The next day, the morning sun rays filtered through the foliage and bathed the camp in a soft orange light. Although it was still early, there was already activity in the camp. Honeymaren had taken the lead of a group of willing Northuldras to help the refugees, and the latter were assisting their benefactors with camp chores in return.
Anna emerged from her tent, leaving behind Kristoff, who was peacefully snoring. She cast a fond look at her fiancé before closing the canvas, determined to talk to Elsa. Worry was written all over the poor queen's face, who had slept too little this night. A small noise caught her attention not far from the camp: a neigh.
Anna headed towards the source of the sound and discovered, in the middle of a sunlit clearing, her sister stroking the neck of Nokk, the water spirit. The water horse's usually gently rippling surface was now covered with a thin layer of glistening frost at Elsa's touch, reflecting the sun like thousands of tiny stars. As she approached, the horse raised its head towards the young redhead, catching Elsa's attention in the process.
"You look dreadful," the blonde said by way of greeting. "Did you sleep poorly too?"
She leaned over to fasten a provision bag and a tent canvas onto her mount's back, both offered by Yelena.
"Yes," Anna simply replied, stroking Nokk's muzzle. "Are you already leaving for Ahtohallan?"
"We can't afford to wait, Anna. The sooner we learn about Roderick, the sooner we can save Arendelle."
"I know, Elsa, but..."
The young blonde straightened up, locking her eyes with her sister's, who displayed fierce determination.
"But you want to come with me," she finished for her. "Anna, I understand your worry, but I can't let you take this risk."
"But if something were to happen to you there," Anna continued, approaching and taking her hands, "I want to be there to protect you."
She remembered all too well what had happened last time Elsa had left her in the Enchanted Forest to head towards the frozen river. Worry gnawed at her heart, which beat faster in her chest. Footsteps sounded behind them. Turning around, they found Aodhan, looking just as tired as they were, a travel bag on his back. He greeted them as he finished fastening the sheath of his sword to his belt.
Anna turned back to Elsa.
"He's coming with you?"
Neither of the other two bothered to acknowledge her accusatory tone. On the contrary, Elsa squeezed her sister's hands a little tighter in hers.
"Yes, Anna. I won't be alone, Aodhan will be there to protect me. He knows how to wield a sword, and we both have magical powers to defend ourselves if we encounter those shadow creatures."
Anna's shoulders sagged. Clearly unconvinced by her words, she looked away.
"You can't leave without me, Elsa," she murmured. "We have to face this together, as we always have!"
"Anna..."
Elsa placed a hand on her sister's cheek and gently turned her head to face her. Anna bit her lower lip, looking worried, while Elsa tried to reassure her with a tender smile that failed to mask her own apprehension.
"That's what we'll do. Arendelle needs you here. Do you remember when my magic showed you the truth about the dam in the Enchanted Forest?"
Anna nodded vigorously, sniffling. At that moment, she had thought her sister was dead, and she didn't want to think back to that dark moment when all hope seemed lost.
"I'll do the same with what we discover about Roderick. That way, you can act while Aodhan and I return here, do you understand?"
Anna's gaze shifted again to focus on the young man, who had remained in the background. He absentmindedly stroked Nokk's muzzle, but it was obvious that he was listening to them with one ear. The spirit, meanwhile, neighed impatiently, impatiently pawing the ground.
"Anna," Elsa resumed. "I know you don't trust him. But you can trust me, I will come back safe and sound. And we will save Arendelle together."
She smiled at her again, and this time, Anna smiled back. She approached and hugged her sister so tightly that the blonde felt her chest being crushed.
"I trust you, Elsa," she murmured, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. "But that doesn't make things any easier."
"I know," Elsa replied, stroking her hair to comfort her.
Each gesture from her sister calmed Anna, who felt the tumultuous ocean of uncertainties she had been sinking into since their departure from Arendelle begin to calm. As always, Elsa seemed to be her only hope, the kingdom's only light.
She gently stepped back and wiped her tear-streaked cheeks, a smile on her lips.
"Take care of yourself, Elsa. Kristoff and I will await your message about Roderick."
She gently released herself from her sister's embrace and strode purposefully towards Aodhan, who instinctively took a step back. She stopped a few inches from him, and the young man felt his cheeks flush as he stammered incomprehensible words. A moment passed during which only Aodhan's weak voice and the whisper of the wind on the fallen leaves, harbingers of winter, could be heard.
"I'm counting on you to make sure nothing happens to Elsa! It's an order from the Queen of Arendelle!" she exclaimed.
Aodhan stopped stuttering, blinked several times, and straightened up to face Anna, looking as determined as she was. The trust she had decided to place in him touched him more than he could express, so he simply nodded gravely.
"I will watch over her at the risk of my life," he declared. "I will protect Elsa, you can count on me."
Anna stepped back without saying anything, but gave him a slight grateful smile. This was totally new for the young man, who was taken aback before responding with a bright smile.
Aodhan helped Elsa onto the horse, then took his place behind her. He had offered to lead the mount, but the young woman had retorted that Nokk only answered to her alone. After which Aodhan remembered that he wasn't even sure if he knew how to ride a horse.
Before leaving, Elsa turned to her sister again, looking apologetic.
"Anna, about what I told you on the balcony..."
But the redhead interrupted her:
"It's nothing, Elsa," she dismissed with a wave of her hand. "It's already forgotten. Now, go! I will watch over Arendelle in your absence!"
Elsa looked at her for a moment, her gaze filled with love and gratitude, and finally, Nokk galloped off towards Ahtohallan. Anna waved to them, and despite all the confidence she showed and her sister's words still echoing in her ears, she couldn't help but feel a void inside.
As the sun reached its zenith, the forest seemed to adorn itself with a thousand and one shimmering colors under its golden rays. Seated behind Elsa, his hands timidly placed on her hips, Aodhan marveled at the spectacle of colors offered by nature. The leaves, radiant with shades of red, orange, and yellow, swirled around them, swept by a lazy breeze.
The path was strewn with branches and dead leaves that crackled under Nokk's hooves with every step. All around them, the trees stood like silent guardians, their branches stretching towards the sky, forming natural arches overhead, their dancing shadows on the ground.
As they advanced through the forest, the peaceful silence was punctuated by the murmur of crystal-clear streams and the melodious singing of birds hidden among the branches. These sounds, usually comforting, kept them on alert, as if they concealed unusual noises and potential dangers. While Aodhan was captivated by the beauty of the surrounding nature, Elsa flinched at the slightest crack of a branch in the wind.
"So, when will we arrive at Ahtohallan?" Aodhan began, hoping to start a conversation.
"If we keep moving like this," Elsa replied, observing the course of the sun through the canopy, "tomorrow morning, taking into account that we sleep well tonight, that we are not disturbed, and that..."
"Everything will be fine, Elsa," he reassured her.
She let a brief silence pass as she stared ahead.
"We could arrive faster," she suddenly continued. "But there's a place I'd prefer to avoid, so we'll take a slight detour."
"May I ask why you don't want to venture there?" Aodhan asked, hoping not to be intrusive.
"I'd rather keep that to myself, Aodhan," Elsa replied, pursing her lips. "Sorry, it's not against you."
She wasn't ready to face again the imposing silhouette of her parents' shipwreck. The mere thought of their ice-covered figures she had seen there was enough to painfully grip her heart.
Aodhan refrained from letting out a slight sigh. With his gaze fixed on Elsa's shimmering hair, swaying to the rhythm of Nokk's steps, he respected her decision and didn't ask any further questions, but his eyes expressed a slight disappointment mixed with deep empathy for the young woman. The sadness in her voice was reason enough for him not to go to that place she seemed to dread.
"Have you ever been afraid of your powers?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.
"Yes, of course. For many years, I had to wear gloves to avoid freezing everything I touched."
"That must have been terrible," Aodhan murmured, unable to imagine what she must have felt.
"But you know, before that, I used to play a lot with my powers with Anna when we were children."
A smile stretched across the young woman's lips as she reminisced about her childhood. Strangely, she found herself thinking that their temperaments hadn't really changed since then.
"One day, our father was hosting representatives from another kingdom in the throne room," she recounted, trying to suppress a laugh. "With Anna, we were hidden behind a tapestry, and I was making snowflakes fall on my father. You should have seen his face!" she exclaimed, bursting into laughter.
"I guess you had a hard time afterwards," commented Aodhan, laughing along.
"Yes, but it was hard to take his lecture seriously when snowflakes were still clinging to his mustache!"
At that moment, the weight on their shoulders seemed to lift, leaving only laughter and affection from those sweet memories filling the air. Elsa, lost in her thoughts, continued:
"Oh, and one day... (she giggled before catching herself) As the servants were preparing Anna's bath, I accidentally froze the whole bucket of water, and..."
"Elsa, stop," Aodhan said in a serious tone, raising a hand.
"Um, yeah, right."
Elsa blushed as she realized that the anecdote she was telling was a bit too personal. But when she saw Aodhan dismounting from the horse, she understood that he hadn't asked her to stop her story, but to stop Nokk. Which she did by pulling on the ice reins, before dismounting herself following the young man.
The latter, his features drawn with concentration, instructed her to stay behind him, his eyes scanning the forest. He was obviously searching for something among the trees.
"I heard something," he explained in a whisper.
A crack sounded nearby as if to confirm his fears. Aodhan immediately drew his sword from its sheath and pointed the blade towards the source of the noise: a bush rustling in the wind.
They exchanged a dark look, and Elsa prepared to use her powers if necessary. Even the forest seemed to fall silent around them. Aodhan took a step forward, his heart pounding, his blade still aimed at the bush, which was rustling more and more vigorously. Elsa followed closely, ready to react.
A branch parted, and they caught a glimpse of a bright yellow eye staring at them, a shrill cry pierced the air, forcing them to cover their ears, and a shadow leapt from the bush, pouncing on them. Aodhan stepped between it and Elsa, and the shadow struck him, making him roll backward in pain, his sword falling nearby. Nokk neighed in surprise and rushed backward.
After one last roll, Aodhan managed to get onto his back and kept the creature at bay with outstretched arms, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in his right cheek. The shadow's claws missed him several times, and it became increasingly difficult to keep it at bay. A tear opened on his face, revealing what must have been its mouth with sharp teeth, ready to devour him.
Suddenly, a streak of ice pierced the creature, which fell a little further away. Despite the ice spike through its head, it managed to struggle to its feet. But Elsa was quicker and brought down Aodhan's sword on it. The shadow disappeared in a swirl of thick black smoke, dropping the ice spike to the ground with a dull thud.
The young man quickly got up and agilely grabbed his weapon that Elsa threw to him. Back to back, they watched the forest on either side of the path. Nokk slowly returned to them, his breathing calm. He rubbed his muzzle against Elsa, as if to signal that there was nothing more to fear. Slowly, they felt their hearts calm down and the tension dissipate from the air.
"Roderick's shadows are already here," Aodhan gasped, worried. "We better stay on our guard and hurry to Ahtohallan."
"I agree," Elsa nodded, turning around. "Let's get back on Nokk and..."
She stopped herself with a surprised cry as she faced Aodhan. The latter, who was putting away his sword, looked up at her, raising his eyebrows at her reaction.
"Aodhan..." she murmured. "Are you alright?"
"I think so, why?" he asked.
"Your cheek..."
He touched his right cheek, and the adrenaline from the fight faded so suddenly that he could almost feel the creature's claws on his face again.
"Ow!"
"Don't touch it, you idiot!" Elsa exclaimed, walking towards him.
A deep gash ran across the young man's cheek, from his jaw to below his eye. Blood streamed down one side of his face, and Aodhan began to pale.
Elsa pushed Aodhan's hand away to examine the wound herself. Despite the blood covering his cheek, she felt relieved to see that the gash was superficial.
"Go sit down, I'll heal it," she instructed him.
"Are we certain there are no other creatures?" Aodhan asked as he sat on a fallen tree trunk by the roadside.
"Nokk will stand guard for us," Elsa assured him as she rummaged in the bag hanging on the horse's back. "I was sure it was around here... Here it is!"
She pulled out a small metal box and opened it. It contained a bunch of herbs and bandages.
"Medicinal herbs," she explained in response to Aodhan's questioning look. "It's the best we have here. Unfortunately, you might end up with a scar."
"Ouch!" Aodhan exclaimed, flinching. "That stings!"
"Stay still!"
"Are you sure we need to put them in the wound?"
"Honeymaren explained everything to me, stop fussing!"
"Where are the doctors of Arendelle when we need them?"
"If you don't stop moving, you might just need them! Now let me put on the bandage!"
Elsa stuck out her tongue slightly as she applied the bandage properly to Aodhan's cheek, and finally, she let out a sigh of relief. They exchanged amused looks and burst out laughing.
"Don't ever let me heal you again, okay?" she chuckled.
"I'll do my best to avoid the creature next time," he replied in the same tone.
"Are you talking about the shadow or me?"
He pursed his lips without answering, looking at her with a mischievous smile. Elsa let out a half-indignant, half-amused exclamation while gently pushing his shoulder.
Once their laughter subsided, she pulled Aodhan by the arm.
"Come on, it's time to get back on track! We can't afford to waste any more time."
"True," Aodhan agreed, trying to regain his composure. "Anna is waiting for our news, and she'll give me a good scolding if we're late."
Smiling, Elsa ordered Nokk to gallop away. Aodhan wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder, watching the road ahead of them. In the distance, the ocean concealed their destination, the frozen river that held - they hoped - the answers to their questions.
