Winter's Echo

Chapter Fourteen - Saunas and Secrets

It had taken some convincing from Honeymaren and Anna for the blonde queen to acquiesce to the chosen activity for the day. In the end, it was their continued reminder that it would only be the three of them that finally made Elsa cave, eliciting a triumphant cry of excitement from her younger sister. Mere hours later, the three women were now relaxing in a private sauna wrapped in soft, oversized towels and sipping wine, laughing and talking about anything and everything. The group was having such a good time that even Elsa was happy about their choices that day. "And then...and then, he asked 'Who's next?', and...you should have seen Elsa's face!" Anna snorted with laughter as she told Honeymaren about last Yule and Kristoff's favorite troll tradition with Flemmy the Fungus Troll. Honeymaren nearly spit out her wine choking on her laughter; just imagining the look of horror that must have adorned her beautiful queen's face had tears of amusement welling in her eyes as she struggled to breathe. Elsa visibly shivered in disgust, despite the grin on her face as she polished off the rest of the wine in her glass.

Elsa reached for the bottle of wine next to her, her hand glowing a soft blue as she chilled its contents before refilling her glass and reaching out to top off the two loves of her life as well. "Needless to say, I didn't eat mushrooms for a while after that experience," Elsa said with a smirk before setting down the bottle down again and selecting a bright red strawberry from a small tray of assorted fruits. She leaned back against the wall and took a delicate bite, savoring the flavor as it paired with the wine, unaware of the pair of eyes that intently watched full, pink lips delicately caress the fruit. Honeymaren grinned to herself and leaned back in her seat across from Elsa, content with her secret admiring from afar before turning to Anna, who occupied the adjacent bench between them. "This is nice," she said contentedly as she took another sip from her glass. "Good idea, Anna." Elsa hummed in agreement around her bite of strawberry. "I think I have a new favorite birthday tradition. Thank you, Anna," she said with a sweet smile. "I hope you know how much I appreciate you...and how lucky I am to have you as a sister." Anna smiled brightly at the loving words, happy tears welling in teal pools. Unable to resist any longer, she set her glass down and scooted down the bench to her sister's side, wrapping her arms around the blonde in a tight hug. "I love you too, Elsa." Elsa's smile mirrored her younger sister's as she set her glass down as well to return the gesture, ever dedicated to her sister's embrace.

Honeymaren smiled warmly at the siblings before looking away, quietly sipping her wine to avoid intruding on their moment; Elsa most likely had little idea of how much Anna longed to hear those words when it came to this particular occasion and it pleased the noaide to no end to feel the redhead's relief and elation upon their utterance. After a quiet moment, Anna's voice pulled her gaze back to the siblings. "Honeymaren, can I braid your hair for you? You'll feel much more comfortable with it up," she offered. Honeymaren raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. Honeymaren had decided to leave her hair down after realizing a certain blonde queen couldn't seem to keep her fingers out of it. She shrugged in agreement, seeing as both monarchs had theirs pinned up on their heads - she could do without the wispy tendrils sticking to her moist skin. Anna grinned in excitement and scooted back down the benches the way she had come to sit next to Honeymaren this time, the Northuldran turning in her seat to allow the redhead access to her long waterfall of dark tresses. "I've honestly been dying to play with your hair since I saw it down yesterday, it's so gorgeous," Anna admitted as she ran her fingers through it. "I can't believe how soft it is." Honeymaren chuckled into her wine. "You need only ask, Your Majesty, I will not protest in the slightest." Elsa smiled contentedly at the pair, the wine beginning to work its relaxing magic on the reserved monarch. "That's how she managed to help me sleep my first couple of nights in the enchanted forest," she told Anna with a sweet, nostalgic smile on her features. "I was missing you so terribly my heart physically ached. Maren could see how upset I was and brought me to stay with her; she played with my hair and told me the legend of Noaide and I wound up sleeping for nearly an entire day."

Anna bit her lip to keep her smile from growing too noticeable as she took in her sister's loving gaze, watching in secret delight as the blonde's eyes rested on the Northuldran in front of her. True to her word, she paid it no mind and continued to gather and separate Honeymaren's hair so she could braid it. "Yeah, the boys were putting in some overtime in the warm hugs department with me as well the first week," she said with a small laugh. "But at least I had the craziness of a kingdom to keep my mind busy." Elsa laughed a bit at that, picking out another strawberry. "Now you understand my neurosis, sweet sister," she claimed smugly, shooting a playful glare her love's way when the dark-haired woman snorted amusedly into her wine. "Thankfully, you are far more adept at being around people than I," she finished with a chuckle.

Just as Anna was about to open her mouth to argue, she stopped short and stared down at Honeymaren intensely for a moment. She moved aside the braid she was working on to find an oddly shaped and ragged set of scars saddling her shoulder near the junction of her neck spanning from just above her collarbone to her shoulder blade. Though faded by time, they were clearly the remnants of what must have been a devastating wound. Honeymaren gave a slight, instinctive flinch as Anna's fingers ghosted over them, falling very still beneath her hands. "What happened?" Anna whispered, the wine dulling the monarch's still developing social tact. The sudden change in mood immediately drew Elsa's attention and she froze when she zeroed in on the marks beneath her sister's fingers, her eyes traveling to the blank features of the quiet Northuldran. "It almost looks like-" Anna began before Honeymaren interrupted her. "It was a wolf," she answered simply, casually taking another sip of wine. Elsa frowned slightly, the forced air of nonchalance being an all too familiar and well-practiced habit of hers for her not to notice it's uncharacteristic presence in her love.

"It happened several years ago," Honeymaren explained. "I went into the forest alone one night to...clear my head," she said after a slight moment of hesitation. "It was stupid and I paid the price. Luckily, I was able to defend myself." She shrugged noncommittally and finished the wine in her glass in one final draw. The faint crackling sound of creeping frost reached Honeymaren's ears as she swallowed. She looked down at her now empty glass as it became suddenly cold, a thin line of frost creeping across the crystal. Within the delicate pattern formed two simple words that made the Northuldran's heart clench.

'You're lying.'

Honeymaren looked at Elsa out of the corner of her eye to find the blonde queen looking at her intently. The noaide chuckled dryly, eyeing the words on her glass before it was suddenly being refilled by the redhead behind her who gave her a sweet, understanding smile. "You don't have to talk about it," she said gently as she put down the bottle before wrapping her arms around her neck and shoulders from behind, surprising her. "But it is safe to tell us. Both of us know all too well that just because someone carries their burden well does not mean that it is not heavy," she finished, sharing a knowing look of understanding with her sister. Honeymaren laid a hand atop Anna's arms around her, smiling reassuringly. "Don't misunderstand, I've no secrets I'm not truly willing to share with either of you. This story is simply not appropriate for a birthday celebration for it is not a happy one."

"I'll be the judge of that, seeing as it's my birthday," Elsa chimed in, standing and crossing the small area to sit on Honeymaren's other side, turning a bit to face her. "Any story that tells me more about who you are is one I don't wish to wait for," she said earnestly. Honeymaren chuckled a bit, shaking her head. "The two of you make quite a formidable pair," she commented mirthfully. Anna grinned and resumed braiding Honeymaren's hair. "Yup!" she said with a laugh and Honeymaren simply sighed, closing her eyes for a moment to collect her thoughts.

"I was fifteen and had only recently grown into my gifts as a noaide. I didn't yet understand what I was, so I wasn't prepared for the burden that was laid upon me," she began. "At first, it was like being in a crowd of people all speaking at once. But instead of being background noise that I could tune out, they were all speaking directly to me. It was like an information overload, but different." Honeymaren idly toyed with the edges of her towel, staring down into her wine as she let the memories wash over her. "Being an empath is more than reading and understanding the emotions of others. It's more like being a sponge for them - I can understand them because I can feel them. I can't tune it out, I can't simply not soak them up like water into a sponge. It's just...the nature of being a noaide. But, at some point, a sponge can absorb no more...and simply begins to drown under the weight of its purpose." She sighed then, taking another sip of wine as her throat felt suddenly dry.

"I was drowning in myself and I didn't understand why. One night, a new mother gave birth to a child who drew no breath. The pain that mother felt..." Honeymaren visibly flinched from an unseen touch. "No words can describe a mother's tears; it was beyond anything I'd ever felt. I heard the wolves that night - they are the reason I went into the forest. I just...wanted it all to stop," she admitted quietly before finishing the wine in her glass once more. She looked up when she felt Elsa's hand grasp hers and squeeze it gently, meeting watery blue pools full of concern and understanding. Honeymaren gave her a small, token smile of reassurance and squeezed back gratefully. "It was Gale herself who saved me, actually," she said after a short breath, setting aside her empty glass and tracing the fingers of her other hand over the now fully exposed scars as Anna finished pinning up her hair. "The moment one closed it's jaws on me, a giant whirlwind blew about the forest, ripping the beast off of me and scattering the rest of the pack into the forest before disappearing again as quickly as it came. At first, I thought I had seen a beautiful woman who shimmered like sunlight through the leaves, but Yelana had heard the commotion and arrived just in time to witness Gale's presence instead. That's how I learned who I was," she said quietly. "And I was punished severely for my insolence."

Elsa and Anna blinked in unified confusion. "Wait, what?! What do you mean you were punished? For what?" Anna asked angrily. Honeymaren turned to sit properly in her seat, placing a reassuring hand on Anna's knee. "You must understand, the spirits had abandoned us for several years until this point. For Gale to appear at all was an enormous event. For her to appear in my unsolicited defense was even bigger. My death would have been a natural event that a spirit is strictly forbidden to interfere in. It is the most sacred law of the spirits that nature must be allowed to run its course. By answering Noaide's prayers of mercy and forming a relationship with the Northuldra, the spirits toed a very delicate line. This is why she was imbued with the gifts of the spirits - it was their way of helping and protecting the people they cared for, to make a connection with us without defying nature," she explained. She shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "My weakness and my silence about it compelled Gale to act in an effort to protect their noaide, their only remaining link to my people."

Anna shook her head, trying to understand. "I don't get it...what's the worst that could happen?" she asked, throwing her hands up in slight exasperation, clearly upset at the Northuldra's reaction to Honeymaren's past state of mind. "We don't know for sure," Honeymaren began, "But our legends tell of spirits that were lost for similar acts and now only exist by the graces of the four that remain. The twin spirits of Flora and Fauna who were said to have sprouted crops and prevented the humans they loved from behind preyed upon by the beasts of the forest disappeared when the crops drained the life of the soil and humans began to hunt the animals. Plant and animal life exist now only through the cooperation of the remaining spirits. The spirit of Lightning, who struck down a bear to save the life of a woman he loved. He now exists only when Nokk and Gale work together to create storms that give him life and the earth giants allow him a place to touch the ground."

Elsa stared at Honeymaren with an unreadable expression. "The bear..." she said quietly as understanding dawned on her features. Honeymaren nodded, turning her head to look at Elsa. "That is why I made you promise me to never interfere should anything happen. There is a very real chance your existence would be forfeit if you did. I can't even tell you with any certainty if Gale paid any price for saving me. Nature is the true guiding force of the world...and she is not to be tampered with," she said seriously. "I would never forgive myself or anyone else if something happened to you. I would sooner disappear from your life entirely than to risk it." Elsa bit her lip and squeezed the hand she still held tightly, this time in a sudden surge of fear. The thought of losing Honeymaren was not one she could bear to linger on, so she simply nodded in understanding.

Anna reached over and grabbed a third bottle of wine, uncorking it and filling all of the glasses. "I think it's time for more of this," she said matter of factly, causing both Honeymaren and Elsa to laugh quietly. Anna lifted her glass for a toast. "Here's to our continued existence." Elsa smiled and held her glass up as well. "To our continued survival," she amended with a small laugh. Honeymaren thought for a moment before lifting her glass, a small, meaningful smile on her lips. "To living," she said simply, causing both siblings to smile warmly. "To living," they agreed, clinking glasses before taking a deep drink. "Let's play some games!" Anna chirped and both Honeymaren and Elsa looked at each other uncertainly. What kind of game could one play when wearing only a towel...?

A half hour later saw Honeymaren and Anna facing each other, staring hard into each other's eyes. Neither woman blinked, teal and brown eyes searching the other's very soul. "Ready?" Elsa asked the pair. A slight nod from both began the countdown. "Three...two...one!"

"Wood," said Honeymaren.

"Snow," said Anna at the same time.

Both women thought for a moment, searching the other's gaze again before nodding to Elsa once more, indicating their readiness. "Three...two...one!" Elsa counted.

"Winter."

"Tree."

Honeymaren narrowed her eyes at the ginger queen and Anna grinned. This was it - she could feel it! "I'm ready," Anna said confidently. "As am I," Honeymaren agreed.

Elsa nodded solemnly, albeit a little wobbly - the trio had just finished their fourth bottle of wine between them. "Three...two...one!" Elsa cried.

"Christmas tree!" the pair shouted in unison.

All three women cheered, Anna and Honeymaren giving each other a congratulatory high-five. Anna missed the mark mostly, resulting in a sloppy smack to Honeymaren's face, which caused all three women to burst out laughing, even as Anna tried to reach out to gently pet Honeymaren's face, as though apologizing to it. Honeymaren just laughed and swatted Anna's hands away, grinning happily. "By the spirits is that a fun game. What's it called again, Anna?" Anna took a moment to stifle her giggles before answering. "Kristoff said the trolls call it Mind Meld because you are supposed to get into the same mindset as the person you're playing with," she answered before leaning back against the wall, closing her eyes tiredly. "It's much more fun to play with humans," she commented with a slight slur.

"I think it's time we headed back," Honeymaren said as she smiled at the tired redhead. "Do we even know how long we've been here?" Elsa shrugged nonchalantly, a tipsy grin on her face. "I'unno," she answered, the undignified reply making Honeymaren chuckle. "Well, let's head out before it gets too late, hm?" She said as she stood up and stretched. "Come on, ladies." She reached down to grasp a hand from both Anna and Elsa, pulling them gently to their feet, needing to use a bit more effort than she thought. While Honeymaren had stopped halfway through her third glass, not having developed quite the taste for it that the siblings have, the higher-born monarchs appreciated the wine far more than she did. The Northuldran held onto the tipsy royals for a bit longer, steadying them as they giggled and made their way to the dressing rooms.

Within a half hour, all three of the women were dried, dressed, and drowsy as their time relaxing in the sauna began to catch up the them. They waved the charming giant of a man, Oaken, a cheerful goodbye after Anna paid him handsomely for their time spent in his facilities. Honeymaren escorted the monarchs to the patiently waiting carriage after helping them pin on their cloaks. "By the spirits, I've moved up in the world. A queen on each arm? I must be dreaming," she said with a playful grin. Anna laughed and squeezed the Northuldran's arm, putting her finger over her lips and stage whispering to her drunkenly. "Shhhhh, don't tell Kristoff," she said with a giggle before releasing her and skipping ahead to the carriage, oblivious to the confused stare of the footman, his eyebrow lifting slowly as she approached. Elsa smiled and leaned against Honeymaren as they walked, a much tamer inebriate than her fiery sibling. "This was fun," she said contentedly. "Thank you for convincing me to come." Honeymaren smiled at the tipsy queen. "Thank you for trusting us enough to come," she answered as she helped her into the carriage where Anna was already halfway asleep on one of the cushioned benches.

Honeymaren sat down next to Elsa as the door closed behind them, the winter spirit immediately snuggling into her noaide when the carriage lurched into motion. The ride back to the castle was thankfully short as Anna could barely stay awake, though Honeymaren was thankful for her semi-conscious state; the wine seemed to have loosened Elsa's tight grip on their secret as the blonde laid her head on the Northuldran's shoulder. Elsa reached into Honeymaren's lap and slid a cool hand into hers, pressing it open and slowly stroking her fingers up and down her noaide's palm. The queen stared tenderly down at their hands as she lovingly tangled and untangled their fingers over and again, enraptured by the affectionate moment. She was pulled from her musings when the carriage lurched to a halt as they arrived back at the entrance of the great hall. Honeymaren smiled lovingly at the winter spirit, raising her hand to her lips to place a soft kiss on her knuckles before climbing out of the carriage and helping her out. Once she was sure the blonde queen was stable, Honeymaren reached in to rouse Anna. "Come on now, Tipsy," she said playfully as she coaxed the tired redhead out of the carriage.

It took a few minutes to get up the stairs, but eventually Elsa and Honeymaren were able to bid a tired Anna a good night safe and sound at her bedroom door after a round of hugs. Elsa smiled as Honeymaren slipped an arm around her waist to guide her down the hallway and back to her bedroom. Honeymaren opened the door and led Elsa inside before turning and closing the door behind them. "Alright, my love, let's get you into bed," she said sweetly before turning around and freezing on the spot. Elsa stood before her with an expression the Northuldran had never seen on her before. The queen's smile was coy, inviting...

Smoldering.

"Is that an invitation, noaide?" Elsa asked quietly, reaching up with one hand to unclasp her traveling cloak and letting it fall from her shoulders in a pile to the floor. Honeymaren's throat went impossibly dry as Elsa slowly sauntered up to her, full hips swaying seductively. Taken by surprise by the blonde's sudden suggestive confidence, the Northuldran began to instinctively step back as the gorgeous queen came closer, her movements as fluid and graceful as a tiger stalking it's prey. She only became aware of her subconscious retreat when her back hit the closed door. Elsa slowly slid her hands up Honeymaren's arms to rest them on either side of her neck, pressing her lithe body flush against the shocked Northuldran's. The dark haired woman swallowed thickly, panting lightly when Elsa pressed a soft, warm kiss to the sensitive spot just behind her ear before whispering breathily to her.

"That's for the stunt you pulled earlier," she said tauntingly before turning on her heel and walking away, disappearing behind her changing screen. Honeymaren's jaw went slack as she stared after the blonde queen. Her jaw worked futilely up and down as she tried to form words, still unsuccessful by the time Elsa had re-emerged from behind the barrier. The beautiful queen being dressed in a form-fitting dark purple silken nightgown with lacy trim didn't help her composure in the least. Elsa smiled adoringly at her noaide's appreciative gaze, even as a light blush pinked her cheeks before walking to her wardrobe and pulling out a pair of soft pajamas she had set aside for her - she was unwilling to spend a night separate from her dark-haired love and made sure to plan ahead. "Go on," she urged her with a smug grin, putting the clothes in her hands and giving her a gentle shove toward the changing screen.

Elsa turned down the bed as Honeymaren changed, then walked over toward the window where a pitcher of water and several glasses sat on a small table. She pressed a finger to the pitcher and chilled the water before filling two glasses high. Setting down the pitcher, she began to drink deeply of one, sighing in contentment as the refreshing liquid cleansed her palate. The blonde polished it off before refilling her glass and taking another deep drink - she was not keen on the idea of a hangover. She jumped only slightly when she felt arms slip around her waist, instantly relaxing when the natural smell of her noaide washed over her. She leaned back into the embrace laying her free hand over the arms around her for a moment before reaching forward and grabbing the other glass, touching the cool crystal to Honeymaren's hand, urging her to take it. "Drink this if you want to avoid feeling like death tomorrow. Alcohol and saunas are a fun but pricey mix," Elsa warned as she took another deep drink from her glass. Honeymaren smiled and took the glass, kissing Elsa's cheek.

"Thanks, mom," she joked as she began to drink her water. Elsa smirked from behind her glass, polishing off the remainder of it. "You're lucky I don't freeze your tongue to that glass," she threatened as she set her glass down. "But then it would be of no use to you, my queen," Honeymaren said suggestively, wiggling her eyebrows at the winter spirit. Elsa turned her nose up from the Northuldran, though a dark blush spread across pale cheeks. Honeymaren quickly downed the water in her glass before returning to her love to put her arms around her properly. Elsa hummed in contentment as she wrapped her arms around her noaide's neck, sighing deeply as she laid her head on her shoulder. Honeymaren began to sway lightly, rocking the queen slowly in her arms.

Honeymaren felt Elsa smile against her neck as she swayed and grinned with a sudden idea. "Is the festival still going on tonight?" Elsa simply nodded, not bothering to lift her head from it's comfortable resting place. She blinked in surprise when the Northuldran suddenly released her, unable to stop the slight pout from creeping into her features at the loss of the woman's warm embrace. Honeymaren winked at her before opening the large glass doors to the balcony and reaching out to offer her hand to the queen. Elsa took her hand, tilting her head curiously as her noaide led her out onto the balcony. The queen breathed deeply of the fresh smell of her homeland, the salty breeze toying with her hair in a familiar caress. The sounds of the festival reached her ears and she smiled, closing her eyes as the sound of their traditional waltz was carried around her on the cool wind.

She opened her eyes in surprise when the dark haired woman took her hand and pulled her close against her. Years of royal etiquette and dancing lessons had Elsa's body melting instinctively into the surprisingly proper frame of Honeymaren's arms. The queen stared at her in bewilderment as the smugly grinning Northuldran began to lead the beautiful spirit in slow circles, confidently and seamlessly guiding her in the simple, rhythmic dance. "How in the world...?" Elsa said with a laugh of disbelief, which made Honeymaren grin broadly. "I confess, I may have just been searching for an excuse to hold you in my arms when I said I needed you to teach me," she admitted with a shrug, no shame in her voice whatsoever. When Elsa raised a skeptical brow at her, obviously expecting an answer as to how she actually learned to waltz, a slight blush darkened her cheeks and she shrugged helplessly. "Mattias may or may not have decided to teach me to dance to help with my form and footwork when I tripped over my own feet and almost impaled myself on his sword," she said, grinning at the fond memory.

Elsa laughed lightly as Honeymaren spun her gently before pulling her back to her. "Well, how excessively fortunate for me that my partner is in one piece and has yet to step on my toes," she joked playfully. "Anna was not so lucky during her first ball," she giggled. Honeymaren laughed along with her, remembering the story Elsa had told her of the man who danced 'like a chicken with the face of a monkey'. She grinned at the winter spirit playfully, spinning her around again. "I must say, you are quite graceful for a woman who supposedly doesn't dance."

Elsa gave a small smile and shrugged a bit. "Years and years of lessons that were required because I was a princess, yet constantly being too terrified to breathe lest I accidentally kill my instructor didn't quite pave the way for a deep love of the activity," she answered quietly. Honeymaren nodded in understanding, about to suggest they stop when a sweet kiss on her cheek made her blink and look inquisitively into beautiful crystalline pools. "Though I must admit," she continued lovingly, "finally having the right partner is changing my mind on the subject." Honeymaren smiled brightly at the queen. "You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say something like that," she said quietly, pulling Elsa close to her and holding the queen's hand over her heart protectively. The wintery spirit sighed in contentment as they simply swayed together to the faint music from the festival. She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against her love's, cherishing the closeness.

"Happy birthday, Elsa," Honeymaren murmured to the beautiful woman in her arms. "I hope one day I will convince you what a gift your birth was to the world...and to me." Elsa smiled softly, shaking her head a bit as she pulled away to reply, but all thought flew from her mind as she slowly began to lose herself in loving doe eyes. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, but I'm so grateful to have you in my life," she whispered after a long moment. Honeymaren chuckled and dipped her head to kiss the hand she held to her heart. "It's an easy answer, my queen," she answered. "All you ever needed to do was simply exist. I was born to love you, my goddess. So each and every year on your birthday, we are celebrating not just your birth - we are also celebrating the reason for mine," she said with a loving smile. "Nothing you could ever say or do would change that I am entirely in love with you. Understand?"

Elsa stared at Honeymaren with wide, disbelieving eyes. "W-What?" she asked breathlessly. The Northuldran blinked, tilting her head slightly in confusion. "S-say it again," Elsa whispered. "Please..." Honeymaren smiled warmly, releasing Elsa's hand only to bury her fingers in waves of silken white gold. "I love you, Elsa of Arendelle," she said softly. A small laugh of elated disbelief bubbled forth from the queen, closing her eyes and pressing her forehead to Honeymaren's as a single, happy tear trailed slowly down her cheek. "I love you," came the whispered words again as warm lips gently kissed the tear away. "I love you," they came again and again as they feathered light kisses across her face. "Don't worry, Snowflake," Honeymaren said sweetly, leaning up to place a lingering kiss on the queen's forehead. "I'll remind you how much you are loved every day, if you'll let me." Elsa smiled brightly, more happy tears welling in her eyes as she nodded, the lump in her throat growing too tight for her to form the words she wanted to say. The Northuldran knew all too well the insecure woman's need for those exact kinds of reminders. It broke Honeymaren's heart that Elsa needed to be reminded that she was worth being loved and the noaide had made it her mission to eradicate that need. "Come on, birthday girl," she said gently, guiding the queen back inside. "You've had a big day. Let's get you to bed." Elsa nodded as Honeymaren closed and locked the doors to the balcony. The dark-haired woman led the tired queen over to the bed and pulled back the covers, making Elsa smile sweetly as she climbed into the inviting softness and snuggled into the pillow with a sigh. Honeymaren pulled the blankets up and over the queen, leaning down to pepper her temple and brow with soft kisses. "Sleep well, my love. I'll see you in the morning."

Elsa blinked and immediately sat up in bed, reaching out to the noaide as she began walking away. "Wait," she called after her softly. "You're...not staying?" Honeymaren blinked, turning back to the confused queen. "I...thought you wanted to keep this a secret, Elsa? Anna-" Elsa shook her head, interrupting her. "No, you're right," she said quietly, trying to cover her immense disappointment with a small smile. "Thank you, Maren. For everything today." Honeymaren returned the queen's small smile and nodded. "May the stars guide you, my love," she said quietly before leaving the room, closing the door behind her with a sigh.

Elsa watched the door sadly for a moment before running her fingers through her hair in frustration, her hopes for the night shattered. She sighed deeply, committing herself to a sleepless night; she knew she would be kidding herself if she even tried. Though she was exhausted, her heart would find no rest separated from her noaide, especially after what had just transpired between them. She pulled her knees up to her chest, folding her arms over them and resting her chin on her knee as she mulled over everything that had happened that day. She blushed, a little grin on her face as she replayed Honeymaren telling the queen she loved her over and over again. One day she would get over her fears and tell the noaide the truth about how deeply she loved her in return. Elsa's mind then turned to the story Honeymaren had told the royal siblings in the sauna. As the strength and wisdom of her love, both mental and emotional continued to surprise her over and again, it was hard to imagine the confident woman as anything but that. Her heart ached for the pain of the noaide's youth, knowing all too well how heavy the burden of a great destiny was.

Elsa laid back down and sighed heavily, turning over to face the window to stare at the sky. She let her mind drift wherever it desired, usually to the absent Northuldran herself. So distracted and dazed was she that the sound of her bedroom door opening and closing went unnoticed. Elsa gasped as she suddenly felt a body on hers, squeezing her tight. "I forgot to say happy birthday!" Anna's sleepy, drunken voice whisper-shouted to her. "By the Gods, Anna, you scared me half to death! What are you doing up?" she chided her younger sibling. Anna just grinned and placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek. "I fell asleep on my couch 'cause the bed was really far and I was really tired and then I fell off the couch and that's when I realized I didn't tell you happy birthday!"

Elsa blinked a few times before smiling in exasperation at her inebriated, but well-meaning baby sister. "Thank you, Anna. I had a wonderful day thanks to you and Maren. Make sure you drink water before you go to sleep, okay? Do you need me to help you to your room?" Anna shook her head animatedly. "Nope, I'm good. I told Kai to move all of my appointments and not to disturb either of us until lunch unless absolutely necessary. So you and Honeymaren should feel free to have breakfast without me if you wake up at your regular time. G'night, Elsa!" Anna said as she stumbled back to the door, Elsa reaching out in the air uncertainly, wincing a bit despite the amused smile on her face. "Goodnight, Anna," she said with a small laugh, shaking her head as she laid back down.

A few moments later, Elsa heard her door open again and she closed her eyes, taking a deep, calming breath, before releasing it slowly. A small smile of exasperated indulgence tugged at her lips as she felt an arm snake around her waist. "Was your bed too far away again, Anna?" Elsa asked jokingly. "Too far away from you, yes," answered Honeymaren's smooth voice. Elsa's eyes snapped open and she turned her head to see her noaide leaning over her. No sooner had she turned to look than her lips were captured in a deep, passionate kiss that took the queen's breath away. Her hand instantly reached up to tangle in Honeymaren's dark locks, pulling her closer as the Northuldran kissed away every last worry in her heart and mind.

After a long moment, Honeymaren finally pulled away, easing the loss with several smaller, softer kisses. "You came back," Elsa whispered as she stared into the warm doe eyes of the woman she loved. Honeymaren chuckled quietly, shaking her head a bit. "Never even made it to my bed," she said wryly. Elsa smiled and leaned up to capture full, warm lips with her own for a long, tender moment. "You're in it right now, noaide," she whispered sweetly against her lips as she pulled away. Honeymaren smiled lovingly at her and slid her other arm beneath the winter spirit's head, pulling her close and cradling the queen against her protectively. "And there's no place I'd rather be, Snowflake," she murmured into white-gold locks. Elsa sighed happily and pressed back into Honeymaren's warmth as she laid back down, closing her eyes and breathing deeply in contentment. "Don't let me go tonight, Maren," she whispered, entwining her fingers with Honeymaren's. "Never, my goddess," came the whispered reply as the queen and her protector drifted pleasantly into Morpheus's embrace.

AN:

Guys, thanks SO much for reading! I've gotten some really sweet and thoughtful reviews and I greatly appreciate all the feedback, it definitely ignites an "update" fire!

On an unrelated note, the game they played is actually QUITE fun. When my wife told me about it, she had no idea what it is called but I guess she saw it in an interview for the L word? Anyway, would recommend!

Until next time!

-Vochise