Winter's Echo

Chapter Fifteen - Natural Talents and New Truces

The winter spirit groaned miserably, pulling the pillow over her pounding head. "What was I thinking?" came the queen's muffled, pitiful whine. Honeymaren chuckled quietly, a sympathetic smile on her face as she slowly rubbed her hand up and down the woman's arm in an attempt to comfort her. The noaide lay on her side next to her suffering lover, her head propped up on an elbow as her fingertips roamed in their soothing caress. "I'm sorry, Snowflake. Is there anything I can do for you?" Elsa pulled the pillow off of her head and rolled over, turning away from the murderous light streaming in from the window and burying her face into her love. "Don't ever let me do that again," she groused. Honeymaren snickered a bit, draping her arm over the poor woman and running her fingers soothingly through the queen's hair. "And here I thought you blue bloods could handle your wine," she teased, an adoring smile on her lips. Elsa pulled away just enough to glared at her with one eye. "You're lucky you're so comfortable and warm or you would have snow in very inconvenient places right now," she threatened, even as she snuggled in deeper. She was content to forgive her noaide's insolence for now as she curled her arms between them, allowing her love's natural warmth to soothe her body, mind, and soul.

Honeymaren laughed and began to massage Elsa's head with her fingertips, eliciting a small, contented sigh from the queen. "I'm going to get you a big glass of water," she said gently. "Then, I'm going to go check on Anna while you take a nap and try to sleep this headache off. How does that sound?" Elsa nodded slightly, the dark-haired woman's fingers already lulling her back to sleep. Honeymaren kissed her forehead lightly before sliding out of the bed, replacing herself with a pillow and smiling when the miserable queen snuggled into it happily. She poured a glass of water for the wintery spirit and brought it back to the bed, encouraging Elsa to sit up long enough to drink it. Elsa drank it gratefully, a small and refreshed sigh passing her lips before Honeymaren took the glass back from her and she laid back down, never bothering to open her eyes. Honeymaren laughed quietly and set the glass back on the small table, drawing the curtains closed and bathing the room in soothing darkness. She began humming softly, her voice soft and soothing as she carefully tucked Elsa in, eventually leaning down to whisper gently to the already sleeping queen. "Sleep well, my love."

Honeymaren pressed a sweet kiss against white-gold locks before kneeling at Elsa's bedside. She gently brushed her fingers through the spirit queen's wispy bangs and simply watched her love slip deeper into merciful peace. Eventually, the noaide tore herself away from the gorgeous queen to get dressed, choosing a dark green tunic with gold trim before leaving the room and closing the door quietly behind her. She was making her way down the hall toward Anna's room when she paused, realizing she had no idea what the royal's schedule may look like for the day. She had heard Anna tell Elsa last night that she wasn't planning on doing anything before noon, but noon was fast approaching judging by the position of the sun she glimpsed when she was closing the curtains. "You look lost, kid," came a friendly, deep voice behind her. Honeymaren grinned and turned around. "General Mattias," she greeted, holding out her arm in offering. The general grinned and grasped her forearm in greeting, placing his other hand on her shoulder warmly. "It's good to see you, Honeymaren. Where's your royal shadow?" Mattias asked curiously. "Sleeping off a hangover," she answered with a sympathetic wince before giving her old mentor a polite smile. "So I'm on my own for a bit. I was going to see if I could find Anna and check on how she's doing, but I haven't quite figured out how to do that yet."

Mattias came to stand next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a friendly gesture, leading her down the hall with him. "As it so happens, I think I can help you on both the boredom front and the royal hunt. Her Majesty is due to meet me on the training grounds in the next half hour to evaluate our newest graduates. What do you say to some friendly competition while we wait for her?" Honeymaren chuckled, smoothing a non-existent wrinkle from her tunic. "So eager for a beat down, General?" Mattias laughed loudly, clapping her on the back. "We will see about that, old friend," he said as led her through a door that opened up into an enormous field bustling with activity, a cacophony of sound filling her ears the moment they stepped through the doorway. Hundreds of soldiers milled about the area engaged in various training activities, most sparring with weapons or hand-to-hand combat. Solid, repetitive thunking sounds caught Honeymaren's attention as she looked to the center of the field to see a string of archers lined up in front of targets at various ranges.

Mattias caught the direction of her gaze and chuckled. "It's been a while since I've seen you in action with a bow," he commented. "What do you say, noaide?" Honeymaren grinned and shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest. "It's up to you how you want to be humiliated, old man," she said smugly. Mattias's amusement rang out across the field as he playfully pushed Honeymaren forward. "Just because I haven't had to hunt my food for a few months doesn't mean I've gone soft, noaide," he said with a grin. Honeymaren's lips twitched into a half smirk, but the sharp Northuldran's attention was elsewhere. The pair's camaraderie had caught the attention of several of the training soldiers, activity slowly ceasing as they drew near. Every muscle in Honeymaren's body tensed in anticipation, ready for whatever aggression might follow; after all, she did humiliate one of their own. Judging by the relative youth of some of the sweating, panting men whose training they had interrupted, Davos was likely a legend amongst many of them. She raised a suspicious eyebrow as quite a few of the soldiers stopped and gave respectful nods to the pair when they passed rather than made any kind of threatening moves. She regarded the general curiously out of the corner of her eye. "What's going on?" Honeymaren asked under her breath as she eyed the soldiers that parted for the pair, each gaze brave enough to meet hers filled with admiration or, at the least, begrudging respect.

"You disarmed and detained a fabled war hero in a few seconds without breaking a sweat. Davos didn't even touch you. Every man here is either your biggest fan or smart enough to know you are not to be trifled with," Mattias answered with a small grin. "To be honest, most if not all are simply loyal soldiers genuinely satisfied about your closeness to Their Majesties. Specifically, Queen Elsa while she is living unguarded in the enchanted forest." They walked to the quickly emptying archery field in silence, two soldiers offering up their practice bows to the pair with respectful nods. The young soldier that offered his up to Honeymaren smiled warmly at her, dipping his head slightly in respect as he offered out his bow. "My lady," he said charmingly in farewell before leaving them in privacy. Mattias fiddled with his bow in thought as Honeymaren tugged at the string of hers experimentally, testing the strength and resistance even as she stared after the soldier who had given it to her. The noaide couldn't help but find this starkly different behavior interesting. "Davos is an idiot," Mattias declared out of nowhere, looking at Honeymaren out of the corner of his eye. Honeymaren smirked a bit, picking up an arrow and inspecting it carefully as she brought her mind back to current company. "I'm listening," she answered amusedly. "He was also a good soldier. He served Arendelle well in his time. His bravery saved countless lives in his career."

Honeymaren turned to regard him coolly, her eyes hardening at the unexpected defense of Davos's brutish behavior. "Are you trying to excuse his barbarism, General?" Mattias shook his head, a placating smile on his lips. "Not in the least, Honeymaren. But loyalty does things to a person that they normally wouldn't do in other circumstances," he answered, coming to stand next to her and taking his own arrow out of the quiver buried in the ground. Honeymaren nocked her arrow, glancing at the target in her lane briefly before a solid thunk saw it buried in the center of it twenty yards away. "Prejudice is learned, not an indication of loyalty, Mattias," she said coldly as she grabbed another arrow, waiting for him to make his shot. "I agree," he began as he aimed at his own target, concentrating for a moment before loosing his arrow, a small smile of satisfaction lighting his face when it also found the center of the target. "But it then follows that it can be unlearned, does it not?" Mattias asked, regarding Honeymaren curiously.

Honeymaren didn't answer, though he could tell his reply niggled at her as she turned and walked away a couple of yards to the next set of lanes with targets further out. "My father always told me that your first thought, your first reaction is what you have been conditioned to think. Your second is what defines who you are," he continued despite her silence, grabbing a second arrow of his own as he followed her to the next lane. Honeymaren took a short, agitated breath before drawing back the string of her bow, quickly loosing her arrow. Another thunk, heavier sounding this time as the arrow embedded itself into the target, the arrowhead disappearing deep into the tightly packed straw. Thirty yards. "What's your point, general?" Honeymaren asked.

Mattias's disarming smile fell from his face as he regarded Honeymaren carefully. Though her voice was calm, the woman before him was not to be trifled with, nor would she easily forgive a misstep now; he needed to tread carefully. "Honeymaren," he said seriously, drawing her attention to him. "I understand why you are angry. You have every right to be," he began as moved to stand in front of her, looking down at her with searching eyes. "But this is something more. I've known you your entire life, kid. You've never risen to a fight like that; you always walked away. So why? What changed? What made Davos so different?" Honeymaren pressed her lips together and turned her back to the tall man; once more, she was content to let the silence that hung between them answer his probing questions. "I don't have your gifts, Honeymaren. I don't know what's going in in your mind, but I see you. What is it?"

Honeymaren's grip around the bow she held tightened, the leather grip creaking beneath her fingers. She wordlessly picked up another arrow, nocking it as she took aim at the next target. "What would you do if someone attacked Elsa?" Mattias asked her suddenly. Honeymaren released her arrow with such force the shaft completely disappeared in the packed straw, the pointed head exploding through the thick wood of the frame itself. Mattias looked at the target for a moment before looking down to meet the fierce flame in Honeymaren's eyes. "You would kill for her, wouldn't you, noaide?" he asked calmly.

Honeymaren's eyes softened a bit as the general spoke her title, looking away from dark eyes that saw too much. "A noaide is supposed to be a person of peace, yet you will kill anyone that threatened Queen Elsa. I suspect Queen Anna as well. Yes or no?" Mattias asked point blank. "And don't you lie to me, girl." Honeymaren took a breath and looked up into the general's eyes, her own hard and fearless. "Yes. I would kill to protect either of them. Without a second thought and without any regrets. Any person or creature who wishes harm upon either of them deserves no mercy...and shall receive none from me," she answered decisively.

Mattias smiled down at her knowingly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That is what loyalty does to people, Honeymaren. It makes them do things that they normally wouldn't do," he said softly. Honeymaren looked up at him questioningly, her eyes searching his for the message he was trying to convey and the lesson that went with it. "Davos is an idiot," she parroted his earlier statement, making Mattias grin and nod. "But he is a very loyal idiot," he finished for her. "All of Arendelle is loyal to the death to Her Queens. You are simply lucky enough to be given the chance to love them more fiercely than most. I swear to you, these are a good people, Honeymaren. I offer no excuse for their behavior that night, especially Davos's. But I do ask that you accept my explanation. I also ask your forgiveness on their behalf."

"On mine as well," came a lilting voice behind them. Both Honeymaren and Mattias turned to find Anna standing there with her hands clasped in front of her in a more dignified manner than the Northuldran was used to seeing from the exuberant redhead. She was clad in the traditional colors of Arendelle, the sigil of the crocus flower displayed proudly on the dark green cape around her shoulders. Fiery locks were coiffed in an elegant updo, her crown nestled delicately within the tresses. Both Mattias and Honeymaren placed their right fist over their hearts, bowing their heads. This woman was not simply their beloved, feisty redhead; the Queen of Arendelle stood before them in public, and that demanded a certain amount of reverence and decorum. "General," she said, addressing Mattias. "You are needed in the barracks." Mattias nodded, acquiescing to the obvious dismissal. He placed a large hand on Honeymaren's shoulder, squeezing gently. "See you later, kid," he said with a smile before bowing to Anna and walking away, leaving the two women alone in the archery range.

"So," Honeymaren began uncertainly as the queen stared at her with an indiscernible expression. "How are you feeling? Your sister woke with a pretty rough headache this m-"

"I heard what you said," Anna interrupted, unreadable teal eyes staring into her soul. Honeymaren blinked in momentary surprise before she lowered the tip of her bow to the ground, folding her hands atop the other end and waited quietly for Anna to continue; the young queen clearly had something she needed to get off of her chest. "You don't know what your loyalty means to me, Honeymaren," Anna said, walking up to the silent Northuldran. "But Elsa's heart would break if she heard any of that. She would never want you to commit violence in her name." Honeymaren shook her head, a small smile on her face. "You misunderstand, Your Majesty. I would not start a fight for her, or for you," she said honestly. "But I would finish one. I would lay down my life to protect your sister and end any that sought to cut hers short. I am sorry to tell you I offer neither apologies nor regrets for this truth."

Anna sighed and looked away to collect her thoughts for a moment, her gaze lingering for a moment on the arrows lodged dead center in the targets behind Honeymaren. "I ought to make you a Knight of Arendelle with loyalty like that," she said quietly as she looked back at her. The Northuldran looked down for a moment, suddenly slightly uncomfortable in the redhead's gaze. She took a slow, calming breath before speaking again. "I'm afraid I would have to decline that offer, Your Majesty. I am loyal to you and to Elsa," she said with a pause. "...to only you and Elsa." Anna took a moment to digest the comment before she gave a small, sad smile, nodding in slightly disappointed understanding. "I understand," she admitted with a quiet sigh. "I hope one day I can change your mind about Arendelle." Honeymaren shook her head, walking back to the shooting lane and grabbing another arrow. "That's not your job, Your Majesty," she said before taking a slow breath. "Or theirs, if I'm honest with myself. Mattias was right. I'm just as guilty of misconception as they are." Honeymaren chuckled a little, smiling at the surprised monarch. "I fell in love with their queen. If I truly love her, and I do, I need to learn the love and forgiveness that drew me to her in the first place."

Anna smiled warmly and quietly approached Honeymaren as the dark-haired woman nocked her arrow, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly before loosing her shot. Anna blinked at the arrow embedded in the center of the target, wedging itself in the sizable hole created by the deeply buried shaft of another arrow...fifty yards away. "These were your doing?" Anna asked, gesturing to the other arrows embedded in their targets. Honeymaren nodded and smiled at the look of wonder in the redhead's eyes. "I can teach you, if you'd like," she offered as she held the bow out to Anna with an inviting gesture. Anna blinked, an excited smile lighting her face. "Really?" she asked disbelievingly, her royal façade dropping. Honeymaren laughed and nodded, smiling affectionately. "Yes, Anna," she said warmly, her heart feeling lighter now that she was talking to the young woman she was growing to see as a sister of her own and no longer a dutiful queen of Arendelle.

Honeymaren took a couple of steps back and gestured for Anna to come stand where she once stood. Anna scurried over, bouncing slightly in excitement as she awaited instructions. Honeymaren laughed and put her hand on the exuberant woman's shoulder, pressing down to still her. "Easy there, sugar rush," she teased, holding out the bow in her left hand once more for Anna to take. Honeymaren explained some basic tips about bow handling and helped her practice drawing back the string experimentally a few times. "Hold on for a moment," she said, untying her dagger from her belt and pressing the sheathed blade flat against Anna's left forearm, using the soft leather ties of the sheath to strap it onto Anna's forearm with the hilt resting against her wrist. "What're you doing?" Anna asked curiously as she watched Honeymaren's movements, though she made no move to stop her. The Northuldran smiled and rolled up the sleeve of her left arm, showing Anna a faint, ragged looking collection of scars around the inside of her elbow. "Because your sister would freeze me solid if I let this happen to you. It takes time to develop the skill and muscle memory necessary to loose an arrow without a quite painful reminder to keep your elbow straight," she explained. "This will feel strange, but it will make sure the string doesn't catch you until then. If you decide you like archery, I'm sure you can have a guard fashioned." Anna nodded with a grateful smile, accepting the Northuldran's wisdom and years of experience.

After a dozen or so practice thwacks of the string, the first of which made the young queen yelp out in frightful surprise to Honeymaren's unending amusement, the Northuldran was satisfied the twitchy redhead would not impale herself or her instructor with an accidental release of an arrow. She picked one up and offered to Anna, pulling it back with a playfully warning look when the redhead snagged for it before allowing her to take it. She stood behind her once more and placed her hands on the monarch's to guide her through the motions. "Now," Honeymaren began gently as she helped Anna properly nock the arrow. "I want you to take a deep breath and hold it before you assume the stance I showed you, okay? Do nothing but hold your breath and hold the stance. Understand?" Anna nodded and took a shorter, steadying breath before drawing in deeply, filling her lungs and drawing back the string in unison. She held tightly to the posture Honeymaren had shown her, allowing the dark-haired woman to do several minor adjustments - elbow a bit higher, chin straight, foot turned.

"Okay," Honeymaren said as she stood behind the redhead once more. "I want you to very slowly release your breath and look at the target. Don't look at or even think about anything but that red circle." Anna did as she was told, releasing her breath as slowly as she could, staring unblinkingly at the target. "Let the edges of your vision fade, Anna. Let that circle keep getting bigger and bigger until your lungs run out of air - until the circle is all you see." Honeymaren watched Anna carefully as her chest slowly deflated, her shoulders dropping ever so slightly before whispering to her.

"Loose."

A satisfying thunk echoed across the field and Anna stared in disbelieving bewilderment to find her arrow lodged firmly in the middle of the bright red circle of her target. Honeymaren laughed and clapped before sweeping Anna up in a giant hug. "That was fantastic, Anna! You're a natural!" Anna laughed excitedly, squeezing Honeymaren back. "I can't believe I did that!" she cried in shock. "Can we go again?!" The Northuldran laughed and nodded before the sound of polite clapping behind them reached their ears, both Honeymaren and Anna turning to find Elsa smiling at them, an impressed look on her face. "That was remarkable, Anna," she congratulated her sister. Anna blushed at the praise, which made Honeymaren's grin grow wider. "Yes it was," she agreed with the blonde queen, before her grin softened to a warm smile. "How are you feeling, Snowflake? You look much better."

Elsa smiled and nodded. "I feel much better, thank you. I'm actually glad to find both of you here. I just spoke with General Mattias; I need to go into town for something and was wondering if the two of you would like to join me?" Honeymaren bit her lip to hide her hesitation, simply nodding and taking the bow back from Anna, placing it against one of the buried quivers on the shooting lanes. "I'm ready if you are, spirit," she said with a small smile. Elsa nodded, then raised an eyebrow as Anna tried to undo the ties of the dagger still strapped to her forearm. She grinned sheepishly before offering her arm up to Honeymaren in askance. The Northuldran chuckled and bent over the redhead's arm, dutifully undoing the ties. While she was distracted, Anna took the opportunity to glance at Elsa meaningfully, trying to convey her concerns through her facial expressions alone. She looked pointedly from Honeymaren to the direction of the town, trying to figure out why Elsa thought it a good idea to ask the Northuldran to be surrounded by people she distrusted once more. Elsa subtly raised her hand, indicating she had everything under control before the subject of their sister-speak finally managed to untie her dagger with a small, triumphant smile before tying it back onto her belt and gesturing for Anna to lead the way. Anna smiled at her, glancing at Elsa once more as the three walked back to the castle, a carriage waiting for them near the door.

"So," Honeymaren asked once the carriage lurched into motion after they were settled. "What are we doing?" Elsa smiled and patted her noaide's knee reassuringly. "No worries, Maren. I just need to pick up an order I placed from one of the shops. Plus, I thought we could have a nice dinner out, seeing as we will be leaving tomorrow," she answered. Anna sighed at the reminder, a small, sad smile on her face. "It was so nice having you both here," she said wistfully. Honeymaren smiled at the redhead in understanding. "Tell you what, Your Majesty. You practice with that bow and then you come visit us in the enchanted forest; I'll take you for some real target practice," she said with a grin. Elsa playfully put her hand to her head in faux exasperation. "Oh, great, now there will never be peace in the forest again," she joked, winking at Anna as the redhead scrunched her face up at her sister, narrowing her eyes playfully.

"In all seriousness," Honeymaren interrupted before the siblings began to banter. "My people would be honored if you would visit sometime. I think Yelana is even missing General Mattias, though she would never admit it," she said with a conspiratorial laugh. The three of them talked for a few minutes of the things Anna would like to see more of in the enchanted forest and things they could do when the carriage came to a halt, a procession of people blocking the entrance to the shops in the town. Anna blinked in confusion, her eyes squinting as she looked out the window. "What in the world...?" she trailed off before opening the carriage door. Honeymaren followed quickly, Elsa trailing after them in a more sedate pace as her sister and the Northuldran took in the line of people carrying various goods to and from the docks. "Um...Elsa?" Honeymaren questioned uncertainly, glancing back at the winter spirit. "They're doing something to your ship," she said warningly as people boarded and disembarked the large, icy vessel one after another. "They're filling it," Elsa answered simply, a warm smile on her face. "Filling it with what?" Anna chimed in, just as confused as Honeymaren.

"With gifts," came a gruff, accented voice from the other side of Elsa. Honeymaren glared at Davos and instinctively put herself between him and her love. Brown eyes widened in surprise when a cool hand reached out to catch her hand, looking back into calm, reassuring blue pools. "It's alright," the blonde queen said gently. Honeymaren's brow furrowed in confusion as she looked between the winter spirit and Davos, unwilling to take her eyes off the burly man for more than a split second at a time. "Begging your pardon, Your Majesty," Davos said, drawing Honeymaren's full attention back to him. "But no, it's not." Davos stepped closer to the Northuldran, raising his hands in a placating gesture when Honeymaren tensed and held out one arm to keep Elsa behind her in a defensive position. "There's no'a need for that, I swear 'ta ye," he assured her, though he didn't advance any further.

"Ye suffered great insult here, Northuldran, by none more so than myself. Insult ye dinnae' do anythin' to deserve. Truth is, we shoulda' been thanking ye for keeping our beloved queen safe out there," he began, holding his hands palms out in a peaceful manner. "Instead, we spat in your face. Despite al that...ye spared me. Out of loyalty 'ta our queen or the strength of your own character, I don't know, but ye were twice the person that night than I was." To Honeymaren's great surprise, the proud, muscled man took a knee before her, bowing his head low. "A wrong demands 'ta be righted, Northuldran. When the General told us ye were 'ta be returning 'ta your homeland tomorrow, the other merchants an' I knew the right thing 'ta do."

Honeymaren shook her head slightly in puzzlement, looking around at several of the faces that had gathered around them. Faces filled with not fear, but acceptance - not tolerance, but genuine camaraderie. She turned when she felt Elsa's hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "These are all gifts for the Northuldra, Maren," she said gently, gesturing to the dozens of citizens buzzing around the docks, dropping off package after crate after box after bag onto Elsa's icy vessel before walking back down the gangway to grab yet another item. Honeymaren's brow furrowed in confusion, turning to look at Davos again when she spotted a familiar face in the crowd behind his kneeling form. Mattias stood with his hands clasped behind his back, nodding to her with a knowing smile on his face.

"The second reaction defines who you are," she murmured to herself as she looked around at all the other souls in the crowd, faces awash in acceptance and good intentions before settling on Davos. "Why?" Honeymaren asked simply. Davos looked up at her before standing slowly, squaring his shoulders. "We are the people of Arendelle," he began proudly. "We stand for the good and the many. We want more than anythin' 'ta be worthy o' that, an' that starts by bein' good neighbors." Davos took another step closer to her, smiling a bit when he saw no defensive reaction to the move. "Hopefully, the kind o' neighbors that become friends," he said, holding out his hand to Honeymaren. The Northuldran looked at him searchingly, narrowing her eyes as she reached out with her senses to try to read him.

"I do not trust you," she said flatly. Davos's face fell a bit, his arm slowly falling to his side as he nodded in understanding. "I cannae' say I blame ye, woman," he said, disappointment clear in his voice. Elsa whispered her name, but Honeymaren gave the hand in hers a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "But," she continued slowly, waiting until Davos's gaze returned to hers. "I see no dishonesty or anger in eyes that once held nothing but malice and mistrust." Honeymaren looked around at the crowd gathered thoughtfully before taking a calming breath. "I am not so ignorant of the world that I will call you friend, but I am not so cold and calloused by it that I will not accept an honest apology and desire to grow," she said truthfully. "Your ideals are not mine, and mine are not yours. But..." Honeymaren trailed off, bridging the distance between them and offering her own hand. "If we each commit to lighting our own redeeming flame, perhaps we can banish a little darkness from the world...together."

Davos grinned and grasped her hand, squeezing it gratefully. "Together," he agreed. "I like the sound o' that." Honeymaren smiled and nodded before releasing his hand. Davos's attention turned to Elsa and Anna, bowing before them. "Thank ye, Your Majesties," he said sincerely before heading to join the people on the docks loading up the ship. Honeymaren stared down at her hand for a long moment before Elsa moved in front of her, flashing her a dazzling smile before wrapping her arms around her noaide's neck in a tight embrace. "I'm proud of you, darling," she whispered in her ear before planting a chaste kiss on her cheek. Honeymaren grinned a bit before a more enthusiastic pair of arms enveloped her from behind in a sudden burst of energy that made the Northuldran grunt as the wind was nearly knocked from her. "This is amazing, Honeymaren!" Anna exclaimed, the dark-haired woman laughing as she looked around, her eyes catching Mattias's in the crowd once more, the man's handsome face now sporting a full grin.

"Yes it is, Your Majesty," she agreed, looking back at the beautiful winter spirit before her. "This...this is the Arendelle I imagined under your rule," she said softly. The blonde queen folded her hands in front of her, smiling proudly as she looked around at her people. "This is the Arendelle I wanted to show you," she replied. "Your Majesty," came a deep voice from behind Elsa. The queen turned and smiled at Mattias as he held out a parcel for her. "Thank you, General," she said with a smile. She turned back and smiled slyly at the blinking faces of her sister and her love. "What?" Elsa asked innocently. "I really did have a package!" The queen of ice and snow winked. "Come on," she said happily. "Let's go celebrate our last night here."

Several hours later found Honeymaren and Elsa in the queen's bed, laughing as they reminisced about the events of the day. "Your face when you saw all that lefse," Elsa laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. Honeymaren laughed right along with her, propping herself up on her elbow to stare down at the giggling queen. "Elsa, you don't understand, it's without a doubt my new favorite food and there were so many different kinds. Don't judge my excitement!" Honeymaren said earnestly, playfully grasping a pillow to gently smack the still laughing spirit in the face. Elsa grinned, pushing the pillow aside as her laughter quieted. "Well, if it's any consolation, I'm pretty sure I saw Katrine loading several trays of it on the ship. She remembered how much you liked it from the night at the festival." Elsa's grin turned sly and playful as she held her hands up in defeat. "I'm just sorry the rest of the Northuldra probably won't be able to taste it, considering you may hoard it all like a dragon." Honeymaren laughed and laid back down to face the blonde, offering a small, nonchalant shrug. "Some saying about early birds and worms is coming to mind," she mused playfully before reaching out and brushing white-gold bangs from Elsa's smiling face.

Elsa sighed at the touch as she looked into Honeymaren's eyes. "Well," she began quietly, "I'm glad you'll have at least one thing in Arendelle you will remember fondly." The Northuldran smiled and scooted closer to the queen, beginning to run her fingers through her hair lovingly. "There is a lot about Arendelle I will remember fondly, even miss," she reassured. Elsa gave a small, half smile, searching doe eyes for any white lies. "Really?" she questioned in surprise. Honeymaren simply nodded, staring into the beautiful queen's eyes and allowing her to search all she wanted. "Of course, my love. Arendelle is where you were born. I got to see you be amongst your people, I got to see you with Anna, I was reunited with Mattias, I taught Anna how to shoot a bow..." Honeymaren trailed off, a slightly dreamy smile tugging at her lips. "This is where you finally opened your heart to me and stopped fighting your feelings. This very room is where my most impossible dream came true," she said as she cupped Elsa's cheek, lightly running her thumb across her sensitive lips and making the queen blush, a small, bashful laugh escaping the blonde. "Elsa, some of the best moments of my life have happened here in Arendelle. I don't regret anything that happened the past few days, good or bad, because of where I am right now."

Elsa smiled lovingly at her noaide, placing her hand over Honeymaren's and turning her head to press a kiss into her love's warm palm. "It makes me very happy to hear you say that, Maren. Truly," she said quietly."There were a few hiccups, but I very much agree with you. The past few days have been some of the best of my life..." Elsa trailed off then, absentmindedly brushing her thumb over the hand on her cheek. "I sense a 'but' in there, Snowflake," Honeymaren said gently, sincere brown eyes encouraging the queen to voice her feelings. "What's on your mind?" Elsa sighed and sat up in bed, fiddling her hands in her lap as she searched for the words. Honeymaren sat up as well, positioning herself behind the slightly anxious woman, her legs on either side of the queen. The blonde tried to speak a couple of times, only for each attempt to result in her biting back her words and looking back down at her nervously fidgeting hands.

"I just...I don't want to mess things up," she finally admitted in a quiet voice, not meeting Honeymaren's eyes. Though the Northuldran's brow furrowed in confusion, she instinctively wrapped a comforting arm around Elsa's waist. "What are you afraid of messing up, Snowflake?" The queen couldn't help but lean back slightly into Honeymaren's warmth, sighing a bit in frustration at her lack of eloquence. "I've...it's just so hard to explain how I feel. I've gone from never thinking falling in love or being loved in return would ever be possible for me to hardly being capable of rational thought around you at times," she tried to explain. "I don't know anything about love, really. Of course I've read books and been told stories but all of them tell you how the story began. I have no idea how to give you 'Happily Ever After'. I know it sounds silly, but I so desperately want to be that for you; and yet the reality of life is..." she bit her lip and shook her head, staring sadly at her hands. "Is what, Snowflake?" Honeymaren encouraged gently. Elsa wasn't sure if the dark-haired woman's voice being so full of love and understanding made it easier or harder for her to explain her feelings.

"I'm afraid, Maren," Elsa finally whispered. "I'm afraid of how happy I am with you." Honeymaren bit her lip to silence her instinctive protectiveness - this was something Elsa had to be able to articulate and reason through herself. Honeymaren knew she would be doing the struggling queen a disservice by simply offering reassurances rather than helping her work through her feelings. "Why are you scared, Elsa?" Honeymaren asked instead. "Because it's going to make losing you even harder," the winter spirit answered after a moment, a sad smile on her face as she shrugged helplessly. "And that inevitable moment has become one of my deepest fears." Honeymaren opened her mouth to say something, but Elsa pressed on with a shake of her head. "What if 'Happily Ever After' is a lie we tell ourselves over and over again because the truth is too hard? Too painful? In reality, nothing lasts forever, Maren." Elsa's hands became red with how hard she was wringing them as scenario after horrible scenario that had played out in the queen's mind since she had realized she was beginning to develop feelings for Honeymaren came rushing back all at once. "Really, with my track record, how long before I mess this up like I do everything else?" she asked with a small, self-deprecating laugh. "Honestly? I'm terrified you loving me is some sick joke the Gods are playing on me and one day I'm going to wake up in this room and everything good that has happened to me over the last three years was just a wonderful dream. That I'm still in my own solitary hell, estranged from everyone I've ever loved and-"

Elsa's downward spiral was interrupted when Honeymaren wrapped her arms around her and squeezed her tightly to her in a protective embrace. "Take a few deep breaths, Elsa. Your mind is running away with you, my love. Just concentrate on breathing and listen to my voice," Honeymaren murmured soothingly to her as the queen turned a bit to bury her face in her noaide's neck; she was surprised to find herself shaking. The distressed spirit tried to do as she was asked, despite finding it difficult to take a full breath for some reason. She tried to anchor herself on the feel of her lover's steady breathing, making a cognizant effort to match the slow, deep breaths. "Everything you just said is your brain lying to you, Elsa. You've spent a long time thinking you were the villain in your story and that you don't deserve good things, but it was never true...not even once, my love," Honeymaren said sincerely, smiling a little as she felt Elsa's breathing begin to slow to normal in her tight embrace. "We are both going to make mistakes, Elsa. That's the nature of being human. But I swear to you, on my life, I will never simply abandon you or stop loving you, regardless of what our future holds for us."

Honeymaren pulled back a bit, using one hand to guide Elsa's gaze to meet hers. "Elsa, happily ever after doesn't mean forever, because forever is promised to no one. Nothing is promised to us, not even the next beat of our hearts. Happily ever after just means...time. That time will go as slow or as fast as you need it to, my love, but all I want you to think about is what makes you happy," she said lovingly, placing a sweet, reassuring kiss on Elsa's forehead. "If right now that is me, then I am yours and only yours. I'm not going anywhere, Snowflake. We will have our trials and we will deal with them as best we can, but all we need to worry about in the end is what makes us happy. Alright?"

Elsa nodded, sniffling a bit as she shuddered; she couldn't seem to stop her slight shaking. "I-I'm sorry," she apologized uncertainly. "I'm not sure what came over me..." she trailed off, shaking her head a bit. Honeymaren smiled gently and began to firmly rub her hands up and down Elsa's arms, the deep pressure of the touch somehow soothing the trembling woman. "You were approaching a panic attack is what happened," the noaide explained. "It's completely natural, especially when you've been holding in the stress or fear that you have. When it happens, your mind is basically taking your worst nightmares and trying to convince you that it is reality." Honeymaren wrapped her arms around the queen once more, cocooning her in warmth. "You don't have to be afraid anymore, Elsa," she murmured lovingly into her silky tresses. "You never have to be alone again. I'm here for you, always, until my breath leaves me." Elsa nodded and leaned into her noaide, seeking the comfort of her protective embrace. "I trust you, Maren. It's myself I'm not sure about."

Honeymaren smiled a bit, playfully nuzzling the queen's ear to tickle her a bit. "No worries, Snowflake. I'm a pretty good judge of character, you know. It's almost like an innate gift." Elsa gave a short laugh at the sarcastic tone, shaking her head a little as she looked into loving brown eyes. "What would I do without you?" she asked quietly. The Northuldran grinned at the queen, shrugging nonchalantly. "I'm sorry to say...you may never know, my love," she said before claiming the blonde's lips with her own, bent on banishing the demons from her beloved spirit's mind for the rest of the evening. Elsa sighed deeply into the kiss, sinking further into her noaide's arms before suddenly giving a small cry of excitement and pulling away from the kiss, much to Honeymaren's shock. "You just reminded me!" Elsa said excitedly, untangling herself from her love's embrace and sliding off of the bed, walking over to her desk to retrieve the parcel she had picked up in the town earlier. The queen walked back to the bed as Honeymaren stood up from it, eyeing her love curiously.

Elsa smiled warmly and held the package out to Honeymaren. "To further yet another of your gifts," she said softly, though she couldn't keep her excitement out of her voice as the Northuldran took the package with a grateful smile and gently tugged at the brown paper to reveal a square, wooden box. The box itself was about a foot across and wide, nearly six inches in depth and beautifully designed. Intricate vines and leaves were engraved along the borders, Elsa's signature snowflake displayed proudly on the lid. A golden latch held the box closed. Honeymaren looked at Elsa, who nodded encouragingly, her hands clasped in front of her. Honeymaren smiled at the excited queen and opened the box, her eyes going wide as she looked inside.

The inside of the box was lined with a royal blue velvet. Nestled in the soft fabric was a strange looking metal tool that looked similarly to a pen, save for it's blunt metal end and fatter wooden handle. Along with the strange looking device were nearly two dozen small, uniquely shaped pieces of metal that looked like they hooked into the metal end of the tool. Honeymaren blinked and looked to Elsa questioningly, who only grinned and grasped Honeymaren's hand, leading her over to the fireplace in her room. "Elsa, what-" Honeymaren began, only to have delicate fingers pressed against her lips to silence her. "I'll show you, darling," she answered sweetly, kneeling in front of the fireplace and gesturing to the box. The Northuldran knelt next to her and held the curious gift open for the queen, who smiled and took out the tool, her hand hovering over the smaller pieces searchingly. After a moment, she selected a simple one that resembled the tip of a pen and attached it to the metal end of the tool before holding it in the flame, holding the tool by the thick wooden handle. The queen pulled the now red-hot tip out of the flame after several moments before scooting next to Honeymaren. "Turn it over, please?" The Northuldran raised a curious brow but did as asked, closing the box and turning it over, exposing the blank underside.

Elsa reached out and pressed the hot metal into the wood and began to write slowly, her practiced, elegant script beginning to form in a dark line across the wood. "To the woman whose light banished my darkness – Forever Yours, Elsa," Honeymaren read aloud, a bright smile lighting her face as Elsa set the tool down on the stone of the fireplace. "It's for wood burning," she said in wonder, her fingers running over the still warm script. "Elsa...this is incredible!" Elsa's smile was dazzling as she took in Honeymaren's face, clasping her hands together over her chest. "Do you really like it?" she asked, biting her lip. "There's so little you can't make for yourself, so I wanted to get you something that-"

Elsa was cut off when Honeymaren's hand reached behind the queen's head and pulled her close for a searing kiss. The noaide pulled away after a few long moments, smiling when the spirit struggled to open her eyes. "I love it, Elsa. It's amazing," she said with a smile. "Thank you, my love." Elsa smiled lovingly, quite pleased with Honeymaren's reaction. "You're welcome, darling. I look forward to seeing all the beautiful things you'll create back home." Honeymaren grinned, noticing the note of excitement in her voice. "You're ready to go home, aren't you?" Elsa nodded, giving a small shrug. "I had a wonderful time being here with you, and I will miss Anna dearly, but I'm looking forward to the peace and quiet of the forest again," she admitted. Honeymaren smiled, reaching out and grasping the wood burning tool from the stone. She touched it a couple of times, testing the temperature before replacing it and the tip in it's velvety nest and closing the box again. She stood, holding her hand out to help the queen to her feet. "Then let's get some sleep, sweet spirit. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow, and the sooner we set sail, the sooner I will have you all to myself once more," she said with a grin.

Elsa laughed lightly and wrapped her arms around Honeymaren's neck, leaning into her love and flashing her a beautiful smile. "And what exactly is stopping you from taking advantage of that right now?" she asked coyly. Honeymaren grinned and wrapped her arms around the queen's waist, pulling her close and ghosting her lips over the blonde's slender neck. Elsa gave a breathless giggle, tilting her head to give her noaide more access to her sensitive skin and burying her fingers in dark, wavy tresses. "Absolutely nothing, my queen. Absolutely nothing," she whispered against the smooth, cool skin before pulling back and capturing soft, full lips with her own. The spirit sighed softly into the kiss as her love pulled her closer, allowing everything she was to be passionately swept away by her beautiful noaide.

AN:

Special thank you to all of my guest reviewers. I might not be able to send you your own thank you's, but I greatly appreciate you!

-Volchise