave slowly grew until the women were able to nimbly step aboard the vessel before splashing back down into the fjord. Honeymaren stared up at the ship in wonder, turning this way and that to take it all in. Elsa tried her best to stifle the proud grin tugging at her features as she watched the Northuldran examine the ship with wide, excited eyes. She closed her own eyes for a brief moment, seeking out her connection with Gale. She smiled brightly and opened her eyes again as a strong breeze gusted behind her, sending her loose, white-gold locks flying over her shoulder.
"Hello, Gale!" Elsa called to the whistling wind spirit, laughing as Gale tousled her hair before flitting around Honeymaren and causing all sorts of mischief. The playful breeze blew all around the noaide, whipping her braid to and fro before brusquely blowing against the back of her head, causing her reindeer-pelt cap to fall over her face. Elsa giggled and took pity on the poor woman, walking over and lifting her hat off her face. "I think she likes you," she said sweetly as she placed the hat back where it belonged. Honeymaren grinned playfully, though it only partially reached her eyes. "We're old friends," the Northuldran said in a quiet tone tinged with a melancholy that disappeared as quickly as it arrived, making Elsa wonder if she had imagined it. "I'm three for three for spirit approval, then?" Elsa chuckled and turned toward the front of the ship and throwing a coy smile over her shoulder, the odd moment forgotten. "Let's see if you can keep those odds through this weekend, noaide," she said playfully before climbing a few steps to the bow, placing her hands on the railing and staring out across the water. As if on cue, the ship lurched a bit and began to move, propelled forward by what Honeymaren suspected were the combined forces of the wind and water spirits.
Honeymaren joined Elsa at the railing, staring out at the water before them, sparkling in the early morning light. Elsa sighed peacefully as she surveyed the lands she once ruled as queen. "The view really is enchantingly beautiful, isn't it?" she said wistfully, closing her eyes and allowing Gale's breeze to flirt with her silken locks. Honeymaren stared in awe at the peaceful woman; Elsa was so beautiful it made the noaide's heart ache. She wanted nothing more in that moment than to take the quixotic spirit into her arms and kiss her breathless, never to stop until time itself came to an end. "It is...but I must confess, I've seen something far more worthy of that description," she answered quietly.
Elsa opened her eyes and regarded the Northuldran curiously, tucking a few flyaway locks behind her ear with an unspoken question in her icy eyes. When Honeymaren's only response was to give her small smirk and a meaningful look, red blossomed prettily across the queen's face. Elsa looked down shyly, but was unable to help the bashful smile that tugged at her lips. "You're really far too sweet to me, Maren," she said slowly, turning back to the water even though her gaze seemed unable to rise above the railing. "Agree to disagree, my queen. Now," she said, turning to lean backward against the rail so she could look at Elsa. "Tell me what it was like growing up in Arendelle."
For the next couple of hours the two talked of all sorts of things, ranging from Elsa's childhood to the kind of food that Honeymaren would be able to try to holiday traditions. Honeymaren laughed when Elsa spoke about one old couple whose holiday tradition of knitting mittens for their kittens was more important than a surprise party in the grand castle. "It wasn't funny," Elsa whined plaintively, even as she laughed right along with her. "We were so embarrassed! No one came, Maren. No one!" Honeymaren finally stifled her laughter after a moment, breathing deeply with a small smile on her face. "Tell me," she began slowly, causing Elsa's icy gaze to meet hers. "Feel free not to answer if I am crossing a line, but...how is it that you are not yet married?" Elsa blinked, quite surprised by the question. "W-what do you mean by that?" she asked uncertainly. Honeymaren smiled warmly at her, placing her hand over Elsa's as it gripped the railing in a slight, but sudden anxiety. "Come on, Elsa, just look at you," she said earnestly. "You're amazingly smart, selfless, brave, honest, funny..." Honeymaren reached out and very gently brushed the back of her fingers across a cool, pinked cheek. "Impossibly beautiful..." she whispered as she stared into wide blue eyes. Honeymaren's heart throbbed wonderfully when she saw the crystal pools soften at her caress before she pulled her hand back and shook her head in disbelief. "Wars have been fought over far inferior things. How is it that no one is currently fighting one at a chance for your hand? There must have been suitors," she reasoned.
Elsa laughed nervously, looking across the water again. Her heart was lodged in her throat, lifted there by the thousands of butterflies birthed by Honeymaren's touch. She swallowed thickly, trying to get her breathing under control. "There...were quite a few, yes. It's hard to really be courted when you couldn't touch anything without freezing it. If I'm being honest, most of them I only remember because of the political advances they may have provided. Only one or two left any kind of impression." Honeymaren raised a brow at that, both her curiosity and her jealousy peaked. "So, some left an impression on you? Do tell, Your Majesty." Elsa chuckled dryly, looking at the Northuldran from the corner of her eye. "I didn't say they were good impressions, Maren." The dark-haired woman grinned, much happier about this fact. "Well, now I must know," she drawled, crossing her arms and making a show of getting comfortable as she leaned back against the railing. Elsa laughed at the eagerness of the normally sweet Northuldran to hear her biased, poor opinions of past suitors. She took a deep breath, searching in her memories briefly before the worst example came to her mind.
"There was one man who I wished I could have frozen right on the spot. His name was Ulrik, from the kingdom of Calabria. He was the kind of man who was convinced women were put on this Earth for the sole purpose of man's pleasure and wasn't shy about his dislike for my title as Crown Heir of Arendelle." Elsa shook her head in annoyance. "Anyway, there was an...incident in the library. He...had trouble keeping his hands to himself, if you follow my meaning," Elsa said dryly, unable to keep the small twinge of disgust from her features as she remembered the feel of his roaming hands. The queen looked at Honeymaren from the corner of her eye and frowned slightly at the far-too-still Northuldran. Furious tension rolled off the woman in waves, her entire body rigid and hard. Gentle hands were balled into fists so tight they were shaking slightly. Elsa couldn't help but smile sweetly at her fiercely protective companion, clearly livid at the thought of someone's unwelcome touch on the queen. Elsa scooted over to press her side against Honeymaren's comfortingly, causing the brown-eyed woman to look up to meet her gaze.
"Don't worry, Maren," she said gently, playfully nudging a warm, tan cheek with her nose before pulling away and smiling. "He was thrown into Arendelle's dungeon for his insolence, then fetched by his father to who knows what punishment." Honeymaren nodded, but her gaze was hard and thoughtful as it fell back to the icy deck, contemplating what Elsa had told her. Elsa worried her bottom lip thoughtfully. She hadn't meant to upset the woman and felt guilty for bringing the mood down. As she was about to open her mouth to apologize, Honeymaren's voice reached her ears. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. Elsa blinked in confusion, turning her head to look at her companion questioningly. Honeymaren uncrossed her arms and turned around, bending over to lean her forearms on the railing. She looked down at her hands, flexing them into fists a few times. "I'm sorry," she said again. "Just...the thought of someone touching you against your will..." Honeymaren twitched like an unpleasant shiver had run up her spine.
Though she felt sorry for the frustration Honeymaren felt, Elsa couldn't help but be deeply moved by the Northuldran's fierce loyalty and sense of protectiveness over her. As queen of Arendelle, there were no shortage of brave people who would have lain down their lives for her, but Honeymaren was the first person outside of her family she felt was truly loyal to her and not the Crown. Elsa only briefly pondered her next move before it was decided. Wordlessly, the queen side-stepped into Honeymaren, causing the Northuldran to straighten up and pull herself back from the railing as the winter spirit stepped in front of her. Elsa reached behind her and grabbed both of Honeymaren's hands, pulling them forward and wrapping them around her waist, leaning back slightly into the dark-haired woman. "Something tells me I have very little left to fear in my life as long as you are in it, noaide."
Honeymaren's arms instinctively pulled the blonde close to her, the dark cloud on her heart dissipating as she felt the queen safe in her arms. "Truer words have yet to be spoken, my spirit," she whispered sincerely into white-gold tresses. Elsa smiled sweetly and closed her eyes, reveling in the Northuldran's protective embrace. "Thank you," she said quietly. "It's nice to feel like someone genuinely cares about you." Honeymaren bit her tongue, lest she reply too honestly to the queen's statement. Instead, she rested her chin on the blonde woman's shoulder and looked at the water once more, Arendelle forming on the horizon as a small speck. "Dare I ask what happened to that worthless piece of-" Cool, pale fingers pressed against her lips cut off her intended curse, a small, admonishing smile on the blonde's face. "Well, this will probably come as no surprise to you, but he recently committed treason against his country to become it's King." Honeymaren blinked, tilting her head. "How so?" she questioned. Elsa's gaze turned to Arendelle as well, her tone less playful as the view of her kingdom made clear the seriousness of the topic. "He murdered his father and mother, the King and Queen of Calabria," she said darkly. "He is a false king as far as either Anna or I are concerned. Arendelle does not recognize the claims of a regicidal maniac. We only hope the people will rise against his traitorous rule so that we may help to end his tyranny once and for all."
Elsa raised an eyebrow as she felt, more than heard Honeymaren chuckle from behind her. She frowned and turned her head to look at her companion. "What, might I ask, could possibly be funny?" Honeymaren just shook her head slightly, smiling adoringly at the queen in her arms. "I just...can't believe you don't see why Arendelle refuses to let you go, Elsa," she answered honestly. "Sometimes, it's hard to believe someone as pure and good as you exists. I probably wouldn't if I wasn't lucky enough to have you right here in front of me." Elsa rolled her eyes and shook her head in exasperation, even as she lay her head back against Honeymaren's shoulder, the two women watching Arendelle and all her majesty grow steadily closer.
"Incorrigible."