#I think she might also bang Gale sometimes but I’m not sure

[tavs-brainworm]

Frankly a shameful lack of Lae’zel x Astarion content, considering they are literally the only two companions who can spontaneously have sex with each other in game. What even is their ship name? Do I have to do the work all by myself?

[justlookatthosesausages]

“In the eye of the storm” ◊◊◊◊ a post-Frozen 2 fanfic ◊◊◊◊ CHAPTER 4: In the fog

Elsa woke up to the soothing feeling of an opened glazed window and the heavenly sight of her girlfriend laying against the frame. Honeymaren was looking at Arendelle's landscape from the guest room, enjoying a calm break in the stormy weather to admire the mountains without getting showered by the rain. She also enjoyed the view when she turned at the sound of Elsa stirring and stretching in the bed, her ice night gown sparkling in the morning light. The blonde's short hair was just as messy as her long black one. The eternal flyaway lock came in front of her eyes, and the Snow Queen blinked tiredly as she passed a hand in her hair and fixed her bangs with a layer of ice.

"Join me?" Proposed Honeymaren.

Elsa went out of bed with a smile, and walked to her before kissing her in the neck. She nested her chin on her shoulder, circling Honeymaren's waist with her arms.

"Hi you."

"Hi." Laughed the brunette, kissing her temple.

She pointed at the village below.

"Look, we can see the unity statue from here."

"Yeah, I like to look at it sometimes."

"I think it's a good symbol to take example from in this time of crisis, don't you think? Our people together to face the storm and find a solution to it."

The blonde smiled. "You're very poetic so early in the morning. I could go back to sleep with that voice of yours that you use when telling stories to Sami children."

Honeymaren giggled and rubbed Elsa's cheek.

"You know, we could have camped outside. You're used to going on hikes, and the weather isn't really a problem."

Elsa hummed on her shoulder. Her hot breath in Honeymaren's neck underlined how the last part of her remark was true.

"I prefer when we sleep in the guest room."

The brunette smirked and turned to her.

"Having a taste for luxury, ex-Queen?"

Elsa poked her lover's ribs at her sarcasm. "No, I just prefer to give you the best comfort."

Honeymaren rolled her eyes, but knew she was sincere.

"Do I need to remind you that we slept countless times in Ahtohallan? I can handle a glacier, and a magical one furthermore, so I can handle a little storm."

"This is not a little storm." Warned Elsa, changing the topic unconsciously.

Her arms had even tightened a bit around Honeymaren's waist, and the latter patted her hands.

"It's okay. Relax. No pressure. No duties."

Elsa muttered something on her shoulder. Honeymaren knew her too well, sometimes it was unfair.

She then detached from her body to turn and look at her. "Honey, you said yesterday that I should relieve myself from tensions, but you should be the one to get rest. Yelena is going tough on you lately."

"I still have a lot of work to do. And she wants to pass me all her knowledge."

"And being the next tribe leader is a lot of responsibilities..."

"Which I willingly engaged myself into." Insisted Honeymaren, her eyes determined.

Two big azure blue ones saw that expression, and Elsa grinned.

"You're going to be the best."

"I know." Chuckled Honeymaren.

She noticed how high the sun was in the sky already, despite the clouds hiding it. "Now come on, we're going to be laughingstock if we arrive at breakfast after Eydis."

They closed the glazed window behind them and changed. Before passing the door, Elsa looked at herself in the mirror near the wall, and Honeymaren tickled her from behind. The blonde lost her balance and laughed out loud, leaving an echo behind her as they went to the corridor.

The surface of the mirror covered up with frost from the spot where Elsa had hung on to. 

=======

Honeymaren was right when she mused about the Northuldra and Arendellians uniting to find a solution to the magic storm. Elsa and Anna got very busy with only that in mind.

Several days had passed. The sisters didn't talk much, which was paradoxical for a period in which they actually were very supportive of each other. They had different duties on different places of the castle. Elsa was searching for spots all around the Arendelle village and surroundings where she could meditate and try to sense Nokk's or Gale's energy to understand their behavior, while Anna was sending messengers to neighboring kingdoms all around the country to check their administrative decisions and be updated to offer her help. At each meal, they exchanged on the other's progress, then returned to their activities.

Kristoff admired their work, seeing how they had been doing their best for the past days. However, he saw them less lately, and at a time when he had no duty and his daughter was busy in a math lesson, he went to visit Sven in the stables. He didn't expect to meet Honeymaren there.

"Hey, how are you? What are you doing here?"

He noticed that she was feeding some hay to a reindeer, and that the reindeer in question was obviously Sven.

"Oh, you're..."

"How's Sven?" Asked the Northuldra.

He gulped. "Why ask that?"

The brunette looked at him with comprehension. "There's only the two of us here, Kristoff. You can drop the lies."

The King rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

"Not... Fine."

They both turned to the reindeer, who was sleeping quietly. Only...

"He was sleeping when you arrived?" Asked the blond.

Honeymaren nodded. "Yes, and I've come here early this morning when I saw something was wrong."

So she knew. Who was giving it away? Sven or him?

"Kristoff..."

She put the pitchfork back against the wall and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"...Reindeers rarely live beyond 20 years."

"Yes, I know. Elsa told me on her last visit. We spent a long time talking about it. She knows all about wildlife, now, uh?" He smiled.

"She does." Smiled Honeymaren. "I've never met someone as curious as her. And I have Ryder as a brother!"

They both laughed. Kristoff cleared his throat.

"Is is true that you have a... Ceremony for..." He gulped again. "Deceased reindeers?"

"Yes. We do. First because in Northuldra culture, we consider that each living life is important, but also because a lot of us have been close to a particular reindeer helping them in daily tasks for years or on which they like to ride. We know what you feel."

There was a blank. She let that sink, and continued.

"When the moment will come, we'll give Sven the ceremony he deserves."

"It... It would be an honor if Ryder and you..."

"Sure."

He heavily sighed and sat on a stack of hay. Honeymaren joined him.

"I've known him all my life. He's not just a buddy, he's like... My best friend."

"Like a brother." Smiled Honeymaren.

Kristoff appreciated her precision. "Yes."

"How about you talk about it to Ryder on the next time you come visit us in the Forest? I'm afraid it will feel weird if you bring the topic during game night."

"Yeah, good call."

They laughed.

A few moments later, Honeymaren explained that now she was sure that everyone in her Arendelle family was alright, starting from Elsa and including Sven, it was time for her to go back to the Forest.

Elsa also insisted that she had duties to attend as well as the next tribe leader, and when her reindeer was ready to do the way back, they all assembled at the castle's entrance. Anna took advantage of Elsa and Kristoff talking to have a private talk with Honeymaren.

"I'm sorry again that Elsa shut you out and didn't tell you she came here."

The Northuldra chuckled. "Don't apologize for her. She apologized herself in her own way."

"Okay. You know, she uses this mechanism... Pushing people away... To actually protect them. It looks like she wants to be alone and reject people who can help her, but in fact..."

"...It's the opposite. She's craving for care." Finished Honeymaren.

Anna smiled. "You know her just as much as I do now. I'm so happy that being in couple helps in confessions."

The redhead's eyes stung with emotion. "Honeymaren, I'm deeply glad that you're her girlfriend and such a caring person and always here for her. You're the person she always needed, unconsciously."

"Oh, she's very conscious of that need, let me tell you." Winked Honeymaren.

The redhead's jaw dropped with shock at the innuendo, and they both laughed.

Anna retrieved her breath. "Anyway, her happiness is what counts most for all of us."

She put a hand on the Northuldra's shoulder. "She's always been happy since the day we stepped into the Forest and she met you. She's finally living the life she deserved."

"I fully agree." Grinned Honeymaren.

They hugged, and the others approached. Anna gave her enough chocolates to feed the whole tribe, and Elsa a kiss big enough to steal her oxygen. With an amused gasp and a pat on the blonde's shoulder, the Northuldra stepped back and climbed on her reindeer.

Elsa looked fondly at her girlfriend.

"Take care."

"No, you take care." Smiled Honeymaren.

Her loving gaze then became serious.

"Who knows what the Spirits might be up to."

Elsa nodded. She also rarely added a word after Honeymaren's brief wise sentences.

As if to give her courage, the reindeer licked the Snow Queen's face, and she chuckled and wiped her cheek.

"Yeah, I was happy to see you too, Vibeke."

She stroked the reindeer, nervously passing a hand along the Northuldra motives on the harness.

"Keep an eye on the tribe while I'm still busy here, okay? And tell Yelena I'm alright."

"I will", promised Honeymaren, finding her bashfulness cute as always.

"I was talking to the reindeer."

"Oh."

Honeymaren then lifted an eyebrow.

"...Wait, you're teasing me, right?"

"Of course I was talking to you, silly!" Laughed Elsa.

"You're such a dork." Sighed Honeymaren, shaking her head.

"11 years and you still fall for those tricks."

"Well, you do talk to animals all the time. So excuse me."

Elsa swatted her leg, and Honeymaren laughed before tapping her ankles on the reindeer belly to make it gallop.

"See you later, snømus!" Exclaimed the Northuldra, her voice echoing in the Arendelle's castle courtyard.

"See you later, Honey." Smiled Elsa as she looked at her lover go.

=======

Honeymaren had left thinking Elsa was alright; however, she wasn't. She had been meditating for days - sometimes even in crazy places that drove the others nuts when Anna and Kristoff learned about them, such as the rooftops or on an ice island in the middle of the fjord - and she still couldn't grasp Nokk's or Gale's energy. She could sense they were there, somewhere in the sky, yet nothing precise. Not only did that made her sad and worried, but she couldn't help feeling like a fraud. Sensing the other Spirits and preventing them from putting people in danger was literally her job, and she was failing miserably at it. Every time she told Anna that her new meditation session had been in vain, her optimistic sister replied that everything would end well eventually. Nevertheless, Elsa had more of a pessimistic personality, and the first day after Honeymaren was gone, she started to tell herself that she wasn't worth of Ahtohallan's blessing. What if she could never get why the Spirits were doing such a thing? What if she could never bring them back in the Enchanted Forest? What if the storm kept going eternally for generations and generations? Elsa shivered from this idea, and twitched on the top of the clock tower where she had been sitting in lotus position. She sighed and opened her eyes, looking at the dark horizon. The sun wasn't even setting yet and the sky was already gloomy, sometimes pouring with rain and sometimes bringing a blowing wind in the village. Sometimes both. At the moment, it was the first option, which was why Elsa had picked the clock tower, for it had a roof under which she could shelter. It also was the only remaining place in Arendelle that was high enough to stare at the horizon and could maybe help her sense the Spirits better, yet it changed nothing. She looked at the castle in the distance through the curtain of rain, and sighed again before standing up.

"There's no point. I should go home."

As she went down the stairs of the tower, she realized that maybe she should just stay in Arendelle and never dare to return to the Forest. Maybe that her home wasn't there, after all. Did she even deserve to come back to the woods alone, empty-handed, with no improvement?

She made her way through the village, not even walking fast, letting her thoughts and shame go down on her like the rain.

After entering the castle, Elsa went to Anna's study and was about to knock on the door, but it was, as usual, slightly open.

The redhead however seemed to be deep into work, and she heard Elsa's presence only when the Snow Queen's wet ice sandals tapped against the wood floor.

"Oh, Elsa!" Exclaimed Anna, smiling as she saw her elder after jerking her head up.

"Uhm... Can we talk?"

"That's great, I actually have something to tell you too."

"Can I go first?" Asked Elsa, clenching her hands.

Anna was a bit disappointed to not start with her news, but encouraged her, putting her pen back in her ink pot.

"Yeah, do say."

"I still got nothing."

"Uh?"

"I meditated, again, and again, and tried to sense their feelings, but... It's all blur. It's like they're really, really far, but at the same time I can tell that they're just above us. It's really weird, and I hate that I'm not able to understand why."

"It's okay." Smiled her younger. "Surely you felt a thing or two?"

Elsa shrugged, disappointed with herself. "Maybe. I felt urge, dread, anger, and they're both giving all their magical energy in what seems like a swirl, a mix of water and wind. I know this sounds stupid, because it's basically a storm. I could also feel that they're reckless."

Anna stared at her. She wanted to ask: 'Those are emotions you also felt from them days ago, has nothing changed?' but remained mute.

Elsa kept going. "I have nothing else to say. All I sense, coming from them, is danger. So, in summary, as long as I don't know what's going on, my best advice is to stay indoors and not do anything."

A long silence passed. Anna cleared her throat.

"Well... The thing I wanted to talk to you about is..."

She bit her lip.

"I'm leaving tomorrow."

"What...?" Muttered Elsa.

"A messenger from Hitiheimr came in this afternoon to tell me that the decision had been made official, all leaders are awaited there to discuss—"

"Did you listen to anything of what I just said?" Cut Elsa.

Anna closed her mouth, and realized that ironically, on the other hand, Elsa hadn't been listening to her sentence. She frowned.

"I did, but this is of the most importance..."

"I'm telling you to stay inside and you're telling me that you're going out tomorrow?"

"This is important." Insisted Anna.

She showed a paper that was on her desk. "All kingdoms of the country have decided on common agreement to gather in the eastern lands of Hitiheimr to have a national meeting and take decisions about this storm."

"I just told you my decision!"

"No, not yours." Tried to clarify Anna without sounding blunt. "This is about royal decisions. What the kingdoms have to do to face the problem."

"This is just dumb."

The redhead blinked and frowned. "Excuse me?"

"This is ridiculously risky!"

"And it's just as ridiculous to stay inside and do nothing!" Jolted Anna.

"Actually, I'd prefer that you don't do anything!" Threw Elsa, blushing in irritation.

"What?! Oh, come on, you're just angry because you've been nervous those last days. Look at you! You're the only person in the world who gets upset after meditating."

"Because the world needs me right now. And I don't have solutions."

"And that's because you can't find any that you're offended, I get it! But don't you think that the world needs me, as well? Are you saying that I can't help too? That I can't bring solutions?"

"No, Anna, you're confused."

"I'm the one who's confused?!"

"Don't raise your voice at me." Warned Elsa.

"No, look, I have all the rights to raise my voice at you. I've been just as distressed as you those past days to find a solution to move on in this magic storm and when I finally make things go forward, this is how you support me? Look, I have to—"

"There's no way you're leaving."

"No, I have to, Elsa, it's my du—"

"This is too dangerous."

Anna gritted her teeth at her interruptions, which were driving her mad.

"I have to go because—"

"Why didn't you even tell me a messenger had come this afternoon?" Frowned the blonde.

Anna exploded.

"You were out meditating, Elsa! Why was I supposed to do? Find you? Apparently I couldn't, for I see that you don't want me to step outside!"

"You know I meant that because I care about you." Grunted Elsa, not liking her tone.

"Because you're afraid I would what, fly away in the storm? No need to smother me, Elsa. I can take care of myself."

She saw that her sister was about to open her mouth, so she kept going.

"Also, your point doesn't stand. We went to investigate about the storm a few days ago, and you seemed fine about it!"

"Because like you say, it was days ago!" Exclaimed Elsa, now making big gestures of the arms and hands like her sister was doing on the other side of the desk. "Also, I was there to protect you just in case something goes wrong."

"Nothing will go wrong. The land is barely one day of travel from here."

"But—"

Anna was frowning now and she suddenly slammed both her hands on the desk. "That's enough, Elsa. If you prevent me from going, I swear to Odin that I'll give an order to the guards to stop you."

"You have no right to—"

"I definitely do", yelled Anna. "I'm the QUEEN!"

Now her fist was banging the table. "Which is exactly why I'm going to attend this meeting, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

"FINE!"

Elsa's yell echoed against the walls and she left the room in a fury, nearly bumping into her niece who was about to enter in the study.

Anna slumped into her chair, sighing and massaging the top of her nose.

The little girl blinked at Elsa's exit, confused, but focused back on why she was coming.

"Mama..."

"Not now, Eydis, please."

"It won't be long, I promise." Said the princess, as it wasn't the first time that she interrupted her mother doing royal activities.

The redhead sighed lengthily.

"Go on."

"It's about a book."

Anna took a long breath in, trying to remain calm and not show anger or sadness to her daughter. She gave her a warm smile.

"Sorry, Eydis, I can't tell you a story right now. I'm busy, you see?"

"It's not for a story! Can you give me the one on runes again?"

Anna frowned and looked at her between two fingers of her hand. "Again? Fine, I'll get it for you, it's in the library. But I told you already, the runes on grandfather and grandmother's headstones stand for—"

"I know, I know." Grumbled the little girl with a typical childish annoyed tone. "It's not for that. I want to learn new ones."

Anna was too tired to ask why she needed it, and rubbed her temple. "Alright, I'll get it for you once I finish my work."

Eydis stepped further, and then around her desk, observing her mother. "Are you hurt at the head?"

"No. Maybe... Sort of." Exhaled Anna.

The girl jumped to sit on her mother's lap, and the latter huffed of surprise, but then smiled as the girl idly played with the stamp left on her pile of letters. A silence passed.

"Mama... Why are you working at this time?"

Anna looked at her desk above her daughter's head.

"I have to go in a neighbor land tomorrow to have a national meeting with other kingdoms, sweetheart. I need to make sure everything is set before I do."

"Oh, Queen stuff is so boring."

"Not always." Assured Anna with a chuckle.

She bent to blow a raspberry on Eydis' cheek, and the girl cackled with laughter.

Silence followed as the princess silently turned the stamp in her hand. Anna's pen scratched a paper calmly, and her daughter looked at the door.

"Where did Auntie go?"

The Queen winced.

"I don't know, Eydis. Sometimes it's best that way."

"Why did she leave then?" Asked the child.

"Well, you see, I told her exactly what I told you about the meeting. And... She doesn't really like that news."

"Why?" Frowned the princess.

Anna smiled. "People react differently to the same things. For example, Auntie Elsa cares about me more than anyone in the world, and she needs time."

=======

On the first days of the storm, Elsa thought that Anna would enrage to not be able to go outside because of the weather, yet she didn't; the redhead had matured through the years since she became Queen and a mother. She now enjoyed taking care of administrative things and staying indoors.

However, in the day that followed, Elsa had never wanted more for Anna to stay within the walls of the castle.

As Anna was preparing the harness of her horse with the help of a groom, Elsa kept pacing left and right in the corridor in front of the box.

The horse followed her moves with curiosity, wondering why the woman was walking like that and clenching her hands.

"Do you really have to go today?" Asked Elsa.

Anna inhaled discretely to conjure the needed patience as her sister had asked this question way too many times in the past hours.

"Yes, I have to go today. I'm expected."

"At least go on Sven!"

"No, he's getting too old." Reminded Anna, still not looking at her.

Elsa wasn't really looking at her either anyway, staring down as she kept turning and turning.

"Are you still thinking about pros and cons?" Guessed Anna when she saw her mood. "You seem to feel guilty about something."

The blonde sighed.

"I'm sorry for the dispute we had yesterday. I guess I was envious to see that you succeeded in your objective, your task, your duty... While I've done nothing."

Anna turned to Elsa with wisdom. "Which is why I have to attend this council. This is the part I play in, you understand that I have to do it."

The blonde passed her hands in her hair. Why was her sister always right?

"I know it's the safety part that worries you." Stated Anna as she stroked the horse's neck. "Remember, Mattias will be with me. Do you doubt of his dedication?"

"Of course not!" Exclaimed her elder.

Destiny had proven many times to Elsa that Mattias would do anything for his country, especially for Anna whom he had seen in the most dreadful situations and admired to no end, willing to give his life to make her safe.

"It's not that." Muttered Elsa. "I'm scared of this storm because it's magical, and... It's not something I can stop, or handle, or even predict. You've seen how it got worse every passing day."

"Another reason why I must leave now. The faster the council happens, the faster I'll come back."

Elsa was about to reply, but Anna really had the best arguments. Was it because she knew Elsa by heart now and figured that reason and logic worked well on her, or was it thanks to her experience in diplomatic missions? Surely both.

"Then be your best self."

"I will." Winked Anna, making the horse brush twirl in the air.

"If anything would happen..."

Elsa gulped, looking down.

"Anna, if I lost you, I think I'd lose myself."

The redhead's eyes widened.

As the groom gave directions to the horse to walk out of the box, Elsa stepped aside to let them pass, and she went near the wall, staying in the shadows.

When she lifted her eyes, Anna was launching herself to her for a big hug.

Kristoff stepped in the stables to join his wife and sister-in-law, who were giving each other the longest hug he had seen in a while. Giving them a moment alone, he saluted Mattias with a nod as he walked by him with his horse, also ready to leave.

When the sisters finally split up, Elsa fidgeted with the cords of Anna's coat. She distractedly passed a hand along the reindeer fur.

She remembered the year when she had offered this coat to Anna on Yule celebration. All the family was united that day, and the redhead had managed to hug Honeymaren and her at the same time in a tearful embrace, to thank them for such a gift. The whole coat was tailor made and customized based on Anna's favorite colors and motifs, and the couple had entirely hand stitched it. The Snow Queen passed a distracted finger on the green seam, then realized that she was losing herself in a daydream. She cleared her throat.

"You, uhm... You shouldn't wear your coat this tight. Riding will make you warm from the effort, and after a while, you'll feel cramped."

Anna smiled tenderly. "Okay. Thanks for the advice, Northuldra."

She loosened the cords a bit, and went to her mount to tie one last bag she had left on a bale of straw. The blonde stood still where she was in the stable's corridor, like she incited her sister to stay here.

"Do you really have to go?" Asked timidly Elsa in one last try.

In that moment, a flash came to her mind, and she realized that she had asked this sentence the exact same way to her parents as the last thing before they were gone... Forever. Instinctively and defensively, she mentally threw that fact at the back of her brain.

Anna sighed slightly and stopped attaching her bag to her horse. She gestured to Mattias to take care of it before she turned around and walked back to her elder, and the general nodded with a comprehensive smile.

Anna's eyes were two determined teal blue gems as she made her way to her sister, her gaze right into hers.

"Elsa, for the last time: it's my duty. As the leader of a kingdom."

"Queendom", corrected Kristoff with humor. "I technically do less than you."

Anna chuckled. She turned back to Elsa.

"As the Queen of Arendelle, I have to go check on neighboring lands to ensure that everything is fine for everyone. This is not only geopolitics, it's also humanitarian. There's no way I'm staying here and don't act to help."

Her voice was strong, clearly ordering Elsa to stop trying. She had a remarkable royal tone. In any other context, Elsa would have been filled with pride for her younger, yet since the day before, all of her soul was roaming with fear. She was so worried for Anna that she couldn't tell if it was a bad feeling or paranoia.

The blonde searched for help in the King's eyes, but Kristoff seemed way more confident about Anna's life than Elsa was, and it made her even more nervous. Was nobody going to be on her side? Why was no one preventing her from leaving?

Elsa could picture all the worst happening to her little sister, and she bit her lip.

"But what if something goes wrong? We can't communicate via Gale, and postal services have stopped with the storm..."

"I'll be alright." Insisted Anna.

The Snow Queen wasn't convinced, shyly looking down. It somehow reminded Anna of her own daughter when she received an instruction she didn't like and yet knew she had to respect. Why did Elsa look like a child sometimes? The redhead smirked internally.

"Hey."

Her elder only muttered a 'hmm' as an answer, not lifting her face. Anna bent her head to catch her gaze. She knew Elsa's coping mannerisms more than anyone.

"You know I'll be fine. It's a few days journey, with a path that is way less dangerous than the one leading to the Enchanted Forest."

"But—"

"Let me finish. I'm expected tomorrow at noon when the council starts. If we don't attend, they'll know. It's more than safe."

The blonde hated how perfect those points were. She now pouted, knowing she couldn't add anything else. Anna saw it but hid her amusement.

She remained serious and breathed in and out with a sad smile.

"Elsa. You have to let me go."

The blonde's eyes stared elsewhere to hide her emotion, and she eventually blinked her tears away. After a while, she sighed and assembled enough courage to look at her sister with a determined look.

"Okay. I'll give you space."

The redhead smiled warmly. She put her hands on Elsa's shoulders.

"The sun, the moon and the sky, yes, I know."

Elsa stared at her with a smile slowly stretching her lips, stunned by her sentence.

"You remember?"

"Of course I do." Chuckled Anna. "I'll never forget my very first birthday with you after the Great Thaw."

The blonde had done everything she could to chase her tears until now, and immediately they were replaced by other emotional ones. Anna noticed, and her hands switched from her shoulders to her cheeks.

"Hey, hey, no more tears, okay? I shouldn't have brought that up." She laughed nervously. "Time for me to go, or I'll be late."

She gave a sign to Mattias, who was holding both their horses, and when she joined him, Elsa could only follow without a word.

Kristoff came close to his wife.

"I'll take care of Arendelle with all my heart while you're gone."

"Just like I know you will, honey." Smiled Anna brightly, and they kissed.

She then put her feet in the stirrup and climbed on her horse's back. Mattias did the same, smiling at the reactions of her family.

Anna made her horse walk to the doors, and she turned one last time.

"I'll be back before you guys even notice I'm gone."

Elsa winced.

"I doubt a lot of that."

Anna gave her a positive smile and winked. With the clear light passing between the clouds behind her as she was high on her horse by the doors, she seemed to have an aura. Elsa missed a heartbeat.

"I love you." Mouthed Anna.

She then dashed her mount forward, closely followed by Mattias with the same speed. Kristoff waved at them as they rushed to the horizon, and Elsa stared at their figures shrinking in the distance.

"I love you too." Muttered Elsa.

Her heart was in pain watching her leave, now disappearing from her sight. First Honeymaren, now Anna... The Snow Queen brought her hand to her chest, tightening it against her heart, and closed her eyes.

She clenched her eyelids and bit her lips as one prayer in her mind begged Ahtohallan to keep an eye on the two most precious people in her life, and to make sure that nothing bad would happen to them.

[foreversillythings]

with the taste of pomegranate on our lips chapter 3

part one kore chapter three a goddess’ prayer

Sometimes thoughts of Gale kept her up at night, sometimes the loneliness, but when she couldn't sleep, Madge sat at her window and peered out at the moon.

Marvel's twin was Katniss, virgin goddess of the hunt, the moon, forests and protector of young girls. Every night her chariot pulled the moon up into the sky and during the day she hunted through the forests with her companions, freer than Madge could ever dream of. What must it be like to have no master at all? To be able to do whatever one liked? Katniss had her responsibilities of course, but Madge did not want to shirk her duties either. She just wanted to feel foreign grass between her toes, to meet new people and learn of the world outside. Yes, the world was not always safe, yes there were monsters and wicked people, but there was also so much beauty to be seen, so much life had to offer. Katniss was a goddess just like Madge and if she could look after herself, couldn't Madge learn how as well?

Madge stared out at the moon and oh, what she wouldn't give for a just a taste of its freedom.

*

Gale was excited. 

When was the last time he’d been excited about anything? Anticipation too thrummed inside him and it had been ages since he’d last felt like this. So long ago it almost felt like a dream rather than his life. It had been before he’d become lord of the underworld, before the lots had been drawn and he’d been sent down into the dark. Before before when he was only Gale and he would laugh with his brothers and charm pretty girls, when he lived above the earth and knew nothing of loneliness. He’d been happy then, he can remember that (if only barely), and the whole world had been stretched out before them. They’d just overthrown the Titans, freedom was intoxicating and the idea of being king of his own realm had been exhilarating. He had descended to the dead with bravado, too young and foolish to foresee how things would change. It had been chance that had seen him draw the underworld as his realm, Gloss the earth and skies and Brutus the seas, and it was chance he had cursed for so very long.

He’d eventually given up cursing fate, given up wishing he’d become ruler of any other realm than his. Resignation, somewhere in all the years yearning for what had been, crept in and made him hollow. This was his lot, the one he’d drawn that long ago day flushed with their victory over their parents’ generation, and there was nothing to be done about it. He would rule alone in the dark, disliked, feared and unwanted. 

Except, maybe it wasn't his lot.

Maybe, just maybe, there could be something else.

*

Madge had held her tongue for days, but eventually curiosity got the better of her. She plied her loom as she did everyday and when her mother passed by on the way to the kitchen she blurted “So when do you think the next meeting at Olympus will be?”

Her mother turned to look at her with a perplexed raise of the eyebrow and Madge smiled in what she hoped was an entirely unsuspicious manner.

“Soon I suspect, it’s been a while since the last. Why?”

“Oh, well, I...just love hearing about what everyone’s been up to. The other Gods always seem to get up to all sorts of incredible things,” Madge said and it wasn’t even a lie, the tales of her fellow gods’ shenanigans had always provided ample entertainment. Seeder snorted.

“You might love it, but try actually being face to face with them when you hear all about their nonsense. You know how difficult it is not to make a face when listening to Gloss brag about his latest ludicrous infidelity or you have to watch Darius and Cato have a wrestling match in the middle of the room to prove which of them is the manliest? Nearly impossible. Or when Beetee catches Cato and Glimmer in a net in the midst of one their many illicit rendezvous and invites us all to go humiliate them? Not that Glimmer was humiliated, she just wanted to carry on. It was Cato who looked as if he might expire from embarrassment. Or how about that time Gloss suspected a man was interested in Cashmere and to prove it created a Cashmere made out of clouds and sent it to seduce the man? And that’s not even getting into all the love interests of Marvel’s that have wound up as plants. That’s our jurisdiction and yet you’d never guess with the amount of plants he’s made due to his broken heart.”

Madge laughed, just as she always did at how outrageous the stories were, and her mother joined in, the two soon tossing out all their favourite crazy tales. The nymph that tricked Gloss into promising her whatever she desired when he tried to woo her and then promptly told him she wanted him to leave her alone. That time Cato got himself trapped in a jar. When Lyme looked in the mirror while playing the aulos and was so offended at how silly she looked that she cursed the instrument and anyone who played it. And more and more, until they can barely breathe through their laughter. 

The loneliness would come back, the desire to see the world and be free of this house, but for a moment at least, Madge didn’t want to be anywhere but here.

*

Gale had never enjoyed his visits to Olympus, but never had he wanted one to be over as badly as he did this one. He drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne, tapped his foot and earned many a frustrated glare from whoever was speaking, but for the first time in so long, Gale had something to look forward to. Today their displeasure couldn’t touch him. The anticipation could though and it nearly drove him mad, especially as the meeting went on and on and on, long past its usual end. The other gods talked and talked of nothing, argued and huffed and bragged and Gale had to restrain himself from banging his head against the back of his throne. He just wanted this to be over, more than ever before, but the sun was sinking low before he was finally released. He was up almost before Gloss was finished dismissing them and he didn’t even wait for his brother to make his customary invitation for refreshments before he refused it. 

“Sorry brother, but I have to go. So much work to do,” he called over his shoulder and then he was in his chariot, charging swiftly down the slope of Olympus and across Greece. The others would surely speculate about his haste, but he didn’t care. Let them talk, it no longer mattered. His chariot flew across meadows and fields and then he was in their copse of trees, his shadow form already dropping. His eyes searched eagerly, tension in his chest and there she was. Madge was waiting in pale, misty blue with flowered vines woven round her arms. She leaned against a tree, her head tilted back to absorb the dying sunlight falling through the leaves. Her hair shone golden and spilled against the brown bark behind her back and Gale stopped his chariot short to admire her. They were the antithesis of each other, how could she be here? If anyone was to pull away from him, shouldn't it be her?

Life and death are intimately connected; one could not exist without the other 

He felt a grin tug at his lips as he stepped off his chariot and ran a calming hand along Nyctaeus's flank. Madge rolled her head to the side and saw him, her welcoming smile pooling warmth in his stomach. She pushed slightly off her tree and waited, the blue of those eyes drawing him in. He walked towards her and the bitterness he was so used to did not touch him here, his anger left far behind. 

"Hello Gale," she said and he smiled a little wider, her voice turning his name into something wonderful. 

"Hello Madge."

She beckoned him closer and he went, though not nearly as close as he wanted to. She beamed. 

"I'm so glad you're here. Now tell me of the Underworld," she said, her eyes lit up with eagerness. Gale grinned and forced his mind to straighten, even as her proximity drove him to distraction.

"You don’t wish to hear of today's meeting?" he asked and she laughed, her eyes dancing merrily.

"I would but I know better than to ask you," she teased and then lowered her voice to a mocking grunt. "It was the same. Nothing happened, we did nothing and everything was the same."

Gale laughed and shook his head, her giggles meeting his. When was the last time he'd laughed like this? He couldn’t even think of it. Madge pressed a hand to her mouth and fell back against her tree, her eyes twinkling. 

"So no," she said, "I don't wish to hear about Olympus. Tell me of your home."

Home? Was the underworld home? He lived there certainly, had for so long he could barely remember when he hadn't, but had he ever felt at home there? He shook his head; Madge was waiting for an answer, not a philosophical crisis. 

"Well, there are three layers to it. The highest is Elysium where the best and greatest go," he began and Madge nodded, a dreamy look coming over her face.

"Mother has spoken to me of the Elysian Fields, where heroes rest in paradise. Is it truly so lovely?"

"Yes. It is the smallest section of the underworld's realms, but by far the most beautiful. The weather is always golden and warm, the land verdant and lush, the food rich and savoury. They want for nothing nor do they know any hardship or discomfort. It is the land of the blessed and so they delight in whatever pastimes please them, without worry or concern."

Madge sighed. "How wonderful. But where do the rest go? They cannot all find homes in Elysium."

Gale shook his head and moved a step closer, his legs growing bold.

"No, the truly righteous are few. The majority of people go to the Asphodel Meadows. That is the land for those who have done no great evil, nor any great good. They are not so blessed as those who dwell in Elysium, but it is not an awful afterlife. The sun is weaker there, unable to reach so far down and mist hangs ever upon the ground. It is the largest realm of the underworld and the most populous. And beyond that, there is-"

"Tartarus," she breathed and he nodded.

"Yes, Tartarus. Only the most wicked of souls are sent there and they spend their eternity punished for their crimes."

"And the Titans? They're kept there too, aren't they?"

Gale nodded and came closer again, filled with a bravery he hoped was not misplaced. He leaned against her tree with folded arms and tilted his head to look down at her. They were very close now, barely inches between them and she pushed off the tree and turned to face him, her shoulder leaning into the bark just as his was. The wind hummed through the woods and blew hair into her eyes and Gale's hand itched to reach up and brush it from her face. He wanted to be that bold, wanted to woo as Gloss or Marvel would, but caution told him not to take the chance. He did not want to risk this.

"Yes. The Titans are kept prisoner in Tartarus as well, guarded by their half-siblings the Hecatoncheires."

Madge bit her lip. "Hecatoncheires. Do they truly have a hundred hands each?"

"Yes and fifty heads."

Madge's mouth popped open and he grinned, his fingers still yearning to touch her. She let out a breath, her head shaking in disbelief. "I can't imagine such a person. But I suppose the world is full of such things, isn't it? The plants tell me all sorts of stories of giants, monsters and heroes, but it is so hard to believe they’re true."

Gale laughed and slid a little closer, his feet brushing her toes. He felt the contact like a jolt of Gloss' lightning and Madge turned pink, though she did not pull away.

"You are a goddess," he teased and it felt so good, "is it really so hard to conceive of other such beings?"

Madge ducked her head and tucked stray hairs behind her ear, a self-deprecating laugh passing her lips.

"It’s silly I know, but they are only stories to me. I have never met them, have never felt their impact. My world is small, even mortals do not seem entirely real."

Gale frowned and Madge looked out over his shoulder at the meadow beyond.

"My mother will be home soon," she said in a flat voice and Gale did not mean to wilt, but wilt he did.

“I do not want you to get in any trouble,” he said and Madge let out a soft hum.

“And I wouldn’t want to get you in any trouble either.”

Gale looked up and met her wry grin with one of his own. “I suppose you should go then,” he said even though that was the last thing he wanted. She nodded but did not move away, her eyes staring searchingly into his own. 

“I just…I just wish I didn’t have to. I wish there was some way I could stay and talk with you.”

Gale did not know what to say to that and Madge bit her lip, vulnerable eyes waiting for his response. How lonely she must be locked up in that house all day. I know that feeling well, don’t I? That stray lock of hair against her forehead twisted in the breeze and without even really thinking about it, Gale reached forward and brushed it from her face. She inhaled softly, her cheeks reddening, and his fingers burned where they’d grazed her skin. 

“If…if you say my name, if you invoke it in prayer, I will hear. If you call, I will come,” he whispered, the words falling from his lips without thought. She stared at him and he pulled his hand back, the tingle of her still living in his fingertips. 

“Alright, I will. I will call on you as soon as I’m able” she breathed and Gale nodded. They stayed like that for a moment, uncertain, the sun dipping all the way below the horizon. The first of the stars began to peek out and Madge surged up and kissed his cheek, her lips warm and soft on his skin. Gale stiffened, her feather light fingers touching his other cheek and her eyelids fluttering closed. She smelt of fresh earth and wildflowers and a voice in his head screamed that this was foolish, wrong, would never work, but for once, Gale didn’t listen. He rested his hands on her hips, her warmth bleeding through him and burning away his every shadow. Madge clung to him for the single brightest moment of his life and then she was gone, only the sweetest hint of flowers left in her wake. She ran back to her home as the moonlight flooded the meadow beyond the woods and Gale watched her as she went, her hair turned silver and streaming out behind her. He touched his cheek and he could feel her there still.

Madge…

*

Madge was breathless and giddy as she sped home, her feet skipping through the moon drenched flowers. She had never been out this late before and Gale hummed inside her blood, the warmth of his hands upon her, the feel of his skin beneath her lips. She almost laughed to the night, freedom and joy buzzing through her bones. She fell into her front door and slipped inside, her hands pressed to her heart.

Gale, oh Gale, I will call you back to me soon

“Madge?”

She turned and suddenly the warmth left her, an icy chill settling on her shoulders.

“Mother,” she whispered and Seeder stared at her from across the room. Her mother’s eyes widened, her mouth trembled and oh no, oh no oh no no no.

“You were outside,” Seeder accused, fury mingling with the fear in her gaze. Madge opened her mouth but could find no words to answer. She backed into the door and Seeder strode forwards, her face covered over in rage.

“What were you doing outside?” she demanded and Madge shook her head.

“Mother, I-”

“I told you not to go outside!” she shouted and Madge shrank back. Seeder reached for her and Madge gasped as her mother gripped her shoulders.

“What were you doing, what were you doing? Do you want to be lost? Do you want them to take you from me?”

“No,” Madge said, struggling in her mother’s grasp, “no, of course not. I just…I just”-

“How could you be so stupid? How could you?” Seeder cried and Madge felt something desperate building inside of her. 

“Stop it,” she pleaded but Seeder didn’t listen.

“Do you want to be lost? Do you want to be abducted?”

“No, stop it.”

“How could you be so foolish, so reckless-”

“STOP!” Madge shouted and Seeder was stunned momentarily speechless. Madge shoved at her mother’s chest, pushing her away and Seeder went, stumbling as she did. Madge breathed heavily, her heart pounding.

“I was outside because I can’t live like this, I can’t! I’m a prisoner, I’m trapped and I need to get out. I never go anywhere, I never meet anyone. I can’t live like this anymore,” she said raggedly and Seeder shook her head in disbelief.

“Madge, my Madge I am trying to keep you safe.”

“I know, I know. But I’m not safe, I’m miserable. I’m going insane staying cooped up like this, I want to live,” she said, angry tears burning at the corners of her eyes. Seeder’s face began to darken, a violent wind began to howl outside and Madge felt frustration mount within her.

“You are living; a good, safe life. How dare you be so ungrateful? I have done everything for you. I will not listen to this. You will go to your room and you will stay there. Do you hear me?” Seeder demanded and Madge felt like the walls were closing in on her. She’ll never let me go, I’ll never leave. I’ll live forever, and I’ll be trapped here for all that time. No, no, I can’t. I won’t.

“Madge-”

“No! I won’t be your prisoner! I won’t!”

Seeder reached for her but Madge was quicker. She yanked open the door and fled into the rising tempest, the wind tearing at her hair and dress. She ran as fast as she could, her mother’s shouts drowned out in the gale. Madge did not stop, could not, her legs carrying her deep into the woods and away from that damned house, far, far away. She needed to get away, she had to get away, but to where? Where would she go?

If…if you say my name, if you invoke it in prayer, I will hear. If you call, I will come

Madge fell to her knees in the dirt and dug her hands into the earth, even the voices of the plants lost in the creaking of trees and the screaming winds.

“Hear me Gale, answer my prayer lord of the underworld. Take me away from here, take me away,” she begged and in the time it took her to blink, he was there. A traveling cloak whipped behind him, his hair blew in every direction and his horses pawed the ground, tossing restless heads in the storm. Moonlight hit his eyes and made them shine, the breath stolen from her lungs. He held out a hand.

“Are you sure?”

Madge did not hesitate and placed her hand in his.

“Yes.”

end of part one

*

Just a heads up, the next chapter should be up in about two weeks, rather than the usual one. I'm almost done the next chapter of roses are red, roses are white and I want to focus on finishing that up, which means I probably won't have time to the next chapter of this one done for monday. Sorry!