Chapter 21


As we walk Yelena steps in stride next to me. "Tell me, where did you get that gem?" She asks pointing to the crystal around my neck. 

I subconsciously reach up to touch the smooth surface, "It was my mothers. Though she wasn't the one to give it to me. A trusted friend gave it to me."

Yelena nods, "That crystal was passed down through generations of seers."

"Seers?" I ask.

"Yes. Tell me, child. Have you had strange dreams that come true the next day? Seem events play out in your mind then they happen moments later in real life?" She asks.

I nod. "Yes. Ever since my mother died, but it was just little things like the weather or what the shipment would be that day. Only up until recently did they get more... disturbing." I think back to the sinking feeling and being so cold. "What does it mean?" I ask turning to face Yelena.

"Ever since we claimed these wood as our home there has been a seer. A woman with the ability to peer into the future or past. The gift passed down through the women's daughters. When the daughter came of age they would be able to use the gift. With the help of her mother, the girl would master it." Yelena leads me through the camp to stand on the north edge. "Some of these women could even commune with the spirits and the spirits listened." 

"I hear them. The spirits, or-or at least the wind and fire spirits."

Yelena places a hand on my shoulder. "You can not hear the others because they are angry, restless. They can not be reasoned with until they are calm. Restless spirits are unpredictable remember that child. My sister was lost trying to calm them."

"Your sister?" I ask.

"Yes. The day of the fight she thought her daughter, your mother, was lost. She was driven by grief and determination for answers. The need got her drowned. For Ahtohallan is rarely forgiving."

"Not too far our you'll be drowned." I sing softly. 

Yelena smiles at me sadly, "I see her in your eyes. Your mother had a heart of gold. Be brave, child." Yelena pulls me into a hug and I return it. 

After my talk with Yelena, I return to the camp and see Elsa sitting by the brown-haired girl talking quietly with a baby reindeer sleeping in her lap. I take a seat next to Elsa and lay my head on her shoulder, my mind exhausted from all the new information. I notice Anna on the outskirts of camp talking to lieutenant Mattias. She waves to me and I wave back.

The brown-haired girl smiles at me, "I'm Honeymaren."

"y/n." I reply with a smile. 

Honeymaren sets her bowl on the ground beside her and gestures to the scarf in Elsa's lap. "I want to show you something. May I?" Elsa nods and I sit up intrigued with what Honeymaren had to say. She picks up a section of the scarf with the familiar symbols of the elements on it. "You know air, fire, water, and earth." She says gesturing to each symbol. 

"Yes." me and Elsa reply at the same time. We glance at each other before looking away giggling softly.

"Well look, there's a fifth spirit. It's said to be the bridge between us and the magic of nature." Honeymaren explains. 

"A fifth spirit?" I ask.

Honeymaren nods, "Some said they heard it cry out the day the forest fell. The seer thought she could find it by talking with the spirits."

"My father heard it!" Elsa says. "Do you think that's who's calling me?" She asks.

"Maybe. Alas, only Ahtohallan knows." Honeymaren sighs.

"Ahtohallan." Elsa looks into the fire smiling softly. "Dive down deep into her sound~"

Me and Honeymaren join her, "But not too far or you'll be drowned~"

"Why do lullabies always have to have such a terrible warning in them?" Honeymaren asks with a chuckle.

I laugh as well, "I wondered the same thing. I asked my mother once, she said it's to teach people about the danger of seeking the truth."

"Your mother sounds very wise." Honeymaren comments.

"She was." I smile softly looking up at the stars. My eyes slip closed for only a moment before my mind fills with images of a raging sea and an angry horse made entirely from water. I see the thing dragging Elsa down below the waves and I startle awake. 

Elsa is right there when I wake, her face filled with concern. "Hey, are you okay?" She asks. I feel something wet slip down my cheek and realize it was a tear. I quickly wipe my tears away. "I'm fine."

Elsa places her hand on my cheek, "I know you're not fine. Tell me what's wrong."

I sigh and lean into her comforting touch. I nod and take a deep breath before telling her everything about the dreams, the voices of the spirits, everything, leaving out only the part of her being frozen in ice. When I'm done I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Elsa hugs me and rubs comforting circles on my back, "Thank you. For telling me." She says. 

"I should have told you sooner." I mutter. Elsa pulls away and gives me a quick kiss on the lips, "It's okay. I know now and that's all that matters." I smile softly and nod before closing my eyes and touching my forehead to hers. We don't stay like that for long because the ground begins to shake and the sound of heavy footsteps draws closer to the camp. Everyone around us gasps and goes silent before quickly springing into action. Some people dump water on fires to put them out. Others herd children into little hiding spots before shushing them. 

I take Elsa's hand and we hand against a wide tree. 

Hello.

I look over and see Olaf looking at Bruni, who promptly sets himself ablaze. Olaf panics and tries to blow the fire out but it only grows. Olaf tries to grab little Bruni but his arms catch on fire. Olaf gasps and tries to pat his arms out on his body. Bruni jumps from the rock to Olaf's head and quickly cools off. Olaf scolds the small lizard but it's quickly replaced with a smile. 

I hear another thud of a footstep and glance around the tree. Elsa does the same and we see a huge figure made of rock break the tree line. It looks around before glancing down at us. Me and Elsa duck behind the tree before it can spot us. My heart hammers in my ears and for a moment it's all I can hear. Elsa places her hand on mine and I calm down just a little bit.

It's leaving.

I exhale and we look around the tree to see the giant had its back to us as it stomped away. We step out from around the tree and watch with wonder at the departing giant. We begin walking after it but we don't get far before someone grabs my sleeve.

I gasp and Elsa does too. We both turn to see Anna glaring at us slightly. "Please tell me you were not about to follow them." Anna whispers.

Me and Elsa glance in the direction of where the giants went. "What if we can settle them like we did the wind and fire?" Elsa asks.

Anna isn't convinced, "Or what if they crush you before you even get the chance." We look back at Anna. "Remember the goal is to find the voice... find the truth and get us home."

Me and Elsa look at each other before nodding. She's right and we know it. We hear panting and see Olaf running over, "Hey guys that was close." 

I hold out my hand for Bruni, who happily jumps from Olaf's nose to my palm, "We know." I say softly. "The giants sensed Elsa and me. They may come back. I don't wanna put anyone at risk again." I turn to Anna, "You're right. We've got to find the voice."

"She's right." Elsa agrees.

"Wait? Why would the giants sense you?" Anna asks turning to me. 

I stroke Bruni's head as I think of a simpler way to explain my current situation. "I can explain more as we walk but for right now all you need to know is I can talk to them. The spirits. And control them, well, the fire and air at least."

Anna looks at me like I've grown two heads before nodding in understanding. "Okay, but you will tell me more."

I smile and take her hand, "I will. And we should be going now."

Bruni perks up excitedly in my hand. North?

I chuckle, "Yes Bruni, we're going North."

Anna nods and looks around, "Okay. Let me just..." When she realizes Kristoff isn't around she gives us a questioning glance. "Wait? Where are Kristoff and Sven?"

"Oh yeah. I think they took off with that Rider guy and a bunch of reindeer." Olaf explains. 

"They... left? Just left without saying anything?" I place a comforting hand on Anna's shoulder. I know why Kristoff probably left but we have to go now. I give her a soft smile before walking away to catch up with Elsa. I take Elsa's hand and we look back at Anna as she decides whether to stay and look for Kristoff or come with us North. 

She makes up her mind and begins walking toward us. I take one last look over my shoulder at the camp before sighing.

Sorry, Kristoff.


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