#i think this may be the closest to canon post frozen 2 work i've ever done

[justlookatthosesausages]

The first week in Northuldra camp for Elsa had been kind of weird. One one hand, she was delighted to live with the tribe, fulfilled in her new role, freed from the walls that had locked her soul. And yet, on the other hand, despite all of those beautiful feelings, she couldn't find sleep. Now was it because she was excited by her new life, or because she felt nervous about it?

She let her thoughts wander, or rather float over each other, as she curled with her knees against her chest, sitting down a tree in the cold middle of the night.

"Is the lavvo uncomfortable?" Asked a gentle, yet teasing voice, behind her. In that simple question, one could tell that the person was caring, not accusing, but wanted to bring humor to lighten the mood.

Elsa snapped up and twirled her head around, facing Honeymaren. The Northuldra smiled at her to appease her apparent stress.

"No, not at all." Replied the blonde immediately, making it clear that she liked it here. "It's perfect. You guys are so fast at building them, it's such a--"

"And you are so fast at switching the mood to avoid people worrying." Analyzed Honeymaren with the same warm smile.

She saw that she hit right when Elsa closed her mouth, and lowered her gaze, back to curling on herself. Her tense shoulders however slumped a bit. "Sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. What is going on? Are you okay? Well of course you aren't. But do you want to talk about it?" Asked the brunette.

Elsa breathed in longly, to give herself courage, and Honeymaren could hear that she had been crying. It was hard to see the remnants of tears on her face and her slightly red eyes in the low light of the Moon piercing through the birch branches, but easy to guess.

Honeymaren checked around to make sure nobody would disturb them, and sat down in front of her.

"It's not nice to spy on people." Smiled Elsa. She had thought this spot of the Forest would be far enough to be alone.

"I'm not spying, I'm standing guard. I told you, I love to do it now that the mist is lifted. Which is thanks to you," she added as a compliment to ease her mind.

Elsa kept sniffing, not answering.

"And," added Honeymaren, "word of advice, if you don't want to be spotted in the dark when you want to isolate yourself from the camp..."

The blonde lifted her head.

"Avoid wearing sparkling outfits to sleep." Grinned Honeymaren.

Elsa blushed intensely, recowering a bit on herself, though she couldn't help smiling when she saw her white pants. She had a point.

"Alright." She replied quietly. "I admit that it's a bit too extra."

She then frowned at her. "Don't tell Anna I said that."

"I'll have to see her for that." Chuckled Honeymaren.

At this sentence, tension fell in the clearing.

"...Is she the reason of your nightmare?" Understood the Northuldra.

Elsa rubbed her bent legs with her thumb for a moment, then opened up. "Not nightmare. Insomnia."

"So that's the reason why you're outside." Nodded Honeymaren, now that Elsa had finally answered her initial question.

Elsa nodded slowly in return. "I..."

Chestnut eyes shining in the Moon light gave her support.

"It's been like this all my life. Well... Not all. When I was a kid, it was alright..."

There was a silence.

"Then, for the past 3 years, after the Thaw, Anna helped." Tenderly smiled Elsa.

That's all she said, however. But Honeymaren didn't need more to understand the feeling. She had a brother, and she may have met Anna for a few hours, she instantly was wrapped by her caring aura.

"So, the insomnia is back?" Nuanced the Northuldra.

Another sad nod from Elsa.

Honeymaren looked around. "I have to go back to my watch." She said, and for a fraction of a second, Elsa thought that she wouldn't help her. "Do you want to come with me?"

The blonde's heart made a leap.

"M-me?"

"Yes, you." Snorted the brunette.

"But I know nothing about standing guard."

"Nonsense. You were able to spot and stop Bruni on your first hour here, you can manage a few reindeer getting too close to the river. Besides, you ride the Nokk, don't you? You can even gather the herd if needed."

The blush was clear on Elsa's cheeks, even in the darkness, and she had a bashful smile.

Honeymaren's smile was even wider in reaction. "Come."

She sat up, and held her hand to help her stand up. Elsa sniffed one last time, resolutely, and smiled as she lifted her hand to put it in hers.

When their palms touched, Elsa's skin wasn't cold anymore.