Note:

Added chapter three because it was done. The next chapter should be up by the end of the week. Still not sure how updates will change, moving into June, but I am trying my best. This story is looking like 10-12 chapters so that's what we are aiming for.

[x] Song: "Small World" by Idina Menzel (Her album "Idina", 2016)

Disclaimer:

I do not own Frozen or Frozen II – just this story.

Happy reading! :)

- JQ


Chapter Three: As Free As A Bird

It was after supper and the Northuldra tribe had finished cleaning up for the night. Elsa, Ryder, and Honeymaren were sitting around a fire, just discussing their weeks with one another. During the day, the trio rarely had time to sit and chat, so after dinners were always their time to sit and catch up. Ryder had just finished telling the women about his heroic adventure from earlier – saving a small reindeer from getting swept up in the current of a river.

"...and the poor little guy was so frightened." Ryder said, pretending to cradle a baby reindeer in his arms. "So I had to hold him all the way back to camp."

"Aw," Elsa said, "that's so cute."

Honeymaren then nudged the former Queen with her elbow. "But not as cute as the guy who asked you out this afternoon, right?" the blonde just groaned and shoved Honeymaren off of her playfully. Ryder, on the other hand, was fully invested in this new topic.

"Pause!" he said loud with excitement, "Who asked Elsa out?!"

"Uh, that guy? Um...darn, I forget his name." Honeymaren was slowly becoming frustrated with herself, for not remembering his name, "He helps farm with Yelena...I think his name is Arid?"

Ryder sat back and pondered the name. "Hmm...maybe? I thought is name was Arvid."

"Oh," said the raven-haired woman, "well maybe that's it." as the siblings began to argue about what the man's name actually was, Elsa shook her head. She didn't get why, but she felt herself getting more and more aggravated with this topic. She could feel the frost forming at her fingertips and that was all she needed to find her footing. She suddenly stood up from her seat, getting Ryder and Honeymaren's attention. Both siblings looked at one another with concern for the blonde.

"Does it matter?" the ice wielder whined. She walked off to the edge of the fire pit they had made and stared into the flickering flames. "Whatever his name was, I'm not interested anyway." Honeymaren got up first and walked over to where the fifth spirit stood to stand by her side. Ryder followed her lead and stood on the other side of Elsa.

"We're sorry if it felt like teasing." Honeymaren offered – not yet sure what had Elsa all worked up for.

"Yeah, Elsa." Ryder echoed his sister's sentiment. "We didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. We can stop talking about it."

Elsa scoffed but wore a small smile. "I-I-It's not about teasing." she whispered to her friends. She looked at both of them, struggling with putting her discomfort into words. She didn't know how to use words to demonstrate the dread, the fear, and the overall feelings of years and years of shame. She didn't know how to tell them that she never felt like she belonged anywhere, even now, with the Northuldra and the spirits. She didn't know how to tell them that she never believed that she would be a good candidate for love. Not love in general, just romantic love. "It's n-not about stuff like that. I-I don't think I'm ready for-uh-for talking about what it is yet." she looked between both Honeymaren and Ryder with sorrowful eyes. "Sorry for making it weird."

Honeymaren and Ryder just smiled at her and pulled her into a warm group embrace. Elsa could feel the frost in her fingers slowly begin to subside. She exhaled softly and settled into their arms.

"You didn't make it weird." Honeymaren told Elsa, while giving her a reassuring squeeze on her arm. "It's great that you told us when to stop talking about something that was bothering you. Even if you can't put whatever it is into words, we're happy when you tell us something is bothering you."

At this time, Ryder decided to chime in. "It's so much easier to get going – with feelings and junk – once you first start voicing something is upsetting you." he then nudged Elsa in the ribs with a playful jab. "Before you know it, you'll be singing like a willow warbler, telling all all of your stuff." Honeymaren and Elsa just laughed.

"Maybe not all my 'stuff'," Elsa sighed, wrapping an arm around the reindeer herder's shoulders, "but thank you. Both of you." After the trio settled back down in their seats, they continued to lightly talk about the day's events.

...

[x]

Shortly after Ryder and Honeymaren had gone back to their respective tents for the night, Elsa wandered off back to the outskirts of the enchanted woods, overlooking the North Sea. There, tucked away among some trees was a small cabin.

Four years ago, Kristoff, Ryder and Lieutenant Mattias helped Elsa create a small cabin. Although she loved living with the Northuldra people, she still couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider. As the fifth spirit, she felt that she needed to be on her own. Being near the water gave her a sense of relaxation and inner peace, that living with a community, or in a kingdom, would not have given her. She figured that years and years of being on her own made her the perfect candidate for living alone, away from others.

Now, this wasn't the same type of thing that she was going through during the events of her coronation. She wasn't running from human contact because she believed she was dangerous to society. After a few years of embracing who she was and understanding where her powers originated from, she simply felt like she was meant to be on her own – away from the hustle and bustle of others.

She did feel like a bit of an outcast, but that was just her as she had always been very quiet and shy. While she was Queen of Arendelle, she was always expected to be involved in issues. She was expected to be a problem-solver – she was expected to be brave. However, out here, there were no expectations and she was free to keep to herself. She was free to observe instead of figure out other people's issues.

She was as free as a bird.

Elsa entered her cabin, after making the short walk from the permanent Northuldra settlement. It was only about a twenty minute walk which was great. While she loved being on her own, she still enjoyed the company of a few people. Namely, her family in Arendelle and the two Northuldra siblings – Ryder and Honeymaren.

Her cabin was quaint and not too flashy. It had two floors – the first floor had a small kitchenette, a table, and a sitting room with a large armchair by the window. Upstairs, there was a bath and three rooms. She didn't want extra rooms, but Olaf insisted that she needed room for guests. Elsa couldn't argue with the snowman, so she opted for two guest rooms.

She went to one of her kitchen drawers and pulled out a match. She walked over to her armchair and lit the closest candle to her. After lighting the candle, she lowered herself into the chair and picked up her latest book – a collection of poetry from her library in Arendelle. Anna was not a huge fan of reading poetry, so she sent Elsa all of her poetry books.

In addition to her prized collection of classic literature, the former Queen was also an owner of a few children's books, considering she now had a niece and nephew that came to visit on occasion. She smiled, remembering the last time Stella and Nolan accompanied Olaf to spend a few days with her. She loved the young prince and princess and truly enjoyed their company. Stella reminded her of a young Anna and Nolan was just a delight. Although she was disheartened at the fact they'd never interact with Queen Iduna and King Agnarr, Elsa just knew that they would have loved the young prince and princess who would soon rule the lands that they loved and cherished.

Elsa sighed and looked out of her window. She could see past the trees and into the horizon over the North Sea. The moon was shining over the water and she could see the wind as it danced through the trees. She smiled happily and returned her attention to her poetry. She planned to read a few chapters before turning in for the night.

Indeed – Elsa had everything she ever needed. She had her family, she had her friends, and she had the company of the other spirits who were guarding over the enchanted forest. She was content and loved her new life.

She was free and she didn't really need anything else.