Elsa wasn't certain what time it was, it was still dark outside, she awoke surrounded by a balmy, almost unfamiliar warmth radiating on her back and midsection.
As her eyes adjusted to the dark, her inspection of the room led her from Olaf snoring, propped up by her legs to the empty window seat where Ryu once sat.
Elsa almost bolted upright in panic but with the arm slung over her waist and body pressed into her back- both kept her from flinging herself and Olaf to the floor. She glanced behind her and found Ryu sleeping, occasionally letting tiny growls and grunts escape.
Sighing Elsa slunk back down onto her pillow rearranging herself to comfortable perfection.
Her heart slowed following the ticking of the clock until a few moments passed. Elsa's small grin faded and her eyes snapped open at once.
Ryu hadn't left the room, Ryu had gotten into bed most likely at her bedtime of three in the morning...
Don't panic and make it weird. Elsa scolded to her heart's increasing tempo. Friends spoon friends. She spooned Anna all the time and Anna her. It was no big deal.
Carefully she turned over to face the girl buried underneath the blanket. Reaching, Elsa slowly touched her finger to Ryu's face, pressing down.
The snores emboldened her light touches of brushing Ryu's hair back, fingers lingering too long on the scaled skin. She committed every scale, every mark to her mind's core library. A small purr ruptured giving Elsa no time to react.
A purple, hazey stare greeted her when she looked into Ryu's eyes. Elsa froze stiff, holding eye contact. She felt like a total fool, of course Ryu wasn't fully asleep, she had just gone to bed if the clock was correct in time. There was no escape and no excuse.
She had been caught.
It was only natural that Elsa remained repentantly still when Ryu returned the favor of testing the feel of her skin. The way her eyes flickered back and forth across Elsa's features, gaze curious and bright, it was like a mirror.
Ryu was much less apologetic and careful with her exploration which led to the palm of her hand clasping above Elsa's chest, the way her heart thundered inside, it felt as if the organ would break through her rib cage. Ryu looked up at her.
"Are you scared?" She whispered. Elsa shook her head glancing down at the hand on her chest. Sliding back down neither removed their hands, and continued grafting every single inch of the other's face and hair.
Everything was clenching, every part, every muscle. Elsa's stomach hurt, in a way she wouldn't mind feeling again in the future. She wasn't entirely sure the cause, perhaps the alcohol she had last night, yet this didn't feel that way. It was more so tingling and lightness to her head than feeling weighed down, dizzy and sick.
Ryu was in deep thought, Elsa could see the detonation of the choice made burst from her expression.
She moved in closer and tucked her head beneath Elsa's chin.
Hugging her Elsa stared at the wall, unable to do anything other than squeeze Ryu close. It was like a hug, hugs could be given anywhere. Olaf taught her that from various positions.
Turning her head Elsa rested against Ryu's and inhaled deeply. It reminded her of a cat pushing their head against a human or each other.
Between Ryu's purring and arms wrapped around Elsa's waist, split her lips into a wide smile. Closing her eyes she rocked her dragon a small bit in giddiness. This was a new sensation—this sensation of being wrapped in another's warmth— body to body. Not thinking, not worrying, just feeling and loving it.
Elsa always valued mental and emotional connection, now she realized how much she neglected her physical needs, how disconnected she had been from it.
A worm of self degradation tried to find some loophole to slither in, if just to remind Elsa in this little exchange the more she took the more she'd want. She'd never be satisfied, first she wanted Ryu to trust her, let her help her, then she wanted to know Ryu mentally and emotionally. And now... Now—
I want her physically.
Elsa shook her head at the thought trail.
Platonically!
"We could continue to hold ourselves ransom against the other or..."
"Or?"
"I give you a bit of me and you give me a bit of yourself in return."
"Deal."
She'd give more of herself to Ryu. Elsa fell back asleep with that promise on her mind.
It was a wonderful morning.
Ryu took a risky stolen glance at Elsa with an almost invisible smile. She looked absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. The golden yellow cape draped to the front and, clasped by a pendant, shimmered when the sun caught it from the window. Her silk dress beneath it was soft, cream, and layers upon layers of light materials creating a shade of lemon.
Almost as soft as her skin was last night. Wonderfully cold and smooth. How could Ryu feel jealousy after the moments she and Elsa stole together when no one was watching? It was proving difficult to keep the duping delight in check.
Elsa was dressed like the summer sun and her bright dazzling smile lifted the spirits of the Mamonova family as she displayed her adroitness at the piano forte. The music echoed through the dome like room.
"Pleased by the music, are we Miss Astrid?" Ryu sighed signaling her attention to the guard...
What was his name? Pedro? Pesto? Arnold?
"Elsa is so talented." She stated, scooting over to keep some distance between her and the guard.
"Yes she is full of surprising charm." Ryu scrunched her nose, why was everyone so perplexed by the idea of Elsa being a prodigy capable of magnetism? Yes, she was a bit awkward and skittish but she was warm and fun as well. Adorable even which Ryu had no idea humans could even be capable of.
It was evident with the way the noblemen eyed her whenever they walked by in the halls or gardens, they didn't even know her, just that she was beautiful.
Petyr chuckled at Ryu's neutral expression to what he had just said, clearly she wasn't listening and was not even attempting to hide it.
"Funny really, Elsa is the kind and considerate one out of the two of you. Impressive you radiate heat yet still manage to keep a demeanor of ice." Ryu didn't budge.
"Yeah."
"Am I really that unpleasant to converse with?" She shrugged.
"It's not that, I just have no interest in talking with you. If you think You're an unpleasant conversationalist then go ahead, but the responsibility of cause is not mine." She expected him to huff or leave or even berate her, what she wasn't expecting however was a smirk and eyes full of some sort of positive emotion, she couldn't pinpoint what emotion it was exactly. She'd deny it if asked about how when he laughed at her in a non mocking manner that it did boost her ego a little. She'd deny how he made her feel seen in this opulent environment.
"Well said-" Petyr lifted his hands in a pretend surrender. "You've bested me. I apologize for bothering you."
Ryu rolled her eyes. "If you were annoying me I would have told you already."
"You have."
"Oh yeah, still you are very assuming it's annoying." They continued watching Elsa blush under the lavish compliments and attention of the royal family as well as her own.
"Most people are."
"And most people are very annoying all the same."
"Perhaps it's just a part of our nature, though it always made me wonder, do humans even have a set nature? We share qualities and yet at the same time are so different. Good, bad, boring, spontaneous." It did make Ryu question as well, did humans have a set nature and if so what was it? Who was right and who was the outlier?
"Maybe the nature of humans is change?" It sounded dumb at first to her ears, Petyr instead actually contemplated that.
"It would make sense, it's the only thing we all have in common. Some fight it but in the end everything always changes."
"I like change." Ryu's voice became quiet when she confessed it. Petyr smiled with his teeth. "Me too. Care to take a walk with me through the market? I am sure you'll find some very interesting vendors. And perhaps we could continue our talk from the previous night about man versus nature." He held out his arm to her, she studied Elsa a bit hesitant to leave her presence. His eyes followed hers. "I'm sure your mistress will be alright without your company, there are many servants to attend to her every need." Still Ryu felt as if it were an unwise choice to wander off...
On the other hand it did sound boring just standing here watching her get fawned over when she couldn't do any of the fawning herself.
"I guess being gone for a little while wouldn't hurt." She mumbled stepping past the offered arm out of the room. "Let's go Pedro."
Petyr jogged to keep up and set the pace. "It's Petyr." He chuckled.
There was that guard again bothering Ryu. Elsa's face beneath the light smile was scowling, what did he want anyways? It made her nervous to have someone so focused on the disguised dragon and intent on capturing her attention. She was certain there was a motive, there had to be. Yes Ryu had a sweet face, her appearance and dress were plain. Meant to blend in, it seemed for someone in Ruskland their taste would never lie in anything plain and yet him. When she was certain no one was looking she'd sneak spying glances on the two talking. Ryu didn't appear to be vexed at him, Elsa had seen that expression before, she was intrigued? What was he saying to her?
When she looked away for too long to listen to the princess go over her interactions with a few famous composers she turned back to see the man luring Ryu away! She stared down their backs hoping Ryu would turn around so Elsa could communicate the worry in her eyes but she never did.
"Elsa?"
"Elsa!"
Her head whipped back to Olaf tugging on her sleeve. "Yes my love?" She replied sweetly. "What was the name of the song you taught me on the piano?"
"Twinkle twinkle little star." He bounced and tried cracking his twigs. "Yes, ahem I will be performing twinkle twinkle little star but as my own rendition."
"Ever the daydreamer Miss Elsa." Demetrius teased. Honeymaren and Anna, sensing her distress, were immediately fussing over her speaking through their eyes.
When Elsa answered Anna began troubleshooting instantly. "Um, please excuse us for a moment." The group dismissed them while Kristoff and Olaf went directly for roles of distractions.
"What happened?" She whispered as the three of them huddled away from the rest.
"I don't know yet but someone just lured Ryu away." They all looked to the spot of where she once stood by the door. "What! Do you know who?"
"A guard, Petyr, I believe his name was. I'm not sure about his intentions but I am worried about what he's after, it... Unsettles me." Elsa needn't explain further. Her friends and family had learned it wise to trust her inner intuition, it proved to be right the majority of the time.
"I'll trail them and see if anything fishy is in the midst. You guys keep talking with the royals and maybe try to separate them from Ophelia, get 'em to talk, see if there are any clues of what they know and how involved they are with the... With..." she didn't want to speak his name aloud knowing even walls could have ears.
"The spider lily." Elsa shrugged at their questioning looks. "It works."
Anna squinted her eyes. "Sounds too complimentary." Despite the situation Elsa giggled and shook her head. "Trust me it's not. I'll explain later."
Everyone dispersed and took their battle stations. Anna, being the ever wonderful actress she was, put on a bright smile and clapped her hands together.
"What games do you all play on a lovely day like this?" The royal siblings rubbed each other's chins playfully mulling over the options.
"I was actually going to go visit the markets in town, let my legs breathe and my lungs stretch." It was funny enough to make all laugh except of course Ophelia who nodded respectfully to Honeymaren's decision. "Please do enjoy. I can have a guard escort you if you so desire."
"That won't be necessary, thanks. I can handle myself." She took her leave slow and calm to not seem as if there was a hurry. That was very difficult with the prospect of Ryu being in danger dangling in front of her nose.
"As for your inquiry Queen Anna we do have croquet in the gardens if something physical interests you?" The twins' eyes lit up and they cheered. "Oh yes! We haven't had a good game of bat 'n' ram in ages!"
The prospect of getting dirty or rowdy or even worse both did not sound very appealing to Ophelia but she respected the sportsmanship and skill it required.
"I never played croquet." Kristoff stated simply. "Neither have I, I mean unless I have played and since I never played it before I wouldn't know that I am playing it." Elsa helped Olaf off the bench and folded her hands in front of herself as he lamented on.
"We can teach you!" Darya shouted, already heading for the gardens.
"So you can knock your opponent's balls out of the way and mess them up?" Olaf asked, holding the small ice mallet Elsa made fitting his size.
Demetrius nodded, wolfishly eyeing Ophelia like she was a deer, she glared at him choosing a different start position.
"So if I were to say hit Anna it-"
"Don't you dare!" Anna warned not to deter her husband. "It's a love tap carrot top."
She squinted in the sun, shading her brows. "I don't want your love taps." She proclaimed making Elsa blush and chortle like a schoolgirl.
"That's not what you said last night." Kristoff whispered to himself. Ophelia humphed thoroughly scandalized by the foreigners. "Please try to avoid misconduct during the game, and it will be enjoyable for everyone, I assure you."
Demetrius crossed his arms, an overgrown pouting child. "I never feel assured by your assurance."
Kristoff had managed to knock Anna and Demetrius' balls way off center. Anna played her part of disgruntled wife beautifully following the prince after them. He didn't seem to mind too much, laughing as he gave chase.
When they were a good distance away, looking as casually as she could Anna made conversation. "So are you the youngest or somewhere in the Middle of your siblings?"
He grinned, testing his swing. "I'm the youngest." That made a lot of sense. Many had always told Anna they could tell Elsa was her senior. "Being the youngest has its pros but definitely cons as well. Especially in royal families, you're raised differently, educated differently, a just in case child if you will."
He snorted at this." Understatement of the century!" There was some underlying aggression in his whack to the poor ball, not far enough to get them back to the group but enough to gain some ground.
"I seem lucky, blessed with only sisters, but my father many thought him fool when he put Polina in charge instead of me. She's a very capable young woman-" he managed to mix admiration in bitterness. "A lot like a mother in a way so I guess we're in better hands than if I were in charge." He didn't speak of a longing but Anna had been watching them all interact. He gets along well with Darya but there was a strain there, queerly more of strain than he had with Ophelia, he used humor to undermine the stuffy woman's requirements for protocol. She supposed all younger siblings suffered from the same symptoms of feeling like a spare. She hadn't given Hans any mental energy wherever he was but he entered her mind, how he lusted to be seen and for power, bullied and overlook by thirteen others, now down the line her anger turned to pity for him, his desperation. Desperation was a dangerous thing indeed but useful. She'd feel guilty for exploiting this prince but if he was possibly involved with the attempts of Elsa's life...
She pondered the best approach when it was her turn to hit her ball. "I can understand that, I felt completely under prepared to become queen."
"Yet you're still doing a fine job of it from what I've heard, your sister respects you and your authority greatly. If I ever became emperor my sisters would still mock me, keep things from me and not listen to a damned word I'd say." He chuckled, while shaking his head and closing his eyes.
"You and Dayra seem close though, I'm sure she'd listen to you-" Anna's words died on her lips when he shook his head denying everything she said.
"She doesn't even respect me now well enough to tell me things. She's more involved than I in court. We love each other but she'd be the worst one, probably would hop on my throne with the entire nation present."
"She probably has her reasons and means well enough."
"If you find out those reasons, be sure to let me know." The air turned sour, the prince was nice enough to not aim his attitude towards Anna knowing it wasn't her fault she brought up a touchy subject, it wasn't her doing which led to his family's flaws being so deeply rooted and layered. So he changed the topic.
"That Kristoff of yours sure has a wicked arm on him." She grinned watching Kristoff strike carefully avoiding the much slower Olaf. When the snowman swung, missing the ball, his entire torso spun around from the effort setting him backwards. He chuckled to himself waving to Elsa who waved back.
Before she could aid him Ophelia was by his side. "Master Olaf, if I may demonstrate, I believe your technique could improve. You're plenty strong enough to make an impact but first you must aim, here." After Elsa set him forward she helped him practice hitting the ball gently.
Elsa was startled by her ball being shot forward from behind. She turned to see Darya smiling. "Sorry Elsa!" She most certainly did not look sorry. Elsa saluted her, it was all in good fun.
"By all means please do keep inching me further Darya." She gestured to their balls in the grass.
"As long as it means my brother doesn't win then so be it." Elsa maneuvered hers out of the way and gently tapped it.
"You don't seem to be in too much of a rush." Darya observed. Elsa's swings were calculated and reserved, she could win easily if she'd like but that wasn't in her plans for today.
Aggressive play was on the agenda for Kristoff, Anna and the twins. Darya again whacked her ball too far right into the dirt patch of a tree. She raised a playful brow, side eyeing the princess before going after it. Darya's ball flew past her ankles and she could hear her whine from behind.
"Kristoff!"
Her jog quickly caught up to Elsa waiting for her to take her turn. She aimed quietly, stopping her swing short when Darya's voice broke her concentration. "I envy you Elsa." That was entirely out of nowhere. Elsa craned her neck up, glancing at nothing in particular, blinking back her surprise.
"Once you dedicate more energy into aiming than speed I'm sure you'll make an exemplary player." The princess giggled rolling her eyes, she moved like a child at least of the age of fourteen yet she was older.
"I meant how you carry yourself and how mature you are. When you speak, everyone wants to listen."
Elsa chuckled a breathy laugh at this. "Let's just say I had to grow up early."
"My god I'm sure you did. Everyone at court was talking about you and the stuff you've been through. God you're so brave too. I don't think I could do what you did without fear-" she mumbled looking down at her nails. " I'm always afraid it seems."
Elsa hummed at this. "To not be afraid of anything is foolishness. To fear and still do it is true bravery. I can assure you I am very much afraid of things." As they followed their balls Elsa thought the conversation came to a natural conclusion but the Princess disagreed with the notion.
"Are you ever afraid of your powers?" An uncomfortable itch plagued Elsa's skin making her want to fidget but she resisted the urge.
"I used to be, but love helped a lol from those around me and from within."
The princess wistfully sighed at the romantic notion. "I think if I had powers I'd use them to prank my brother." Elsa laughed along with her.
"I do that to Anna and Kristoff, all my friends really."
"Are you ever afraid of hurting them?"
"Not anymore, my magic used to be a reaction and still is but now it's more so of an extension of my intentions, and since my intent is to protect and love them my magic acts accordingly."
"So it's a thing that lives inside of you-" Darya mostly said this to herself but Elsa nodded. "Do you ever feel guilty for when you-" she stopped herself and winced at her curiosity getting the best of her. "I'm sorry I really shouldn't have asked that I guess I inherited my mother's fascination with the whimsical, but I'm sorry-"
"It's quite alright-" Elsa held up a calming hand. "and to answer your question; I have regret, yes but the guilt has subsided. It used to be terrible but My family and country forgave me. I trust their judgment and so I learned to forgive myself as well." They stopped and right after swinging Darya stared her down with a look of awe, shaking her head as if she couldn't believe Elsa was real.
When they began she wrapped their arms together, if she noticed how Elsa stiffened she didn't seem to pay it any mind. "I wish I could keep you." She said fondly, leaning into her side.
"Nope, nope, nope, you're not getting past me." Kristoff took to gatekeeping the siblings out of the player area with his masterful hits and aim, now the game became 'get passed Kristoff'. The twins betted on who would succeed first.
"Wonderful hit Mister Olaf, your aim is improving." He beamed up at Ophelia. "Thank you! I love this game but can confirm I have never played it."
"We should set up a game like this at Elsa's house in Arendelle. That way we can play all the time like your family." Ophelia faltered somewhat in her hit. "Well my family doesn't play it too often I'm afraid."
"Why is that?"
"I am far too busy for games."
"Well when you're not you can just ask your family. "
"They're all busy as well. Even Princess Darya and Prince Demetrius."
"Well, just play with your friends." She hated shooting down every one of his suggestions, they definitely came from a place of purity and sweet naivety. "I don't have any." She replied rather blunt instead of taking offense as she assumed he would, she made a small noise when she felt his arms wrapped around her skirts.
"You do now. And maybe you can even visit Arendelle and we can play there ooh! I can introduce you to Sven, and Bruni, and Nok, and Gal, and Ryder, and Emil, and Samantha, I still have no idea who that is but she's a friend. You'll have so many friends during your visit, then maybe you won't be so lonely." Ophelia patted his head awkwardly, when he didn't let go it gave her some time to determine it was nice. Perhaps she could make an acquaintance with this little fellow. He wasn't the sharpest weapon but he was by no means a fool, some would mistake it for stupidity but she knew it was just innocence. And by the end of the game Ophelia found herself more inclined to smile and humor him.
If more people in her life were like Olaf, she could say to herself in honesty she wouldn't have minded it.
"But if your parents love you why would they want you in a dangerous occupation?"
"My father believes there is honor in falling in battle for your country."
"Your father's an idiot." She replied casually taking in more of the sights and smells of the market as she left the laughing Petyr behind. Everything was rich and colorful, full of life, a regular ecosystem. Some scents smelt of delicious places she had visited before others were unrecognizable but still just as delectable. Despite having been here in previous years she never had this much agency to walk among the people, hear the words in Ruskland pour from their mouths in quick loud barks, negotiating prices and bargains. Again Ryu found herself comparing it with Arendelle which was a busy place though not as quick and merciless for the slow as Ruskland.
"I suspected you'd say that, despite his disappointment he truly is a great man-" Ryu doubted it but bit back her reply. "If we make a left by the fountain the spice salesman will be-"
Honeymaren? Was she enjoying the market as well? The thought of having her join them crossed Ryu's mind, she did look rather busy trying to remain inconspicuous, maybe looking for any evidence to help their mission. Ryu observed the woman ducking behind carts and carriages.
The dragon shook her head. She'd let her be for now and joined Petyr's side once again heading left.
Anna sighed. "Elsa."
"I mean why else would he have singled her out out of our entire traveling staff-" Elsa insisted.
"Besides the fact that she is the youngest and only unmarried among our staff." Anna muttered to herself, speaking louder when Elsa's pacing only doubled in speed across the carpet, exasperation bleeding into every word. "Elsa, Ryu is a young woman and Petyr is a young man. The guards and maids back home are always flirting even while on duty, that's probably the status quo here too. If we draw attention to it then that's only drawing more eyes towards Ryu." Truth be told, she would have rather been going over the information they had uncovered rather than Ryu's dating life.
"But that's just it Anna-" the stress made Elsa's words tremble in the way it always did when she didn't feel heard or seen about something important. "Ryu is incredibly important! How do you think Grand Pabbie and Bulda would react to the fact that the Dragen Lyse is walking freely with some strange man, unprotected, alone, going who knows where, talking about who knows what-"
Anna snapped her fingers when her eyes lit up at the idea. "Maybe she's investigating the palace staff. Genius!" Her excitement was tucked away when her sister failed to share her enthusiasm instead pouting in complete misery.
"That wasn't a part of the plan." Elsa mumbled.
Anna's mouth opened then clamped shut when Honeymaren entered the room rubbing her red and watery eyes. She sniffled loudy relieved when offered a cool icy handkerchief from Elsa. "I don't like the spice market." She whimpered pathetically.
"Are you alright?" Anna stood flanking her left. She held out a hand waving off both royal's concerns. "Yea I'll be alright I just never been exposed to so many smells."
Elsa treaded carefully with her next choice of words so as to not sound so selfish and disregarding Honeymaren's wellbeing."Did you spot anything... Odd?"
"Oh Ryu, yeah she's fine, they just walked around, she stole some food, he paid for it and they talked about not really anything. He doesn't seem to have nefarious intentions with her. They're walking back now." Anna pointedly stared down Elsa with an 'I told you so' expression. Elsa receded into herself and turned away from them, wringing her hands together.
Some worries were soothed with the intel but the good news only bred new ones. Why wasn't she appeased by this? Now all of sudden she felt worse with her stomach and chest twisting in knots.
Faint sounds of footsteps and voices filtered through the cracked door. Elsa was there in an instant signaling for Anna and Honeymaren to remain quiet as she listened in.
"I must say Miss Astrid you are unlike any woman I've ever met." Elsa couldn't stop the rolling of her eyes at the brown nosing.
"And I can say that you're not as annoying as I thought you were." Ryu replied sounding genuinely surprised by this.
"Considering how sharp your mind is, I'll take that as a compliment."
Ryu blinked at him, giving a single nod. "Okay. Thank you for the umm bag of spices... Come to think of it-" She began musing examining the bag. "Why- I don't cook- why did you buy me this?"
"As a keepsake." He beamed a smile at her that had Elsa squinting at him, usually she didn't default to distrust but it was challenging. This man was completely unaware of who he was trying to garner favor from and similar to when Scherer had said her first name when they met in the gardens, she felt him completely undeserving of Ryu's attention.
"Perhaps tomorrow we coul-"
Elsa opened the door, Ryu turned around and her dull expression morphed into one of joy and serenity. Elsa grinned back knowing that this was probably the first time her dragon had genuinely smiled all afternoon. Her knots calmed and the small blizzard that was whirling around in the room had ceased.
Ryu and Petyr bowed in respect. "Mr. Goulse, hope you are faring well-" she lied through her teeth but he took her word as gospel. "I'm afraid I must whisk my lady away from you, urgent matter." If Elsa's words hadn't gotten the message across her tone certainly did.
You are dismissed.
"Of course Lady Elsa, I should return to my duties as well.-" he returned his sights back to Ryu and kissed her hand gently. Elsa decided his hand remained on hers for far too long. Hypocrite. She shook away the nagging voice from within. "It was a pleasure spending time with you Miss Astrid. Until we meet again."
Before Ryu could muster a goodbye she was tugged into the room abruptly, the door shutting behind her.
She stiffened when her eyes landed on Anna. She curtsied perfectly. "Good afternoon your Majesty."
Anna casted her hands akimbo. "Quite it." Ryu relaxed, chuckling. "But I'm a lady-in-waiting." Anna placed a hand over her bonnet and reigned in her reaction. "You're doing an amazing job at it but in private it's just-" she searched for the right word to not discourage Ryu's good behavior.
"Strange." Honeymaren finished for her having experienced undercover Ryu for herself.
"Just a little. So!" She clapped her hands rubbing them together like a thief that found a purse containing three coins. "Find out any juicy details among the palace staff?" Ryu rubbed her chin in thought going over her afternoon conversations.
"All the guards had lice last month except Petyr cause he bathes more regularly." Elsa shook her head, closing her eyes. "That is not quintessential to anything."
"I found something of use while playing with the Prince this afternoon." Anna offered, Elsa thought about bringing up her interactions with the princess and if there was anything it could offer them as Anna regaled the events of the croquet game.
"So we have a princess and Empress mesmerized by magic, irregular imports from the Americas for the church, an assassin we can't present to the royal court until we know who hired him, and a young prince feeling as if he isn't respected or seen in his family." Elsa bemoaned, she smiled small at the comforting hand Ryu rested on her back.
Honeymaren and Ryu exchanged glances both fitting in the piece of information they had recovered from last night. "Ryu?" Elsa called from bending over the table to write this down in her journal. "What was it that you learned yesterday?"
Ryu sought permission from Honeymaren. "Wait Kristoff should be here for what you have to tell, where is he?"
"He's with Olaf and the prince in the parlor." Anna absent mindedly answered more so focused on what Ryu had to say. They sent for a servant to fetch him and Olaf immediately under the pretense of a decline in Anna's health.
He bursted through the doors looking frantic. "Anna? What's wrong? Is it your stomach?" He planted a hand on her abdomen, brows scrunched up. "No I'm alright, Ryu just has something to tell us."
Satisfied Honeymaren nodded while Olaf locked the door, and nudged Ryu forward. The young girl took a breath and began bouncing in place, her face pink, her mind felt like a dam ready to burst with thousands of gallons of water. Words coming out in rapid succession recalling the things she had witnessed yesterday.
Her friends did their best to keep up until she had to be calmed and interrupted once Japanese began pouring from her lips. She had to be shushed when they raised at an inappropriate volume.
Elsa scratched her invisible scales to ease the both of them needing something to do with her hands.
"I knew it!" Anna proclaimed
"Shush." Elsa said gently. Anna's arms flayed about in every direction, anger, excitement, perturbance all making an appearance on her face at least once. "I knew, he was a creep, that ooooh- we need to arrest him for treason."
Olaf snorted, climbing up onto the table. "Oh that won't work silly."
"We can't just let him walk around freely-" Honeymaren protested with a growl. "I knew there was a reason he was avoiding us, there's no way he hadn't heard about our arrival."
"But if we say anything then he'll continue to walk around freely. Like when Ryu cracked the vase, if they were to find the crack do you think she'll confess that it was her or stay quiet about it?"
"Wait what?" Anna and Kristoff looked down between them at the dragon who avoided eye contact with anyone in the room thus driving home Olaf's point. "That's coming out of your salary..."
Ryu guffawed. "You don't even pay me, I- ugh! Look-"She crossed her arms indignantly and closed her eyes. "The evidence is in his possession ya, it's not like back in Arendelle where Anna has power over the justice systems. This is a pretty big accusation that is coming from foreigners from seemingly nowhere, no?"
"I hear a lot of things shooting down solutions and no one actually coming up with one." Honeymaren was growing impatient, they were still at square one with just a bit of information under their belt.
Anna stayed silent for a minute. Her demeanor became that of a queen that would leave no room for rebuttal. "I'm going to bring this up to the empress today." The shocked looks shared around the room weren't that much of a surprise even from Elsa who came to her side immediately. "Look if the Empress is behind it then we can go from there not like we have a choice anyways, and if she isn't then we'll have a good footing in this race. Either way the risk of having that pro outweighs the con."
"Con being that she wants Elsa dead." Kristoff deadpanned. Ryu growled at him. "She won't be able to kill Erusa without a head on her shoulders."
"Whoa okay!" Elsa held up her hands calling for a time out. "Before we start committing to acts that would cause a detrimental war, let's discuss this with her and see what she has to say first, if she doesn't have anything to do with Georg or Julien then we have an ally and if she does-"
Ryu punched a fist into her palm. "Then we kill her." Her voice was so devious and malicious. Elsa gripped her head in her hands looking her in the eye. "No! We hear her out and try to negotiate a peaceful compromise. Remember? We don't have to kill."
Her thumbs rubbing across Ryu's cheeks and pure blue eyes did the majority of the assuaging the wrath inside of her dragon, relenting with a sigh. "Fine." Ryu bit out.
Now with the subject of murder behind them for now, Kristoff needed to ensure they covered all their bases."Ryu do you think you can sneak back into Scherer's office and steal any evidence we can present to help our case?"
"Hai." She nodded with a determined smile.
"Alright then, Honeymaren and I will go secure Julien, Anna you and Olaf go over how you're going to bring this up to the Empress-"
"I'll go with Ryu to make sure she's safe." Elsa offered.
"Alright let's move out Snow Group!" Olaf cheered running out the door.
"Is that what we're calling ourselves now?" Honeymaren deadpanned.
"I like it." Elsa chirped.
"You would."
A blink and miss moment. That's how Elsa would describe Ryu's slight twitching and resurgence of a rogue scale tucked in the collar of her dress.
"Hey?" Ryu grits her teeth at Elsa's soft call. They had attracted some attention but in this wing there were less inhabitants frequenting the halls. "You okay?" Elsa already knew the answer and they both knew Ryu was lying when she said yes. Truth be told she was just as anxious, the situation could go south very quickly with the smallest of misstep. She needed Ryu focused, if small bits of her identity were slipping through the cracks of her skin now...
The dragon gasped when Elsa acted quickly, shoving them both into a dark dusty broom closet freezing the knob. "Uuhhh-" Ryu gathered herself cocking her head to the side, what in the world had gotten into Elsa? Did she spot Georg. Her pupils dilated not only from the darkness but the cool slender fingers that danced in a massaging dance against the nape of her neck. Her purr was obnoxiously instantaneous, but her chest whined in protest as Elsa drew closer, until there barely was a distance between them at all. And it's hypnotizing, the rhythm of Elsa's breath as it puffed across Ryu's mouth, her instinct demanding she relinquish any other feeling besides contentedness. Elsa grinned, still working her fingers to draw out more chills and shivers from her dragon until she feels a hand shakily push her away. A weak attempt but Elsa conceded.
"Erusa not right now." Ryu groaned, thudding her forehead against Elsa's collarbone.
"I thought this would relax you." Her voice was too sweet, filled with concern as to why the care she was exuding was being rebuffed.
"It does- it does, but I don't want to be THAT relaxed." It dawned on Elsa what she meant crafting an oh face.
"I'm sorry." The spirit went on the retreat. She was still trying to figure out what caused the visceral reaction in that particular place.
Ryu's chuckle was broken, her voice cracked when she spoke nuzzling Elsa. "It's okay, thank you." Elsa closed her eyes, relaxing somewhat against Ryu's warmth. The gesture felt so familiar, to see and feel Ryu behaving as a dragon after concealing it for so long.
Elsa met the familiar with the familiar replying. "Dōitashimashite."
They held each other in an embrace, silently reminding the other that everything was going to work out while doubting it themselves.
It had to.
"This is the window." Ryu whispered, they both peered out of it, it'd be easy for Ryu to sneak out there but Elsa... Well she was much more noticeable than the dragon shockingly enough.
"The only way in I noticed is through those doors, you can watch them for me?" Elsa nodded, then clasped her hand around Ryu's wrist when she tried to unlock it. "I need a way to signal to you that someone is coming."
Ryu hadn't thought that far ahead and had no solution to solve the hiccup. Elsa thought of many possibilities and outcomes that could work. She made a little noise when she concluded the best line of action. Grabbing Ryu's hand she carefully crafted a simple ice ring, slipping it slowly onto her finger.
Ryu examined it. "Pretty."
"No, no see-" Elsa hovered over it, shushing her voice. "It's how I'll get my signal to you. If someone is coming then it'll melt and when the close is clear it'll stay put." Ryu hummed, twisting the cold jewelry around her finger.
"Wow Elsa-" she said with reverence. "You are so smart and talented." She didn't see the other woman's blush as she climbed through the window swiftly, closing it behind herself.
Elsa seated herself on a bench causally, creating a book that held no words but anyone who looked on would have never known.
"Dokoda, dokoda, dokoda?" Ryu chanted as she scrambled through piles of papers and files. "Ah!" She shouted gathering every paper she could stuff into her pockets even the ones that at the moment did not seem relevant. Most importantly she stored the journal within the treasure box in her corset keeping it pressed to her chest. Liquid pooling at her feet made her look at her finger where the ring once sat snug.
"Tawagoto." She cursed not caring any longer if everything was left in its proper place, that wouldn't matter in a few hours time. She flung herself out of the window tumbling down the roof. She would have fallen had her feet not skidded her momentum to halt. Shuffling to her feet she climbed up to the window. Elsa was nowhere to be seen cause of course she wasn't if she sent the signal.
Something uneasy settled at the bottom of Ryu's stomach, her body began pumping itself with adrenaline. She didn't care who saw Elsa's lady in waiting sprinting down the hallways anymore. The whispers and gossip didn't matter, nothing else mattered except finding Elsa and delivering these papers to Anna.
Hands yanked her hard back into a utility closet, clasping over her mouth to keep her from screaming.
She pushed them down so she could speak in haggard pants. "You gotta stop dragging me into closets."
"Sorry. I had to hide, Georg was approaching." Elsa winced, her face was flushed, chest moving like a rabbit's that just avoided a hound.
"I figured."
"He had the princess with him."
"What!" Elsa shushed her harshly.
"Did they say anything?"
She shook her head. "She was just scolding him? For hiding. Did you get the papers, the journal?" Ryu patted herself proudly. Elsa cupped her cheek beaming. "Good job, so proud of you." She shrugged, she had done it before it was hardly a challenge but she'd take praise from Elsa for anything.
"We have to act now."
"What's the next step?" Elsa took a calming moment to sooth her jolting nerves. "We get these to Anna, we bring them to the empress and hope for the best, we have fifty-fifty chance of her not wanting me dead. Who knows maybe I've appealed to her better nature."
"I've had worse odds."
"And you're sure this is everything?" Anna questioned raking her eyes over the documents, ledgers, and journal.
Both Ryu and Elsa nodded, organizing the papers was a difficult task but not as difficult as battling the feelings of anguish at the thought that they had welcomed a witch hunter into their home. Anna felt like a fool, her only comfort was holding Olaf close to her chest.
The worst story they had read was the murder of 70-year-old Elise Plainacher of Mank, a Lutheran, who raised her granddaughter Anna. The girl had suffered some medical condition that was believed to be caused by her grandmother's hexing. The whole ordeal ended with the innocent woman being burned at the stake. The similarities in names only drove the perturbation further home. Anna had seen enough and stood up from the desk, Elsa however wanted to know more no matter how sick and disturbed each story escalated to in detail. The man was sick and needed to be brought down.
Ryu still for the life of her could not fathom why they couldn't just kill him and have it over and done with, but he didn't deserve a quick beheading, no this man deserved a slow agonizingly slow demise. He deserved to burn starting with his feet working the flames up till they would consume him.
Her chest began glowing watching the sisters collect themselves. With Kristoff and Honeymaren in place to present Julien outside the throne room doors. The situation was beyond any of the guards or servants.
To gain an audience with the Empress was easy, the monarch probably assumed they had an answer to her proposal and if the smug way she sat upon her throne was any tell, knew that the answer would be yes. Ophelia stood to her left brow raised in question, surely they could have discussed this after dinner.
"Well dear Queen Anna, do you have an answer to my preposition?" Anna's face remained grave, voice firm and unfaltering.
"Yes I do, we have thought it over carefully and accept your generosity under one condition." The empress waved that off as if nothing they could request would be out of her power to grant.
"We can make the formal arrangements after dinner, I believe a celebration is in order. See Ophelia? I told you the Queen was smart."
"Perhaps before we get ahead of ourselves your Majesty we should consider what the one condition may be." The empress rolled her eyes, landing them on Anna.
"Earlier this month my sister's life was threatened as you know, our request is that you bring the people responsible to justice-" the Empress remained passive at this, having the complete confidence that it could be within her ability to do so. "first being Julien of Brazil who gained access to our shores through a ship originating from this nation-" Ophelia balked in an undignified squeak.
"Do you have proof of this Queen Anna?"
The weeks, days, hours of toiling away, ripping her hair out, the threat against her sister's life all became lava pooling into her face resulting in a deathly glare. It was unfair really, she knew that Ophelia was suspicious by nature and if she were in her position would probably demand proof as well, but her patience was thin and she would not be challenged. Honeymaren and Kristoff accompanied by the royal convoy's guards bursted through the door with a very battered Julien in shackles and gagged, after being dismissed Arendelle's guards marched back out to leave the royals in privacy. Had they beat him before they came in? Anna wondered noticing the bruises and lumps decorating his head.
Good.
"I do, the next accused is your pulpit orator in the Archduchy of Ruskland, Goerg Scherer. We have documented evidence of his contractual connections with the assassin as well as personal history that further back up such claims." The thick silence which followed did not have a chance to settle with the Empress kicking it back up to cloud the air around them.
"Very Well then... We'll put them to death." Anna and Elsa's eyes widened at the blaise calm in the Empress' words. "Your majesty!" Ophelia rebuked but was silenced.
"Of course Ophelia you can look over the documents presented by the Queen and Lady Elsa while we have dinner. Is that all?" The sister's had wondered if Ryu had gotten to the Empress somehow.
"Uumm-" Anna began now at a loss for words. "No? We believe there is some connection to whomever sent him to Arendelle in the first place."
Now the monarch began paying attention but she spoke as one would to a child who had asked them to check under their bed for monsters. "It was me, I sent him but if I wanted Lady Elsa dead you would not have been able to track it back to me. I'm not so sloppy."
It was both reassuring and very unsettling, so much so that now they all were positive that the empress had done such a thing to others.
"Actually if I may my Majesty point out that Arendelle's magic was first brought to your attention by-"
The doors opened a second time producing a confused Princess Darya, she slowed her steps awkwardly smiling. "Ooh God everyone looks so serious." She chuckled. Her eyes locked with Elsa's still smiling as she approached her mother's throne.
"Darya I'm afraid I don't have time for you currently, I'm in the midst of an arrest." The princess' hands flew to her chest. "Who?" She looked around.
"This here, Brazilian fellow though I think Arendelle has already seen it and Georg Scherer. No loss on our account so no need to be concerned."
Darya's smile didn't falter though there was something rather unhinged slipping away, as if her makeup was being melted. "Oh mother, that won't be necessary."
The Empress finally looked at her, growing irritated. "It is if I say it is."
"And what I hear you saying is that you don't care for the good of our empire." The puzzle pieces fell into place for the old monarch. She exhaled long and hard, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Oh Darya..." She said woefully. "Have you been being a cunt lately?"
"Another mess for me to clean up." Ophelia muttered, shaking her head.
"Don't be so dramatic O." She rebuked, turning to face the shocked foreign royals. "You think we are fools. That you could come running to my mother with your problems and have them solved by holding hands and making friends. That you could hold the very end of the world in your arms and say that love solves all." When the word love passed her lips she gazed heatedly at Elsa. "Do you not realize how terrifying it is to exist in a world with someone who can control the breath of Skadi herself and to just be expected to take your word for it... That you're nice."
Elsa held out her hand to deescalate the situation as best she could ignoring her sneers. "Darya, I mean no harm to anyone, I never have and never will. There is a dark side to my magic, to all magic but there's a light side as well that can help and heal. I am still human and can't control the fact that I have magic, I can't control how strong it grows, but I can control what I do with it. I have a choice just like everyone else and I chose to be good." Her other had clasped Anna's arm when she surged forward not knowing what her temper would make her do to this woman.
Darya broke down in laughter clutching her stomach. "Oh Elsa, you actually believe that-"
"That is enough!" The empress shouted, echoing it throughout the room but Darya's rage continued marching forward.
"You actually believe that you can convince everyone that you're a saint! When you froze over your own country with fear. When you froze your own sister's heart!" She descended down the steps to face Elsa who held her place. She touched her face gently searching inside her, Anna wanted to pull her sister away but Elsa held out her palm. She knew there was good inside her and she wanted Darya to see it. "As you said you're still human and all humans have a breaking point. I don't want to find out yours." The remorseful confession was followed by a greater pain than Elsa had ever experienced.
"Elsa!" She heard her family cry but she was too stunned to go to them, instead crumpling down on knees holding her left side. She bled like everyone else, and wailed like any other human would. She wanted to stop the bleeding but found her left hand useless for producing magic.
Darya examined the black blade stained with blood.
"What have you done you foolish, stupid, girl!" Her mother cursed while Ophelia stood between the two of them to protect her Empress.
Anna rushed to Elsa's aid trying to put pressure on the womb while Kristoff punched the princess in the face with a force that knocked her off her feet with Honeymaren confiscating the blade from her. The glass chamber filled with green smoke ran from the end into the curved black blade, the shape of an hour glass. She stared at it then to Elsa, green tendrils slithered through her left side like vile snakes.
Ryu's head lifted from its perch on her arms. Something wasn't right. It was approaching fast. A feeling of illness spiraled her into a panic as she sank to her knees looking around the room. Olaf swiftly ran to her. "What's wrong Ryu? Are you sick? Do you need a doctor?" Her mouth gaped open as she took quick gulps of air in.
"Olaf..." she rasped, squeezing her head. "Something is not right. I just-" Her ears burned and rang. "Olaf get down!" She tackled the snowman to the ground clutching him tightly. The wood, rock, cobblestone and glass bursted in an explosion, opening the room out to the outside air, a gigantic mass stumbled and struggled to gain its feet letting out terrible screeches and guttural croaks. The bird bellowed, breaking the furniture and scratching the floors barreling towards them. Ryu froze in place at the sight of the known magical nightmare from her last coming to haunt her.
This couldn't be real.
It couldn't be.
It wasn't.
"Ryu we have to go!" Olaf yelled.
It was.
Olaf used his body to push her out the crater the bird had made in the side of the palace.
Crashing down to the ground, when he landed his body splattered leaving only his head intact. The snow pillows accumulated back together.
Ryu had face planted, starting a vicious nose bleed when she smacked the cobblestone. The Phoenix leapt down towards her. She transformed to meet its impact with her own large clawed feet and threw the heavy jade beast off of her. She stood between it and Olaf not emitting very ferocious sounds, more so pathetic pules with her tendrils pulled tightly back against her head. There was running and screaming alike at the strange monsters inhibiting the courtyard.
The behemoths encircled each other, sizing their opponent up. The bird's glowing yellow eyes held no regard for Olaf who clung to Ryu's leg. She bent low keeping an eye on the monster while helping him scramble up to her back between her wings. Her lips curled revealing slobbery sharp fangs, scales rattling to hiss. She reared up on her hind legs creating gusts of strong winds with her wings.
Chest glowing with the deep inhale she took, a huge wall of flames poured from her throat enveloping the Jade monstrosity.
Guards broke into the room yet instead of pointing their spears at the rogue princess they aimed at the royal family, they made quick work of the unsuspecting Arendellen soldiers in the hall. Kristoff and Honeymaren were restrained, kicking and jabbing everywhere, Anna caught against her captors in a more desperate manner as they pulled her away from her sister.
"Uh I- wa- your highness!" One of the traitors pointed towards the window.
A giant green rocky bird collided with a dragon, teeth and talons gnashing against one another in mid air till it circled around dragging Ryu with it, on the third rotation it released the dragon sending her hurtling towards the throne room. The collision was catastrophic. Using the chaos to their advantage the royal family scramble to their feet, ripping some weapons away from the unsuspecting.
"Ryu! Anna!" Elsa yelped, using all of her strength to hobble up to her feet and towards her family. They regrouped near Ryu's panting frame watching the Ruskland guard go into survival mode and usher their monarchs out of the room. Screams erupted in the halls.
Ryu stood to her legs and shook the pain away. A rancid yet familiar scent stole her focus off of the jade bird to Elsa. Her large head lowered, examining the wound. Elsa gently touched her snout to comfort but also to ensure she didn't attempt to lick it. "Things didn't quite go as planned." She rasped, chuckling.
Ryu shrunk down, moving in haste to carry Elsa bridal style before the bird would attack again. It crashed itself into the building creating more damage and rubble, crumbling the pillars and walls around them.
Anna screamed, clutching Kristoff pulling him away from the debris. "Come on this way!" Honeymaren called from the double doors which barely hung onto the hinges. The group fled into the halls, they skidded to halt when some guards ran across the adjacent hallway in front of them. Kristoff ushered everyone into a spare room barricading the doors.
Elsa yelped when placed down on a chair. "Erusa what happened?" Ryu was completely flabbergasted searching with Anna for something, anything that could wrap the wound.
"Darya-she-" Using her right hand the cool sensation was enough to keep her from fainting.
"That traitorous little vile cunt!" Anna angrily stormed over with a cloth she ripped off of a piece of furniture. A tremor shook the room cracking the ceiling. "She's the one who sent Goerg, she's the one who wants Elsa dead, she's a part of that creepy little cult Julien mentioned. She stabbed her with the same weapon they used on the other spirits. It's done something to her." Her tone of voice did not match the gentle and soft way she handled Elsa's wound.
"I'll be alright." Elsa softly offered, Honeymaren gripped her shoulders, before looking up with complete fear in her eyes. "Ryu what the fuck is that thing?"
"Another one of Darya's pranks?" Kristoff asked stalking to the windows to peer out carefully.
Ryu took shaky breaths, tears streaming down her cheeks. "No-" she croaked, heart raced too fast, her throat closing up. Her friends were already in danger and now peril thanks to her. "It's a- from- it's from-'' she couldn't say his name less he appeared right inside this very room. She was petrified and certain her bladder was about to release all it had to offer.
"Hey." Honeymaren left Elsa to grab Ryu to shake her a little. "Hey. It's gonna be okay but we need you. We have to keep clear heads and make sure everyone is safe and we are as well but most importantly-" she gestured to Elsa slumped in the chair. "We have to get Elsa to safety. Slow down your breathing okay." It was Anna's turn to placate grabbing the hyperventilating dragon. She and Honeymaren both glanced at each other, sometimes they forgot Ryu was the youngest here, just a kid really, less than a month into the age of twenty. "Ryu all I need you to do is help me protect Elsa okay? That's it, the rest of us will handle everything else, I just need you to protect Elsa. Can you do that for me?" Ryu licked her dry lips and nodded, she kept on nodding cause that's all she could do, nod and slow down her lungs. Anna slipped a sheet around her naked body.
"Do you know where Olaf is sweetheart?" Elsa immediately regretted asking. "Hey was on my back when they- the Jade bird threw me! He must have fallen into the gardens! Oh god! Oh no!" Ryu broke down again. She was supposed to protect him.
"Ryu it'll be okay, I'll find him." Kristoff voiced firmly. "Not by yourself." Anna warned. Kristoff rubbed a palm down his face.
"Well we can't exactly drag Elsa down there Carrot-top."
"I'll go with him-" Honeymaren twirled her staff as it extended to full height. "You guys get Elsa to ship and Kristoff and I will meet you there."
A bellow that was unlike the screech of any normal bird drew up their heads. They held in air watching the door.
"Ryu..." Anna began carefully. "Is that the noise a bird makes?" She whispered. Ryu shook her head slowly. "No it's not." Ryu walked up to the door and listened.
She pulled away going to Elsa, when she helped her to her feet the strangled noises Elsa released broke her heart. "Come on Elsa. I'm taking you home now."
Elsa could exhale in relief at the sound of that. It wasn't pleasant or easy to stay upright but she could manage with the help of Anna to climb through the window after Ryu had checked the skies.
Anna kissed Kristoff long and hard before separating on the roof. There wasn't really any time for anything else, they'd see each in a few minutes ideally.
Ryu stayed silent when she changed, able to support Elsa's body much easier now, she stayed low on her limbs like a cat. They crept along the tiles, avoiding both guards and shadows in the sky whether they were large or small. Anna jumped when she felt Ryu beneath her stiffen, breaking out into a feral growl.
Anna had to rub her eyes to confirm her vision was still correct. Perched atop a ruined tower sat a giant bird, much bigger than Ryu, made of a deep green stone. Its eyes glowered over the city. The sound of rock rumbled deep whenever it shifted its weight on those terribly sharp talons. The crest of stone feathers went upright whenever something had caught its attention. She hated to admit it but... this creature was absolutely magnificent.
Elsa too sat up to study it in awe and when she did its neck craned towards them. Instead of attacking it threw its head back and let out an ear piercing caw to the skies.
Elsa whispered, "It's... communicating.." but not with them. When she and the Jade bird locked eyes they both froze in place unable to look away. "Are you in that much pain?" Elsa muttered. Anna pulled her sister back against her chest frightened that delirium had taken hold.
Ryu was less amazed with the monster. Neither made the first move, refusing to break the tense stand down.
"Up there!" An archer cried pointing up the two myths. The bird screamed when they began shooting pointless arrows at its hard surface and launched for Ryu. She was quicker of the two not made from stone but rather muscle and sinew. Arrows were aimed at her as well which she carefully avoided maneuvering through buildings. Anna clutched her tendrils tightly aiding in providing a second pair of eyes moving Ryu's head in accordance to avoid arrows and other projectiles thrown their way.
The twists and turns made them lose momentum allowing the bird to catch up and grasp Ryu's side in talons clawing bloody scratches into her. Her fire did nothing but discombobulate the bird's vision. Anna screamed as she clutched Elsa closer to Ryu's back to avoid being speared. With neither flying beasts looking at where they were going they crashed into the side of a large building. The dragon did her best to stay off of her back to not crush her passengers. When the dust settled Anna growled with the endeavor of coaxing Ryu to lift her large head up and stand to her unsteady paws.
"Come on Ryu we have to go!" She kept her eyes on the bird dislodging itself from the rubble still hanging on Elsa who had long since fainted from the pain thrusted on her from the fight. Ryu flew up and took off as fast as her wings would carry them. Anna looking behind at the pursuer and then at Ryu's frantic eyes which reflected her terror thought about the water passing beneath them. "Ryu fly up as high as you can go! Go, GO!" Ryu obeyed, taking them in a direct incline towards the sky. The air bit into Anna's skin, she grit her teeth from the exertion of holding Elsa and onto Ryu against Gravity's very will.
"Now dive!" She ordered once they were high enough, the bird naturally followed. The wind burned her eyes and her thighs begged for some relief of the tension she forced them through. As they plummeted her heart slowed with the water and crashing waves of the sea coming closer and closer to view.
She needed every single second they could spare.
Not yet. They were seventeen feet above the water.
"Not yet!"
Fifteen feet.
"Wait!"
Nine feet. She could taste the salt of the water. Elsa's eyes fluttered open taking inventory of their situation through giant eyes, her fingers reached over Anna's in a death grip, she glanced behind her and Anna could only offer an apologetic half smile. She nodded dazedly and turned back to look at the water. Ryu crooned and she too stared back at the both of them. Their gazes held so much hope and faith.
"Trust me." Anna promised. She faced forward. She did trust Anna and Elsa with all that was in her, she trusted these girls.
Five feet.
"Now!" Ryu felt every part of her spine crack in protest at the curve she sliced through the air. Her head was the first to go up followed by her torso and the rest of her body.
As the bird hit the water, they rushed upward to avoid the upcoming tidal waves. Ryu flew them towards the harbor.
"Kristoff! Olaf! Honeymaren!" Anna waved frantically. Ryu roared at the crew who cheered at the sight of them.
Kristoff's expression of relief and joy morphed to one of warning waving his arms for them to move out the way they could barely hear his yells and hollars. Ryu twirled to the left avoiding the chomping beak.
Elsa had nearly fallen from the twist crying out to hold on and not plummet to waters below.
"Elsa, we can try to drop you off on the ship!" Anna announced already trying to concoct a plan of how to make that happen. Maybe they could circle back but they'd have to make it quick, Ryu's labored breathing and grunts notified her she wasn't doing too hot and could not keep this up injured and bleeding.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm not leaving you two ever!" Elsa stubbornly gripped Ryu's tendrils tighter facing forward. "We can lose them, trade places with me." She petted along Ryu's back. "Ryu you're doing great honey, just keep us steady, you only have to do this for a little longer."
The dragon growled, shaking her head violently, exhausted. She evened out in the air allowing Anna and Elsa to carefully trade places. Elsa sat with her back to Anna's. She set to work with her uninjured hand, tethering herself to Anna's waist. "Help Ryu navigate the storm."
"What storm?" Anna peaked over her shoulder. Elsa decided to answer with action, she dug down into herself shutting her eyes tight before opening them vision zeroing in on the bird which still would not relent. Holding up her right arm she released gusts of icy winds, praying to the closest thing she had to a God and begged Ahtohallan to strengthen her gift. It felt as if her energies were draining the more snow and ice poured and materialized around them. The bird cawed in surprise as the blizzard enveloped them. Her chest burned, her headache, and body felt ready to collapse but still she kept on crafting the perfect storm. The winds would carry it on all the way back to Ruskland so long as she pushed with everything she could offer.
She tried to send another gale but her arm fell limply at her side as she slumped against Anna's back. "You're amazing Elsa!" She cheered, reaching behind to ensure Elsa's safety. "You as well Ryu, just follow my direction." Her teeth chattered, shaking her words. "You're just getting started, I know it!" She pivoted them off of the straight course to a hard left. If they had been going forward the whole time she could circle back to somewhere near the coast where they could rest, take shelter and lick their wounds.
It was a full hour and thirty minutes before her eyes could make out some land. Ryu's panic served well to spur her wings to keep flapping. Anna feared a couple of times whenever she felt turbulence that they would crash into the ocean.
"Ryu look!" Anna pointed to the snowy peninsula. Ryu did not hesitate in her decline. Anna could feel the dragon's ragged body grow heavier and heavier the closer they drew to land. It was definitely going to be a crash landing. Tightening the tether Anna went straight into damage control angling and spurring Ryu's body to angle in a way that wouldn't cause too much causality.
She bit down growling with strain to tip Ryu's snout upward, closing her eyes at the very last second bracing. Elsa yelped, lifting her wrist to pillow their fall in a patch of soft snow that wasn't nearly big enough but was better than nothing. Ryu spun out bringing the girls to her chest enclosing them with legs, arms, and her wings.
She landed onto her back skidding her large body forward. Anna clutched Elsa's head screaming.
When Anna cracked her eye open she shot up. "Elsa!" Head bumping against Ryu's wing. The dragon opened her body shield allowing the women to sit up. "Are you okay?" Anna asked, lifting Elsa up, checking her for any other injuries. "Yes, all the same. What about you oh god Anna." She held her left side using her right hand to do the same checking over her as well then hugged her tightly taking a moment to catch up with the events that had been racing by them.
Ryu stumbled to straighten her legs and walked off a small distance before collapsing to the ground. "Ryu!" Anna called, she didn't answer, she didn't want to answer. All she wanted to do was lay here in the storm.
She knew in reality she should have dropped Anna and Elsa onto the ship and fly off taking the Phoenix with her. Now here they were stuck, thousands of miles away from home. She swore on every star, yet she was reckless and once again a coward. She'd take them back home. She had too.
They sat there for twenty minutes until Ryu caught up with her pounding heart.
"Do you think you can walk?" Anna asked, Elsa made a face, nodding. "Yes, yes I can walk. I don't know for how long though."
"At least for as long as it takes to find shelter." Anna surveyed the area, there were some rocky formations along the coast above those the peninsula led up into dense forest.
When she turned there stood Ryu offering her back to them. "Ryu-" Elsa began placing her palms against her flank. "You've done more than enough, I'm not going to burden you with my weight."
"Yeah I'll carry her fat butt, I'm in the best shape out of all of us." Anna quipped. The dragon denied her attempts to lighten the mood and insisted with a growl. Sighing Elsa allowed Anna to hoist her up to the dragon's shoulders. Ryu focused her vision on the distances, pressing her hot body to Anna's to keep her warm as they walked.
It took a while before they found a cave dry enough facing down wind of the storm. Elsa sat on a snowbank allowing Anna to look closely at her wound. It appeared very irritated, with veins of red and green weaving through it, luckily it seemed to be clotting.
"Hey Els, do you think you can close it off? I know you used a lot of energy in the air but I don't want it bleeding out through the night." Anna cooed, picking up Elsa's hand and placing it on her side.
Elsa nodded scooting to sit up a bit more. Small flakes of crystal and snow began spilling over the area covering it tightly. Her hand fell with her head. "That's all I got." She replied meekly.
"Hey-" Anna cupped her cheek, lifting her face to her own to connect their foreheads. "I am so proud of you. You are the strongest person I know."
Elsa smiled wearily and let her eyes close savoring the feel of Anna's heart and pulse beneath her skin.
Ryu sat on her haunches by the cave entrance staring out into the storm, turning when Anna called her back in while gathering as much foliage and anything flammable as she could scavenge. "Could you uhh? Do you think you can" Anna moved her hands from her mouth creating what sounded like an explosion. Ryu leaned close to the pile and breathed heavily through her nostrils casting a torch illuminating the cave. The light kept Elsa just on cusp of falling asleep.
It was now Anna's turn to take a much needed and earned rest against the stone wall. Her arms dangled from her bent legs, green trousers ripped, her stately jacket barely did anything to insulate her from the chilly winds. "We need a plan guys." She could barely be heard over the flickering embers.
"I have one." Said the naked Ryu crouched, staring into the flames. Elsa averted her eyes, flushing. "I'm taking you and Elsa home."
That was the best news any of them had heard all day. "Right, good plan, but we're gonna have to figure out how to stop that giant rock turkey."
"That's just it, you don't." Ryu couldn't meet Anna's blurry mirage distorted by the heat. "I'll handle it."
"And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"
"I don't know, once I drop you two off I'll figure it out." Now Elsa was awake, sitting up the fatigue was swapped for anxiety, voice trembling in her throat. "Ryu, I'm not allowing that."
"It's not a matter of allowance Erusa, it will track me down and it will find me. I'd rather not put everyone I lo... Grown to care for at risk. Not again."
"No-I no this isn't right. I am supposed to protect you, we protect each other Ryu, you can't just leave. You have a home in Arendelle and people who care about you there." Anna was at her side pulling her back to recline.
"I don't think we have much of a choice." Ryu replied defeatedly.
"Everyone has a choice they're free to make in life Ryu, you can choose to not let us help you with this and stick together and then I have freedom to choose to help you very easily without you agreeing or you can let us help on your own turns." Anna said, feeling quite proud of herself.
"You don't get it do you? They're Yokai put into Jade vessels, given a task, to either kill me or bring me back maybe both. I don't know. I just know they are spirits, once unruly and angry only calmed by dragon's magic. They served them grateful for the peace. And now Susanoo has control over that magic, and he has given them a task. They don't tire or rest, they're already dead." Elsa thought back to when she saw the phoenix. She heard anguish, and agony, writhing searching for reprieve. It believed that once it completed its mission it would find tranquility and begged Elsa to stay out of its way. Elsa knew. She knew that it would not be granted peace of any kind while in the charge of the Mikoto family.
"If they're yokai? Was it? Controlled by dragon magic then you should be able to stop them!" Anna voiced. Ryu's face scrunched up in pain and irritation. "Maybe we can try and you can, I don't know, order them to stop? I mean surely they'd rather listen to a real dragon than someone who stole their magic. All we have to do is try Ryu. We don't have to give up."
Ryu snapped standing up. She growled low, hissing.
"I can't! I'm not like the dragons of old! I'm a hollow imitation-a mockery of what dragons once we're a coward who still would rather run and hide." She postured her shoulders forward towards the queen who stood up to meet her challenge. Elsa weakly protested just to be ignored.
"I'm not like you guys, I don't have the strength or bravery to fight!"
"Bullshit." Anna said with venom, fist balling up, Elsa didn't know if she was going to punch Ryu but she was ready to either leap up between or fall down trying, at least then they'd spend time helping her instead of fighting.
"You entered a town where people attacked you, shot at you just to save Elsa while nearly dying in the process. You set my home on fire to get answers and stood alone in a cell with a man who ruptured your kidney!"
"Liver-" Ryu offhandedly corrected.
"I don't care! You then went undercover in a foreign land just to help, then instead of running away when that bird attacked you, you protected Olaf, you protected Elsa and you protected me! You speak of dragons of old whoa scary, how amazing they were. Well I never met one! None of them saved my sister so to hell with the dragons of old. We don't need the dragons of old, we need you! The dragon of new or whatever."
Ryu changed back to her scaled form and stalked towards the entrance, tail flicking back and forth.
"You like facts, well those are things that literally happened! You're not a coward. But you are a hypocrite."
Not the approach Elsa would have made but her mind was too jumbled and lines too crossed. A few stray tears escaped her eyes. Her family was hurting, she wanted nothing more than an answer of what she could have done to protect them better, if there was a thing she could have done to love them better than she had. Ryu and Anna were scared, hurt and there was nothing she could do to keep her safe like she promised.
"You don't run and hide cause you're selfish and care only about yourself. You do it cause it's all you've known, you know they're going to catch you eventually and you're just biding time. You fight and give your life for Elsa, to protect her. And she cared about you and I care about her and I won't let you hurt her by running away and getting yourself killed. I protect her too... even from you. So we are going to find a way back to Arendelle, to Grand Pabbie and Bulda and stop that jade demon and then we're going to I don't know arrest that bitch Darya." Ryu stood frozen hunched over, exhaustion hit her like a falling mountain. Her eyes looked the same as when she was in the crow's nest. Still questioning her worth, her decisions and even her very existence itself. Elsa very well couldn't let her do that. A determination numbed her own pity for herself and all those around her, numbed the wound. So long as she, Anna, and Ryu were still breathing, no promise had been broken yet.
"Ryu?" Elsa's sweet call drew her head up. "It goes away." She held out her fingers wanting nothing more than to feel the warmth. Ryu hesitated before limping over to her. She cautiously curled herself around Elsa. Anna stood above them, cranky and disheveled. "Move over." She mumbled. Elsa smiled despite the situation, Anna was finally joining a cuddle session. Sure it took her getting stabbed and a giant bird which almost ate them all but she was finally joining!
She wrapped her arm round Elsa letting her rest in the crook of her neck. Ryu's heat radiating through them and pretty soon both women were snoring. Elsa's lips held a constant grin and Anna's were leaking drool all over Ryu's scales.
She watched them sleep for a long while, outlasting the fire they built. She never agreed to what Anna said. They could be left in Arendelle and she'd leave the first opportunity she could. Wasn't that what love was? Being willing to let them go? They'd move on, especially if she was already gone before they could say goodbye. Maybe that's what she was meant to do, with all she had come across, to eventually say goodbye and the more she clung to them the more danger and hurt she caused. They'd remember each other kindly which was more than what Ryu ever could ask for. She'd still consider herself lucky to get so close to love, having been around the world she had seen so many that never got the chance.
It was okay to say goodbye. All things died, that was a law that no one could break, no man or woman, no lord, no king, no empress... No dragon.
Ryu wasn't as foolish as one would think, she knew they cared deeply for her, that she'd somehow wormed her way into their hearts and they into hers.
She'd break all their hearts carefully.
Dōitashimashite- you're welcome
Dokoda- where are you or where is it
Tawagoto- shit
Georg Scherer an actual historical figure (1540 – 30 November 1605) was a Roman Catholic pulpit orator and controversialist. In 1583, Scherer played a role in Vienna's one and only case of witch-burning. 70-year-old Elise Plainacher of Mank, Lower Austria, a Lutheran, had raised her granddaughter Anna Schlutterbauer ever since the girl's mother died. When Anna was 17 her father, Elise's Catholic son-in-law, took custody and moved with Anna to St. Pölten. There, the girl suffered seizures, probably epileptic, that were blamed on a hex placed by her grandmother. Anna and Elise were brought to Vienna, where Scherer conducted a rigorous "investigation" (exorcisms combined with interrogation) at St. Barbara's Church in Fleischmarkt. Over the course of several days, Scherer claimed to have discovered 12,652 demons inhabiting Anna's body and spirit. At length the exhausted and confused girl agreed that her grandmother had hexed her. Elise was taken to the notorious Rogues' House (Malefizhaus) at 10 Rauhensteingasse for interrogation under torture. Her eventual confession was so unconvincing that the mayor of Vienna appealed to Emperor Rudolf II to overturn it, but Scherer brought ecclesiastical pressure to bear and the Emperor declined the petition. Elise Plainacher was burned at the stake and her ashes thrown into the Danube on 28 September 1583.