Winter's Echo

Chapter Seventeen - Winds of Change

The north wind whipped Elsa's hair about her wildly as Nokk swiftly carried his mistress across the water. Finally, Ahtohallan came into view, shining eerily on the dark water. For the first time since she had discovered it, however, Elsa felt a sense of anxiety and dread rather than elation as she approached her icy sanctuary. Looking at the fast approaching glacial island, the queen felt more and more that she may have mistaken her new freedom for a different set of chains. Tears of anger, disappointment and betrayal stung her eyes as Nokk slowed, trotting up to the shore and bowing low as his mistress smoothly dismounted him. Elsa didn't turn to look at her companion, instead staring down the glacier in front of her.

Nokk gently nudged Elsa's shoulder with his muzzle, a somber nicker echoing across the ice. Without a word, Elsa turned and pressed her forehead against his broad, watery neck near his withers. *It will be alright, mistress,* came his deep, ethereal voice in her mind as he craned his head around, nuzzling her hair when the winter spirit sniffled quietly. Despite Nokk having come the closest to killing her upon their first meeting, of all the elemental spirits she trusted him the most. Though she adored and was connected to all of the spirits, he felt the most like her protector and her loyal friend.

"The others are coming," she mumbled quietly to him. She felt their presence drawing near. Nokk gave a small, agreeing snort in reply. *They come to discuss our future, mistress. The balance between the elements and the humans has been tipped.* Elsa sighed shakily, knowing he was right. The deed was done; not because she stopped the wolves, but because of why she stopped them. Elsa had chosen her loyalties - and she would make the same choice over and again. The question that remained was what were the consequences of her choice?

Despite the gravity of the situation, one very human face would not be removed from her mind's eye. One beautiful, loving, Northuldran face full of fear, betrayal, and hurt. "Nokk," she whispered hoarsely. "How could I say such things to her...I slapped her..." Elsa shook her head in despondent disbelief. "I-I was just...so scared and angry and-"

*And you love her,* Nokk's voice interrupted. Though Elsa didn't yet possess the courage to admit it aloud to anyone, even the woman herself, she knew the powerful spirit spoke the truth. She did love Honeymaren; she loved her so much she was literally willing to sacrifice nature's most sacred law to keep her safe. "She was ready to die, Nokk," she whispered brokenly, shuddering at the memory of the Northuldran's panicked, tearful eyes. "She was so scared...even as she begged me to turn away to spare me. She was so scared..." she repeated, her voice barely audible anymore. *She is a true noaide, mistress, and the finest there has been since her ancestor. She knows her place...now we must commit to what ours will be,* he answered solemnly. Elsa sighed and closed her eyes, pondering her friend's words. Sometimes she forgot how ancient the spirits truly were; as old as the Earth itself, Elsa presumed. Nokk had been one of the spirits that the first Noaide had pleaded with years and years ago. The wintery queen liked to think he had been the compassionate voice of reason for the first of Honeymaren's predecessors, just as he was for her lover now. She really did owe her elemental friend a great deal of gratitude. Without him, she realistically had a very slim chance of ever making it to Ahtohallan when she first parted the mists what seemed like forever ago. Arendelle Herself would have been lost without his help, as well.

"Nokk," she began slowly, ready to voice her long overdue gratitude to her friend, but she was interrupted by the sudden sound of crashing waves. As the sound reached the winter spirit's ears, both her and Nokk turned to face the darkness of the sea. A massive, looming figure began to take shape against the endless black of the Dark Sea. A speck of red and purple light zig-zagged in a blur across the hulking darkness and a tiny smile tugged at Elsa's lips, despite herself. At last, one of the earth giants came into clear view, grumbling unintelligibly and occasionally swatting at Bruni as the tiny fire spirit zipped up and down his massive form, clearly impatient to get to Elsa. Even on the shore, Elsa could hear his excited squeaks and chirps. Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound heralded Gale's arrival, the wind spirit flitting brusquely around the blonde queen. Elsa opened her mouth, trying to find the words to apologize to Gale for what had happened in the field before the wind spirit's lilting voice filled the queen's mind. *Nothing need be said, my mistress. I can sense what is in your heart. I am sorry for the struggle you had to bear,* she said as she blew gently across Elsa's face and through her hair, as close to a comforting caress as a breeze could be.

Elsa smiled gratefully and wished, not for the first time, that Gale had a more corporeal form for her to focus on. *What is to be the fate of the humans?* Elsa turned upon hearing the gruff voice of the earth giant in her mind. Though he remained in the water a distance offshore, she still had to tilt her head up a bit to look the titan in the face. Bruni still zoomed around in erratic lines along his stone surface, chittering impatiently. The behemoth grumbled in annoyance and slowly reached out to the shore, his massive arm creating a bridge for the fire lizard to zip down and leap into Elsa's awaiting hand, sighing in bliss as steam came off of his bluing body. Elsa had quickly learned to have a pile of snow ready in her hand when the little creature had a pink or red hue to prevent the uncomfortable burning sensation in her palm.

"What do you mean, friend?" Elsa asked, looking back up at the earth spirit. She was not surprised by the bluntness of the massive being; the earth giants had held a particularly strong grudge against the humans. After Honeymaren's story of other spirits who had suffered the consequences of becoming to attached to humans, she couldn't blame them, but the statement caused a sense of uneasy dread to begin to settle in the pit of her stomach *We must recant our presence lest we be used for personal gain,* came the gravelly reply. *Humanity and it's selfish nature cannot be trusted with our blessings once they realize they can be asked for at will.* "But it wasn't their fault!" Elsa insisted. "Mar- the noaide begged me not to interfere, despite her life being forfeit had I not. I am the selfish one, friend, not the Northuldra." *Such a truth matters not, my mistress. The deed is done and cannot be undone. The possibilities have been seen, the desires have been dreamed. The greed of humans cannot be underestimated or blithely ignored. It is simply in their nature,* came Gale's airy reply.

*Yet, not since the first Noaide have the people of the forest ever asked our favor when it was not already willingly given. The follies of those elementals no longer with us were of their own doing. The offered gifts that were never asked of them; one cannot blame a child for taking a gift that is offered.* Nokk stepped around his mistress, pressing against her comfortingly as he voiced his opinion. *Even the young who have never before had our gifts bestowed upon them daren't ask for anything, though the temptation surely is there. This is not a question of right or wrong, spirits. This is a question of hope or fear.* The watery stallion stood tall and proud, pawing at the icy ground defiantly.

A furious breeze blew about as Gale responded angrily. *Do not speak to me of unasked gifts, Nokk. I am the one who saved this same noaide years ago, and I alone paid the price for her life. Never again will I take corporeal form as punishment for interference, and Ahtohallan was generous in her sentence!* Elsa gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she realized what Gale was saying. The winter spirit had always wondered why, of all the spirits, Gale was the only one to not take a tangible form. "You used to take the form of a human woman," Elsa said quietly. "Maren...she swore it was a woman who rescued her, but Yelana said she saw only what you are now." Gale calmed instantly for her mistress, blowing gently through her silky hair. *That is why I tried to stop you, mistress. I don't regret saving your noaide, even without knowing how important she would one day be to you, but I know firsthand how high the price of our actions can be,* she responded gently. "But..." Elsa trailed off thoughtfully, running her fingers through her hair as she tried to process this new information. "Why hasn't anything happened to me? If Honeymaren's memory is correct, you immediately lost your tangible form. Nothing has happened to me," she said uncertainly, looking over her hands and her body to see if she was missing something.

*Maybe this is a sign of change, my friends,* Nokk began. *Centuries ago, we struck a bargain with the people of the forest. A bargain of companionship and of protection. Our bridge to the human world, our mistress, acted out of true love for her noaide and was not punished by Ahtohallan. Perhaps it is for this reason she remains connected to the human world; maybe in that way, the noaide's destiny is forever entwined with that of our mistress.* All eyes turned to Elsa then, who glanced from Nokk to her own hands with a sense of wonder as she contemplated what he was saying. *Bridges are meant to be crossed, friends...maybe we are destined for a higher purpose than to pose as lonely sentries. I choose to stand with the Northuldra, for I refuse to stand anywhere that my mistress does not,* the mighty water spirit then boldly declared, pressing gently against Elsa. The blonde's eyes shone with gratitude as she looked upon her faithful companion, reaching out to caress his muzzle. "Thank you, my friend," she whispered lovingly.

*Humans may be flawed, but they have brought you to us. I will stand with you and your noaide, mistress,* agreed Gale, whistling in a little whirlwind of determination. *What say you, earth spirit?* she asked their moody companion. *The earth shall rise to meet you, whatever your path, my mistress,* the giant rumbled after a long pause, water splashing about as he bowed in submission to the winter spirit. Elsa didn't try to hide her tears at the display of fealty and loyalty as she gazed upon her fellow spirits before her eyes settled on their silent counterpart who had gone still in her palms, simply staring up at the queen. "Bruni?" the queen asked with nervous expectation.

Bruni tilted his head and licked his eyeball.

Elsa laughed and sniffled. She still had no idea what that meant, but she was pretty sure it was an act of agreement. The queen lifted her hand and let her fingers dance above the now light blue fire spirit, grinning as he feasted on the fat snowflakes of the flurry she created for him before looking between the other spirits. "Thank you, my friends. I swear I will not betray your confidence," she promised. Elsa leaned down and placed Bruni on the ground, where he immediately sped off back to his rocky companion. "Now," Elsa said with a short breath of determination. "I must go make things right with Honeymaren. I've caused a great rift and I have to fix it."

Nokk whinnied exuberantly, dancing around the winter spirit before kneeling before her. *Then come, my mistress - let's not keep your brave noaide waiting any longer.* Elsa wiped her tears from her face and nodded, swiftly climbing atop her loyal steed's back. She leaned forward to wrap her arms around his powerful neck in a tight hug as he leapt from the shore to the dark water, racing along the much calmer sea. The spirit's heart felt a hundred times lighter than it did when she had arrived, but it was not free yet. She had done a great injustice to the woman she loved and wasn't quite sure how to mend the deep wound she was sure she had inflicted. She did know that she would stop at nothing to make it up to the beautiful Northuldran, no matter how long it took or what she had to do.

When they finally reached the shores of the forest, Elsa laid a hand on the water spirit's neck and allowed her magic to flow through him. She bid her now icy stallion to ride straight into the camp rather than the watery back way the stream provided, not willing to let a single moment more than was needed stand between her and her love. The Northuldra gasped as the pair broke through the tree line, most having never seen the mythical water spirit in person before. Those not frozen in stunned awe dropped to their knees in reverence at the dramatic sight of the two spirits. Elsa looked around the camp, searching for the face she longed to see. Concern began to grow inside of her when she couldn't find any hint of the woman's presence, though she did see a face that might be able to help. "Ryder," she called out to the young man. "Where is Honeymaren?"

At the mention of the noaide, the other Northuldrans began to discreetly disperse, which caused Elsa's concern to elevate into slight alarm. Ryder jogged over to the spirits, hesitating as he drew nearer to Nokk. "It's alright, Ryder," Elsa encouraged gently. "Where is your sister? I must speak with her, please," she asked urgently. Ryder swallowed thickly, staring at the forest floor. "She...she's gone," he mumbled worriedly. "We can't find her." Elsa's heart plummeted into her stomach. "What...?" she breathed. "When was she last seen?! Where?!" she demanded, her voice rising with her panic. "No one has seen her since...since..." Ryder tried to explain, but was clearly nervous about something. Elsa was too impatient to be gentle with the young man. "Since when, Ryder? Speak!" she commanded. The younger Northuldran cringed before lifting innocent blue eyes to meet the antsy spirit's. "Since she went after, you, Elsa. The last anyone saw her was chasing after you," he finished quietly.

"No...no, no, no, no...Gods, what have I done?" Elsa whispered to herself in rising fear, running her fingers anxiously through her hair. "That was hours ago, she could be anywhere! How will I ever find her?" The queen looked about the forest and the thickening layer of snow that continued to steadily fall. "Elsa," Ryder said quietly, calling the panicked woman's attention to him. "I, um...I heard what happened; with the wolves, I mean," he mumbled nervously. "I wanted to - I mean..." Ryder took a deep breath to collect himself before looking into her eyes again. "Thank you for saving my sister's life. I know you weren't supposed to, and...I know she told you not to. But I'm sure she is the only one of us who might disagree with the choice. Which gives me an idea of where she is." Elsa's eyes lit up at the hope of a lead to her love's whereabouts, eagerly nodding for him to continue. "I think she may have gone to talk to our parents. She always goes to them when she needs spiritual guidance," he explained.

Elsa blinked in confusion. Parents? She realized guiltily that she had never actually spoken to Honeymaren or Ryder about their parents, assuming the woman never brought them up out of courtesy; Honeymaren would not risk aggravating the traumatically reopened wound of the loss of her own mother and father. She assumed they were part of the siiddat with Ryder, accounting for never meeting them. As it grew colder, the siiddat migrated with the reindeer for long periods of time, searching for the best grazing and most of the older Northuldran herders stayed with the reindeer while the younger migrated back in shifts, tending to budding families. But...how had she not met them yet? She had been here for months now.

Elsa shook her head - these were questions for another time. "Where?" Elsa asked, Nokk pawing impatiently at the snowy ground and making the young man jump. Sky blue eyes looked up at the winter spirit, regarding her for a moment before pointing to the south. Elsa nodded sharply before a thought struck her. If Honeymaren had not come back since Elsa had left her on the beach, then she had no protection against the deepening snow. "Get me a couple furs, Ryder. Please," she asked urgently. He nodded and sprinted to the lavvo the women shared, grabbing two of the warmest he could find and raced back with them, helping Elsa to drape them across the water spirit's withers and Elsa's lap. Nokk turned, ready to take off before Ryder calling Elsa's name stopped her. "What...what should we do about the...the wolves? They're still frozen there," he asked. "They're...kind of terrifying," he admitted. The queen nodded in understanding and bid Nokk to turn around, heading in the opposite direction toward the field of lingonberries.

Just shy of a dozen statues of snarling beasts littered the field, frozen in a myriad of positions and actions. Nokk walked amongst them, flicking his tail in irritation, sympathetic of his mistress's turmoil. The spirits walked up to one statue in particular, frozen mid-leap. Elsa regarded this one for a long moment, taking in every detail and burning into her memory the image of what was a hair's breadth away from being the last, terrifying moment of her lover's life.

With a sudden flick of her wrist, the ice faded almost instantaneously. Weak and cold, the beasts stumbled dazedly, confusion clear in their body language. The one directly in front of the spirits faltered for a brief moment before it came to its senses enough to take in its surroundings, immediately dropping into a defensive crouch and snarling viciously at the pair. Nokk reared back and bellowed an ethereal war cry, stomping his feet at the predator. A sharp whistle echoed through the trees as he and Gale chased the beasts to and fro, Elsa lending her own icy intimidations before they drove the beasts once and for all away from the camp. It was unlikely they would dare come near this part of the forest again. "Gale," Elsa said breathlessly, looking skyward with determination. "Help me find the love of my life." A flurry of snow and leaves whipped about excitedly, taking off to the south with the other two spirits hot on her trail.

AN:

I was going to wait a while to update this chapter, but I feel guest reviewer Blue deserves a reward for being so very perceptive and hitting the nail right on the head!

Again, your reviews drive me to continue to pour my blood, sweat, tears, and anxieties into this story, they are all appreciated!

-Volchise