Routine wasn't a very common matter that would ordain Ryu's actions in the past, but that was the general consensus for many who favored nomadism. Could she actually call it that? What else would she call it?
Running.
At first she would worry that the mundane settling would cause her to become restless, irritable with feelings of stagnation calling her back to the skies and seas but whenever she would look to the horizon their calls fell silent. Truth be told life in Arendelle wasn't as simple or quaint as one would assume. There was always something happening, someone to help in and out of the forest. Her friends made it easy for the days to fly by quickly. From the spirits either wanting to play or show her something, to the locals some still weary and others readily accepting the dragon's aid in pulling or delivering something, setting fires to things that needed burning or keeping the children out of their hairs if only for a few minutes. The true highlight however made Ryu smile to herself no matter who was present.
Erusa.
That was the answer of what– well who was keeping her put. The deal continued between them, each day they shared a bit more of themselves with the other, be it through conversations, playing, or simply tending to the house. Elsa would try to help as much as she could but was always rebuked back to resting. Surprisingly enough it was her who had begun to grow edgy during her recovery.
A day trip to Arendelle could not come soon enough as far as Elsa was concerned. She smiled and waved at citizens who greeted her enthusiastically, taking time out from running their businesses and shopping to speak with Elsa. Ryu waited patiently at her side, that is until the lure of whatever they were selling caught her attention. A familiar scent drew her away from the seamstress who was talking Elsa's ear off about weaving and sewing to a small shop, the door was opened to allow the interior to cool off from the baking ovens on display behind the counter. Entering slowly Ryu drew closer to the ovens taking inventory of how they were built. Now if she could make that but smaller.
"Well if it isn't my little river rock friend!" Glancing up she saw the large robust baker coming from the back. "Do you like it?" He gestured grandly to the store. It was cozy with two round tables seated by the window accompanied with chairs. Ryu nodded. "Less portable than a cart eh?" He chortled at the jest. "As much as I love these–" he nodded to the water bowl housing a few fish and Ryu's last payment adorning the bottom. "I'm afraid I'll be needing actual money this time hmm? Browse around, everything is made fresh by the hour." Ryu examined the desserts displayed in glass, eyeing the Cinnamon snails with envy. She didn't have any money.
"See something you like?" She didn't turn, feeling instead how close Elsa was leaning close to her ear. A hand clasped her shoulder when she nodded. Elsa straightened, greeting the baker. "Ah Miss Elsa! What a great pleasure!"
"Hello , this new shop is quite impressive-"
"And we've only been open for one month." The man boasted joyously. "A little less mobile than your cart but very nice." He looked between Elsa and Ryu shaking his head laughing. "What did you pick?" Elsa goaded but Ryu shook her head. "We don't have to."
"Ah she's being modest, this one devoured the cinnamon snails right in front of me the moment they reached her hands, you should have seen her face, it was as if her world was changed forever." His large hands created a rainbow pattern for effect.
Elsa giggled looking down at Ryu who for some reason was blushing. "They were good." She mumbled crossing her arms. Elsa scratched her neck ordering one. When offered other deals she politely refused thanking him for the dessert.
"Thank you!" Ryu took it looking between them, and just as he said she bit into it and smiled, closing her eyes content. "And for the lovely miss?" Elsa shook her head.
"That'll be all, thank you." Just as they were out the door he gave one last attempt.
"Well perhaps another time you can try the chocolate croissants. Have a good day." He smirked seeing Elsa halt halfway out the door. She paused for a moment, squinting her eyes in thought.
"What kind of chocolate do you bake into them?" She tried to keep her voice nonchalant as if she hadn't already been sold. Still she was a connoisseur when it came to certain things and wouldn't accept just any confection smothered in coco.
Markus went into an explanation of the process and the types he used. Their three minute visit had turned to twelve.
"What?" Ryu merely shook her head laughing as they exited with the treats. Elsa of course got the croissant and then she had to get something for Bruni, and Honeymaren, and Ryder, Kristoff and Anna. "What?" Elsa asked again.
"You'd never survive at a bazaar." Ryu quipped finishing her food. Elsa indignantly huffed at this. "I try to contribute to Arendelle's economy as much as possible. So your insinuation of me spending frivolously is unfounded." She nudged her gently as they walked upon the bridge. It was true, Elsa gave her business to most of the local shopkeepers in Arendelle and traded regularly with her tribe, sometimes connecting traders and sellers with the help of Anna..
Ryu ran and jumped up the railing leaning against it looking down at the sloshing water below. The wind wisped her bangs against her head, as the salty taste of the air complimented nicely with the cinnamon still lingering on her tongue. Elsa joined her resting her elbows against the stone.
"Erusa?"
"Hai?"
"Ever wonder what's at the bottom of the sea?" Despite the uncomfortable nature the question held, Elsa still grinned. Inquiries such as this were nothing new when spending time with Ryu. She wondered about so many things, sometimes in hopes to gain something and other times to just simply know.
"Erusa are all humans the same on the inside?"
"Yes, generally speaking, there are some genetic differences, large and small but the anatomical makeup follows the same rule or at least tries to." Noticing the dragon's perplexed expression she pulled away from her work and motioned for Ryu to come closer.
Taking her hand she placed it on her heart. "It's nice." Ryu commented. "Thank you, now I have a heart that beats just like every other person in the world, but my heart may be stronger than another's either due to age, or sickness, or simply because they were born with one that is more frail."
Ryu felt it under her fingers, it's Rhythm picking up the longer she lingered there. "Do I have a strong heart?" She jutted her chest out towards Elsa who grinned. She needn't check to know the answer to that but she pressed her hand to Ryu all the same.
"Yes, you have a very very strong and warm heart." Elsa murmured.
Elsa hummed, staring out at the horizon. "I never actually wondered, I've always been more curious about what's in the sky than down below in the water, that is until I met you." It was true, all of Ryu's stories had sparked a curiosity about the depths more than any book Elsa had read.
Jumping down once she grew tired of sitting still Ryu held out her palm with a wide grin. "Want to hold my hand?" Elsa gulped. She wanted to, even more so that Ryu had asked first but they weren't children nor related. Arendelle was lenient in the aspect of affection and the people's demeanor generally were very friendly towards one another. Still Elsa felt a self conscious pinch nipping at the back of her neck at the idea of it.
Slowly she entangled her fingers with Ryu's who practically skipped down the pathway. The people did not eye them suspiciously as Elsa's mind kept insisting they were, they did however become more curious of the character when they stopped to speak with Elsa.
How she wanted to hold Ryu's hand without these nasty fears or emotions ruining the moment. Disgusting shivers of revulsion shook her frame at the idea of some greater being looking down at them in disgust. Ryu didn't deserve that, she was a being of purity and all Elsa was doing was just tainting her chaste legacy red. Ryu did not deserve to ever be associated with guilt and shame. Elsa took an unsteady breath and focused on her warmth. Elsa knew she shouldn't be ashamed of being with her, she wouldn't be, she refused… and yet, shame was there. She wanted to give Ryu everything and more, including herself. Didn't she?
Elsa did not believe that those who chose the same gender were in need of persecution or wrong, it made her question where these feelings originated from.
If she was this disturbed by just holding Ryu's hand in public, how could she ever… she gulped… how could she ever move forward in the relationship?
Ryu didn't raise a fuss when Elsa let go of her hand when they passed the church, briefly hurrying her steps to get away from the building in quick succession.
Ryu looked over her shoulder, studying it with a frown. Did something terrible happen there to Elsa she hadn't told her about? Sure she knew Elsa's aversion to religion, especially the Lutheranism that dominated Arendelle but this was more than a mere disregard for this building and what it symbolized. She had developed her own demons with religion, having seen too much both beautiful and atrocious. It frightened her, Elsa hadn't even looked back to ensure the girl was still following.
She jogged to catch up and remained silent. It hurt, how much more relaxed Elsa seemed now that there was no contact connecting them. Ryu's hands made a home in her pockets, she understood. She wasn't bound by the same rules as the spirit. She was already a monster and had no reputation to keep pristine and perfect. Elsa had much more to lose than she.
She didn't know what it felt like to have so much on the line except her own sanity, but she could understand. They had to be discreet and upkeep propriety. Sure she'd love it if the woman kissed her senseless in front of any who'd dare look but she didn't need it. What they shared was enough, more than enough and Ryu would respect the danger of what they were doing. She didn't mind being a dirty little secret so long as she was Elsa's secret to keep.
Elsa needed to make it up to Ryu, for so many things; her behavior sullying their outting, the terrible thoughts she had about her and for any future blunders she was certain she'd make, she needed get them out of here yet she couldn't very well drag Ryu all the way back home just to… what was Elsa going to do to make it up to her actually? Maybe she could accomplish two things with one act. She was feeling uncertain about this and Ryu needed an apology.
Her eyes looked around desperately, Ryu's eyes began scanning too, not sure what Elsa was searching for but eager to help.
After walking down a narrow alley she found it. Ryu yelped when Elsa urgently pushed her into the rickety old shed, dark and dusty with the only light being any late sun rays that bled through the cracks in the walls and roof.
"Uuuh?" She began but was silenced seeing Elsa wring her fingers till they turned pink. "May I kiss you?" Ryu blinked at the question tilting her head. "Okay?" Elsa took her cheek gently rubbing it with her thumb. Her eyes were still searching yet for something else entirely. Every now and then a sound from the outside drew Ryu's stare to the door. Elsa leaned in, hesitating, breathing in Ryu's air. It was stuffy in there but her cool fingers soothed any discomfort created by the heat.
When their lips first embraced Elsa stiffened, till about three seconds in her tight muscles relaxed and pushed her forward. Yes, this felt right. This felt good. She began moving her lips against Ryu's who responded with a purr. Elsa's fingers gripped the back of her neck pulling their bodies flush against the other. This felt too good.
Ryu licked her lips, it was reactionary for Elsa to capture her tongue and draw it into her mouth gently with her own, and when Ryu squeezed her hips a groan traveled up from Elsa's stomach to her throat. Elsa turned and twisted her head searching for the best angle that would put them even closer if it were possible. This felt right, it was natural even though Elsa knew others would deem it an abomination. Ryu licked her jaw, invited to Elsa's neck by some light head pressing from those cool slender fingers. The small trills and growls Ryu made alongside her randy actions sent currents of electricity throughout Elsa's form, foreshadowing the feral, concupiscent nature that a dragon had. Elsa, aware that her own quiet mewls and rubbing was edging Ryu on to grow rougher, felt a bump hit her upper thighs. Turning back to see it was a shelf Ryu pushed her onto it. Panting against her clavicle, Ryu's dilated pupils focused on her face. "Erusa I… I'm sorry."
Elsa kept her close, brushing her tresses from her eyes. "Whatever for?" She whispered.
"Your propriety." Ryu winced. Elsa nodded dazedly, not sure she even knew what the word meant anymore. "Uh Uh." She kissed her again, no longer too shy to wipe her tongue against Ryu's, now adding her nails into the mixture of touching. Elsa's mind berated her for her hypocrisy but her body argued there were more pressing matters that required her attention, specifically the eager dragon practically jumping up into her body. Her hands wanted to rub anywhere that was appropriate and knead the muscles along Ryu's back and shoulder. She giggled when Ryu nibbled her ear's shell.
Elsa studied the contours of what made them both women– breasts touching through her dress and Ryu's blouse, finding a kinship… and affinity. It wasn't the things she had read in books during a woman's first time sharing some semblance of intimacy with a man. Despite everything being familiar, knowing what Ryu was feeling as well it still was just as if not more so intoxicating.
Elsa reluctantly pushed Ryu's shoulders away from her own losing track of their tryst in the shed. She loved the disaster she saw in front of her, from the lipstick smudging Ryu's face and lips, her disheveled hair and wrinkled shirt. They helped each other fix anything out of place and exited the shed after sharing a short chast kiss.
Did Elsa want this? Yes, well no, maybe not. But maybe yes. Yes, yes, yes a thousand times yes. Perhaps it was the intensity of the emotions Elsa felt towards Ryu that drove her uncertainty, providing a layer of protection, a buffer to keep her grounded in reality, less she became starstruck and so very very vulnerable.
As they walked to the gates Elsa observed Ryu's little bounce in every step she took, and smiled at the surprise shock on her face when Elsa gripped her hand. Did they go too far? Maybe. Would Elsa mentally kick herself for sending mixed messages and being a contradicting mess? Certainly. Did she regret it?
Once more she side eyed Ryu trying to hold her hand while still biting at a moth fluttering around her head.
No.
The outing had Elsa out of breath and back in pain for more reasons other than just the walking, which meant Ryu would administer her medicine.
With Elsa napping upstairs it gave Ryu the opportunity to work on her own little project she had been ruminating over the past week.
Kneeling on the ground she unfolded the pieces of folded paper she had been plastering together. Bruni crawled over her shoulder taking inventory of the map. He stared at her for an explanation.
"It's the outskirts of the North mountains. They're the biggest mountain regions in Arendelle and since dragons like mountains it's my first guess of where any dragon temples would be located." She'd start her search today, she wasn't certain exactly what she'd be looking for but ever since Bulda had mentioned it she felt a longing inside for answers to questions she didn't even know she had.
"Wanna come?" Bruni nodded, closing his eyes. "That's my boy!" Ryu cheered. Going to the kitchen the search for food began, whatever shelves Ryu couldn't reach she climbed, sometimes tossing boxes over her shoulders when they weren't what she was looking for. Bruni jumped in protest at the clanging and banging she made with the cabinets but was shushed. "You wanna wake Erusa up?"
They'd be gone for three hours tops back just in time to help Elsa with anything she'd need. If that medicine worked as well as Bulda said it would then Elsa wouldn't even know they were gone-
"Where are you going?"
"AH!" Ryu dropped her sack after leaping into the air, successfully casting Bruni off her shoulder to the floor. Elsa continued leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and brow furrowed. Her expression of concern meant she had most likely seen Ryu pack away the food, map and other supplies.
"Erusa I thought you were sleeping." Ryu complained, picking her bag up to set the strap back on. "I was but then I heard all the commotion you were making down here and came to check on you."
Ryu glared down at Bruni. Why'd didn't he tell her they were being too loud?
Elsa's eyes trailed behind the girl into the messy kitchen causing a frown. "Glad I did." She mumbled. "What are you two doing exactly?"
"Making lunch." Elsa nodded, her face clearly was expecting more elaboration on the matter. "To go… outside."
After the silence began choking Ryu accompanied by Elsa's deadpanned face she casted a glance to Bruni who shrugged. "We're going to the north mountains." She stated simply.
Blinking in surprise Elsa seated herself upon the arm of the couch. "Oh I thought you wanted to go together when I fully healed–" Elsa hid the hurt at this, she wanted to play tour guide and show off her castle.
Ryu, catching the offense she had just spurted, quickly correcting herself. "Not to see your castle or anything. I'm just… " she didn't want to say since it seemed Elsa sided with Grand Pabbie but no more secrets between them. For one it made Ryu feel awful and two only seemed to lead to more trouble.
"I'm looking for a dragon temple." Elsa's eyes conveyed too many emotions for Ryu to keep track of. She stood and began pacing. "Didn't Grand Pabbie say that would be too dangerous? And you were going to just go find one by yourself?" Ryu opened her mouth to defend herself that she had Bruni with her until Elsa turned around. "I mean they're full of spirits, and probably traps, and dragon magic-" A realization detonated in her brain when she stared at Ryu in awe and glee. "Ryu you're a genius!" The praise seemed to throw Ryu off the defensive axis Elsa's previous words had taken her on; she stood stunned feeling like anything but smart.
"Umm thank you? But why?" Elsa clasped her hands excitedly. "Dragon magic!" Elsa repeated as if that would answer any further questions. It didn't.
"The Yokai hunting you, maybe a dragon temple can help us in some way on how to stop it." Elsa rubbed her chin in thought, Gale burst through the window creating a whirlwind in the living room. Snagging some paper from her tornado Elsa sat down and began writing. Ryu peeked over her shoulder making out the words Anna, Kristoff, and quest.
"Erusa, any temples we find here in Arendelle would have been built by western dragons, Yokai are Eastern spirits." Elsa held up a finger wagging it in the air.
"Yes Gecko I thought about that, yet from what I've read there are similarities between both western and eastern dragons. Obviously there has been a crossing in cultures at some point. I mean look at you!" Ryu frowned and looked down at herself. She just saw a stain from making lunch while Elsa saw the perfect example of hybridization of a species and cultures.
When she was done writing a few letters she handed them over to Gale. "Would you mind delivering these to Arendelle, Northuldra, and the valley of living rock please sweetheart?" Gale zipped away taking the letters with her leaving behind a small mess.
"Now let's see it." Elsa demanded. Ryu tilted her head. "See what?"
Elsa raised a mordant brow crossing her arms. "That map you've been building and trying to hide from me for the past few days." Ryu, feeling utterly diffident, reached into her bag and handed over the map. Elda spread it on the table and clasped her chin, her head tilted forward with concern and disbelief.
"I- honey–" she began warm heartedly. "This is just a map of the north mountains," Elsa had plenty of those in her study all in varying detail, she gave this one another peek then added. "And it's somewhat inaccurate." Ryu facepalmed herself so hard Elsa feared it would bruise.
"What exactly were you planning on doing with this and a few sandwiches?" Ryu shrunk down, rubbing her arm. "Go out there and um…" Don't say it if you want Elsa to not think you're a complete imbecile.
"I erm-" Don't.
"Was gonna look for anything… weird." Elsa's eyes pitied Ryu but she kept her voice even and patient. "Ryu, that's not very smart. For one I'm quite sure dragons would have hidden their temples very well, and for two the north mountain regions are incredibly vast with that approach it'd take you years."
"Oh… " Elsa hated making her crestfallen but she needed to know all the same. "I'm sure if we explain the necessity to Grand Pabbie he can help us, Bulda can aid us in convincing him, she is Anna's mother in law after all." She held out her hand which Ryu solemnly took. "Just because you may not see eye to eye with someone doesn't mean they're the enemy." Ryu nodded, lesson learned.
Convincing Grand Pabbie proved to not be an easy task as Elsa thought. Even with the support of her family the old troll was stubborn with his ideals especially when they pertained to forces unknown.
"I'm not sure where to start on why this task is foolish." He mused tiredly hanging onto his staff.
"How about from the beginning?" Anna offered, kneeling in front of him.
The shaman tapped his fingers together contemplatively, before nodding "Yes Anna, that seems better than going from bad to worse." They all side eyed each other briefly before the old troll began.
"Dragon temples; when they lived, served many functions, from a place where council summits were held, to justice halls where the wicked were condemned and sentenced accordingly for their crimes, to educating their young and handling much more complicated matters." Elsa nodded along; she knew this already and was waiting for the but to come dashing her hopes and dreams of finding the information buried somewhere here in Arendelle.
"Like what?" Anna asked.
"For example the handling of the vættir." Elsa immediately looked to Ryu who made a face of frustration from her lack of understanding, before she could offer some explanation Grand Pabbie gave his own. "The word's meaning is vague in its own definition dear one but can be used to refer to the full cosmos of supernatural beings inhabiting what was once known as the nine realms, including the álfar–elves, dvergar or dwarves, jötnar–giants, and gods, the Æsir and Vanir."
"Whoa, whoa, hold on, so you're telling me that Thor, and Odin, Loki, even Heimdall– Asgard! Are they all real?" Kristoff wasn't surprised by Grand Pabbie nodding his head; he was more perplexed by Anna's suspension of disbelief. "Have you met your sister?" He asked, tapping Elsa's leg. She pulled away deeply perturbed to be compared to the Æsir and Vanir. "I'm not a god." Elsa's defensive rebuttal drew a chuckle from Grand Pabbie.
"Nor were the Æsir. Humans were the ones who created gods and goddesses." Well that made sense when she thought about it, by many cultural standards Elsa technically could have been named a goddess of winter as well as the other spirits yet were not.
"When the nine realms and some branches of Yggdrasil fell back to the other cosmic planes after Ragnarok formed the world we know today." As interesting as Kristoff found this he still wished for a connection.
"And where do dragons come into play in all this?"
Grand Pabbie gathered some pebbles from the ground and scattered them across the dirt. "Well not all creatures perished in Ragnarok and even those that did their souls were at unrest, they hadn't a home afterlife, resting place, or anyone to guide them, the sins of the past haunting them to act in wrath." Elsa stared at the pebbles, this all felt familiar, as if it were happening all over again, a history doomed to repeat itself.
"Some were soothed by wrongs righted and others found respite with the magic of the drage, pacifying and containing them in their temples."
"And so that awaits us in the temples?" Asked Kristoff growing more concerned about the mission they were presenting, wondering if he were on the right side of the fence. "A bunch of angry spirits and vættir who probably hate humans all the more for killing their saviors in the first place."
"Not quite-" Bulda interrupted, sounding much less grave than her father and son. She gathered up the pebbles and stacked them carefully. "The drage magic still exists but now it is unwieldy, perhaps laying dormant and if disturbed–" a poke from her fingers scattered the rocks again.
"So we'd have to ensure not to disturb any of the magic there, no biggie we won't touch anything." Anna said but Grand Pabbie stared down Ryu and Elsa.
"I'm afraid that won't be enough, magic is almost always reactionary to other magic–"
Anna caught on. "And Elsa is a whole little ball of concentrated magic." She bunched up her hands to demonstrate.
"And Ryu is a direct descendant of those that managed to calm them down." Kristoff added.
"Maybe they'll react positively, after all we still don't know how the Yokai would behave if not under the dragon hunter's influence to Ryu, and it did try to communicate with Elsa." Grand Pabbie and Bulda glanced at Elsa who was hugging herself. "You left that part out."
"I am so sorry." Elsa replied shakily.
"High risk, high reward. None of you guys have to come with me." Ryu stood up already having made up her mind, where the others saw this meeting as a means to get permission from Grand Pabbie; she just regarded it as a stop to ask for directions.
Despite the inside serpent of doubt telling her she didn't deserve to go to the place of her birthright, she wasn't worthy or would even be accepted by whatever was waiting for her there the side that wanted to rid herself of the Yokai and perhaps conciliating anything scornful along the way won. It was the least she could do to protect her friends and others, nothing deserved to remain in agony and unrest for all eternity, especially innocent souls that had been ripped from their own worlds over a war that did not involve them, and if this was all true it was her responsibility, something she hadn't ever known or possessed.
"That's even worse! You're not going alone Ryu, what did I tell you about wandering off on your own to do shit like this!" Anna chastised.
"I'll go with you sweetie." Bulda offered, rolling over to Ryu's leg, she marooned Grand Pabbie since someone had to stay behind and to run the village and she knew it, despite his trepidation at this he trusted her and would have to learn that the older he grew and more powerful Bulda became this would not be the last time something like this occurred. Kristoff sighed, getting up. "And Elsa's going with you too, which means Anna's going which means I have to come along too." Kristoff cut off all the volunteering from the sisters. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
"This will be dangerous, I have some books and scrolls that will aid you."
"And the directions of how to get there of course." Ryu followed Grand Pabbie into a cave first which was lit by crystals and luminescent fungi. "Of course." As he gathered the supplies Ryu snooped around looking at the bottles of potions and other ancient scrolls. When they got back she'd have to come here more often. When outside she was taken aback by the masses of round bodies that had encircled the cave entrance.
She didn't like the way the little rocks were studying her, some even looking at the crystals which hung around their necks then back at her as if expecting something to happen. Unexpectedly they parted like the red sea when she took a step to rejoin her group. Their whisperers were so loud, they weren't afraid of her by any means; fascinated to an alarming degree but unlike the disrespect they had shown to the others by clambering on them and roughhousing there was an aura of reverence they held towards her making Ryu cringe.
"She's a lot smaller than what I thought a dragon would be."
Growling Ryu turned scanning the rows of rocks balling her fists. "Who said that?" They stared silent until the perpetrator was revealed when his neighbor slapped him in the back of the head. They weren't exactly what she had expected. Ancient yes, wise yes, friendly and warm especially with the royal family was odd though from such creatures. Who were all probably older than her.
As they gathered up in the sleigh a voice stopped Ryu's ascension.
"Dear one." She turned to see Grand Pabbie standing behind motioning for her to follow him to a grotto. Briefly her eyes fluttered to Elsa who nodded for her to go.
As they traveled deeper and deeper darkness consumed them but only for a short while until a shimmering light ahead alluded to the end of the walk. Ryu had to crawl just to follow the troll into the chamber. Strange humming noises filled her ears, they sounded unlike anything she had ever heard from this world. The song was resonating from the hundreds of colorful crystals surrounding the gours. They crept up and out of the water. Seemingly every color existed here, even ones Ryu had never seen before, but how was that possible? The more she stared the more warped her vision had become until she felt the outlines of everything grow wobbly, flaring vertigo in her head bringing her to her knees. She felt fat stubby fingers clutch her shoulders. "This is perhaps the closest you will ever get to light magic as pure as the one within you." Red, green, white, blue and yellow, violet and colors she didn't know the names of contained in shards poked out of the celite in small clutches and large bushels, surrounded on all sides. The water bubbled as she followed him closer to one of the pools. If that was true then why did she feel ill. Ryu didn't know if it was wishful thinking but what she did know was that she wasn't as pure as what the troll believed
"You must get used to it, as Elsa recovers and prepares for your journey. You will be facing this and much worse in the temple." Ryu changed to her true form growling instead of remedying chaos growing inside her. It amplified the noises and luminous glow of the crystals. The dragon behaved much as Grand Pabbie expected, knocking over one of the crystals to "kill it" if she could but when she touched it the dragon felt tranquilized at the buzz spreading through her. She had never felt this way before but it was comforting, familiar. Changing back she waded into the water and lifted the crystal which towered over her upright, rubbing her palms and forehead on its surface. It pulsed, light flashing in a forgotten language. Ryu didn't know how to respond but could hear, feel what it was saying. An unused portion of her mind understood, the rest just reveled in the sensation.
The others sang out wanting her attention as well reluctantly she went to them running her fingers along their surfaces.
She sat at the edge with the young ones, pleased to finally have their turn. She picked up one in particular and enclosed it with her fist sending it into a rambling frenzy. They had so much to tell. Turning to Grand Pabbie with teary overwhelmed eyes she found her voice. "How do I reply?" He smiled softly, lifting his own crystal that hung around his neck. "We can teach you."
Nodding Ryu turned back to the pool. "I… I'm not what you think. I'm a dragon but I don't know something is broken inside, I-" she froze mouth hung open, not caring about the dazed drool dripping from her lips. "I don't feel like how people describe the dragons of old. I've done terrible things."
"Nothing was as many say they were dear one. Hurt lingers and cannot always be explained, you wish to justify all the things that were done to you in the past so your mind creates lies that explains and brings you balance. It is your nature and with it brings the inability to comprehend chaos, the inability to understand senseless violence and hatred that have been exuded upon you." That all seemed so contradictory to what Ryu thought of herself, she was the chaos bringer. Yet the crystals of light, the ones who did not lie, did not know what lying was agreed with the troll.
"Come now." Ryu looked forlorn at him. Clutching the crystal to her chest. "A little longer… please." She didn't want to go back out there, having just learned of this place she had no desire to return to the outside world. Instead she could remain here in peace among her own kin or the closest she'd get to them.
"You must resist their calls to you at some point if you are expecting to leave the temple of sound mind Ryu. I will request them to dim their song and glow but only a small bit." Lifting his crystal Pabbie whispered heavenly words to them which translated the message to the others. They all heeded except the one clutched by Ryu. She chuckled at them. "They want to stay with me. They haven't been here long but they have a lot to tell and ask. I'm sorry I can't take you with me. You should stay here." She looked out at the pool caressing the crystal tenderly. They did not understand and their sadness stabbed her heart. With a shaking grip she released the crystal back into their place in the pool and stood to unsteady legs following Grand Pabbie in silence out of the Grotto.
The others silenced when their eyes fell upon them, Elsa regarded Grand Pabbie then Ryu rushing over from the sleigh. Something kept her from touching the dragon, her eyes were red, puffy as if she had been crying yet also starstruck and mournful all at once.
"She will be fine, and has agreed to some training to prepare for your mission." Grand Pabbie informed, he patted her calf returning to the others. Elsa remained dubious to the type of "training" she'd be going through and if it made her remain as silent and dissociated as she was now was it healthy?
Everyone remained quiet in the sleigh sensing something else present within the dragon. Her chest glowed but her demeanor was tranquil. When she finally began to talk she couldn't explain what had happened or what she saw or heard in any words from all the languages she knew.
Elsa could sense it, as well as the other spirits who were just as uncertain as she was on how they should conduct themselves further around her.
Elsa couldn't put to words the feeling she was experiencing, it was deep and cosmic could not be said to be negative nor positive.
It just was.
At dusk Ryu would leave for the valley of the rock with an impatient yearning that eclipsed all other interests, when she returned in the hours before dawn instead of trudging upstairs to her room she'd collapse upon the couch breathing as if air wasn't available where she ventured. Elsa had watched closely from a distance unsure how to help or ease whatever it was the dragon was enduring, the other spirits too had been drawn in yet still kept their distance when studying the state of her.
"Erusa?" Elsa turned from her spot on the couch seeing Ryu standing there using the door frame as support, stupefied. "What are you doing up?" Her voice was too quiet and barely filled the space. For a few moments the spirit just scrutinized the girl, catching small glimpses of the forces infusing into Ryu's person, she saw the kindling etching itself inside. It felt beyond physical, Elsa had always thought she knew Ryu, now it felt as if she were truly seeing her for the first time. A low hum resonated through the air sounding miles away yet its origin was from within Ryu. It was both terrifying and alluring, the song, ancient. As Elsa approached carefully she was reminded that despite Ryu's young development, the creature that stood before her was anachronistic. Conceived and existing in a stasis centuries before her, hatched a mere twenty years ago.
She decided that to receive more answers she'd seek out the council of Ahtohallan about the piece of history staring into her eyes. To be certain, fingers touched the scaled skin. It was still Ryu, it would always still be Ryu. The side that expected to feel someone different breathed out in relief.
"Would you like for me to accompany you tomorrow?" Ryu appeared tempted, making the action of shaking her head more difficult but once she began she couldn't seem to stop as if answering the question for herself more so than Elsa. "If you came… I'd have no reason to return. I'm trying to learn to resist entities such as those that exist in gour, I have to."
Now it was Elsa's turn to be dissected by chasmic eyes. "You're very similar."
Elsa blinked rapidly. "To who?"
"The light." She knew it was just an observation but felt like a compliment of the highest degree. Elsa's humility was silenced, accepting this to be true.
"There's–" Ryu led her to the couch and reclined back, keeping their fingers locked. How could she explain something that didn't exist in words? "The crystals, they grow there and live. The trolls tend to them." Elsa knew that much at least.
"They're the light of the land, kept underground. They speak to the trolls, some of them. Others they… can only communicate through light. It's not like words that you can forget. Whatever they say stays forever."
"What do they say?"
Ryu frowned, craning her neck back to stare at the ceiling. "I don't know, it doesn't exist like our words do. It's nothing that can be expressed or used in this world."
"Maybe in-between worlds, like between the branches of the Yggdrasil." Elsa theorized, the questions and hypotheses that swirled in her mind felt dangerous, even being a mere mortal and knowing of such things was inviting and tempting peril, let alone understanding them.
They stayed in silence until the sun rose, minds too awake and aroused to invoke fatigue.
The august sun beamed down upon the traveling party packing up the last of provisions into Kristoff's sleigh. Nokk counted the ground impatiently, nearly stamping Ryu's foot. Elsa soothed him with pats along his neck and mane.
"Not taking Kjekk Anna?" Anna shook her head at Elsa resting her chin on her palm. "No, he's been well… old lately." Bulda made a face at the answer. "Lately? I didn't know age was curable." She chuckled as she was lifted in the sleigh next to Olaf.
"Aging is only cured by death!" Ryu gasped, clinging onto the side, agreeing completely with Olaf. "Dying cures everything." She added, just as jovial as he.
"Okay!" Elsa interrupted changing the direction of conversation, as interesting as they were she did not want to spend the entire journey listening to Olaf and Ryu trade morbid facts of mortality and whatever else they could think of.
"We won't need the map until we get to the valley below Fjallit Norða. Sven you can set our pace since you're carrying the most." The reindeer nodded enthusiastically, happy to just be back on the road with Kristoff and Anna again.
It took an hour to till they saw the last remnants of Arendelle's farms and pastures giving away to more unkempt fields. There were so many topics Bulda wished to discuss with Ryu, Elsa needn't explain to her though of the dragon's sleeping schedule content on just petting her scales as she dozed in the back of the sleigh.
Elsa, Bulda, Olaf, and Anna chatted the morning away into the late afternoon, even with the sun uncovered by clouds, the air grew colder and crisp as they climbed altitude. Elsa inhaled deeply, loving the mountainous air, Nokk however was not a fan, it was dry and very thin unlike the deep, moist, and frigid winds closer to the sea. By late mid day they reached the outskirts of the Fjallit Norða Valley.
"Whoa what was that?" Kristoff and Anna panicked fleetingly when looking back seeing a heavy dragon leap from the sleigh causing the wheels to creak in protest then hiss of the mitigation her departure left. Nokk spooked, drawing away from where Ryu ran hard past them, trampling through the forest with the agility of a big cat and leaving a trail of dust and leaves charging towards the field.
Elsa made quick work of calming them down so as to trott after Ryu, Nokk lifted a leg when Bulda rolled quickly in pursuit proving her small size was balanced by the weight she could exude once momentum was gained.
Skidding to a halt Ryu took in the meadow sniffing the air then letting out a loud yowl that echoed off of the mountains surrounding them. Dismounting Elsa joined her side placing a hand on her shoulder surveying the area for herself.
"Have a nice nap?" Ryu mewled at her which was interrupted by a yawn. She could have slept more but the smells of a new unexplored territory roused her senses. The meadow was absolutely breathtaking, flowering grass claiming this land as their own swaying in the breeze that blew down from the cliff faces.
Ryu stretched like a cat rolling down the hill in a manner that seemed painful had she been more frail and less armored. Entering the taller foliage Elsa could hear Ryu's chuffs and gurgles as well as Anna's laughter ring out.
Bulda followed the dragon, closely garnering attention with her movements triggering the predatory instinct to entice the dragon in a game of chase. When Ryu grew too close she'd charge her startling the dragon to retreat just to return back.
When Elsa caught her eye that was enough of an invitation for Ryu to crouch low and stalk her. It was intimidating enough to stir her legs to sprint away. Even Nokk joined in the game. From Kristoff's perspective it looked like she was nearly trampled by thundering hooves and paws and worry tugged at his belly when the spirit went limp spreading out her arms and legs, but Anna could see her scrunched face and slowed breathing. Her stillness was enough to lure in Ryu to sniff curiously at her face and probe her belly with her large paw.
Nokk clucked the top of her head with his hoove making Elsa wince trying to hold in any noise. "Ouch." She groaned, he galloped away before she could retaliate.
Chuffing Ryu stepped over her to follow she turned around when hands gripped her tail dragging along Elsa's limp weight to the other end of the meadow.
Anna snickered at the comedic sight, hands akimbo she spoke in a coy tone. "Whatcha catch Ryu?"
The dragon lifted her tail dangling Elsa by her arms with an impressive grip. "Oh wow an Elsa."
"I hear those are very rare." Olaf said, nodding his head. Kristoff wasn't as bedazzled as the others. "Eh this one is pretty scrawny though."
Anna threw up her arms before leaning against Sven "Well what do you expect? She only eats grass, leaves and plants!"
Well that's just rude. They only laughed at Elsa's pouty glare as she spun in the air. How dare they! She was not scrawny, a bit on the lithe side but definitely not scrawny. "Excuse me, but that is egregiously false. I also drink milk, fruits and eat eggs, and sometimes my personal favorites on occasions. I just have a sensitive stomach!"
Both Anna and Kristoff hummed, putting on a show of still not being convinced as Olaf and Bulda picked flowers to make crowns with.
"Ryu, are you sure you'll be able to take care of it?"
Elsa balked. It!
"Yea having an Elsa is a big responsibility, she gets hurt a lot–"
"And heaven forbid she goes three days without chocolate."
"And you have to feed her grass."
Elsa's eyes narrowed dangerously at Kristoff. "I don't eat grass." She deadpanned.
Ryu regarded the spirit closely, her light blue jacket was rumpled and had grass sticking to it, and the pale cream belt had been turned around backwards, she had flowers poking from her disheveled hair but to Ryu she was a picture of perfection.
She was sure Elsa had received many compliments about her gorgeous azure eyes but wondered if anyone ever noticed the equally mesmerizing black of her pupils always going ever deeper to who knew where. She wanted to know.
Elsa, lacking telepathy, didn't know what was on the dragon's mind and batted her lashes charmingly. Ryu chirped, giving a single nod and continued to drag Elsa away. The prize barked out a haughty victorious "Ha!"
Anna smirked at Kristoff, he shrugged and followed after them.
"What's that you're stashing over there Els?" Elsa paused momentarily rummaging in her bag then continued. "N-nothing." Her voice was low and held a tone Anna could recognize in an instant.
"It's chocolate isn't it?" Elsa's silence answered that, in a rush Anna was peaking over her shoulder.
"You stinker, you were holding out on me!"
Elsa clutched the small velvet satchels to her torso. "What? No no no, I just this is for the both of us I'm-" her hand splayed across her chest. "Just trying to be responsible and ration it."
Anna held out her palm. "I'll take my share now please." Elsa backed away, not ready to give up the power over the sweet delicacies. Her response had Ryu and Kristoff half grinning, shaking their heads. The pair to them were perfect, absolutely winsome and they weren't even aware of it.
"We should save them."
"For what?"
"Snacking."
"I wanna snack now."
"You just had dinner."
"What does that have to do with anything? I don't eat chocolate because I'm hungry."
When they both looked down the velvet pouches were gone, the sisters looked around for it until Anna's gasp and vigorous shaking of Elsa's shoulders led her gaze to a tree branch perching Ryu swinging the bags around by their strings.
"Please give that back." She shook her head at Elsa. "Why should I?" It sounded innocent enough but the intentions were nefarious in nature.
"Cause it's ours."
Ryu cocked her head to the side. "And?"
"And I'll give you um er…" Anna looked around the forest for something that she could offer. "You can borrow Kristoff for a day."
"What?" Anna winced at the man's distant bark.
"Hmm, I'll consider it." Anna pumped her fist. "What about you Erusa what are you offering?" She thought carefully about how to word it so that it wouldn't raise any suspicion to the others.
"I will, Ryu-chan, give you a Jasmine flower later." Ryu considered this and nodded, grinning.
They backed away to give her landing some clearance. "Hey what about mine?" Anna complained when Ryu tossed the bag to Elsa. Another pouch thumped her against the temple landing onto open palms.
"Jötunn represented the forces of the primeval chaos and of the untamed, destructive nature, however I'm sure asking anyone about their enemy would produce the most horrid description. Their defeats by the hands of the gods represent the triumph of culture over nature, albeit at the cost of eternal vigilance. It is most likely that Jötunnar were much more in tune with nature than many believed or would want to believe… their allegiance with Dragons alludes to the true nature of the drage as well, perhaps knowing they were the enemies of their gods drew man to the massacre of dragons."
"Seems the Æsir were much more closely related to humans than they would want anyone to believe." Ryu's sharp hearing picked up the bitter mutterings of Elsa beside her. Biting her lip she spoke up.
"Bulda what do you call an extinct dragon?"
The troll tapped her chin looking up in thought. "I don't know Ryu what?"
"A dragone." Anna bursted out with laughter not understanding why the bad pun got her so badly. Even Elsa found herself laughing as well.
"I don't get it." Olaf still laughed despite this spreading the joy between him and the sisters. Kristoff was just ready for bed.
"Hey Elsa, what do the bugs on Sven's back say when Kristoff gives him a bath?"
Elsa smiled at her fondly. "What?"
"Flee, flee!" The spirit snorted into her hands.
Elsa leaned over watching Kristoff set up his and Anna's bedrolls. "What did the flowers say when the gardener added too much soil?" Ryu stared at her expectantly, goading her to finish.
"That's too mulch man." Ryu snickered barreling over to the ground holding her stomach. Once more comfortable in her drage body both Elsa and Ryu settled underneath a tree.
"Hey Elsa, do you need a-" Kristoff paused when he glanced up seeing Elsa make herself comfortable among a patch of snow surrounded by Ryu's wings and tail.
"What was that Kristoff?" She pulled her hair to the side allowing Ryu to drag her tongue across her shoulder ending each swoop with tiny nips.
"Nothing."
"Uh Elsa, why is Ryu umm…" Anna's finger made small circles pointing towards the pair.
"Hmm? oh Bulda can explain it better than I can I'm sure."
Bulda nodded proudly. "She's grooming her, dragons groom each other for comfort, to ease anxiety, to create bonds, to clean they're babies and for potential mates."
Elsa's pupils widened, regretting giving the reins over to the blunt Bulda, she chuckled waving her hand to potentially shoo away the compromising intel. "Oh but our thing is I'm sure is much more different than um ahem that last one. She's probably a little anxious about the-" Elsa couldn't complete her sentence, embarrassment overcoming her momentarily founded courage, spreading a blush along the spots Ryu continued to groom.
Olaf hopped onto Anna's lap. "She looks fine to me." His innocent observations were followed by a cumbersome silence, the only ones immune were Bulda, Olaf, and Ryu.
Kristoff's brows shot up and eyes closed when Anna licked the side of his face from top to bottom. Nodding slowly, anyone present couldn't have guessed what was going on in that head of hers. "Hmm yea I can get behind that actually." He looked completely helpless.
Ryu and Elsa shared a look and rolled their eyes when they caught his low "later" he whispered to her ear.
Kristoff sighed heavily, tossing and turning to find just the right spot. When sleep started to pull him under little giggles and whispers dragged him back to the waking world.
"Flee.. can you picture them with their tiny little arms running away from a giant flood?" Ryu nodded.
"Go to bed you two." Elsa did her best impression of him for Ryu. "Go to bed!" But it came out low and nasally as if she were holding her nose shut.
"Good one Elsa." Anna praised lifting the blanket from her face.
"I don't wanna hear a peep out of any of you. I'm exhausted." He thought he won when light peeps came from beside him and from under Ryu's wing. The dragon's chirp when she joined in actually sounded like a chick.
Bulda couldn't help herself. "That's a sound young hatchlings make for their parents."
Anna peeped one last time before her sides were attacked, sending her into a fit. She squirmed and wiggled away from the tickling digits and slapped Kristoff's wrist.
"No Kristoff, not tonight I'm tired!"
"What- I wasn't doing anything!"
"Mmm then who's hand was that? Olaf's?"
Ryu opened her eyes, witnessing Elsa's nose scrunch in disgust. "Yuck." She whispered, settling down when the dragon gave her cheek one final small lick, nuzzling her neck.
Elsa growled in frustration studying over the map she held in her hands, it was straightforward in guiding them up the ridges, which were steep, vast and had Kristoff clutching Sven's reigns tighter than usual, this time it was Anna comforting him no longer daunted by heights, she'd been higher. Her confidence aided Sven in keeping surefooted when the dirt trail ended giving into rocky terrain, pebbles and rubble would displace falling below into the cavernous depths. "Don't we travel through the mountains all the time?"
"Not these, there's a reason many ice men avoid these mountains, ever wonder why there's no else around. First the ocean, and now we're traversing god's scalp."
"Mountains form when two large pieces of land collide together." Anna grinned at Olaf over her shoulder. "Is that so Olaf?"
He nodded. "As long as they have a similar thickness and weight, neither one will sink under the other. Instead, they crumple and fold until the rocks are forced up to form a mountain range."
"Oh so it's not even solid ground-" Kristoff rasped, shrugging. "That's- I mean that's good to know."
An impasse was reached, the sleigh would be much too wide for the narrow way forward. Elsa continued walking, not looking up from the map, allowing the others to sort it out. Nokk bayed loudly, yanking on her blue cape with enough force that sent her to the ground.
She was so engrossed she hadn't noticed the cliff side she almost just waltzed off of. He nuzzled her cheek and she patted his thanking him breathlessly while she rose to her feet.
As much as Grand Pabbie's translations were appreciated, some still made no sense, his instructions would take them to the peak of Sørkjefjellet then nowhere. Sighing she rolled up the scroll and tucked it away in her belt, all they could do now is follow it and hope.
"-who's going to steal a sleigh all the way out here?"
"Kristoff, Nokk can take Sven and Olaf back down to the meadows and wait for us there." Both the Reindeer and his friend were not keen on this line of thought. "Don't worry Nokk will protect them, won't you?" The ice steed nudged his nose into Elsa's palm snorting. Separating was not ideal, but both Nokk and Sven were very much out of their element and Olaf wasn't exactly built for climbing a mountain. Elsa knew the fellow spirit would have followed her into an active volcano if she had asked but she'd never stress him more than what was necessary.
"Can I be in charge?" Olaf asked to cope with the idea of not being allowed to take a long but he had read a lot about mountains; they required a lot of fingers and shoulder strength besides he didn't want Sven to feel lonely. Sure he had Nokk but the water spirit wasn't the most forthright in sharing stories.
"Of course you can Olaf." Anna promised them quickly mumbled behind her hand to the horse. "Nokk you're in charge."
So Olaf hugged Anna, and Elsa tightly and allowed Kristoff to place him in the sleigh.
Nokk made certain Elsa was sure about this, she nodded. Neighing, he called Sven to follow his every step back down the summit with Olaf sitting in the driver seat. The Reindeer glanced longing back at Kristoff after he kissed his snout and waved at him.
"I'll see you later guys."
"See ya later!"
Bulda squeezed Kristoff's calf gently.
So the journey continued on foot.
"Stick by me." Elsa ordered as the path narrowed, they hugged the wall as closely as possible, wanting to keep far from the edge of an endless drop. It wasn't worth the risks Elsa decided clenching her wrist; she flexed her fingers and thrusted a hand out creating an ice railing which wrapped along the path.
Ryu watched the ordeal satisfied they wouldn't be in immediate peril. Looking upward she climbed to an overhang clambering up keeping an eye on them from above leaping from ledge to ledge.
"Careful!" Kristoff called when a pebble struck his head from a jump Ryu struggled with, the last thing anyone needed was concussion from Ryu's mini landslides. When there seemed to be no way forward Elsa's magic set to work again, the creaking of ice and snow compacting echoed, no matter how many times Anna had seen Elsa defy gravity with materializing platforms and stairs it would never cease to amaze her. Yep that was her sister, Elsa didn't invent the saying where there's a will there's a way but she damn well perfected it.
Feeling much more relaxed that her family had safe passage, Elsa could watch Ryu's serpent-like body navigate the tricky geography like a leopard hunting goats. Her tail serving its purpose keeping her balanced, the joints at her ankles twisted and swirled in a manner that would have broken if a human had attempted such feats. Even when a perch would crumble Ryu would assess and handle the situation calmly. She had certainly done this before without the security of a patched wing.
"Have you ever been to a dragon's temple before Bulda?"
The troll shook her head with a sour expression. "I was far too young to ever receive an invitation. Grand Pabbie has whether or not he has been to this one in particular I'm unsure. From his stories however I'm sure nothing but splendor awaits us. "
"They discriminated against your age?" Elsa didn't know why she found herself surprised at this, perhaps hearing that temples were places they sometimes housed young ones of their own.
"I wouldn't say discriminate, age is a very important aspect among the drage, even more important than size. To have access to a temple is an immense honor and responsibility, they are sacred and vital to their culture. I'm protective over my home and Kristoff is grown now as are all my children, but the secrets and security it provides me I treasure and wouldn't tolerate others coming and going lightly." Bulda didn't have to mention the species of the others she was referring to, Elsa knew enough about the nature of humans to understand. She felt the same way about Ahtohallan, only she and Anna had stepped foot among the memory river. The thought of some random strangers feeling entitled to the magical sight made her blood boil; she couldn't imagine how much more intense she'd feel on the matter if the glacier provided as a nursery for her own offspring.
This brought her back to how violated she felt when the Empress wished to visit, not the enchanted forest per say, she would always provide guardianship for both the forest and Arendelle and welcomed any peaceful visitors who would wish to be educated, Ahtohallan though, the idea of opening attendance felt beyond disrespectful.
"Are the temples nesting grounds for Dragons?" She liked to imagine so, a beautiful temple brimming with culture, magic, light, and little babies wrecking havoc just as the pebbles do in the valley of living rock.
Elsa stared at Ryu gliding from a ridge, she miscalculated the distance and amount of wingspan required resulting in her smacking her face into a wall.
The conversation made her grow reminiscently curious of what the dragon was like as a chick. From Ryu's and Grand Pabbie's stories it would seem dragon chicks were quick to bite and slow to listen. The drage parents and adults must have had the patience of saints in order to raise them, the cuteness factor Elsa was certain they possessed must have helped them get away with a lot. Elsa didn't believe she could survive as a dragon parent, the minute her baby did something, even as naughty as bite Yggdrasil's root, all the little Nidhogg would have to do is flash their big sad eyes at her and she'd melt.
"Yes, during the wars when roaming became too dangerous dragon's would migrate to the nearest temple to lay their eggs and hatch their chicks. Ahhh to see the little darlings- well I would have sold my left foot to ever witness such a sight as a baby dragon bursting through their shell." Elsa could agree with that extreme sentiment.
"Well this can't be right?" Elsa mused squinting at the map, changing how she held it as if that would somehow alter the words she read.
"What's wrong?" Kristoff looked over her shoulder tilting his head for a better view.
"It says to find the entrance we must trust the key of the temple enough to follow wherever they may lead." She and Kristoff glanced at each other handing it over to Bulda while she whispered begrudgingly under her breath about Grand Pabbie and his damn riddles.
"So the key is… there's multiple of them?"
They puzzled over it for a few minutes while Ryu played amongst herself a game of plummet.
"Trust them, huh." Elsa's eyes scanned around. "Ryu?" The dragon answered dangling upside down naked, Elsa looked away waving her wrist to dress her in an ice cloak. "Hai!"
"Does this mean anything to you?" She held the paper so Ryu could read it over. Perhaps her training with Grand Pabbie could aid them now. "Hmm do not let Anna or Olaf touch this."
"I take offense to that." Said Anna crossing her arms.
"No, not that part, this!"
"Nope!" She was being much too blase about this for anyone present's liking, solidifying she had no answers to offer when she changed back now hanging from her tail, limbs tucked in her wings.
Elsa's magic buzzed in her fingertips the more dead ends they led themselves to. She wanted to blast something, anything, to rid herself of this frustration building up inside. Were they overthinking this?
Anna groaned from leaning over the map joining Ryu at the cliff side. She followed her example of closing her eyes and allowing the wind to brush hair back against her cheeks.
Ryu walked away wanting to get a better vantage point of the view as the sun rose to its noon point. She looked back and barked at Anna to follow, jerking her head. She didn't want to experience it alone.
"Hey guys Ryu wants to show me something, we'll be back okay to help."
"Please be careful." Elsa fretted.
"Pssh Elsa she can fly, we'll be fine. You're great at puzzles, I have complete and utter faith in you!" Anna called following Ryu's steps. Some of the foot holds were far but she had scaled many mountains in her lifetime, this would be no different.
Ryu cooed at the expanse of what they could see, Anna too felt the rush of the sight. A lazy curl of smoke; be it mist or fog Anna wasn't sure glided across the landscape. The green grass despite some of the scattering snow pooled over the hills and mountains decorating them like long hair cascading down mother nature's shoulders. The snow acted as a beautiful twinkling shawl. Anna strained her eyes searching for where the giant plates of the earth clapped their hands only to never separate. The winds whistled through every crevice carrying the moaning song of the mountains for miles.
Once every detail was squirreled away in her mind Ryu led Anna to a small stream rippling from a crevice, where the water came from was unknown but it was cool and a pleasant to touch. Ryu lapped at it with her tongue humming when Anna copied, slurping from cupped hands drinking from the spring. It was delicious, she could taste the rocks, and ice that had melted into the beverage.
Wiping her hands up on her black trousers Anna's chest indulges in another greedy gulp of air. "Anything else you want to show me?" Her reasoning was simple really, Ryu was a dragon, and dragons liked mountains so much so they carved important complexes in them or under them Anna still wasn't clear on what was going on with the temple location, but her inner voice told her that if she were to enjoy being stuck atop a mountain peak than having a dragon as a tour guide was the way to do it.
Ryu shot her a quizzical stare, this was Anna's territory, she had never even been to this part of Arendelle before, but if it was nice stuff Anna wanted to be shown Ryu was sure she could find some things.
She rose to her hind legs sniffing around. She picked up a lot, some scents were more interesting and alluring than the others and those were the ones she followed.
Oh this was something.
Going up to a wall Ryu aligned her paws properly and hopped up gripping the jagged edges tightly with her pads and claws. To Anna it appeared as if she were standing on nothing but air, hovering like a dragonfly over the water. "Wow! That's amazing! How are you doing that?"
Ryu wiggled her long tail which kept her balanced with counterweight then showed off her large grippy talons.
"Let me try." Anna bounced on one leg removing her boots and rolled up her magenta sleeves to her elbows. She launched herself to the wall but only succeeded in bruising her ribs and back when she fell back down to ground. "Ow."
Ryu laughed, nearly falling herself but swiftly corrected.
The pleasures of the oasis mountains led the girls higher and higher, Ryu following her nose and interests and Anna following Ryu commenting on said interests even discovering some new ones for herself leaving behind Kristoff, Elsa and Bulda to ponder over the map. It's not like they had anything better to do. Sure she wanted to help and went over the words in her own mind but she had no hope of figuring it out. She didn't even know where to begin, and worried that any solutions she offered the group would just fog their minds more than they already were.
"Oofm!" The sudden force of smacking into Ryu's rump sent Anna onto her tailbone, hissing as she stood up rubbing the sore spot. She stopped short from giving her an earful when she saw the weird head and ear swivels Ryu made, a gurgling hum bobbed her throat in a high frequency. "What?" Anna asked genuinely concerned from the behavior. Ryu barked and yowled noises at a few peaks Anna had never heard from her before. "You wanna go there?" Anna pointed to an encircled range of mountains, sitting like the jewels stop a ruler's crown. The clouds shielded their snowy slopes slowly dragging along.
Ryu jumped in place. Anna wasn't fluent in drage but that could only mean Yes! Yes! YES!
She observed them then Ryu, shrugging as she climbed to her back. "Okay." She didn't see any reason why not.
"Maybe there's someone who will show up and show us the way." It was a bottom of the barrel statement but it was all Kristoff's mind had left, he was slumped over a rock defeatedly and his mind felt fried. Elsa sat with her fingers folded glancing at him with sharp eyes. Even through his well controlled expression a hint of a grimace was let pass. Elsa felt for him.
She fell silent after swapping ideas and let Bulda and Kristoff continue their connections out loud. Grand Pabbie wouldn't have said that unless it meant something, she examined the last part. Follow wherever they may lead. The key was moving. Or mobile. That meant the key wasn't just a simple brass one or password but had an identity. May lead, not asked to lead but to lead of their own volition. Perhaps Kristoff was right, the best thing for us to do is wait here.
Ryu's roars approached and her loud paw steps could be heard, Anna was with her looking over the group. Elsa couldn't break her focus and look up from the paper, she felt closer than she had ever been in the past two hours, unaware that she was being studied as well. She felt foolish and dim minded.
Ryu drew closer, Seeing Elsa's brows furrow like cracks in a wall showcased her humanity yet she remained standing strong for those who needed her. Elsa didn't pester or berate her and Anna for leaving to goof around and explore. Instead putting the burden of finding a solution on herself.
Her eyes sharp went over the words as comb teeth that didn't allow a single hair strand to escape their detangling. They shined with frustration and impatience of mind desperate to move yet was held still with great discipline.
"What have you two been up to?" Bulda asked.
"I brought some water for everyone." Anna offered, tossing the water pouch to Kristoff's lap.
"Do Grand Pabbie words make any sense yet?" She asked, leaning against a wall. Elsa ran her fingers through her hair pushing it from her face. "We have theories but all they are theories that we don't even know how to implement."
"Well that's a bummer, Bulda? You know him better than any of us here especially what would be going through his head when he wrote this." The usually perky troll hung her head. "I'd sooner throttle his fat head, you know I never suspected he'd be this sneaky. I know he didn't want us to go the temple in the first place but to send us on a wild goose chase!"
"We'll just have to ask him once we get back from exploring the temple." Anna's words tickled something inside of Elsa's mind drawing her up from her seat. "What- how can we explore the temple without figuring out-"
Anna's eyes lit up. "Oooh yea Ryu and I found it, it's over there." She pointed to the mountain crest.
"What?" Everyone yelled, shooting up stretching their coiled and cramped muscles that had been abandoned in favor of exercising their minds.
"How- I mean how did you?" Anna shrugged sheepishly. "We just kinda mucked about until we came across it. Sorry I wasn't really of any help but I didn't want to distract anyone so I just followed Ryu around until we came across it." That wasn't exactly what happened, it wasn't as lucky as Anna described from Ryu's perspective. As she explored the range with Anna she came to the conclusion that Elsa was a lot like the mountains they resided in. Quiet with her strength, yet a dangerous temptress with her cliff faces. She held her power in reserves yet it still bubbled just inches beneath her skin whenever a powerful emotion would surge through her. The mountains that hid the temple away reminded her most of Elsa, with the way they drew her in with quiet hums, buzzing just beneath the surface. An energy surged through them that she couldn't resist when she came close enough, and the more their proximity grew the stronger the urge became.
Ryu figured the moment Elsa solved the puzzle it would feel as like a dam that held back thousands of gallons of water but also containing cracks along its surface which existed there for years, but now that moment could never arrive due to her own and Anna's curiosity getting the better of them. She just hoped Elsa wouldn't be mad or disappointed.
Elsa fell silent once more and her mind's dam broke. And oh boy was it a beautiful sight to see for Ryu. She joyously laughed, hugging Anna tightly. "Anna you're brilliant, you hear? Amazing!" Anna chuckled a long nervously, really it wasn't as big a deal as Elsa was making it. Just her stumbling into the right place at the right time, well more so Ryu doing that, she just went along for the ride.
"We don't have to ask Grand Pabbie for the translation! Cause Anna you figured it out."
Bulda squealed, hugging Anna's legs nearly toppling her over had it not been for Elsa's form grip. "I did?" She tilted her head still not catching on. Kristoff joined the group looking to Elsa for an explanation.
"Yes you did, behold everyone, our key." Elsa waved at Ryu who was in the middle of scratching a pesky itch behind her head. "To find the entrance we must trust the key of the temple enough to follow wherever they may lead. Ryu is that key, Anna and you followed her around the peaks until she was finally able to locate the temple."
Anna made an oh face then gave herself a little pat on the shoulder. "You solved it." Kristoff pecked her lips.
"I didn't even know I was! I just wanted to know how she could stand on walls like a goat!"
Returned was the determination that lit Elsa's eyes ablaze as they casted to the mountains.
"Let's get to that temple."