The silence fell over the forest as the sun declined and the stars appeared in the sky. Elsa and Aodhan had set up their campsite sheltered by the tall trees, taking advantage of the protection offered by the surrounding vegetation. In the distance, they could hear the waves crashing on the beach. The only obstacle now standing between them and Ahtohallan was the ocean they would cross the next morning.
They had traversed the rest of the day without incident, without encountering any other shadow creatures. After setting up their tent and Aodhan had lit a small fire with his magic, they shared a modest meal, sitting on a small rug embroidered with Northuldra patterns.
While eating, Elsa and Aodhan exchanged a few words punctuated by light laughter, allowing themselves a moment of respite, away from the weight of the responsibility that burdened their shoulders, hidden beneath the cloak of night.

"Here, catch," Aodhan said, tossing her a grilled fruit.

Elsa deftly caught the fruit and blew on it to cool it down. She chuckled lightly before savoring it, and her gaze met Aodhan's over the glow of the fire.
She couldn't help but feel a certain gratitude towards the young man. Although they barely knew each other, he had already risked his life to protect hers. She didn't forget that he had thrown himself between the shadow and her to protect her. Even though she knew she was capable of defending herself, she was glad he was there to help her, keep her company, and share the burden of their quest for clues about Roderick.
As for him, Aodhan appreciated Elsa's company. He felt that by bringing her his help, by saving her kingdom, he would repay his debt to Elsa. She had saved his life by finding him in the Enchanted Forest. Behind every glance he gave her was an admiration and an unwavering dedication.
After Elsa told him one last anecdote about one of Olaf's many antics, the embers of the fire began to weaken, and fatigue set in. So, they decided to go to bed. Aodhan hesitated to offer to stand guard, but the young woman assured him that Nokk would watch over the camp and the surroundings for them.
They had only one tent, but it was large enough for them to set up their two sleeping bags while leaving a respectable space between them. They wished each other goodnight and let the darkness settle around the tent, as the fire died out and Nokk neighed peacefully in front of the canvas.

"Elsa?" Aodhan's voice suddenly murmured in the darkness.
"Mhm?"
"When everything is over, will you take me to the place in the forest where you found me?"

She turned onto her side to face the young man, although she could only make out a dark mass in the dim light. She was about to ask him why he wanted to go there, but stopped herself. She thought she understood his gesture; perhaps he hoped to find some clue about what had happened to him there. And that place was surely a symbol of rebirth in his eyes, just as it seemed to be the starting point of a new chapter for herself.
She nodded before remembering they were plunged into darkness.

"Okay," she whispered.
"Thank you, Elsa."

Though she couldn't see him, she heard the smile in his voice. She smiled back as she lay back on her back.

"Goodnight, see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Aodhan."


The first rays of dawn were just beginning to brush the canopy with their yellow-orange hue as Aodhan and Elsa finished dismantling their makeshift camp. The light warmed the morning dew, and birds emerged from their nests chirping happily.
With the camp dismantled, they resumed their journey on Nokk's back, and the sun had just emerged from the horizon when they arrived facing the sea where Ahtohallan awaited them. Aodhan looked at the waves with a worried expression.

"I know Nokk is made of water," he articulated slowly, his complexion pale. "But are you sure he can... cross the ocean?"
Elsa turned to him with a small laugh. "How do you think I reached Ahtohallan the first time?" she replied. "Don't worry, the water spirit can gallop over the waves."

As if to reinforce her words, the horse advanced on the water, its hooves gliding silently on the calm surface. Aodhan couldn't help but tighten his grip around Elsa, trying not to look at the deep ocean stretching beneath them. The young woman placed a reassuring hand on his as Nokk began to gallop swiftly.

"I know it didn't go well the last time you were in the ocean, but this time you're not on a makeshift boat," she told him. "And I'm here, you have nothing to fear."
"Yeah, you're right..." he murmured, nodding his head.

Though his complexion remained pale. Unconcerned with his unease, their steed continued its course, its icy surface sparkling in the autumn sun's rays. He noticed that Nokk's back seemed to move more smoothly, less jerky, as if the water spirit was trying to reassure him in its own way.

"You know," he suddenly remarked, "I heard about how you prevented Arendelle from being engulfed by the destruction of the dam. Your ice powers seem incredibly powerful; you could surely freeze a path straight to Ahtohallan that we could walk on... safely," he added, glancing once again at the sea passing beneath them with apprehension.
Elsa nodded, surprised by his suggestion. "Those are two very different things, Aodhan, and the ice would likely be swept away by strong waves... I don't know if I'm really capable of it."
"I'm sure you are!" he exclaimed.

The young woman let out a small laugh, amused by Aodhan's enthusiasm. It was true that she had never really thought about making an ice path, now that the sea was more clement. She had grown accustomed to traveling on Nokk's back.
In the distance, emerging from the morning mist, a massive icy form appeared before them, towering majestically amidst the waves. Aodhan squinted to see better. The glacier seemed to glitter under the first rays of the sun, its contours sharply defined against the clear sky and the ocean's calm rhythm.
Elsa also gazed at the place tenderly, as if she were reuniting with a home she had left long ago. She took Aodhan's hand in hers, offering him a reassuring smile.

"We're here," she whispered, her voice filled with a certain emotion. "Ahtohallan."

They gently stepped onto the frozen surface of the glacier, facing an entrance carved into the wall. Elsa bid farewell to Nokk before entering the cave. Aodhan followed suit, bowing to the horse, which nodded its head. If it could raise its eyebrows, the young man was sure the horse would. Before feeling even more ridiculous, he hurried to join Elsa's steps.
They ventured along winding tunnels, and Aodhan had to force himself not to chatter his teeth under the biting cold of the place. Before him, Elsa moved calmly, and he wondered how she could withstand the temperatures simply dressed in her light dress. Maybe he could withstand high temperatures himself, in that case? For now, he contented himself with conjuring a flame in his hand to warm himself.
Elsa suddenly stopped, gesturing for him to do the same.

"One moment, Aodhan."

He looked at the room ahead of them: a large chasm, so deep that it was impossible to see the bottom. In the center, a few pillars of ice stood there, impassive, and the young man easily guessed how Elsa usually crossed the chasm.

"I admire your agility," he began, stepping back. "But I am incapable of jumping as far, and I don't know how to fly either."
"In that case..." Elsa smiled.

She waved her hand, and ice arches formed between the pillars, bridges taking shape to connect them and reach the two walls of the room. Aodhan couldn't help but let out an impressed whistle as he observed the work. The ice had no flaws, smooth as mirrors, and even the railings were finely carved as if they had been sculpted by the best artist in Arendelle. They walked onto the bridge, and he took the opportunity to give Elsa a friendly nudge as he stood beside her.

"Show-off," he murmured.

Elsa didn't reply, but her smile betrayed her amusement.
They finally emerged into a vast circular room, bathed in a white, pristine light. Snowflakes drifted peacefully in the air, swept by a nonexistent breeze. Aodhan spun around to admire the beauty of the place and the snowflakes swirling above his head. Lowering his gaze, he let out an exclamation of surprise and immediately reached for his sword: a man covered in frost reached out towards him, looking menacing.
Several seconds passed before the young man realized it was a statue. Surveying the room again, he realized that it was populated by these strange statues.

"These are echoes of the past," explained Elsa as she passed him. "The entire history of Arendelle and the Enchanted Forest is linked, and condensed here."

She turned to him.

"You mentioned the dam earlier," she explained. "This is where I learned the truth about it. Ahtohallan is the memory of the Enchanted Forest."
"I see..." Aodhan nodded. "So, we need to find a statue that looks like Roderick?"
"Exactly," she agreed.

They each set off in opposite directions, their demeanor now serious. Frowning, they observed each statue they passed, traversing the area while listening to the voices of those distant pasts. Here, a group of Northuldras danced around a bonfire; there, a young woman whom Aodhan recognized as Anna pulled a sheet to reveal a statue of two children holding hands.
Another statue caught his attention. He approached slowly, his eyes wide, hardly believing what he saw.

"Elsa!" he called out.
"Did you find Roderick?" she asked from the other side of the room.
"No... It's something else."

There must have been something alarming in his voice, for the young woman hurried in his direction. She placed her hand over her mouth in surprise upon discovering Aodhan and the statue before which he stood.
It was the young man, lying on a raft about to be engulfed by gigantic waves. But as the waves approached, a whirlpool formed beneath the young man, lifting him from his vessel, undoubtedly to take him to safety. A soft sound resembling an affectionate whistle resonated in their ears, and Elsa recognized it immediately.

"It's Gale," she murmured, approaching.
"Gale?" Aodhan asked. "The spirit of the wind."

The scene suddenly came back to him. It was Gale who had led her to Aodhan, bounding joyfully through the forest. It was thanks to him that she had been able to save him.

"I must have been near the coast of the Enchanted Forest at that time," Aodhan muttered, staring at his snow statue. "But why did he save me?"

Elsa turned to him. Worried look and furrowed brows, she pondered.

"Spirits sometimes have reasons beyond our understanding. Maybe... Maybe he sensed that you were like me," she articulated slowly. "That you had powers."
"Probably," he agreed with a nod.

He turned, hoping to see another statue that would give him more details about the events that followed or the reasons why Gale had saved him. He suddenly raised his arm, pointing at a statue.

"There!" he exclaimed. "Roderick!"

Elsa barely had time to turn in the direction he indicated before Aodhan had already dashed towards it. She followed, her heart pounding. She hoped with all her heart that it was a useful memory to save Arendelle.
They both stopped in front of the snow statue. Its features were more refined, less carved, and its hair was shorter and neater. But they recognized his face and dark eyes. Too dark, even for a statue of sparkling snow. It was indeed Roderick.
Instead of his long black coat, he wore richly decorated clothing, a silk cape bearing Arendelle's crest fluttering behind him, and his well-tailored shirt disappeared under decorations and honors. But another detail made Elsa shudder, her hands starting to tremble. Tears threatened to roll down her cheeks, but she fought to hold them back.
Gently placed on his head, a crown gleamed proudly, its ice jewels casting their radiant reflections on them.