Winter's Echo
Chapter Forty-Four – The Final Hours
Honeymaren sighed softly as she awoke, humming quietly in pleasure at the soothing weight of the queen of winter draped over her body. Soft, slow puffs of air blew across her collarbone as the spirit slept peacefully with her head on the Northuldran's shoulder, one pale hand curled beneath her chin and the other draped across Honeymaren's stomach, fingers lightly grasping the loose fabric of her shirt. An adoring smile tugged at Honeymaren's lips as she gazed upon her sleeping lover, entranced as ever by the sight of the beautiful queen in these stolen moments of utter peace. Lovely, angelic features so often tight with worry and stress were loose and relaxed, almost childlike in their innocent softness. The fire maven sighed contentedly and pulled the queen closer, the serene smile on her face falling slightly as she did. Slowly, so as not to wake the sleeping woman, Honeymaren ran her hand searchingly along the curve of Elsa's waist. She sighed once again, this time in worry as she confirmed her earlier suspicions – the queen had lost a decent amount of weight.
Honeymaren could tell from the first moment she had held Elsa in her arms again that the queen was not as healthy as she once was. Though she had, thankfully, been sleeping better, Honeymaren chided herself for not taking greater care to ensure the queen was eating better. While Elsa had always been a slight woman, it was clear from how easily the Northuldran had carried her on Ahtohallan that the blonde queen had not been able or willing to take proper care of herself after Honeymaren had died in Calabria. When the fire maven had mentioned her observations before, Elsa had simply murmured about being unable to sleep, blaming her horrid nightmares for her poor state of health. While Honeymaren had seen for herself the truth of the horrors that haunted her beloved, she knew her lover's stubborn habit of casting her own needs aside all too well and knew the queen would not be easily persuaded to participate in the rest and relaxation she so clearly needed. Luckily, the fire maven fancied her own clever stubbornness equal to the task and pressed her lips to Elsa's forehead gently in a soft, lingering kiss before beginning the process of gently extracting herself from her lover's embrace.
The queen's brow furrowed in displeasure as her pillow began to move, attempting to snuggle in closer to her noaide's comforting warmth with a barely audible whine. "Shhh, shh, shh," Honeymaren shushed the barely conscious woman soothingly, running her fingers lovingly through soft, white-gold locks. "Go back to sleep, my angel. I'll be right back, I promise." Honeymaren peppered Elsa's brow with soft kisses, continuing to run her fingers through her unbound satin tresses until she felt the queen sigh softly in sleepy content and settle once more. Honeymaren dressed silently in a green and gold tunic, emblazoned with the crest of Arendelle and a pair of buckskin breeches. She tightened her belt around her waist before sitting on the chair at Elsa's desk to pull on a pair of comfortable, knee-high leather boots, keeping her eyes trained on the slumbering queen. After a quick glance in the mirror, the noaide quickly secured her hair in a low ponytail before sneaking quietly from the queen's bedroom, closing the door behind her and walking down the hall.
It wasn't long before she came upon a servant, the young brunette woman curtsying and smiling prettily at Honeymaren. "Good morning, Lady Nattura," she greeted pleasantly, the name bringing a slight blush to the normally stoic woman's tan features. "Good morning," she answered only slightly awkwardly, wholly unused to being addressed in such a manner. She would have to get used to it, she supposed, if she was to be Elsa's wife – her new position demanded a certain amount of propriety and decorum to be observed while they were in Arendelle. The young woman folded her hands in front of her, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Is there anything I can help you with, My Lady?" Honeymaren cleared her throat, shaking her head slightly to herself before smiling more genuinely at the maid. "Actually, yes, if you would be so kind," she answered. "It's…Kari, right?" The maid nodded, her eyes shining brightly as her smile widened. "My Lady has a wonderful memory, indeed. How might I assist you?" she asked, clearly pleased that Honeymaren had remembered her name. Honeymaren waved her hand nonchalantly in front of her, her blush darkening slightly. "Please, call me Honeymaren. Would you happen to know the whereabouts of Queen Anna? I'd like to speak with her, if I may," she asked politely.
Kari smiled and nodded, walking down the hall and gesturing for Honeymaren to follow. "Of course, My Lady, I would be happy to help you. Her Majesty is in her study, I believe." Honeymaren smiled and quickly caught up to the young brunette, falling in stride beside her as she walked. "So, Kari," Honeymaren began conversationally while subtly trying to encourage her to use her name, smiling at her guide as they walked. "Tell me about yourself." Kari blinked, surprised green eyes alighting on Honeymaren's expectant and attentive twilight-flecked brown. "I-I beg your pardon?" she asked. The fire maven quirked an eyebrow, a small and confused smile tugging at her lips. "I'm sorry, is it inappropriate for me to ask?" Honeymaren inquired carefully – she really knew very little about propriety and manners when it came to castle life. Kari shook her head, a quiet and bemused laugh escaping her. "Not at all, My Lady. I just…don't know if I'll ever get used to how open and friendly the nobles of House Arendelle are," she answered, smiling openly at Honeymaren. "I'm rather new here and wholly unused to the Queens' friendly countenance with the staff – dare I say, it's quite refreshing."
Honeymaren's smile turned into a full-on grin, nodding in understanding. "They are quite wonderful, aren't they?" she commented warmly. "I can't imagine their likeness or their equals exist anywhere in this or any other world." Kari peeked at Honeymaren from the corner of her eye, allowing a small grin of her own to tug at her lips upon seeing the clear pride etched into lovestruck features. "I imagine that would be difficult to envision for the woman lucky enough to be betrothed to Her Majesty. My congratulations and best wishes for your upcoming union, My Lady," she said as they turned the corner. "Thank you, Kari, I appreciate that," Honeymaren said sincerely, turning to look at her guide once more. "So, you say you're new here. Where were you before this?"
Kari regaled Honeymaren of her life in France before fleeing to Arendelle to escape the dangers of the revolution - though the monarchy had fallen years ago, little love was held for the general aristocracy in general with a very few exceptions. She told Honeymaren how she had fallen for the charms of a wily young man only to have her heart broken when he left her for another woman, leaving her to try to make ends meet as a scullery maid to one of the many noble French houses. Honeymaren tsked and shook her head in annoyance, giving Kari an apologetic smile. "He was a fool to treat you in such a way, Kari. I fancy myself quite a good judge of character and can most assuredly tell you, it is without a doubt his loss, not yours. I am sure there are many more fine prospects for you here in Arendelle," she said with a tone of utter certainty, nodding for good measure. Kari giggled softly and nodded in agreement. "Your confidence bolsters my own, My Lady, for it just so happens there IS a young man I have seen around the stables recently who has caught my eye," she admitted in a conspiratorial tone, despite the blush creeping into her face. Honeymaren grinned and raised an inquisitive brow. "Go on," she urged, clasping her hands behind her back. Kari's smile widened, her gaze falling bashfully to the carpet. "It's just a silly crush," she said dismissively. "I don't even know his name, but Good Lord is he gorgeous. He's tall and strong with eyes bluer than the sky and you can just tell by the way he interacts with the horses and Lord Kristoff's reindeer, Sven, that he has a beautiful heart to match," she said wistfully.
Honeymaren blinked, tilting her head curiously. "He spends time with Lord Kristoff and Sven, you say?" she questioned. "Oh yes, he seems to spend a great deal of his time with Lord Kristoff – they appear to be good friends. I wish I knew more about him, but not even the rest of the staff knows too much – only that he arrived in Arendelle very recently," Kari explained. Honeymaren was surprised to hear Kristoff allowed anyone but himself to tend to Sven. The only humans outside of Elsa, Anna, and herself that the mountain man would trust to care for his best friend would be- "Ryder!" Honeymaren said with a bright grin of realization. Kari blinked, looking at Honeymaren curiously. "My Lady?" she questioned uncertainly. Honeymaren tried to reign in her eager grin, tempering it to a friendly smile. "His name is Ryder," she elaborated as they came to a stop in front of what she assumed was Anna's study. Kari blushed deeply, though she was unable to hide the bright smile on her face, whispering the name to herself wistfully. Honeymaren chuckled and gave a small, polite bow to the young servant. "Kari, thank you for helping me. It has been a joy getting to know you a bit better." Kari smiled and curtseyed to Honeymaren, green eyes alight with happiness. "And you, Lady Nattura. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Honeymaren thought about it briefly before grinning and nodding. "Actually, there is…"
Anna looked up upon hearing the knocking at her study door, her head tilting curiously. The knocking wasn't quiet enough to be Elsa, nor measured enough to be Kai. "Come in," she called, setting down her quill and rising from her desk as the door opened, smiling brightly when she saw her soon-to-be sister-in-law. "Honeymaren! Come in, come in!" she called, moving around her desk and enveloping the Northuldran woman in a firm hug after she closed the door behind her. "Where is Elsa? How did last night go?" she asked, gesturing to one of the two comfortable plush chairs in front of the fireplace, away from the formality of the desk. Honeymaren sat comfortably and smiled, crossing her legs casually as she sank into the soft cushion. "Still asleep, thankfully. She would never admit it, but the poor woman is exhausted. There were some tears, as I expected. Some insecurities reared their heads that I had expected as well. But, all in all, it was wonderful, thank you," she answered with a smile as Anna claimed the chair opposite her.
"What kind of insecurities?" the redhead asked, matching Honeymaren's casual and relaxed posture. Honeymaren sighed and shook her head with loving exasperation. "She wanted to know why I loved her." Anna blinked, a frown crossing her features. "As in suggesting you shouldn't? I thought that fear had been quelled-" Honeymaren smiled sadly and shook her head. "Never," she interrupted the somewhat confused redhead. "I'm afraid there may always be a part of Elsa that refuses to believe she is worthy of love. It is understandable, given the circumstances of her childhood. Thankfully, that wasn't quite it," she said with a fond smile. "She wanted to know what specifically made me love her, I assume in an effort to calculate a plan of action to keep me in wedded bliss," Honeymaren said with a soft chuckle, shaking her head and looking back at Anna. The queen rolled her eyes in loving exasperation and chuckled also, leaning back in her chair. "My sister is a very…deliberate creature, if you hadn't noticed," she said teasingly. "She always feels most comfortable when she has a map and a plan, be it the path of true love or the quickest route to the throne room. Unfortunately, she too often forgets to include her own happiness and well-being into said plans."
Honeymaren nodded, her face turning serious as she uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. "That's actually why I'm here, Anna," she began, twilight-flecked doe eyes locking with attentive and concerned teal pools. "Anna, I'm worried about Elsa," she admitted. The young queen leaned forward as well, her hands resting in her lap, listening quietly. "I know you said she didn't handle...my death…very well," she said, nearly tripping over the surreal sentence. "But I'm starting to see just how much of a toll it took on her. She's so exhausted all the time, even though she hides it well. I can feel how tired she is when I hold her, Anna. And she's clearly lost a significant amount of weight. Elsa has been a rather dainty woman since the day I met her, but I was easily able to carry her nearly the entire time we were at Ahtohallan as though she were nothing." Anna nodded in understanding and agreement. "You're right, Honeymaren. It was quite a…dark time for my sister, as you can imagine," she said with a sad smile. "Honestly, I'm not sure what might have become of her had Ahtohallan not gifted you life anew – and I pray to the Gods I will never have to see that level of grief again."
Anna rubbed her hands together contemplatively for a moment before speaking again, leaning back into her chair. "The only true loss I've ever known, I've always had something to fight for that allowed me to push past it, even only temporarily. When my parents died, I knew I had to fight for Elsa because I was all that she had. When I thought Elsa died, I knew I had to fight for the kingdom because it's what Elsa would have done. But when Elsa lost you…" Anna shook her head sadly. "I thought I knew what she was feeling. It felt like half of my heart had been ripped away when I thought I lost her. Now, I'm ashamed to admit that I consider myself fortunate that I could never understand…because I've never experienced a loss as utterly soul-numbing as that." Honeymaren smiled softly, reaching out to lay her hand gently atop the young monarch's, stilling their fretting. "That is nothing to be ashamed of, Anna. That is a very self-aware observation coupled with a wise attitude and one of the many reasons you are a fantastic queen. Which is why I am here to ask for your help with Elsa," she said, squeezing Anna's hands gently. Anna nodded, shaking herself out of her brooding before leaning forward once more. "Tell me what I can do."
Honeymaren cracked opened Elsa's bedroom door quietly, blinking in surprise to find the queen no longer asleep in the bed. "Elsa?" she called curiously as she opened the door fully. Elsa turned in her chair at her vanity, smiling warmly at her lover. "There you are. I was wondering where you had run off to," the queen mused as she began to braid her hair, fixing the dark-haired woman with a playful glare. "We are not even properly married yet and you are already slinking out of our bed without my knowledge? That does not bode well, darling. Are your feet cold?" Honeymaren smirked, closing the door behind her before walking up to Elsa and immediately leaning down to plant a sweet kiss upon her lips. "You act as if a place more alluring than your bed exists, my queen. A bed you ought to still be in, might I add, I told you I would be right back!" Elsa smirked and opened her mouth to reply when the sound of polite knocking echoed throughout the room. The queen blinked when a bright smile flashed across her lover's face, the Northuldran immediately moving to answer the door.
"Why, hello, Kari. I must say, you have impeccable timing," Honeymaren commented playfully, moving aside and holding the door open to allow the young brunette to wheel in a small cart laden with several covered plates. Elsa's eyebrow raised at the easy familiarity between the pair, watching the cart with what Honeymaren could only describe as an adorably suspicious gaze. "What's all this, Kari?" Elsa asked cautiously, standing as she entered the room. Kari smiled brightly and offered her sovereign a deep curtsy. "Lady Nattura thought it would be a nice surprise for Your Majesty to have breakfast in bed," she explained happily as she went about making the bed while Honeymaren walked back to the confused queen with a proud smile on her face. She reached down and grasped Elsa's hand gently, lifting it to her lips and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. Elsa flashed her an adoring smile at the gesture before it turned sadly apologetic. "Darling, I appreciate the gesture, but I'm sure Anna has a great deal of—"
"No, actually, she doesn't," Honeymaren interrupted with a smug grin, playfully slipping her arms around the queen's waist and pulling her close as Kari finished making the bed. "Because I spoke with her already. Our only job today is to relax together and enjoy each other's company before the chaos of the wedding tomorrow." Elsa blinked several times in disbelief, her jaw moving up and down as she tried to find the words. "B-But…the wedding is tomorrow, Maren! Many of the guests will be arriving tonight and will need to be met at the docks! Not to mention all of the last-minute confirmations and changes a-and—"
"And you won't be dealing with a single ounce of it," Honeymaren interrupted once again. Kari giggled to herself as she fluffed up the extra pillows she placed on the bed. It was clear the Northuldran quite enjoyed the befuddlement she was causing her wintery lover and the young brunette couldn't help but find the whole ordeal terribly romantic. "If there is nothing else, Your Majesty, Lady Nattura, I shall take my leave. I hope you both enjoy your day off," Kari said, winking when Honeymaren grinned broadly at her. "Why, thank you, Kari, we will," the Northuldran said smugly as the young brunette curtseyed once more before leaving the room. Honeymaren turned back to the flabbergasted queen. "What…what is happening?" Elsa asked, shaking her head with a disbelieving chuckle. "Darling, you can't just kidnap me like this. I am still a queen – I have responsibilities. Not to mention that means I outrank you," she pointed out playfully, despite pressing subtly closer into her lover's arms.
Honeymaren hummed quietly, as though considering her argument as she wrapped her arms more snugly around the winter spirit. "You have a point, my love. You are the queen. But," she said with a grin, bending down and scooping said queen into her arms, eliciting a yelp of delighted surprise and laughter that made Honeymaren's heart soar. "You are my bride. Which means, by Arendelle law, you belong to me. An Arendellian bride, so I'm told, is traditionally encouraged to subserviently fulfill the every need and desire of their new spouse - and your spouse's desire is for you to relax for the rest of the day," she stated proudly, setting Elsa gingerly in a comfortable armchair while she went to fetch the cart of food. "Now," she continued as she wheeled it over, uncovering several plates laden with thick pieces of bread, cheese, and smoked salmon amongst other things, smirking to herself when she heard Elsa's stomach growl appreciatively. "A queen can't very well go against the laws and customs put in place by her own kin, now can she? Not to mention, your sister Queen Anna has also declared you should rest for the day. What say you to that, Your Majesty?"
Elsa blushed brightly as Honeymaren handed her a plate piled comically high with food, unable to meet her gaze. "That…custom," she choked out as her face grew ever brighter. "Refers to subservience in the marital bed," she clarified in an embarrassed whisper, despite no one else being in the room. Honeymaren grinned and leaned down to whisper huskily into the queen's ear. "Do not misunderstand, my goddess. I plan on exercising every right I have in our marital bed." She grinned smugly when she saw the queen shiver and swallow thickly, pressing a slow and teasing kiss to the sensitive skin of her throat before going back to the cart and making a plate for herself. The queen took a moment to calm her breathing and her racing heart before looking up when her dark-haired lover sat in the chair across from her and lifted a forkful of eggs to her mouth, chewing happily with an utterly triumphant look on her face. "What are you up to?" she asked pointedly, narrowing her eyes in suspicion and setting her plate aside.
Honeymaren gave her a playfully affronted look, putting a hand to her chest. "Up to? Why must I be up to something, Snowflake? Is it so wrong for me to simply want to spend the day with my bride before we are wed?" she asked with a wink and a charming smile, putting another forkful of eggs in her mouth.
"Maren."
Honeymaren sighed softly as she chewed, glancing from Elsa's serious blue eyes to her still untouched plate that she set aside and back again before setting her own plate aside as well. She stood from her seat only to kneel in front of Elsa, laying her hands on the queen's thighs. "Do you want the truth?" she asked quietly, gazing up into crystalline pools searchingly. "Always," Elsa answered, laying her own hands atop Honeymaren's. The Northuldran nodded, weighing her words carefully before she spoke, knowing how the blonde despised people worrying after her. "You're worried about me," Elsa said quietly after a moment as though she could sense what her lover was about to say, causing Honeymaren to look up into calm blue pools. Finding no accusation in their beautiful depths, Honeymaren simply nodded. "Do you remember the night I showed you what happened when you stretched a piece of leather too far?" she asked, taking the queen's hands in her own and delicately running her fingers across her knuckles. When the queen nodded, she squeezed her hands and continued softly. "I can't imagine how difficult the last month or so has been for you, Elsa…nor can I express how sorry I am that you had to walk through that hell without me at your side," she began slowly, looking up into her lover's eyes. "But I'm here now…and it hurts my heart to see you this way, my angel."
Elsa sighed softly, clamping down on her urge to immediately dismiss her lover's worry – if their first night together as lovers taught the queen anything, it was that denying such things brought nothing but strain to both of them. Instead, Elsa gave the fire maven a slight smile and returned the gentle squeeze of her hands. "I…will admit I am not currently at my best," she said carefully, meeting the concerned doe eyes of her lover. "But I promise you I will be fine with time, Maren. You said it yourself - you're here with me now and that's all that matters." Honeymaren smiled softly and nodded, bringing both of Elsa's hands to her lips to feather soft kisses across them. "You're right, Snowflake – you will be fine. Because you are going to do as I ask and rest and eat properly," she said matter-of-factly before releasing her hands and retrieving a berry from Elsa's plate, knowing from their time in the enchanted forest that it was one of the queen's favorites. "I know you don't like it when anyone worries over you, Elsa. So, will you do as I ask so I no longer have to? Please?" she asked, twilight-flecked doe eyes gazing into crystal pools imploringly. "Allow me to spoil my beautiful bride just a little to ease the worry in my heart?"
Elsa sighed deeply, though she was unable to help the smile that tugged at her lips when Honeymaren lifted the ripe berry to them, arching a challenging eyebrow. The queen smirked slightly before rolling her eyes and allowing Honeymaren to feed her the berry. She rolled her eyes again, shaking her head when the fire maven's face lit up with joyful triumph as she chewed, yelping in surprise when she was suddenly scooped from her chair and into her noaide's loving arms. Elsa instinctively wrapped her arms around her lover's neck, unable to help the laugh that bubbled forth from the fire maven's enthusiasm when Honeymaren laid her gingerly against the comfortable stack of pillows Kari had set up and snatched Elsa's plate, offering her another berry. The queen crossed her arms over her chest, rebuking the idea of being fed and raising an eyebrow in stubborn challenge. Honeymaren chuckled and instead popped the berry in her own mouth, chewing it quickly and swallowing before leaning forward to capture the beautiful winter spirit's lips in a deep kiss, pressing her back against the pillows.
Elsa gasped and moaned softly, her arms immediately wrapping around Honeymaren's neck and pulling her closer, burying her fingers in thick, dark tresses as she tasted the berry on her lover's lips and teasing tongue. When they finally broke for air, Honeymaren pressed her forehead against the panting queen's and closed her eyes, biting her lip hard and grasping a fistful of the sheets to ground herself against her passion. "By the spirits, tomorrow night cannot come soon enough," she murmured. Elsa could only nod slightly in dazed agreement, unable to find her voice as she struggled to calm her racing heart. Honeymaren chuckled and shook her head, holding out the plate once more and offering it to Elsa. "I'll make a deal with you, Your Majesty," she said sweetly. "If you promise to indulge me and eat at least half of everything on this plate, not only will you make your future wife feel much better, but I will read to you as well," she said, nodding to the fully stocked bookcase in the corner of the bedroom.
Elsa chuckled and shook her head. "Even if I were hungry enough to eat half of that monstrous thing you call a breakfast plate, I'm afraid I've nothing you would enjoy reading in here, darling," she said apologetically, causing Honeymaren's eyebrow to quirk challengingly. "Are you saying my tastes are not varied enough to keep up with you, Your Royal Snootiness? I sense a challenge in that smug tone," Honeymaren answered playfully. The queen smirked and made a show of debating her lover's proposition carefully before she accepted the proffered plate and took a pointed bite of toast, raising a challenging eyebrow of her own at her noaide before nodding pointedly at the bookcase. Honeymaren chuckled and kissed her lover's forehead before she rose from the bed and walked over to peruse the shelves. Her brow furrowed in displeasure – her lover had made a good point. So many of the books on Elsa's shelves were clearly educational, many of them in different languages to boot. She could hear the spirit of winter chuckling mirthfully while taking another bite of toast.
Just as she was about to admit defeat and suggest a different activity, her eyes landed on a small, rather worn book tucked away in the corner, almost escaping her searching gaze. Honeymaren carefully excavated it from next to the thick tome on the history of European politics and smiled softly at what was clearly a well-loved child's book. Elsa blinked when her lover returned with the small book in her hand, pausing mid-chew when she caught a glimpse of the cover. Was that…?
Honeymaren smiled brightly and sat on the bed next to the queen, pleased to see a decent portion of her plate had been cleared during her search. Elsa swallowed and gingerly took the book from her lover's hands, smiling lovingly down at it. "The Little Mermaid," Elsa said softly, a bittersweet nostalgic tone in her voice. "Mama and Papa used to read this to us all the time when we were children." She gave a quiet chuckle as she ran her fingers lovingly over the cover. "When I first went to Ahtohallan, she showed me dozens of memories of them when they had first met," she said quietly, her eyes becoming misty. "Papa read this to her in the forest…" Honeymaren smiled lovingly and leaned over to kiss the blonde softly, gently touching her forehead to the winter spirit's as she took the book back. "Then it seems only fitting that I honor their love by reading it to their extraordinary daughter on the eve of her wedding," she said sweetly, reaching with her free hand to run her fingers through Elsa's bangs and kiss her forehead.
Elsa took a deep breath and smiled through the tears that never fell, pressing against her lover's side and resuming eating as Honeymaren began to read in her soft, mezzo voice that was always a soothing balm to Elsa's often frazzled soul. Eventually, Elsa set the plate aside, pleasing Honeymaren to no end when twilight-flecked eyes noted the queen had finally eaten a decent amount of food. The fire maven smiled warmly when the queen pressed ever closer, resting her head on the Northuldran's shoulder and closing her eyes peacefully, content to listen to the sound of her lover's voice. As she felt Elsa's breathing begin to even out, Honeymaren paused her reading only long enough to guide Elsa to lie down, cradling the queen's head in her lap and gingerly running her fingers through silky, white-gold tresses. "Maren," she murmured plaintively in a sleepy voice, fighting to keep her eyes open – she wanted to enjoy this rare, peaceful time with her lover. "Shhhh, my love," Honeymaren answered in a low, soothing voice, setting the book down and going about unbraiding the queen's thick plait. "Go to sleep, Elsa," she commanded gently as she ran the fingers of both hands methodically through satin waterfalls of molten white-gold. Though she tried to protest, the Northuldran's skilled fingers proved too adept in their soothing ministrations and the queen soon succumbed to the comforting warmth of her lover's presence and the relaxing feel of her fingers gliding through her hair.
Nearly two hours later, Elsa scrunched her nose against the tickling sensation on her face. She made a small, petulant noise and tried to turn her face away, but to no avail. The queen hazily opened her eyes, her brow furrowing in the slight confusion that always fogged her mind on the unfortunately rare occasions she fell into a truly deep sleep. The feel of the hand nestled in her hair and the steady breathing of her lover nearly lulled the queen back to sleep until the tickling sensation that had roused her made itself known. Rather than turn away from the source as she had originally tried to, Elsa instead pressed closer and breathed in deeply, a soft sigh of contentment escaping her as the comforting scent of her lover washed over her. The fire spirit had unbound her luxuriously long hair at some point and it now lay draped over her shoulder, the flame-colored ends playfully tickling the winter spirit's face.
A careful glance upward confirmed her lover had also succumbed to the peaceful mood of the late morning, the Northuldran woman sleeping comfortably against the thick stack of pillows propped up against the headboard. While one hand had stubbornly refused to leave the queen's silky tresses, the other lay limply at her side on the bed, fingers loosely gripping the worn book she had been reading. Elsa peeked at the open book and a warmth blossomed in her chest when she realized her lover had clearly continued to read the fairytale long after the queen had fallen asleep. She imagined her mother and father in a similar position, hiding away from the stresses of the kingdom in the castle gardens. In her mind's eye, she could see her mother's head in her father's lap, a serene smile on her beautiful face as her father's deep, calming voice painted the adventures of the world for her imagination.
Elsa sat up slowly, carefully guiding the hand buried in her hair to the bed as she did. The queen stared in wonder at the incredibly rare sight of the sleeping noaide before her. If she didn't know better, she might have sworn her protective lover didn't require the sleep a mere mortal did. Elsa smiled to herself at the thought, reaching out to delicately finger a soft lock of the slumbering woman's hair. While Honeymaren often called Elsa her angel, the queen knew in her heart it was the noaide who truly deserved that distinction. She smiled lovingly at her peaceful lover, unable to stop herself from reaching out and gently tracing her fingers over the contours of the beautiful, tranquil features before her. Cool, pale fingers ghosted across expressive brows and long, thick lashes that complimented enchantingly beautiful eyes. Her thumb lightly brushed across a proud, dignified cheekbone and full, soft lips, biting her own lightly in an effort to restrain herself from kissing the sleeping woman awake.
"That tickles, you know."
Elsa smiled warmly at her lover's voice, rough with sleep, a silent thrill running through her as she realized she would be blessed enough to hear that beautiful sound every morning for the rest of her life. "I apologize, my love," she whispered adoringly before slowly straddling her lover's lap. "Shhhh, shh, shh," she whispered when the noaide began to open her eyes, leaning in to brush her lips against Honeymaren's eyelids in a feather-light caress. "Just relax," she cooed softly as her lips trailed lovingly across the beautiful, heart-shaped face she loved so dearly. Warmth blossomed in her chest when Honeymaren sighed contentedly, sinking back against the pillows once more and succumbing to the queen's affectionate touches. "I had no idea naps put you into such an affectionate mood," Honeymaren commented playfully, a grin tugging at her lips. "I ought to encourage you to nap more often." Elsa giggled softly and nuzzled her lover's throat, pressing slow, chaste kisses across her skin. "Or perhaps it is simply that I am completely, thoroughly, and utterly content," she murmured before pulling back just enough to kiss her noaide tenderly. "And happier than I've ever been," she murmured, smiling against Honeymaren's lips.
Warm arms wrapped around the winter queen, pulling her closer and sighing deeply in contentment at the feel of her goddess safe in her arms. "I couldn't agree more, sweet spirit," she said with a smile, finally opening her eyes to gaze into loving crystalline pools. "And it's only going to get better. We are being married tomorrow, after all," she reminded her teasingly. Elsa grinned and shrugged noncommittally, a playful twinkle in eyes that were brighter and clearer than Honeymaren had seen them since they had reunited. "Perhaps," she teased with a wink. "If you can behave that long." A mischievous grin tugged at the fire maven's lips as she pulled the queen tighter against her. "Please. As if any woman could resist the Nattura charm," she teased as she kissed the corner of Elsa's mouth playfully, loving the feel of the queen's smile growing beneath her lips. "Oh, be still my beating heart. Perhaps you can woo me with a late afternoon stroll through the gardens," Elsa commented dramatically before playfully grabbing one of the pillows and pressing it against her face briefly while she untangled herself from the embrace and got off the bed. Honeymaren laughed as she pulled the pillow away, watching as Elsa grabbed the dress she had meant to change into before her lover had hijacked her morning and disappeared behind the changing screen. "Hey, it is a force to be reckoned with!" Honeymaren called after her, the grin clear in her voice. "Apparently, even one of your staff has fallen for it already. "
Elsa blinked at that, her eyebrows nearly disappearing in her hairline. "I beg your pardon?" she asked, listening as her lover left the bed and stretched languidly. "Your maid, Kari. I found out today she has succumbed." She tsked playfully and shook her head. "Poor girl didn't stand a chance, really." Elsa frowned, her brow furrowing in thought as she fiddled with one of the sleeves of her dress. "I see," she commented quietly. "She did seem rather…friendly." Though she knew she couldn't see it, Honeymaren smiled and nodded, crossing her arms and leaning against one of the bedposts. "She's a sweet girl. Very pretty, too. I hope she works up the courage to admit her feelings." Elsa's face fell, her features a mixture of confusion and hurt. "I…I don't understand…"
Honeymaren blinked at the broken sound of her lover's voice from behind the privacy screen. "Elsa?" she questioned in confusion, immediately walking around the screen to find her wintery lover staring blankly at the wall of the changing screen with her dress unclasped at the back, one shoulder bare where the queen had paused in her dressing. Honeymaren frowned at the clear distress and controlled anger on her lover's face, reaching out to her and touching her bare shoulder. "Baby, what's wrong?" she asked, trying to pinpoint the volatile emotion she had never felt from the queen before. Elsa looked at her like she had grown a second head before crystalline eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Nothing at all," the blonde said acidly, yanking out of her reach and storming out from behind the changing screen, heading for the bathroom door. "What the—Elsa, wait a second!" Honeymaren called, rushing to intercept the suddenly angry queen and blocking her path. "What's going on? What did I do wrong?"
"Absolutely nothing. After all, you can't help it when an innocent woman falls for the Nattura charm," Elsa nearly growled, pointedly looking away from her lover and crossing her arms across her chest. Honeymaren raised an eyebrow as the odd anger she had sensed in the queen suddenly clicked into place. Though she knew it was not the most intelligent thing in the world to antagonize her elemental lover, Honeymaren couldn't help the amused smirk that tugged at her features. As she took in the queen's disheveled appearance, porcelain features colored with anger and crystalline eyes alight with possessive fire, the noaide couldn't help but think…
"By the spirits are you sexy when you are jealous…"
Elsa's angry eyes flicked up to meet her lover's twilight-flecked pools, narrowing further when she saw the twinkle of amusement. She tried to ignore the sharp pull in her lower belly when she saw the sheer hunger in them as well as they raked appreciatively over her half-dressed form. Elsa looked away from her once more, her chin lifted haughtily as she made no attempt to hide her displeasure. Despite her anger, she also made no attempt to leave her lover's embrace when Honeymaren slowly wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her close. "As impossibly delicious as jealousy looks on you, Your Majesty, I must apologize for I fear there has been a misunderstanding," Honeymaren murmured, slowly trailing soft kisses from Elsa's temple down to trace her clenched jawline. "Has there, now?" the queen tried to snap, though her lover's warm lips were quickly draining all the bite out of her words.
"Mhmm," Honeymaren confirmed as she nuzzled the queen lovingly, kissing the tender spot behind her ear and eliciting a shiver from the blonde. "When I said that Kari had fallen for the Nattura charm…I was not referring to myself." Honeymaren grinned as she felt Elsa's eyebrows shoot upward in realization. "Your Majesty may recall there is a second Nattura wandering about Arendelle at the moment," she continued as she began to press teasing, sensual kisses to the blonde's sensitive neck, feeling the queen's heartbeat begin to race beneath her lips and her skin warm as an embarrassed blush burned across her features. Elsa's throat bobbed as she swallowed thickly, her breaths beginning to come quicker and heavier. She really should apologize for her silly mistake, but the teasing brushes of soft lips coupled with the memory of the fiery hunger in her lover's eyes smashed her humility to unsalvageable pieces. "That's good," the queen whispered huskily instead, grasping handfuls of Honeymaren's tunic and pushing her roughly against the bathroom door. "Because she can't have mine," she nearly growled before claiming her lover's lips possessively.
Honeymaren's brain suddenly ceased to function as Elsa's lips strangled all possibility of rational thought. The queen completely filled the noaide's senses, both physical and spiritual as the winter spirit's unadulterated desire to possess the Northuldran made Honeymaren's knees weak. She groaned as she felt Elsa's lithe body pressed aggressively against her own, the dainty queen surprising her with her strength as she pinned the stronger woman against the door. A moan tore itself from the fire maven's throat when Elsa buried her fingers in her hair and forced her tongue between her lips, the normally subservient blonde intent on having her way with the fire spirit as she pressed impossibly closer. Honeymaren gasped heavily as she was forced to break apart for air – something the passion-enflamed queen apparently no longer needed as her lips found her noaide's throat, tugging firmly with the hand buried in her tresses to bare more of the sensitive skin to her. "Fuck, Elsa," Honeymaren breathed as the queen sucked sharply at her pulse point, her own hand burying itself in the silky waterfall of white-gold locks while her other pulled her goddess as close as physically possible.
Elsa smiled against her lover's throat at the uttered curse from the normally stoic fire maven. "Language, love," she whispered huskily in Honeymaren's ear, perfectly white teeth nipping at her earlobe. The Northuldran groaned and flipped their positions in a sudden flurry of movement, pinning the winter spirit's wrists against the door of the bathroom and pressing her thigh firmly between the queen's legs. "Maren!" Elsa gasped out in surprise, immediately rocking her hips against her lover's thigh. Honeymaren's jaw clenched tightly with the effort to bring herself back under control, slowly pulling her thigh away from the queen. "You…are testing…my resolve, Your Majesty," she ground out between breaths, the queen's answering needy whimper nearly shattering what remained of her self-control. "I am dangerously close to ripping this dress to shreds…and ensuring you will be too sore to ever leave my bed, let alone walk down the aisle," she threatened huskily, her lips grazing promisingly down the sensitive skin of the winter spirit's throat. Elsa flashed the Northuldran a sexy smirk, leaning forward to breathe teasingly in her ear. "Good," she whispered as she rolled her hips challengingly into her tense lover.
Honeymaren groaned and pulled her body away from the winter queen, keeping the blonde's wrists firmly pinned against the door. "Elsa…" she growled in warning, giving her a pointed look. Elsa's eyes softened and her smile turned warm and understanding as she saw in her noaide's eyes the words the dark-haired woman was unable to find a way to express. She tugged gently against Honeymaren's grip, the Northuldran immediately releasing her and stepping back. The queen wrapped her arms around her lover's neck and pressed her forehead to the noaide's, closing her eyes as she focused on calming her own racing heartbeat. "I'm sorry," she said sincerely, placing a soft, apologetic kiss on Honeymaren's soft, full lips. "I'll behave, I promise," she said with a shy smile. Honeymaren smirked and wrapped her arms around Elsa's waist, pulling her close and nuzzling her lovingly as she buried her nose in her hair and breathed deeply. "You? Behave? I'll believe it when I see it," she teased, with a loving smile.
Elsa grinned, her fingers playing with the soft baby hairs at the nape of her lover's neck. "I'll have you know, noaide, that before I met you, I was a polite and proper well-bred young woman of the utmost innocence," she argued, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she bit her lip lightly. "It's no fault of mine you stole that innocence from me during a deliciously sinful night of passion." Honeymaren chuckled and shook her head, swaying lightly with the queen in her arms. "If I recall correctly, it was you, Your Majesty, begging me to make you mine," she whispered in the blonde's ear, smirking as she felt her goddess shiver in her arms.
Just as the queen was about to tell her she would never stop asking for that particular action, rhythmic knocking had both women turning to the door. "Come in, Anna," Elsa called, smiling and kissing Honeymaren's cheek lovingly as the redhead entered. Anna smiled brightly at the pair, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe. "Alright, lovebirds, the time has come," she said teasingly. "Say your goodbyes." Honeymaren blinked in confusion, looking between the sisters questioningly. "What is she talking about, Snowflake?" Just as Elsa opened her mouth, Kari appeared in the doorway next to Anna, face flushed red and a bashful smile on her face. "P-pardon me, Your Majesties, Lady Nattura," she said with a quick curtsy. "Lord Kristoff asked that I warn you that if Lady Nattura doesn't come down quickly, he will send Sven up to collect her." Anna's eye twitched as she turned to the pretty young brunette. "Kari, would you kindly tell Lord Kristoff that if he does not wish to abruptly find himself single, he will refrain from allowing Sven to wander about the castle unsupervised. She will be out soon enough." Kari giggled and nodded, curtsying once more and flashing a playful wink Honeymaren's way before leaving to deliver her message.
Honeymaren smirked and raised a brow, figuring Ryder must have been with Kristoff to elicit such a reaction from Kari before looking back at Elsa. "Any intentions of explaining what exactly I am to be appearing for, my love?" Elsa chuckled, though it was tinged with a bit of disappointment. "Kristoff is here to collect you for your stag party," she answered, pouting slightly as she pressed a bit closer. "Stag party?" she parroted, raising a quizzical eyebrow at her lover's sudden light moping. "It's Arendellian tradition," Anna chimed in, moving closer to the couple and giving her sister a small, apologetic smile for having to separate them. "Stag and doe parties – kind of a…last hurrah for the people about to be married. Though I suppose technically we ought to be having two separate doe parties tonight, but you definitely seem to fit more of the 'stag' role, Honeymaren," Anna said with a smirk before making a shooing motion with her hands. "Speaking of stag, I would like to keep my fiancé's reindeer from running amuck in our castle, so say goodbye to your blushing bride! You won't be seeing her again until she's walking to the altar."
Honeymaren frowned slightly, instinctively pulling Elsa closer as she turned her gaze back to the queen in her arms. "Wait, what? Why not? Where are you going?" Elsa giggled and brushed the fingers of one hand through Honeymaren's hair, a warmth blossoming in her chest from the slight worry in her lover's voice. "I'm afraid I don't know. It is considered terribly bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," Elsa explained before her smile turned playfully suggestive. "Anna's job is to hide me in the castle to prevent you from seeking me out and…taking advantage of me before we are properly wed." Honeymaren grinned, but before she could open her mouth to reply, Anna walked over and grabbed her by the back of her tunic. "Alright, alright, alright, that's enough of that, now get out of here, you!" she grumbled good-naturedly as she dragged her to the door, much to her sister's amusement. Honeymaren smirked, nimbly ducking around Anna before rushing back to Elsa and kissing her deeply, burying one hand in white-gold waves of silk while the other pulled her close.
Elsa immediately returned the kiss with vigor, grasping fistfuls of Honeymaren's tunic and pulling her ever closer. When they finally parted for air, Honeymaren pressed her forehead against the queen's lovingly, closing her eyes and brushing her thumb across the soft skin of her cheek. "I love you, Elsa," she said huskily, pressing another, slower kiss to her lips. "I'll be waiting for you at the altar, my goddess," she whispered softly, smiling when she heard Anna stomping up behind her once more. "Alright, Casanova, out! Out, out, out!" she said with a laugh as she shoved her out the door, leaving a brightly smiling and blushing winter spirit behind as Elsa wiggled her fingers at her in a small wave and sat on the bed. "Play nicely with the other children, make good choices, don't disgrace the family name, and all that good stuff, now GIT!" Anna called down the hall before closing the door solidly and leaning back against it with a laugh.
"By the Gods, you can cut the sexual tension between the two of you with a dull spoon. You two have been cooped up here alone all morning and afternoon, aren't you tired yet?" Anna asked with a smirk before walking over to the bed to sit next to her sister. Elsa glared disapprovingly at Anna, though the bright blush on her features negated any effect it may have had. "I will have you know, dear sister, she served me breakfast in bed, read to me, then we took a lengthy nap. We were perfectly proper and modest," she began confidently before the memory of her pinning the Northuldran against her bathroom door made her blush deepen impossibly further. "Most of the time," she muttered underneath her breath, much to Anna's amusement.
The redhead smirked and gave her sister a disbelieving look. "You're trying to tell me you weren't up here making love all morning," she asked in more of a flat statement than a question, blinking when Elsa bit her lip and gave an exasperated sigh. "That's exactly what I'm telling you. We haven't…made love…for over a week," she admitted quietly, shaking her head and running her fingers through her hair in frustration. "Some sort of Northuldran abstinence tradition before the wedding. Similar to ours, I suppose, to spend the night away from one's betrothed and build desire and suspense. It's absolutely maddening," she grumbled, eliciting a giggle from the redhead. When she received another pointed glare, Anna held up her hands innocently. "I'm sorry, it's just that I've never imagined you having to deal with…well, lust before," she defended with a grin. "Though I suppose after the sounds I heard coming from this bedroom last week I shouldn't be surprised," she teased, waggling her eyebrows suggestively as her grin grew impossibly wider at the scandalized look on her older sister's face.
Anna laughed when Elsa reached back and grabbed a pillow, smacking her soundly in the face. The redhead immediately snatched a second pillow and a short scuffle later saw the sisters panting and laughing as they lay sprawled on Elsa's bed, giggling as though they were children again. After several moments, Anna rolled onto her side, resting her head on her arm and smiling at her big sister. "You're going to be the most beautiful bride, Elsa," she said in a warm, quiet voice. "I'm so happy for you…and so incredibly proud of you." Elsa smiled bashfully and rolled on her side as well to face her beloved little sister, grasping her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Anna. I wouldn't be anything without you," she said sincerely. Anna simply smiled, a comfortable silence falling over the sisters as they lost themselves in thought, thinking of everything that had happened to lead up to that moment.
"It's crazy to think how life works sometimes, isn't it?" Anna said after a while, causing Elsa to tilt her head curiously. "Think about it," Anna said earnestly, leaning up a bit to prop up her elbow, her head resting in her hand as she looked down at her sister. "All of the horrible, crazy, impossible things that needed to happen for us to find our happily ever after. If Grandfather hadn't done the horrible things he did, the mist never would have happened. Mother never would have lived in Arendelle, Father may not have fallen in love with her. Even if they did fall in love, you would not have had powers or been the fifth spirit," she mused aloud. Elsa chuckled at Anna's whimsy, smiling adoringly at her. "And if I hadn't been such a good big sister, I might have let you marry that miserable Southern Isles cur and you never would have met Kristoff," Elsa teased. "You're welcome, by the way."
Anna made a face at Elsa that only made the blonde chuckle again before her smile turned more somber. "And if you hadn't been such an impossibly amazing little sister, I would never have the extraordinary life I do now," she said quietly. Anna smiled and waved her hand dismissively, blinking in surprise when Elsa caught it and gave it a firm squeeze. "I'm serious, Anna," she said softly, sitting up and entwining their fingers lovingly. "If you were any less remarkable, I wouldn't have been able to follow my heart and live in the enchanted forest. I never would have known what it was to fall in love or be loved in return." The blonde gave a short, dry chuckle and a wry smile. "I would have lived the rest of my life alone on the North Mountain without a soul in the world to love me if it wasn't for you, Anna. I know you think you're just my feisty little sister, but...you really are my hero, do you know that?" Elsa asked softly, reaching out to wipe away the tears that fell from bright teal pools.
Anna sniffled, smiling brightly at her sister for a moment before she could no longer contain herself, shooting forward to tackle Elsa in a giant hug that had the blonde giggling fondly and squeezing back with all her might. "I love you, Anna," she murmured into fiery red tresses that smelled of summer and sweet memories. "I love you, too, Els," Anna answered, giving the winter spirit a final squeeze before pulling away and taking a short, resetting breath. "Okay, enough of the mushy stuff," she said playfully, even as she wiped away her tears. "I have a present for you," she said with a mischievous glint in her eye as she scrambled off the bed, ducking down next to the side of it. Elsa blinked in confusion, leaning over the side to look and jumping back just in time to narrowly avoid being knocked in the head when her exuberant sister popped up once more with a rectangular package wrapped in light blue and white paper, thrusting it excitedly toward her.
The blonde queen raised an amused eyebrow as she took the package gingerly. "Did you seriously hide my present in my own bedroom? What kind of a hiding spot is that?" Anna smirked and raised a challenging copper brow of her own. "But did you find it?" Elsa blinked before smirking and rolling her eyes. "That's what I thought," Anna confirmed with a triumphant nod before she got back on the bed. "Now open it!" Elsa laughed and delicately opened the package, taking extra care to not rip the paper and carefully folded it just to torment the impatient redhead. Finally, when it seemed her sister was ready to pounce on her and rip the package open herself, Elsa lifted the lid off of the rectangular box, a flaming blush immediately fanning across her entire face as she saw what lay inside. "A-Anna…are these…?" she stuttered.
"They're going to look amazing on you, I swear!" Anna said with a squeal as Elsa pulled out a lacy white negligee. It appeared to be worn almost like a tunic except that it was clearly designed to leave her shoulders and collarbone tantalizingly bare, held up by two thin, barely-there silk straps. The top consisted of tightly knit lace that looked like snowflakes that dipped down just enough to hide her breasts from view while the rest of the negligee was a curtain of see-through silky fabric that would just barely reach the line of her hips. She laid it on the bed, her blush deepening impossibly further when Anna pulled out the matching lacy underwear to match. "Go on, look at the rest!" she urged.
One by one, Elsa pulled out an assortment of lingerie, each one more provocative and revealing than the next. A deep blue satin chemise, the front of which parted like a curtain just below the breast line to leave the stomach exposed. A sinful red teddy that revealed far more than it covered and was meant to be removed by pulling a single silk ribbon. A dark purple piece of see-through lace that was supposed to be worn like a dress shirt but was really nothing more than a shawl with a single button in the middle to hold it in place. Just as Elsa was about to launch into a tirade about how she was never going to be able to bring herself to wear any of this, the final remaining item in the package caught her eye. She blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion as she reached in and pulled out the familiar garment – it was one of Maren's simple white, flowing undershirts. Anna grinned devilishly at Elsa's confused look. "Trust me, Elsa. It's going to drive her absolutely wild. I don't get it, I really don't, but I don't have to – all I know is it's a thing and Kristoff is absolutely incapable of keeping his hands off of me when I wear one of his shirts. It was actually his suggestion," she said with a smirk, laughing when Elsa made a strange squeaking sound and dropped the shirt, covering her burning face with her hands. "Anna!" she hissed, pulling her hands away for a brief moment only to cover her face again when she saw the offending articles still strewn about her bed.
Anna laughed loudly, picking up each of the articles and holding them against her big sister contemplatively while the blonde stuttered and stumbled trying to form a coherent sentence. "Don't turn into a prude on me now, it's the night before your wedding, Els! I promise you, she's not going to be able to keep her hands off of you when you wear these," she said confidently. "Anna…I-I couldn't possibly…" Elsa tried to reason, only for Anna to interrupt her in a chiding voice. "Ah-ah-ah, no you don't! You are the goddess of winter, for crying out loud – you're gorgeous and this will do nothing but enhance your natural beauty. This is no different than wearing a nice gown to a party, Els. It's just…a different kind of party," she reasoned, winking at her as she began to put the lingerie back in the box they came from. "Consider yourself a wedding present – this is nothing more than gift-wrapping. Besides, it's for Honeymaren and we both know you will do anything to make that woman happy."
Elsa chewed her bottom lip for a moment, fingering the silky fabric of one of the negligees. "Do…do you really think she'll like this, Anna?" she asked in a quiet voice, the red in her face darkening. Anna smiled reassuringly at her, playfully tapping a finger under her chin. "I know she will, Els – if for no other reason than you're wearing it," she answered confidently, putting the lid on the box. "It's a nice way to make it special, anyway," she continued as she leaned over to set the box on the floor. When she sat back up, she blinked upon seeing the nervous, contemplative look on her sister's face. "Els?" she asked gently, reaching out to touch her knee. "Are you okay?"
Elsa continued to chew on her bottom lip thoughtfully before nervous blue eyes flicked up to meet concerned teal before lowering again. "I really want to make tomorrow night memorable for her, Anna," Elsa admitted quietly, beginning to wring her hands in her age-old nervous habit. Anna smiled reassuringly at her sister, reaching out to take her fretting hands in her own and squeezing them gently. "Elsa, look at me," she ordered gently. When Elsa looked up, Anna lightly brushed the queen's bangs from her face before standing and pulling her up with her. "I promise you, Els, the best thing you can do tomorrow night it to just relax and listen to your body," she advised her, putting her hands on her shoulders. "Love isn't something you can make a plan for, Elsa, so don't bother trying. Not that it matters in the end, anyway," she said with a chuckle. Elsa blinked, her brow furrowing in slight hurt. "Anna, of course it matters…why would you say that?"
Anna simply smiled and leaned forward to embrace her sister tightly. "No it doesn't, sweet sister. Do you know why?" she murmured in her ear before pulling away and cupping Elsa's face in her hands, smiling lovingly at her. "Because tomorrow you are marrying the most perfect person in the world for you. And when you are with her tomorrow night, all of these fears and doubts and insecurities you feel right now are going to melt away as though they never existed…because that's what true love does. That's what she does." Elsa's eyes softened, a slow, accepting smile coming to her face as the truth of her sister's words settled over her heart. "Now, come on," Anna said, a playful twinkle sparkling in her beautiful teal pools. "There's sooo much chocolate stashed away in the room we are going to be staying in and it's so clever not even Honeymaren would be able to find you if she were to try." Elsa giggled before a loving smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Yes, she would," she said simply as her sister opened the bedroom door for her.
Anna took a moment to really look at her older sister, taking in all the things that had changed in her over the past several months alone. Shoulders that were once painfully tense with ramrod straight posture appeared softer and more relaxed, though it surprised the redhead that it seemed as though this allowed the queen to stand even straighter than she did as Queen – as if she could truly stand tall because the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. Though Elsa had been in complete control of her powers for going on four years now, it was only in the last several months that her sister finally looked comfortable in her own skin. Anna smiled brightly at her beloved sister and the clearly lovestruck look on her face, an amazing warmth blooming in her heart when a realization struck her - Elsa had finally, finally, at long last found her place in the world.
And it would forever be with her loving noaide of the enchanted forest.
"You're right," Anna agreed softly, a happy sigh escaping her lips. "She would."
There was nowhere Elsa could go that Honeymaren wouldn't find her. She found her in the chaos of the forest, she found her in the stormy seas of Elsa's torment and fear, she even fought her way around death to find her way back to her sister. Though Anna couldn't help the slight twinge of melancholy as she led her sister to where they would be spending their last night together as they did when they were children before Elsa became a wife, a single thought pushed all of her sadness away – she would never lose her sister again.
Because Honeymaren would always find her.
"So…what is the point of this again?" Honeymaren asked as she looked around the crowded establishment. She sat at a round, wooden table with Kristoff, Mattias, and Ryder, eyeing the many loud and clearly drunk Arendellian citizens as they toasted and cheered, bouts of raucous laughter erupting every minute or so from different tables. Though much of the staff of the 'pub', so Kristoff had named it, were women, the vast majority of its patrons were men. While everyone seemed happy enough and in good spirits with the upcoming wedding, Honeymaren kept her head on a subtle swivel – a large group of drunk men in one place felt like a recipe for disaster to the noaide if ever there was one.
"To drink!" Kristoff said cheerfully, lifting his mug emphatically. "Swap stories, give advice, generally embarrass the hell out of you and hope to get you to the altar in time tomorrow!" he said, taking a drink from his mug as though what he said was the most normal thing in the world. Honeymaren raised a bemused eyebrow at her soon-to-be brother-in-law. "So you're telling me that instead of running my fingers through the silky waterfall of my ridiculously sexy fiancé's hair, it's your ugly mug and blonde locks I will be holding back when you puke later tonight?" she asked with a smirk before lifting her cup. "That sounds like a good trade," she murmured sarcastically into her cup with a playful eye roll as she took a drink of the bitter liquid. Kristoff grinned and took a deep swig of his own drink as Mattias laughed loudly and put a reassuring hand on Honeymaren's shoulder. "Don't worry, kid. He'll look much better after a pint or ten."
That comment nearly had Kristoff spitting out his drink as he choked on his laughter, the entire table joining in as Ryder clapped Kristoff on the back in an attempt to be helpful. Mattias held his mug high in the center of the table. "To a long and happy marriage," he toasted with a proud sparkle in his eye. "May your joys be deep as the fjord and as light as the ocean's foam." Honeymaren grinned as the table raised the mugs, Kristoff and Ryder yelling 'cheers!' before all four occupants drank their mugs dry. Honeymaren made a slight face at the bitter taste, though she was surprised to find it was oddly growing on her. She glanced over and grinned to see her brother with the mug to his lips and his head tilted precariously backward, tapping the bottom of the mug to try to get every last drop – it apparently agreed with him far quicker than it did with her.
Honeymaren blinked when a pitcher suddenly appeared and began pouring more mead into her empty mug just moments after she had set it down. She looked up to see a pretty redhead with bright blue eyes smiling down at her pleasantly before winking and walking away without a word. She blinked again and looked from her now full cup and back to the other occupants of the table. Ryder looked just as confused as she was as he looked between his sister, her now full cup, and his still empty one with a slight pout. "Hey, how'd you do that?" he asked, looking around the pub questioningly. When Honeymaren answered with a bewildered shrug, both Mattias and Kristoff started laughing. "Well, that didn't take long," Kristoff commented before standing to his full and considerable height, glancing around for a moment before waving his hand to catch the eye of another barmaid who nodded in understanding and began to fill another pitcher. "I'm confused," Honeymaren said, eyeing her mug suspiciously as though her missing answers lay within its frothy contents.
"That's probably going to happen a lot tonight, kid," Mattias said with a grin. "It's a compliment, trust me." Honeymaren simply gave Mattias a flat look, raising a single expectant eyebrow at him. "It's because you're excessively attractive, Lady Nattura," came a feminine voice from next to her, a dainty hand with another pitcher reaching over to fill the grinning general's mug. Honeymaren blinked and looked up at the newcomer to find pretty hazel eyes smiling down at her mischievously, honey-gold locks framing a comely face. "Many of the young women in the kingdom have been set atwitter by the mysterious and beautifully handsome lady of the forest that has managed to capture Her Majesty's heart." Honeymaren blushed, a slight petulant scowl coming to her face when the blonde woman moved around behind her to fill her eagerly waiting brother's mug, lifting her own to her lips. "I have eyes only for my queen," she muttered into her mug insistently, nearly choking when the woman leaned over to whisper in her ear. "That's not going to stop them from imagining themselves in Her Majesty's sinfully lucky place tomorrow night."
All three of her companions laughed loudly at the shocked look on the spluttering noaide's face as the blonde sauntered to the other side of the table to fill Kristoff's mug, the mountain man leaning back to give her some room. "I have to congratulate you, Gretta – I don't think I've ever seen her speechless by anyone's doing but the queen's," he commented teasingly, smirking when Honeymaren glared daggers at him. Gretta laughed good-naturedly and rested her hand on her hip, cocking them to one side casually. "Leave the poor woman alone, Kristoff. She can't help being the dirty fantasy of half the women in the kingdom. If anything, you menfolk need to step up your game lest us women decide once and for all you lot truly are useless. The proof of it is sitting right at your table, after all," she said with a laugh, flashing Honeymaren a quick wink while the noaide grinned at the scandalized looks on the men's faces. "Thanks, Gretta!" she called after her playfully. "Anytime, honeybee!" the barmaid called back from across the pub, much to her amusement. Honeymaren grinned at her companions, lifting her mug to her lips once more.
"I changed my mind. I like stag parties."
"I don't get it," Honeymaren said an hour and several pints later, leaning back in her chair as she looked between Kristoff and Mattias. "Okay, so the point is to try to get everyone else drunk by stating things that others have done," Mattias explained. "Like this. Never have I ever held a full conversation with a reindeer." Kristoff scowled at Mattias but lifted his mug to his lips and took a deep drink. He lowered his mug slightly and narrowed his eyes at Ryder, reaching out and kicking the leg of his chair. Her brother made an odd noise of realization and immediately took a drink, grinning broadly at the mountain man. "Alright, now you try," Mattias urged. Honeymaren thought for a moment before smirking. "Never have I ever slept with a redhead." Kristoff grinned and proudly took a deep drink, Honeymaren chuckling when Mattias lifted his mug to his lips also. She raised an eyebrow and reached out to cover Ryder's mug with her hand when he tried to lift his mug. "Ryder, you never slept with a redhead," she explained with a chuckle that turned into a full out laugh when he pouted. "But I'm thirsty," he whined.
"Never have I ever shot an arrow," Kristoff proclaimed boldly, grinning when all three of his companions drank, Ryder most eagerly. "Never have I ever slept with a queen!" Mattias fired back. Honeymaren and Kristoff grinned and cracked their mugs together before taking a drink. "Never have I ever kissed a woman!" called Ryder out enthusiastically, all three occupants of the table turning to look at him. The reindeer herder blinked for a moment before putting down his mug and scowling. "Well, now I'm sad." Everyone shared a good laugh at that while Kristoff clapped his young friend on the back. "Hopefully before you go back to the forest you will have grown the balls to introduce yourself to Kari like I've told you to," he said mirthfully before taking another drink. Ryder flailed his hands in frustrated exasperation before sinking into his chair. "I can't help it! She's so pretty! Every time I think about talking to her it feels like a reindeer kicked me in the stomach," he complained, reaching for his mug and its comforting contents. "What if she laughs in my face?!" he nearly wailed in dramatic despair. Honeymaren tried to hide her secret grin behind her own mug. "Oh, I'd say your chances of experiencing your first kiss in Arendelle are pretty good, little brother," she said sagely.
Ryder stared at his sister suspiciously, instantly catching on to her knowing tone and setting his cup down roughly, turning in his chair to face her head-on. "Tell me everything you know that I don't!" he demanded. Honeymaren simply smirked. "There is nowhere enough time nor crayons to explain to you all the things I know that you don't, little brother," she said smugly, going back to her drink as Kristoff and Mattias laughed loudly. Just as Ryder was about to launch into a full-on tirade only a younger sibling was capable of producing, a loud, gruff voice with a thick accent boomed from across the pub. "I thought I heard ye guffawin' over here, Matty!"
Mattias looked up and grinned broadly when none other than Davos stomped over, rising to greet the man with a firm hug. "I thought I smelled something when we came here," Mattias joked with a laugh, clapping the man on the back before releasing him. Davos simply grinned toothily as Kristoff, Honeymaren, and Ryder rose to greet him as well. Kristoff reached out to shake the soldier's hand firmly with a grin of his own. "Good to see you again, Davos," he greeted. When Davos turned to meet Honeymaren's eyes, his own softened in an almost affectionate way that surprised the noaide immensely. "I hafta say, life suits ye much better than death did, lass. It's good to have ye back amongst the livin'," he said warmly.
"Davos was the first brave soul to join the front lines when we stormed Calabria," Mattias piped in upon seeing Honeymaren's puzzled expression, putting his hand on the broad man's shoulder. "Aye," Davos commented. "I wasn't about ta let no sissy Calabrian whelp try ta take ye out before I'd had a chance at a rematch with ye," he said in a playful attempt to lighten the mood. "It shouldn'ta surprised us that ye didn't need anyone's help to fight off death himself, eh?" he barked out with a laugh. Honeymaren offered the gruff man a genuine grin and held her arm out to him. "Perhaps not…but it's always good to know when there is a friend at your back, all the same," she answered. Davos's grin widened as he reached out and grasped her wrist firmly, understanding the heavy weight of her words. "That it is, lass," he said in a lower voice. "That it is."
"Alright, alright, enough of the depressing mushy stuff," Kristoff said as he waved his mug around. "No touchy-feely stuff at a stag party!" Davos blinked, his eyes widening with hopeful excitement as he looked at the table's occupants. "OCH, NO! Is that what ye be doin' here?!" Before anyone could answer, Davos pursed his lips together and made an impossibly loud and shrill whistling noise, halting all sound in the pub in an instant. "OI, LADS!" he yelled across the pub, grasping Honeymaren's hand and lifting it in the air, her eyes going wide when every eye in the establishment turned to her, lighting with surprise and recognition. "Lady Nattura be gettin' hitched tomorrow morn'! We're runnin' outta drinkin time!"
A cacophony of hoots, cheers, and applause erupted in the pub when Davos poured the remaining contents of his mug into Honeymaren's as congratulating hands appeared out of nowhere to pat her on the back and shake her hand. Davos ordered another drink before standing on one of the tables, yanking Honeymaren up with him and lifting his mug high in the air. "TO THE QUEENS!" he shouted to be heard above the raucous noise.
"TO THE QUEENS!" came the resounding answer.
"TO ARENDELLE!" shouted Mattias.
"TO ARENDELLE!" they cried.
"Here's to women, so fine and divine!" Davos said in a sing-song voice, playfully wrapping his arm around Honeymaren's shoulders.
"They bleed every month and bear every nine!" answered a random man from the crowd.
"There's no other creature on heaven, earth, or hell!" called Mattias with a grin, raising his mug with the rest of the crowd.
"That can take the juice from the nut without cracking its shell!" roared the crowd in unison, followed by another round of cheers and cracking of mugs.
Davos grinned at the bewildered look on Honeymaren's face and began to sing loudly.
"Ohhh, cheers ta beers an' legs behind your ears!
Here's to doin' an' drinkin', not sittin' and thinkin'!
May all your ups an' downs be between the sheets!
An' here's to lesbians, 'cause they have good taste!"
Honeymaren laughed as Davos drained his mug in one go to the cheers of the crowd, lifting the empty cup triumphantly in the air before giving her a pointed, challenging smirk, his eyes flicking between her full mug and her face expectantly. She rolled her eyes and laughed before draining her own, the assembled crowd cheering approvingly when she raised her empty glass and yelled across the crowd. "LONG LIVE THE QUEENS!"
"LONG LIVE THE QUEENS!"
Honeymaren took a deep breath of cool, damp air as she exited the tavern, running her fingers through her hair and sighing tiredly. It had been nearly two hours since Davos had joined them and there was not a moment of rest to be had since then. It didn't take long before Honeymaren was subtly pouring the contents of her cup into that of her companions. The noaide was only a fan of losing her wits in one scenario and it involved a breathtakingly gorgeous and magical queen, not a horde of singing drunken men. She groaned when the nearby bells chimed the midnight hour, running her hands over her face. How was she supposed to convince the guys to go home? She was getting married tomorrow, dammit!
Just as she was about to turn to go back into the pub and let them know she was going to head back to the castle, a tell-tale whistling had her looking upward. She grinned when she saw the flowery outline of Gale flitting about the building, clearly searching for something. "Gale!" she called, stepping out in the deserted street and waving to catch her attention. Gale swirled around excitedly when she spotted her quarry, rushing down and twirling around her affectionately. *Hello, sweet noaide!* came the wind spirit's lilting voice as a parchment folded in the shape of a bird floated around in front of her. *The mistress has sent a message for you.*
"Thanks, Gale," Honeymaren said with a grin, snagging the note from the air and unfolding it excitedly, her eyes quickly scanning her beloved's elegant script.
My dearest love,
I hope you're having fun and Gale doesn't find you causing too much trouble. I wanted to let you know that my room is prepared for you tonight. Don't believe Kristoff if he tells you that your party must end with you including a 'real stag', he is just trying to convince you to have a sleepover in the stables with Sven. The knight of my dreams and my future wife will not be sleeping in the stables, I don't care how comfortable he says it is.
I also wanted to let you know that I've missed you from the moment you walked out of the door. Never in my dizziest daydreams did I imagine I would be writing a letter like this someday, but I'm so excited to say…
I absolutely cannot wait to marry you tomorrow.
I love you with all that I am, and tomorrow I will promise you all that I will ever be.
May the stars guide you, my sweet noaide.
Álo ovvto,
Elsa
Honeymaren leaned against the wall of the pub with a goofy, lopsided grin as she read the letter over and again. She sighed and closed her eyes, imagining how beautiful the queen would look in a dress of pure white, gliding down the aisle toward her.
"You look awfully relaxed for a woman lingering around alone in a dark alley," came a smooth, heavily accented and feminine voice. Honeymaren blinked and pushed herself off of the wall to meet the soft brown eyes of a beautiful woman with wavy milk chocolate hair standing with her arms crossed and giving her a curious look. The fire maven frowned slightly, folding up the note and slipping it into her pocket – the woman appeared to be observing her, like she was sizing her up. "I suppose the same could be said for you," she said nonchalantly, eyeing the rather pretty and finely dressed woman with thinly veiled suspicion. "Can I help you?"
"No," the mysterious woman answered simply, hiking an elegant brow at her. Honeymaren leaned forward slightly, expecting the strange woman to say something only for the silence to stretch on awkwardly. At least, it felt awkward to Honeymaren – the brunette appeared content to simply watch the Northuldran in silence. "Alright, then. Well…can…I walk you somewhere?" she asked uncertainly, gesturing vaguely around her. The brunette smiled in a manner that seemed half amused and half approving. "Non, merci," she answered again. Honeymaren raised a brow at the clear dismissal in a new language – at least that explained the accent, she thought.
"Okay, then…" she said hesitantly, giving a small, awkward wave. "Have a good night, I guess." With that, Honeymaren turned and began to walk back to the pub to let the boys know she was going to be heading back to the castle. She made it only a few steps then paused, sighing deeply and shaking her head before turning around again. "Look, I don't feel comfortable just leaving you out here alone in this alley. Can I invite you in for a drink or something? Or if you wait here for a moment, I am going to go say goodbye to my brother and our friends and then I am heading to the castle if I can escort you somewhere?"
"How very kind of you to offer to help a strange woman you know nothing about," the woman said with a suggestively raised eyebrow, cocking her hips to the side. "What might your motives be, I wonder?" Honeymaren frowned, her metaphorical hackles raising at the thinly veiled insinuation. "Well, my soon-to-be wife is laboring under the notion that she is marrying an upstanding, moral person and I think she'd appreciate me ensuring nothing unsavory happens to a foreign diplomat in her kingdom on the eve of her wedding." Honeymaren bit her lip to stifle the smirk at the clear surprise now showing on the woman's face. "Trés bon. How did you know I was a diplomat?" Honeymaren crossed her arms and shrugged. "The queen of the country is getting married tomorrow, so I'm sure there's no shortage of self-assured individuals with an accent wandering around causing trouble," she said with a smirk, earning an amusedly impressed smile from the foreign woman. "I'm Honeymaren. Would you like to come in and meet my friends?" Honeymaren asked with a small, polite bow, gesturing to the pub. The woman smiled and stepped up to the Northuldran, slipping her hand into her arm. "My name is Belle, and I'd be delighted."
Honeymaren opened the door for Belle, allowing the French noble to step inside as she searched for Kristoff's mop of honey-blonde hair. "Kristoff!" she called, waving him over. The mountain man grinned and weaved through the throng of thoroughly drunk pub patrons, blinking in surprise when he saw who she was with. "Your Grace! What in the world are you doing down here?" Kristoff asked, bowing his head politely to Belle. The brunette smiled warmly and rolled her eyes. "Kristoff, how many times must I ask you? There is no need for formal titles amongst friends," she chided him gently before leaning up and kissing the ice harvester on either cheek, smiling at Honeymaren when she pulled back. "I heard from my guards there was a pretty raucous stag party and thought this must be my chance to get to know Elsa's betrothed that Anna's told me so much about." She turned and looked at Honeymaren, making a show of looking her up and down. "I must say, the rumors I have been hearing are true, she is quite the looker – Elsa is a very lucky woman."
Honeymaren blushed and coughed into her fist, her blush only deepening when Kristoff began to laugh openly at her. She scowled and punched him in the arm before straightening her clothes, smoothing imaginary wrinkles as though nothing had happened while the mountain man winced in pain and rubbed his arm. "See to it that my brother gets home, will you?" she asked flatly, turning away from him for a moment before pausing and turning back to him. "And Elsa specifically said no sleepovers in the stables with Sven. You, Mattias, and Ryder are to sleep in your assigned bedrooms. Queen's orders," she said with a smirk when Kristoff spread his arms in feigned innocence. She grinned and offered her arm, Kristoff smiling back brightly and clasping her forearm firmly. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kristoff. Thanks for a fun night. I'm going to see Miss Belle home," she said with a smile, offering a small wave before turning and gesturing toward the door, inviting Belle to take her leave. Belle smiled brightly and leaned up to place a kiss on either side of Kristoff's face again in farewell. "I will see you at the wedding, mon ami," she said before waving as well and walking out of the door.
When Honeymaren made to follow her, Kristoff reached out to snag her sleeve, speaking lowly to her. "Maren, that is Belle, the Duchess de Chagny. Be very careful - she is a very important and powerful member of the French aristocracy and there would be no shortage of men with less than noble intentions if they were to find out she was wandering Arendelle right now," he warned in a quiet voice, carefully glancing around for eavesdropping pub patrons. Honeymaren nodded once in understanding before patting his arm reassuringly and hurrying after the Duchess. Once outside, she offered her arm with a polite smile. "Shall we?" Belle nodded, taking her arm with a smile and allowing Honeymaren to lead her through town.
"So, I can't help but find myself impressed by you, Lady Nattura," Belle commented in a nonchalant manner after a few moments. Honeymaren blinked and turned twilight-flecked eyes toward the Duchess questioningly. "I beg your pardon?" she asked. The French woman smiled and shrugged as she gazed out at the fjord. "Well, when Anna wrote to me and hinted that Elsa had found love, I was quite skeptical. Elsa is an enigmatic woman who has always kept the world at arm's length, even after her powers were revealed. Throughout the years, she had never even shown interest in friendship among the aristocracy, let alone affection for any suitors, of which there were many," she said conversationally as they walked, turning her gaze back to Honeymaren, surprised to find a slight scowl on her pretty features. "Perhaps it is because no one bothered to take the time to see that her true worth and more breathtaking beauty lies within her and, in her considerable wisdom, she chose not to waste her precious time with such shallow individuals." Rather than be put off by the thinly-veiled insult made in the defense of her lover, Belle's smile widened. "I mean no offense, Lady Nattura. Make no mistake, anyone worth knowing in the world understands that your bride is an incredible woman without equal. While her beauty, grace, and elegance are consistently the talk of the envious aristocracy, it is her cunning mind and gentle heart that has made her the darling of the court. When Anna wrote me again to tell me that not only had she found true love but had proposed, and to a woman, no less, I was shocked and...pleasantly surprised."
Honeymaren raised an eyebrow at that, eyeing Belle quizzically. "Pleasantly surprised?" she parroted questioningly. Belle's smile turned a bit sly, light brown eyes searching the stars for the best way to answer her. "Let's just say…it is refreshing to know such an amazing woman will remain unspoiled by the follies of men who are so distressingly beneath her." Honeymaren chuckled, a wistful smile on her face. "Well, I'm not so unaware of my defects that I will claim she has avoided marrying below her station, but I am happy to have saved her from the idiocy of men." Belle laughed lightly, the sound dainty and dignified. "Loyal, humble, and witty," she commented in a pleased voice. "Elsa truly is a lucky woman. Not only is she marrying for love, but her taste is second to none," she complimented as the castle came into view, her smile turning into a grin when she felt the Northuldran relax slightly next to her.
"Satisfied there are no bandits lurking about, Lady Nattura? Don't think I haven't noticed that your head has been on a swivel since we left Kristoff at the pub," Belle teased. "I suppose a healthy sense of paranoia is a necessity when living in a forest." Honeymaren smirked as they walked into Arendelle proper, shrugging. "I guess it's a hard habit to kick. If I am going to protect Elsa as my wife and the queens as their royal knight, then I must always be aware of the environment. Besides," she added playfully, peeking at the Duchess from the corner of her eye. "If your guards that have been following us can't keep themselves hidden well enough to evade my detection in the middle of the night, I am not willing to lay much stock in our safety should these 'bandits' decide to make an appearance." Belle blinked in surprise, staring at Honeymaren for a moment before laughing once again, nodding in acknowledgment to the Arendellian guards as they entered the castle gates.
"It is not often I find myself surprised, Lady Nattura, and you have done this twice within the hour. I daresay Elsa has her hands full with you," she commented approvingly before her smile turned mischievous. "I may have brought a…special wedding gift for the both of you." Belle's smile turned into a small, devious grin and leaned in closer. "Though, I suppose it is more of a honeymoon present as it is quite...improper," she whispered, flashing the Northuldran a wink before straightening again. "I do hope you enjoy it. Rather, I hope you can convince Elsa to let herself enjoy it. But, after meeting you, I would venture there is very little our beautiful queen would not do for you out of love." Honeymaren blinked in confusion, blushing for reasons she didn't quite understand. What was she talking about?
When they entered the castle, Belle smiled and turned to face Honeymaren. "It's been a pleasure getting to know you, Lady Nattura," she said, leaning forward and placing a light kiss on either side of her cheek. "I look forward to seeing your beautiful bride on your worthy arm tomorrow, brave knight, and I hope you will save me a dance." Honeymaren grinned broadly and bowed slightly. "The pleasure was mine, Your Grace. As for the dance, you may have to pry Elsa from my arms to get it," she teased lightly. Belle grinned and curtseyed as Kari appeared to escort her to her room. "Well, wish me luck in my endeavors as I chase the coveted prize, then," she said with a laugh before turning to Kari with a secretive smile. "Isn't it strange, my friend, that the gentlest of hearts belong to all the souls on fire?" she asked the maid in French, smiling innocently at Honeymaren when the Northuldran narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the two women. "She really is quite the prize," she commented before winking at Kari. "Had I known the secret treasures of Arendelle, I might have suggested we both come here!" The two women giggled together before Belle gave a small wave and allowed Kari to lead her to her room.
Honeymaren laughed to herself and shook her head, taking a deep breath as she started toward Elsa's room with an excited smile. Tomorrow, she would be marrying the woman of her dreams. Elsa would belong to her in every sense of the word and she would never have to be apart from the magical queen again. Her grin grew wider as she took the steps two at a time. In just a few short hours, her life would change forever.
And she couldn't wait for the best years of her life to begin.
AN:
*throws the chapter a safe distance away*
I'M SORRY I'M LATE! DON'T KILL ME!
*runs the opposite direction*
-Volchise