Starting AN:
…did I mention I was excited about these chapters? I must have.
…did I also say to expect an Extras addition and didn't add it at all? I did, but I started working on ironing out this chapter instead and here we are. Silver lining?
Enjoy!
Crack
Anna watched with growing concern as Elsa walked closer, her face pale in a way that didn't quite make sense knowing the absolute terror they'd just triumphed over.
"Is everyone okay?" Elsa asked.
Anna's heart clenched at how small she sounded, how fragile.
Kristoff snorted, brushing soot off his tunic. "About as okay as one can be after talking to the freaking Fire Spirit."
Anna shot him a look. Not helping, she mouthed. Kristoff shrugged half in confusion, half in apology and Elsa blinked.
"You heard all that?"
"I don't know if I'd say heard, but we got the gist, yeah," Anna confirmed. A thought struck her and she glanced around, suddenly realizing that near Honeymaren and Ryder, one of them had knelt without looking like he'd meant it. "Garret? Garret?!"
A low groan emanated from him and Anna rushed over. His face was ashen and shone with frozen sweat that dropped to the ground.
"I'm... I'm fine," he said, waving off her hovering hands. "Just need to catch my breath."
Anna raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You sure about that, G? Don't play tough with me."
Garret huffed a weak laugh. "Yeah, firehead. I'll be alright. It's not the armor, it's the fight."
That sounded a lot better than it had any right to be, but Anna would not be fooled. And if her clasped hands were any indication, neither would Elsa. Her wide stare sold her woe enough.
Oh, Elsa...
"You should sit for a minute," Honeymaren suggested. "We're in no rush."
Garret, stubborn idiot he was, tried to stand, knees still not completely steady. He sighed, understanding they wouldn't budge and came right down. "Okay, but just a minute."
The sounds of clicking heels drew everyone's attention. Elsa had taken a step back, still eyeing Garret as if he was about to self-combust. She swayed in a weird back and forth as if she couldn't decide whether to rush at his side or bolt the other way.
"Smells like a pep talk," Garret whispered toward Anna.
"Yes, but…"
"Anna…" he insisted, tilting his head towards where Elsa had now started nibbling her thumb's nail.
Kristoff met Anna's eyes. "I'll stay with him, make sure he doesn't faceplant. Go check on her. We'll join you when he's ready."
Bless you and your perceptive brains.
She kissed Kristoff's cheek and put a warm hand over Garret's then caught up to Elsa, taking in the lost glint in her eyes, the way her arms were wrapped tightly around her middle like she was physically trying to hold herself together.
"Come on, Sis'," Anna said, linking their arms. "Walk with me a minute?"
"But… how about…"
"They'll be fine. Need to talk."
Elsa hesitated, her gaze darting between Garret's hunched body and the path ahead. Anna knew she was desperate to stay and fuss over him but had to fight the equally strong urge to just get away, to find some quiet corner to process... whatever had just happened.
"I... Alright," Elsa finally relented, allowing Anna to guide her away from the group. Anna threw a grateful look at Kristoff over her shoulder, at which he nodded and turned his attention back to Garret.
They picked their way through the caverns and into the crimson underbrush in silence, Anna throwing glances at her sister's tight expression every few steps. When they emerged, the transformation of their surroundings was striking – where a desolated fiery wasteland had been the Fire Spirit's domain, now vibrant autumn colors painted the forest. The leaves above their heads had regained their mesmerizing dance, shifting from deep burgundy to brilliant gold as gentle breezes stirred them. Even the ground beneath their feet seemed to breathe easier, the oppressive heat giving way to the crisp comfort of fall. Nature was reclaiming its territory, erasing the spirit's fury.
"Sally's brothers are out in numbers," Elsa noted, awe pushing up her turmoil for a moment.
Sally it is.
Indeed, the little sparklings they'd encountered before were now all cutesy little lizards, their lights twinkling like fireflies on their backs. They seemed almost celebratory, rejoicing in the forest's return to its comforting state. Anna smiled at them, and at the way they saluted Sally on Elsa's shoulders with precious squeaks – or whatever served as language to small fire thingies. They passed Olaf and Sven with quick reassurances, the reindeer already looking more at ease in the gentler atmosphere.
"Hey, Elsa?" Anna ventured after a few minutes. "What's on your mind?"
Elsa sighed, coming to a stop under a massive oak tree. A tiny bit on the nose, given the circumstances. "Just... needed to catch my breath."
"Oh wow, down to the word," Anna teased gently, before sobering. "Was it the battle? The things the spirit told us? Because I gotta say, the whole 'Truth of Fire' thing sounded pretty intense to me too."
"Among... other things," she replied eventually, fiddling with her sleeve.
Anna obviously knew what bothered her most. She debated her next words with care.
"He's still okay, you know," she said, trying her best to sound confident. "He's been working all this time for things like this to happen and still be okay."
Elsa nodded, her eyes shining with some regained energy. But it faded quickly, her face falling back into those worry lines Anna hated seeing. She took her sister's hands.
"Please Elsa, talk to me," she pleaded. "This is feeling way too much like the coronation. I'm here. What's going on with you two? Really? Because I gotta be honest, it's been two years and I still can't get a straight answer out of you."
She could see Elsa swallow hard, almost choking on whatever was preventing her from spilling her piece. For a moment, Anna thought she'd pull away, retreat into that lonely headspace she knew too well not to hate its guts.
Let me in. Don't shut me out again.
But then Elsa took a shaky breath, squeezing Anna's hands once before turning to face the endless expanse of autumn trees.
"I will," she said, quietly enough Anna wondered if it was meant for her ears at all. "I just... need a bit. To think, to figure out how to even... put any of this into words."
It wasn't a no. But it wasn't a yes either. "Of course. I get it. Take your time. But I'm holding you to that promise, ya hear?" She went for a stern look, but she had a feeling it came out a tiny bit constipated.
Still, it got a tiny quirk of a smile from Elsa. "You look like you want to use the bathroom."
Okay, maybe a lot constipated.
"Don't you dare," she said with a chuckle. Anna scuffed the toe of her boot against the dirt. "And Elsa? You know none of this was your fault, right? What happened with Garret, with the spirit? You didn't force anyone to be here—"
"I brought him to a trial of fire, Anna," Elsa said, eyes hardened and voice rising. "Garret! To fire! He had to use that armor of his and he told us what it does to him! I brought all of you out here on this... this crazy quest for answers that might not even exist! And now he's hurt and you're all in danger and it's because of me—"
"And we made it! We passed the trial!" Anna cut her off, grabbing Elsa's shoulders. She gave her a small shake, trying to knock some sense into her. "Garret used the armor to protect someone. Someone who I'm pretty sure up until now thought we were freeloading a forest tour. We stood up to a literal horned demon together and came out the other side. It even congratulated us after it somehow transformed into an oversized teddy bear. Because of you and your crazy skills of logic! You trusted it, I trusted you, all manners of trust everywhere, and here we are. Alive and ready for the next."
Spirits, and people said she was the stubborn one.
"Alright, listen up," she continued without pause, putting on her best impression of no-nonsense Arendellian royalty. "We're here because you're our family, and there's no way in hell we'd let you do this alone. I think I already proved that wherever you go, I go? Same applies for the boys."
Elsa opened her mouth, but Anna didn't let her breathe one out. "Every stupid magic obstacle, we get through it together. Every weird mystical trial with fairies and twinkles, we ace it together. Every terrible joke Kristoff makes, we laugh at together. Every time Garret feels down, we help him together. I'll let you handle bath time on your own though," she added with a cheeky grin. "Point is, you're stuck with us. So, jot that down, okay? I you feel that there's something that you gotta do on your own, that's another debate, but if you wanna spare me danger… don't go into danger. Cuz I'll follow you in style."
By the time Anna finished the rant she hadn't even planned to start, breathless and a little lightheaded, Elsa was looking at her like she'd just said she wanted to banish chocolate. But she was also smiling, a real genuine Elsa smile, so Anna counted that as a win.
"When did you get so good at the scolding part?" Elsa asked.
"Please, I learned from the best." Anna pulled her into a fierce hug. One that, strangely, Elsa didn't relax into the way she always did. "You're not alone anymore, Sis'. Never again. I'm not going anywhere. We're not going anywhere. Get used to it."
Elsa let out single, small laugh. "I know. I know, I'll... I'll try. Even if I feel like you'll do that for me too."
Anna pulled back, holding Elsa at arm's length. "Probably. We should get back before the boys start thinking the Fire Spirit's long-lost twin got us."
They fell into step at that, heading back the way they came towards the troll's nose.
"And in the meantime... if you wanted to cheer up Garret for the whole 'throwing himself in front of hellfire' thing... A kiss would probably be a good start."
"Anna!" Elsa smacked her arm, a blush rising in her pale cheeks.
"What? Just saying! Believe me he'd be stoked." Anna waggled her eyebrows at her, not bothering to hide her favorite smoochy face. "And don't even try to tell me you haven't thought about it."
Elsa rolled her eyes. Then she did something Anna had never thought she'd see Elsa do: she licked her lips.
Elsa didn't lick her lips. It wasn't something she did. And if she did, it'd be after talking about cake. Not kisses.
In yet another unprecedented move, she then stared up at the sky with a fond smile. Elsa didn't stare up at the sky with a fond smile. She stared up at the sky with a sad smile. But it was gone almost immediately as her head lowered, replaced by a smaller, more bittersweet purse of her lips.
"He would very much like a kiss, wouldn't he?" she whispered, almost to herself, not meeting Anna's eyes.
Aha! Progress!
But as much as Anna wanted to continue teasing, Elsa's tone and the way her entire chest heaved with each breath were not encouraging signs. She had promised to talk. Anna would take what she could get.
"Don't mind my jokes. Let's keep it for later." She paused, feeling a strange flutter in her own chest. "Actually... I may need some sisterly advice too. About Kristoff."
That got Elsa's attention. "What about Kristoff?" she asked, instantly slipping into Protective Big Sister mode. "Did he do something?"
Anna laughed. "No, no, nothing like that. He's been... great, really great. But he's holding out on me. And that's kind of what I need to talk to you about." She shook her head. "I'll leave the rest to proper sister time."
"Okay." Elsa slipped her arm through Anna's. "I…"
Anna beamed and didn't let her finish, bumping Elsa's hip with her own. "I know. Don't mention it. And don't think I'll forget about all this."
The group was already out when they reached the ugly entrance. Anna's eyes immediately sought out Garret, relieved to see him looking much sharper on his feet. Color had returned to his face, crystally sweat had gone away and he was no longer bent over like a grandpa.
"There he is!" she called out, giving a cheerful wave.
Garret's head snapped up, his face breaking into a wide grin when he spotted them. "There she is!" he called back, his voice stronger now. Sally poked his pretty little head out of Elsa's hair and darted towards him. He jumped up, a confused Garret presenting his hands as a landing platform in reflex.
"Ow, ow, ow!" he hissed as the lizard's skin steamed against his. Garret leveled curious eyes at him, then softened into a quiet chortle when Sally gave his nose a quick lick.
"The little fires turned into lizards. Don't ask," Kristoff preemptively shot when he caught his mouth opening.
Elsa's grip tightened on her arm and Anna glanced over to see her sister smiling, but not as fully as expected.
Huh. Weird.
She should've been ecstatic to see him returned. One more thing Elsa had to clear up.
Honeymaren stepped forward then, guarded but ever so slightly warmer. "Even the forest's changed… Gotta admit, I'm impressed," she said, nodding toward Elsa. "You passed the trial, earned the Fire Spirit's respect. Even got it to tell you its name." She pointed toward her own face. "I don't look like that's a big deal, but trust me, it's a big deal. That'll earn you some points back at the village, at least."
Elsa's smile turned apologetic. "We're so sorry we dragged you into this, we weren't—"
But Honeymaren held up a hand, cutting her off in a way that seemed almost practiced. "None of that. Like I said, actions. Guides are expected to make do. Far as I'm concerned, you've earned yourself a shot at the other trials." Her eyes hardened slightly. "Still a long way to go, but keep this up, and maybe we can start building something here. Right, Ryder?"
She turned to her brother expectantly. Ryder shuffled his feet, looking like he loathed being on the same planet as they did. But after a long moment, he gave a tight, reluctant nod.
"Well, you're refreshingly honest," Anna said, crossing her arms. She could appreciate that, at least.
Honeymaren cracked half a smile at that. "Saves time, Princess. You know where we stand, and we know you know. Now come on, let's get you lot back to the village. I'm sure Yelena will want a full report."
As the group followed behind the Northuldra siblings, Anna kept her eyes steady on Elsa and Garret. She was walking ahead of him, like always, though a little farther than usual. Garret was saying something too low for Anna to hear, but whatever it was made Elsa shake her head.
There it is again, Anna noticed with a frown. That unidentified something in Elsa's shoulders. Almost like... regret? Anna couldn't quite pin it down.
I'll get her to talk to Garret, she decided. Properly talk, not just longing looks and loaded silences. Seriously, these two...
But that was a problem for Future Anna. Present Anna had more than enough on her plate, what with a sister who seemed determined to angst her way through the entire forest, and a fiancé who hadn't been totally honest with her.
Kristoff watched Elsa as they walked, immediately noticing just how far she was from Garret. She'd usually stand as close as possible without touching. Even in the way they talked, Elsa wasn't looking him in the eye, wasn't pivoting her entire body to face him like she always did. The trial had changed something, and Garret had seen it too – his small frowns normally didn't last that long.
But what worried Kristoff more was that Anna's smile looked a bit too bright. Actually, way too bright. He knew that smile. It was her "everything's fine, don't worry about me" smile. The one she wore when she was absolutely worrying about something. The one she defaulted to when she wanted to convince herself that nothing was wrong.
He waited until they'd picked Sven and Olaf up on their way back toward the Northuldra village to sidle up beside her. "Did you get her to say something?"
Anna sighed, some of the false cheer slipping from her expression. "Got her to promise to talk... which is already more than I was hoping for, honestly."
He knew how hard it was for Elsa to open up, even to Anna. "And you're sure she wasn't just humoring you?"
"We'll see." Anna's brow furrowed, her gaze distant. She seemed to be debating something internally, worrying at her bottom lip with her teeth. It was a tell Kristoff had come to recognize over time.
After a long moment, Anna took a deep breath, her hand dropping to fiddle with her sword hilt. "About... humoring me..."
"Hmm?" Kristoff prompted gently when she trailed off.
Anna's eyes found his, uncertainty swirling in the blue he'd come to cherish. "Kristoff, before you proposed... I asked you whether you were okay with castle life. With being a prince. You said you were."
Kristoff's heart sank. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. "Yeah, I remember that."
"Were you?" Anna asked softly. "Were you really okay with it? Or were you just humoring me?"
Kristoff opened his mouth to reassure her, but the words died on his tongue. Because she was right, wasn't she? He'd told her what he thought would make her happy.
His silence was answer enough, it always was. Anna's shoulders sagged, hurt passing through the wince she hid in a flash.
"I see how you are out here, in the forest," she said. "You smiled at random trees 37 times, Kristoff. 37. But back home, at those stuffy receptions and meetings... I don't think I saw you smile once at anyone who you don't already see inside the castle every day."
He hadn't realized he'd been that obvious. "I don't... I mean, yeah, I do have some trouble with the whole royal thing," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "The receptions, the diplomats, the politics... it's not really my scene."
"You lied." It wasn't an accusation, just a statement of fact. But it hit Kristoff like a sleigh full of ice. "You lied because you thought it was what I wanted to hear."
"Not really a lie," Kristoff tried to explain, desperate to erase that hurt look off her face. "I'm just... I think I could handle it, you know? For you. It feels wrong to let something like that stand between us."
Anna was already shaking her head. "I won't be happy if I'm making you unhappy, Kristoff. That's not how this is supposed to work."
She took a shallow breath, closing her eyes for a long moment. When she opened them again, there was a new resolve there, undercut by deep sadness. "Maybe... maybe we're rushing into this a bit. The engagement. We should talk about it more. Really talk."
Kristoff's heart seized, a chilling wave crossing him from head to toe. "Anna, you don't mean that. I love you, I want to marry you—"
"And I want to marry you too," Anna interrupted, the shaking in her voice subtle but discernible. "I do, Kristoff. So much. But..." She leaned up on her toes, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. "We can't start a family on a lie. That's not fair to either of us."
She pulled back, wiping her cheeks with the heel of her palm. Kristoff wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, to kiss away her tear and promise her that everything would be okay, that he could be whatever she needed him to be.
But he couldn't do that. She was right. As much as it pained him to admit it, she was right. He loved her, loved her with everything he had... but he had lied.
"Okay," he said a little too roughly. "We'll... talk. Figure this out."
Anna nodded, her smile now weak. "Good. That's good. I love you."
She gave his cheek a quick caress then turned to catch up with the others, her steps heavy.
"I… love you too."
Kristoff watched her go, feeling like his heart was fracturing with every stride she took away from him.
How did I let it get this far?
He'd been so caught up in the whirlwind of their love, so eager to make her happy, to be what she needed... he'd forgotten to be honest with himself. And with her. Garret had been right. Like he usually was.
Some love expert I turned out to be.
Kristoff shook his head. He couldn't let it go like that. They would figure this out. They had to. Because a life without Anna... he couldn't even imagine it. Didn't want to imagine it.
Anna's pained words were still echoing in his head when Garret stopped them, raising a single finger to his lips.
He conjured his bow, aimed at their right but seemed to see something that made him send it back to the sky with a flick of his wrist. An Arendellian soldier appeared not long after, jumping out a thicket in what he thought was a surprise attack, his crossbow aimed right at them.
"Stop right there!" He side-stepped, keeping them in his sights, studying them intently until he faced Honeymaren and Ryder. "I remember you!" he snarled, jabbing the weapon toward them. His face was twisted with anger, green eyes hard as flint when he got a look at Garret's uniform. "You took our meat and our Lieutenant!"
Oh great, Kristoff thought, his hand twitching toward his own crossbow. Just what we needed. Another fight.
But Anna stepped forward with her hands raised. "Hey, hey, hey! Let's not get violent! You're Arendellian, right?" She'd only use that kind of tone on spooked horses.
This frisky stallion was not soothed. "Good eyes, genius," he sneered. "Now stay back."
Elsa stiffened, her hands curling into fists. Frost crackled lightly around them. "That is unacceptable!" she snapped. "Please remain civilized!"
"Or what?"
Kristoff's grip tightened on his crossbow. This guy was really starting to get on his nerves.
Another, faraway voice reached them at that.
"Karl?! Karl!"
He turned to see a woman jogging toward them, her Arendellian uniform dusty and worn. She was panting hard, her face flushed with exertion.
Garret went rigid, frown deepening. "Karl?" he muttered. There was a strange mix of recognition and confusion in his voice.
The woman skidded to a stop, bending over to catch her breath. "Karl!" she gasped out. "It's Mattias... he's back. He's in rough shape, but he's back." A small, disbelieving smile appeared then. "Alive and grinning."
Honeymaren snorted, crossing her arms. "Guess the forest suits him enough."
Karl whirled toward her. "You don't get to talk about him," he spat.
Okay, that's it. Kristoff readied himself, ready to physically station between Karl and the Northuldra siblings if he had to.
"Hum. He also said to watch out for uh..." the woman started. She shifted awkwardly, her gaze darting between their two groups. "…two very pretty ladies, one redhead and one blonde. Plus, two very handsome gentlemen… one redhead and... one blond."
He risked a glance at the others. Elsa and Anna were now fiercely blushing, while Garret coughed into his fist, clearly fighting back a grin. Even Sven let out a little huff that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
Honeymaren, however, just smirked. "...and he's got game."
Kristoff's face heated when the woman's dark eyes swept over him in silent appraisal.
Is she… checking me out?
The spirits couldn't have picked worse timing for a confidence boost.
Don't let Anna notice. Please don't let Anna notice!
Karl, unsurprisingly, was still not amused. "Did he mention the reindeer and the two Northuldra?" he asked, his crossbow not wavering an inch.
"The reindeer, yes."
Hopefully Olaf doesn't scare them now.
"Did he tell you what happened to him?" At her nod, Karl's finger tightened on the trigger. "You two," he growled, glaring at Honeymaren and Ryder. "Give me your story, and let's see if it matches what Liyana says."
The siblings exchanged a loaded glance. Honeymaren squared her shoulders, looking ready to give Karl exactly what he wanted and more, but Garret got moving before she could speak and stood directly onto the path of Karl's crossbow.
Is he insane?! Kristoff's heart leapt to his throat. He knew Garret was protective, but this was taking it to a whole new level.
"Karl?" he said, strangely calm. "Karl Ag…? Agun…? What was it, Anna?"
"Agneir!"
"Right, Karl Agneir! You knew Einar when he was barely more than a kid."
That seemed to throw Karl for a loop. He blinked, his aim wavering. "Nar-nar?"
Garret snorted – and immediately lifted his hands in surrender when Karl's crossbow snapped back up, his eyes widening. Elsa's hands rose with charged magic, but Garret shook his head with a cheerful grin that was out-of-place considering the business end of a steel bolt was inches away from his face.
"Sorry! Sorry. It's just weird to think of Einar with a pet name. He ended up joining the Guard a few years after you left."
"He… he made it?" Karl sounded stunned.
"Oh, he made it alright." Garret turned to Elsa, not saying a word. She straightened, taking a small step.
And just like that, she transformed. Gone was the worried sister, the uncertain young woman, the somewhat angry force of nature. In her place stood the Queen, regal and composed. The Elsa he usually knew outside of their castle wing.
"Counselor Sorenson is the Guard's head," she said, her voice soft. "He's one of my most trusted advisors."
Karl's crossbow dipped and he gaped at her. "What do you mean your–How do you know him?"
"Karl." Liyana hissed, elbowing him hard to the side. "You might want to put the crossbow down. Mattias said they're the Queen and First Princess."
"Say what?"
"And you technically just threatened a direct superior. That's the current Lieutenant you're aiming at." She gestured to Garret, who gave a cheeky wave.
Kristoff had to press his lips together to keep from laughing as he watched the color drain from Karl's face. The man looked like he'd just swallowed a live toad.
"I..." Karl stuttered, his Adam's apple bobbing. Slowly, carefully, he lowered his crossbow.
"Please excuse us," Liyana said in his stead.
That's more like it, Kristoff thought with a surge of pride. Pride in Elsa for handling the situation with such grace, pride in Garret for defusing it, pride in Anna for giving the first impulse. And some pride in himself for being a dashing young man that immediately dissolved when he remembered Anna's pained grimace.
"It's alright," Elsa said gently. "You couldn't have known." She smiled at Liyana, picture of benevolent understanding. "It is an honor to meet you. Truly. Though I would expect less… bravado from someone representing Arendelle, going forward," she added with raised brows toward a crestfallen Karl.
Liyana seemed to remember herself then, dropping into a hasty bow. "Your Majesty. Your Highness." She elbowed Karl again and he quickly followed.
Anna laughed, the sound not as warm as he had gotten used to. "Oh, there's no need for that! Please, call me Anna."
The two soldiers rose, and Karl studied her face. "You look like him," he said after a moment. "Like King Agnarr." His gaze slid to Elsa and his eyes widened. "And you... you're the spitting image of the girl who was always with him."
Kristoff saw the moment he reached it – the realization that Agnarr was gone. Grief hit him about as fast as his apparent shame.
"I apologize for my earlier behavior," he said gruffly. "It was out of line."
Elsa sighed. "Already forgotten. Now, is our camp close? Would it be possible to visit?"
Karl and Liyana exchanged a rapid glance.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Liyana said. "It's not far."
Elsa turned to Honeymaren and Ryder, who had been watching the exchange silently. Her expression softened. "Do you mind? I'd like to check on the Arendellians, make sure they're alright. If it makes things easier, we can let Ryder return to your village..."
Honeymaren sized her up. "Do I have your guarantee that I'll get out of there?"
Elsa inclined her head. "On my crown."
Honeymaren nodded then, and Ryder puffed out his chest, something fierce and proud flashing in his eyes. "I'll stay."
Liyana and Karl shifted at that, uncertainty settling visibly atop their stomachs. Kristoff couldn't exactly blame them – despite being in the right, the Northuldra hadn't been welcoming to the Arendellians. Years of bad blood and misunderstandings ran deep on both sides.
"They're with us," he said. "We'll need their help to get back to the Northuldra village later."
Elsa approved with a nod. "I vouch for them. Personally."
Garret leaned in then, whispering something to Elsa. But she shook her head, her response just as quiet. "I prefer to avoid giving orders if I can help it."
Garret retreated with a relieved smile and a furtive "Understood, Majesty."
Just like her.
Elsa had never been comfortable with the more authoritarian aspects of her role. She'd much rather lead by example, persuade with compassion and reason and she rarely resorted to royal decrees. It was one of the many things he admired about her.
After a brief, hushed conference, Karl and Liyana agreed to take them to the camp. Karl ran ahead, to notify the camp first. As their strange little group set off, Kristoff found his gaze drawn again and again to Anna.
She was chatting with Liyana, laughter frequent. To anyone else, she would have seemed perfectly at ease, the very image of the vivacious, untroubled princess he'd fallen for.
But Kristoff knew better. The signs were all there.
The way her fingers kept drifting to her sword hilt, as if seeking reassurance in its solid presence. The slump of her shoulders when she thought no one was looking. The far-off look that would come and go across her face when the conversation lulled.
He ached to go to her. To take her hand, pull her into his arms, press his forehead to hers and just breathe. But not now, not with so much still unsaid between them. They would figure this out, because he believed that their love was stronger than any problem or misunderstanding.
Later, he promised himself, watching Elsa beside Garret, their heads bent in quiet discussion but still with that strange distance. Once we get some answers about the strange happenings in this forest. Once things settle, even just a little.
Ryder couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation growing inside him with every step. These were the people who had taken so much from his tribe, who had broken their trust and turned their weapons on innocents, and they were going to their stronghold. How could Elsa and Anna stand to face them, knowing what their grandfather had done?
But as they drew closer, Ryder's iron will faltered.
Even from afar, they looked... rough. He could see the signs of their struggle everywhere. Haphazard huts, built with half a manual's worth of instructions and even less wood, surrounded a small empty plaza littered with makeshift toys and equipment. The crop fields in the distance behind the few trees were poor, their plants withered and sparse despite being right next to the Fire Spirit's fertile grounds. Then he had a longer look at the people. Their slightly hollow cheeks and weary eyes.
They barely have enough to eat.
Some children, half a dozen and ages varied, peeked out from behind their parents' legs, their clothes obvious patchworks of salvaged fabric and inexpert stitching; and theirs were better put together than the adults'. There were two teenagers, two boys, wearing Arendellian tunics they swam in.
They're soldiers, not tailors, Ryder realized. And there were not that many of them, all things considered. A cluster of flowers near the edge of the camp marked rune-graved tombstones. The sight he didn't know what to make of – but at least they had the decency to keep the children's play area well away from their dead.
Arendelle's finest, reduced to this. At least everything was clean; they had picked a spot close to the river, and he couldn't imagine the hygienic disaster it would've been otherwise.
He reached for his father's pearl in his pocket and rolled it between his fingers. This was far from the relative comfort of their own village.
As they entered the camp proper, the Arendellians gathered. At their head was Mattias, standing tall despite his obvious exhaustion and his slight limp. He recognized him and Maren, greeting them with a bob of his head Ryder couldn't bring himself to return. One by one, the soldiers saluted Elsa and Anna, their eyes shining with unshed tears, their faces alight with desperate hope.
The few children came forward, clumsily mimicking their parents' gestures. Ryder watched as a little girl, no more than five or six, dipped into a wobbly curtsey before the queen. Her dress was a mishmash of colors, the seams uneven, but the reverence in her eyes was real.
He glanced at the Arendellian royals and their companions. Elsa held herself high, her hands clasped tightly before her. Anna looked on the verge of tears, her usually sunny expression clouded.
"That's Sidora's sister," she whispered, sweeping the faces they had a view of. "And that's Jürden's second son." Her voice cracked on the names.
Kristoff, who'd been generally… unimpressed up until then, had a telltale sadness peeking behind his eyes, a subtle downturn to his mouth that spoke of barely repressed emotion. Only Garret looked unaffected, striding ahead to clasp arms with Mattias. But even he studied the camp's inhabitants with some semblance of sorrow, a slight furrow between his brows as he took everything in.
"Your Majesty," Mattias said, turning to Elsa with a deep bow. "Please excuse the sorry state the camp is in. We weren't..." He trailed off, his propriety vacillating.
Elsa reached for her sister's hand, squeezing gently even as she addressed Mattias. "How long have you been living like this?"
The old Lieutenant answered with more confidence, pride kindling in his eyes. "We've been getting by ever since the forest closed. Having you with us now... it makes it all worth it. Attention!"
Around them, the Arendellians fell into formation, lining up the way only the military could achieve. They wore their uniforms with obvious dignity, tattered as they were. Ryder couldn't help but notice how their shields gleamed, polished to a high shine.
And then, they began to sing.
It was an anthem, Ryder realized. Probably the Arendellian anthem. Their voices rose in uneven harmony, some wavering with age or emotion, others thin with inexperience or lack of practice. But they sang with their whole hearts, the anthem swelling to fill the space between the ramshackle huts.
Old anger flared in his stomach, his hands clenching almost on their own. How dare they stand there, singing their pretty songs, after everything they'd done? After all the pain and loss their actions had caused?
How dare they even assign any honor to this?!
But then he looked at Elsa and Anna, saw the shared grief on their faces, their determination as they stood tall and attentive. Garret and Kristoff moved to flank them, taking up positions of support and solidarity.
He also registered the weight of Maren's hand on his arm. A reminder.
Let them have this, she was telling him.
As the final notes of the anthem faded away, the Arendellians bowed in unison. Elsa and Anna returned the gesture, sinking into deep curtseys that held for a long, charged moment. There were tears on more than one weathered face, a hitch in Mattias' breathing as he straightened.
All eyes turned to Elsa, expectant. Waiting.
The young queen glanced at her sister, then back at Garret. A silent conversation in the space of a heartbeat. Something he'd seen her do a few times already.
Then Elsa lifted her chin. When she spoke, her voice rang out clearly.
"Arendelle. We are here to bring you home."
And they released happy calls and choked laughs. The hope that ignited in the faces of the gathered Arendellians was almost too much for Ryder to bear. He looked away, blinking hard.
Home. The word taunted him with its simplicity. As if it was really that easy. As if one proclamation from a queen could undo three decades of strife and isolation.
Looking around at the camp, at these people who clung to their pride and their purpose even in the face of unimaginable hardship... Ryder couldn't help but feel something dangerously close to understanding. And he didn't like that.
He forced the image of his father in his mind, tried to remind himself of what they had taken. That seemed to work somewhat. The assembly noticed him and Maren then, their eyes turning to steel almost immediately.
"Break it off, people," Mattias boomed, having clearly sensed the switch in atmosphere. "Let's give the royal family some space."
The soldiers all saluted once more, and their boots' synchronous clang that banged around them made him much more aware of the burden the two spirit-chosen had over their shoulders. He threw a tentative look their way – Elsa hadn't seemed that tense to him before.
The legion spread out, curious glances and heavy sighs coming from all sides.
"Your Majesty, Lieutenant, if you would?" Mattias called, inviting them to follow. "Would Her Highness also…?"
"Oh no, I'll take some time with the kids. Go on without me," she answered. "Honeymaren and Ryder will stay with me. If… it's fine by you two?"
Maren nodded at once, and so he did too.
Ryder trailed behind Anna as she made her way towards a group of three Arendellian children huddled near one of the huts. They looked up at her approach, eyes wide with a mix of wonder and concern.
"Hello there," Anna greeted them with that overly warm voice of hers, crouching down to their level. "What are you playing?"
The children exchanged nervous glances before one little girl piped up bravely. "Knights and dragons, Y-Your Highness."
Anna's face lit up. "Oh, I love that game! When I was your age, my sister and I used to play it all the time. I was always the brave knight." She leaned in. "Between you and me, Elsa made a better dragon than princess."
Giggles erupted from the group as they slowly opened up to Anna's presence. Soon they were clamoring for her attention, begging for stories of her adventures. Anna happily obliged, her animated voice carrying through the camp as she regaled them with tales of a quest to find a lost princess and save a kingdom from some eternal winter.
Ryder watched, surprised by how easily she connected with them. They hung on her every word, gasping at the scary parts and cheering at the triumphs.
His gaze drifted to where Elsa and Lieutenant Mattias stood with a cluster of soldiers, deep in conversation. Elsa's posture was rigid as always but her expression open and compassionate; she was listening to their accounts of life in the forest. Many looked like they were repressing their own crying as they spoke of loved ones left behind, of their lost, of the difficulties endured. Elsa comforted them with gentle words and even, to Ryder's shock, slight apologetic bows the soldiers immediately tried to get her out of.
These were not the actions of a cold, distant queen, nor one of a bloodthirsty people. It was a stark contrast to the aloof and imposing figure Ryder had always imagined the Arendellian monarchy to be.
Garret stood by her for every second of it. Every so often, Elsa would drift to his side, concern obvious – she was checking on him. But there was a stiffness to their interactions, a distance that felt at odds with the undeniable bond between them he'd seen throughout the entire day. Especially in front of the others, Elsa was determined to maintain a careful boundary that hadn't existed until then, while Garret... Well, Garret just looked tired.
Throughout it all, Ryder also noticed Maren observing the interactions between the Arendellians, the eyes he knew keen tracking the invisible lines of decorum. Even in this makeshift community, forged through shared struggle, hierarchy was absolute. They were lucky their apparent chief didn't look like he abused it.
Maren's name was called—not loudly, but with Elsa's characteristic poise, a tone that somehow combined authority and warmth. Standing beside her, Garret had one hand resting casually on his hip, the other gesturing slightly toward Maren as if encouraging her to approach. They weren't alone. Mattias stood nearby, among a small group of Arendellian soldiers who looked more uncertain than threatening, their glances darting between their leader and the unfamiliar Northuldra.
Ryder didn't like the way Maren's hesitation gave way to curiosity, the way Elsa's calmness and Garret's approachability were pulling her in. His subtle shake of the head was for her alone.
Stay here.
But she invited him to follow, her fingers brushing against his tunic, and then she turned, her steps deliberate. Ryder stayed where he was. His gaze followed her retreating figure.
A burst of laughter drew his attention to where Kristoff and Sven were surrounded by another couple of delighted Arendellian children, clearly impressed by the sight of a real live reindeer and talking snowman, and who wouldn't?
Kristoff grinned as he showed them how to feed Sven some undersized carrots, patiently answering their endless questions, putting them on his back. Ryder felt a pang of envy at the easy rapport between man and beast. What he wouldn't give to have a bond like that. Yet even that giant's smile was smaller and less shining.
Kristoff shepherded his wide-eyed children toward where Anna had set up her impromptu storytelling session. Once he'd made sure all the kids were settled, he stepped away, leaving Sven to graze away from the gathering.
Ryder's feet carried him toward the reindeer almost against his will. He'd been trying to keep his distance, but... well, it wasn't every day you got to see such a well-trained good boy. Sven's ears perked up as he approached, and the reindeer lifted his head with curious eyes.
"There aren't many like you," Ryder muttered, keeping his voice low enough that only Sven could hear. He reached out hesitantly, then caught himself and withdrew his hand. "Feels weird that you chose an Arendellian."
Sven snorted at that, disagreeing, and butted his head against Ryder's withdrawn palm.
"You feel that strongly against it, huh?"
Despite himself, Ryder's lips twitched. The reindeer's insistence was... endearing.
"Having a heart-to-heart with my best friend?" Kristoff's voice made Ryder stiffen, but the usual edge of hostility didn't rise as sharply as before. Something explained by the defeat in his posture.
"He started it," Ryder said, then winced at how childish that sounded.
"Yeah, he does that." Kristoff sighed, taking his hat off and running a hand through his hair. "Thing is, I usually don't let people get that close when I'm not there, but I saw the way you look at him. Just… pet the damn reindeer."
And he turned away, his shoulders still hunched and easy confidence replaced by something heavier. He passed a returning Maren, who slowed down to tilt her head questioningly at him, but Kristoff didn't stop, his gaze fixed on the ground as he walked by without a word.
"What did they want?" Ryder asked.
"Confirmation about the trials. Mostly," she replied, shaking her confusion away and dusting off her hands.
"They're getting inside your head."
"And you should probably get out of yours," Maren shot back, patience wearing thin.
"Hey!"
Honeymaren stepped closer to him, even more serious than usual. "Ryder, they got the Fire Spirit's name. We didn't even know that. They're our best opportunity to see the sky. I know what you feel about them, asking you to make it smaller. For a bit, at least."
Ryder opened his mouth to argue, but the determination in Maren's gaze stopped him. He huffed out a breath in defeat and turned back to Sven, hands gliding over his fur.
"Fine," he muttered.
Maren smiled then, he couldn't see it, but he knew. "That's my brother."
The encroaching dark settled over the camp like a shroud, ever-present mist swallowing the fading light and casting trees in shades of cold crimson and warm blue. The air grew heavier around Elsa, thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant sounds of the woods shifting into nocturnal rhythms.
A hush had fallen over the Arendellians, their voices lowered to reverent murmurs as if unwilling to disturb the fragile peace that had settled upon them with her and Anna's arrival. Their faces were both pain and relief, hope and crushing expectations. She reflected on the stories they'd shared – of families forming in the wake of war, of love giving them the strength to wait for their king's return. The light that had returned to their eyes when Honeymaren had explained the trials, how Fire and Water had already been secured, had been a balm to her soul. But it was a double-edged comfort, the weight of their faith now more acute than ever.
Elsa took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation she knew they needed to have. She glanced at Anna, drawing strength from her sister now returned to her side after entertaining the children with her stories and games, before coming back to Mattias.
"Lieutenant..." she began.
Mattias held up a hand, his expression softening into a gentle and paternal smile. "Please call me Destin," he said.
"Okay, Destin!" Anna chimed in, her natural enthusiasm temporarily lightening the heavy atmosphere.
Elsa couldn't help but fondly scoff at her exuberance.
"We have... difficult questions," she said.
Mattias nodded, his eyes serious. "I'm all ears."
Anna gave her a small nod of encouragement, and Elsa drew in a fortifying breath.
"Why... Why did Arendelle attack?"
Mattias' eyebrows shot up. "Pardon?" he asked.
Anna stepped forward. "We learned that Arendelle was the one who attacked. Can you tell us why?"
Mattias shook his head slowly, disbelief almost too evident. "You think... Did the Northuldra tell you that?"
Elsa and Anna nodded in unison. "And the Fire Spirit," Elsa added, watching Mattias closely for his reaction.
The Lieutenant sighed, his entire body swaying forward as if under a great weight. He looked between them.
"Let's have this discussion tomorrow," he suggested, regaining some strength. "I can see you're both exhausted, and these are indeed difficult subjects."
Elsa wanted to protest, to demand answers right then and there. But one look at Anna's drooping eyelids and Mattias' lined face had her reconsidering. They were all worn out from the day, and this conversation deserved both their full attention and clearest minds.
"Very well," Elsa agreed, inclining her head.
And here I was worried about some petty disputes, she thought as she took in the situation.
Elsa's eyes drifted to Anna. The usual sunny warmth had dimmed, replaced by a tired and somber expression that looked off for quite a few reasons. Kristoff fared no better.
She talked to him already.
And then there was Garret. Steadfast, unwavering Garret. And she was struggling with Garret.
She hadn't even talked to him about the armor. Of course, he hadn't asked her to. Worst of all, she couldn't look him in the eye anymore. She knew she'd find that hurt, that pain, that disappointment. He stayed at her side, like always, but she couldn't decide where to stand. Was she too far, too close? Did she talk to him too much, not enough? Did she give him back, anything at all?
He deserves a kiss, the thought intruded, bearing down on her with a weight that eclipsed everything else.
It was a ridiculous notion, considering where they were and the stakes they faced. The entire forest needed her help, her own sister needed her help, her country was potentially guilty of war crimes and here she was, fretting over a stupid kiss. One she had readily given him two years ago, in what she now almost thought had been a mistake.
Yet her traitorous eyes kept seeking him out whenever he wasn't looking, and Elsa felt the vivid sting of tears each time. She had focused on her people for a while, tried to be the leader they deserved. But now that night had fallen, the camp slowly surrendering to dreams, and Mattias had persuaded her to take her family to the big hut to rest, there was nothing to distract her from the turmoil running rampant in her mind.
"Do you feel ready?" Anna asked, her voice soft but insistent.
No, was Elsa's immediate reflex. And of course, Anna saw right through her.
"Elsa, please..."
But this time, Elsa wouldn't settle for a half-hearted attempt. She wanted to talk, even if she didn't quite know what to say yet. She needed an ultimatum, and she knew Anna wouldn't give it to her. This time, it wasn't just about her – Anna could use it as much as she did.
Elsa took her sister's hands. "Tomorrow, first thing in the morning. You have my word."
Anna slumped, torn between dwindling hope and cautious doubt. She didn't quite look like she believed Elsa's promise.
"First thing in the morning," she repeated. A question and a challenge.
Elsa nodded, holding Anna's gaze even as her heart raced. Then she left.
Tomorrow, she would face this. Tomorrow, she would find the words. For Anna, for Garret, for herself.
Said Garret was assisting the camp with their final chores before sleep, and her heart thundered in her chest. She noticed the slight tremble in his hands as he lifted a heavy log, the way Honeymaren moved to help him despite the harsh stares from the Arendellians. That sight, that simple act of camaraderie, propelled Elsa forward before she even realized what she was doing.
She stopped a few paces away, and Garret looked up, having clearly not expected it. Even Honeymaren paused in her work, not knowing what she was supposed to do now.
"Lieutenant Carter," Elsa said, formality unwanted as it left her mouth. Why was she addressing him like that? She never addressed him like that outside of teasing. "I wanted to thank you for your service today. You've... honored the crown, and Arendelle."
Garret's brow furrowed in confusion when he straightened. He seemed to deflate a bit, even as he executed a perfect bow; the kind that usually filled Elsa with pride. But not tonight. Tonight, it felt hollow.
"Only my duty, Your Majesty," he replied, neutral and measured.
Duty. The word stung, lancing through her like a shard of ice. Elsa hated seeing him like this. Lost, empty, tired. Hated knowing she was the reason for it. Hated that he had waited two years for her, only for her to call him Lieutenant Carter as soon as she didn't know what to do. Hated that she couldn't yet put into words what he meant to her, what he made her feel.
She hated it. All of it. But most of all, she hated that she knew exactly why this was happening.
Honeymaren gave a decided nod to herself and discreetly slipped away, taking whatever firewood had remained with her. Elsa fought the contrarian urge to throw herself into his arms and run in the opposite direction.
"Everything okay, Elsa?" he asked softly, concern replacing the weariness in his eyes.
The way Garret said her name, the gentle cadence, sent a familiar heat rushing to Elsa's ears. But this time, it was accompanied by a sinking feeling in her stomach, a leaden weight that dragged at her insides.
Guilt, sharp and bitter, rooted and burning.
She had put him through so much, had asked for his patience and understanding while offering little in return. It wasn't fair to him. She wasn't being fair to him. The realization sat heavy, made it hard to breathe. She wanted to reach out, to touch him, to offer some form of comfort or reassurance.
"Did you and Anna get to talk?" he added.
Elsa shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. Her throat constricted, shame, doubt and longing tangling into a knot that made it impossible to push even a single word past her lips.
Garret sighed, studying her intently. "Wanna take the night? See what comes out of it?"
She nodded, grateful as always for the way he seemed to know what she needed even when she couldn't voice it aloud.
"She'll listen," he continued. "And I get the feeling she wants someone to listen to her as well."
You do too, she thought. She just had to say that.
Instead, she gave another nod.
Here he was, more concerned about her well-being, about Anna, than his own hurt. Even now, even when she had left him waiting. Always putting their needs above his own.
Without a word, Elsa walked closer to him. She darted a quick glance around, ensuring no one was watching. Then, hesitantly, she reached for his hand.
Her fingers trembled as they hovered over his skin. It felt like crossing a line, even though she'd touched him probably hundreds of times before.
Garret must have sensed her inner dilemma. His expression softened, the green of his eyes shining a bit brighter. Slowly, deliberately, he moved his hand forward until it was a mere hairsbreadth from hers. A silent promise that he would meet her halfway, just as he always did.
Gathering every ounce of courage she possessed, she closed the remaining distance.
The moment Elsa's fingers wrapped around Garret's palm, a shudder rippled through her entire body. The contact was electric, his skin slightly rough beneath hers. She could feel his pulse, strong and steady, in the tempest of her emotions. A release came with it, a slow unfurling of her accumulated stress.
But tension refused to fully go from her body. Some of it lingered and stayed and settled.
"Okay," Garret murmured, his voice low and soothing. "Let's get you some rest, then."
One more nod. Elsa released his hand, immediately mourning the loss of contact. But she followed him back to the hut without protest, exhaustion both physical and emotional claiming what little energy she had left.
Garret bid goodnight to Mattias, Honeymaren, and Ryder, who were sharing a tent, before ushering her inside. Anna was already preparing her makeshift cot, but she stood to her full height as Elsa entered, their eyes meeting for a fleeting second.
Elsa didn't hesitate. She pulled her sister into a tight embrace, clinging to her desperately. Anna melted into it after a moment, her arms coming up to return the hug with just as much strength.
That was when she was relieved of whatever pressure remained.
"Why don't you two share the bed?" Garret suggested, his voice morphed by his wide grin. "Kristoff and I can take the bunks."
"There's enough space on the bed, you know," Anna pointed out, a hint of her usual mischief returning. But Elsa's eyes shot open at that, and she repressed the need to shake her head as violently as possible.
Fortunately for her heart, Garret chuckled. "Didn't work the first time, firehead. I'll let Kristoff know the bad news."
With that, he slipped out of the hut, giving the sisters the privacy Elsa knew they both needed. But a part of her yearned to call him back, to beg him to stay.
She resisted it, instead focusing on the solid warmth of Anna in her arms as they settled onto the bed. Elsa let her nuzzle against her neck, breathing in the familiar scent of sunshine and something uniquely Anna. She draped their mother's shawl over them like a protective cocoon, the fabric familiar and comforting against her skin.
"Tomorrow morning," Anna mumbled, a thread of worry still woven through her words, but overwhelmed by drowsy hope.
"Tomorrow morning," Elsa echoed, the words both a promise and a plea.
And as sleep claimed her, dragging her down into dreams haunted by gentle green eyes and steady hands, Elsa prayed that dawn would bring the clarity and courage she so direly needed.
AN:
And thanks for reading, you wonderful person!
Some insight from Mr. Got Too Much Time: this is where I really start to dig into the big difference between Anna and Garret in Elsa's support system. If you go back and scan the story, you'll notice Anna usually answers Elsa with "Of course", while Garret uses "Always". I'll let you marinate on that.
Quick update on where we stand in the story – we are just a smidge under halfway through. I know the chapter count says 15, but there will be a couple additional chapters. Don't know exactly how many, but count on ~18 chapters in total for the current outline I have, which is around the same as PaT I, but with significantly longer chapters. Can't believe this is shaping up to be a 150k words story.
Next chapter might just be my favourite in between both PaT I and II honestly. It's about halfway done, and it does have a theme, unlike this chapter.
Chapter 9 – Oath's theme is A Gift of A Thistle, by James Horner (from Braveheart, love that movie, if any youngings haven't seen it, do yourself a favor).
Peace,
CalAm.