Lights danced all around them, beautiful colors they never could have imaged. Honeymaren could feel her entire body vibrating with an energy she could never put into words. The ice around them felt like an endless void of infinite possibilities.

With great reverence, she pushed ahead down the narrow hallway. A soft call leaving her emotion choked throat. Her lonely voice carried deep down into the blueish darkness. Her heart pulsed with a fear the cold could never compare to. Her footsteps became more sure, a desperation filling her chest.

Another call, this one stronger, deeper, filled with hope and fear. The lights that had accompanied her shot forward then, a brightness illuminating the unknown. Then, a soft sound, gentle as a spring time breeze. An answer to her call.

"Elsa…" Honeymaren pushed hard against the ice, her boots finding sure footing as she ran with every ounce of strength she had left inside her. Their travels having weakened her wounded state.

A white light began to grow, pulsing like a heartbeat and she knew, she knew. Tears blurred the path before her, memories so treasured; so dear, coming to life along the walls of the cavern that she had burst into.

"Come on, it'll be fun!"

"Oh, no. No, I don't dance…"

"Well it's time you learn!"

"I didn't say-Oh!"

The first time she'd held Elsa's hand in her own, without fear. Without reservation. The feeling of her laughter as it brushed past her ear. Another turn, another step, a warm embrace. Eyes filled with a joy that hadn't been experienced.

..o§o..

"Can I come with you…?" A soft request, anxiousness masked in confidence. Another chance.

"Well, I mean, it's just fishing. It's pretty boring."

"That's alright. I like boring." An honest smile.

"Well alright, but you're going to have to work for my company." A teasing quip that curled the smile into a nervous line.

"I'm willing to learn." Grace.

..o§o..

"Oh….your first rope burn, that's going to sting for a while."

"Good thing I have a way to cool it down." Magic without fear, the first step towards acceptance.

"It's not too cold?"

"The cold never bothered me."

..o§o..

"I'm sorry I scared the reindeer." A face so beautiful should never have looked so sad.

"Look, it happens. You're not the first and you certainly won't be the last." A daring touch, a whispered caress.

..o§o..

"Does it hurt…When people touch you?"

"No…it doesn't hurt…"

..o§o..

"You didn't flinch…"

"It doesn't hurt…"

..o§o..

"Elsa!"

The last scene to play, the final moment when Honeymaren knew that she wanted more. That she wanted to ruin their friendship but she knew couldn't, she wouldn't. For their friendship was so much more important than her desire. So much more meaningful than anything she could dream of going beyond. She could handle the pain of unrequited love, she couldn't handle losing her friend.

Then the echo of Elsa's final call, the speared ice that gripped Honeymaren's heart when she fell. The scene moved by in flashes, as she could hardly stand to watch it all over again. The last memory on constant replay behind her eyelids. Honeymaren turned away, trying to forcibly remember all the sights and sounds that had led her heart. How far Elsa had come, how she had come to know her. How deep their bond had grown. Small steps, small moments that had built to this next step.

"I love you…"

Honeymaren's head jerked to the sound of her own voice amidst the cry of war, her vision still blurry from the tears that ran down her chin. But the icy walls did not show her what she had expected to see, rather they were merely a light down one of the many pathways, ever pulsing.

A frigid breath filled her lungs, a burning heat flaring in her chest as she pushed herself forward once more. She could faintly hear her brother and Kristoff coming down different pathways, completely unawares that they'd been separated.

Slowly the walls that felt so close, so tight—opened up once more and a brilliant light flooded the room therein. Honeymaren could feel herself trembling at the sight that greeted her. So pure, so white, so ethereal. Cautiously she stepped forward, her gaze never wavering.

In the center of the massive chamber—beneath an impossible chandelier of ice with its gently turning rimes and ribs casting the most beautiful rainbows and laid atop a cloud-like flurry of snow that held not just Elsa, but Anna as well. Each one cradled so gently in its grasp as though they'd been laid to rest by a loving mother on a stormy night. Their battle-torn clothes a stark contrast and a reminder of where they'd been.

They were not embraced, but rather held in their own rights against the white, their heads gently turned towards the other, peace resting on their features. Their hands laid similarly: like two sides of a mirror, two sides of a bridge. One arm rested, relaxed, against their stomachs while the other laid across the space between them. Not reaching, merely resting, their fingertips lightly touching at the very most point.

"Elsa…"

"Anna!" Kristoff appeared from across the way, directly opposite of where Honeymaren now stood. A shared look between them had them both running towards the center of the room.

When they met, their knees crunched into the freshly fallen powder, Honeymaren could no longer stop the trembling in her lips when she reached forward to run her fingers along Elsa's cheek, "She's warm…" Her words bubbled through, distorted by tears of relief, "She's warm…" Her fingers gently moved around to cradle Elsa's head in her palm, heavy and without resistance, a thick swallow bringing her closer so that her forehead would rest upon Elsa's own, "So warm…"

Kristoff had already brought Anna up into his arms, where he held her as though the entire world had collapsed around him. His face hidden in her hair as he cried out his own sob of relief. Her breath was warm against his throat and her body flexing with her every deep breath.

"Oh…Anna…" A heavy sniffle brought his face back and rose his hand to push back her hair from her face, his eyes searching her relaxed brows for anything, anything at all, "Anna…" A kiss pressed gingerly against her lips and he hid her away again, he was never going to let her go.

Honeymaren smiled to the display, her arms coming around to bring Elsa up to her own chest, resting Elsa's head against her shoulder where she held her close and hid her own face into the hair that flowed out around her shoulder. Just relishing in the feeling of warm breath along the back of her neck as her hand held her head in place.

"Ah! Honeymaren there you are…" Ryder came last, his path led by none other than the fire spirit who must have sensed he was lost. His hand went to his heart when he saw that his sister was alright and let out a soft sigh as he didn't want to shatter the mood entirely. Bruni, however, had no sense of the moment and eagerly began circling around the those in the center, taking their attention from those held in their arms.

"I think he says it's time to go…" Ryder had moved to Honeymaren's side, his arm wrapping around her shoulders to give her the strength she needed, "Let's take them home…"

"Home." Honeymaren smiled gently, pulling her head back just enough to tuck a lock of hair behind Elsa's ear. She really wanted to be the one to carry her out, but the dull pulse down her spine told her that she'd never make it. That she'd only end up hurting herself if she tried. A perfect allegory for her own troubled heart, "Ryder…can you….?"

"With all the reverence in my heart." Ryder smiled to his sister and gingerly brought his arms around the pair to pull Elsa from her arms. She was lighter than he expected, though no less tall. It took him a small moment to adjust her frame against his chest before he gave a look to Kristoff who was already standing with Anna. Bruni chittering and flaring at his feet for attention.

oOOo

Anna woke to the steady sound of a beating heart, gentle vibration, and the warm familiar embrace of strong arms around her shoulders. Her head was cradled firmly in large wide fingers, the thumb of which was soothingly running down the ridge of her cheek. A deep inhale brought the smell of fresh mountain air, thick forests and fur, a slow smile grew on her lips and she gingerly tilted her head up.

"Hey…"

"Hey yourself…" Kristoff let out the breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. His smile as kind and loving as it always was, his eyes shining into those that peeked up at him now.

Anna felt heavy, really heavy, as though she were trying to wake from a deep sleep. Her eyes fluttered closed but the smile that crinkled her eyes remained. All that had happened seemed already so far away. The last moments she could remember ticked her brow and she couldn't help but try to raise her head, the hand that held it however, would not allow her.

"Elsa..?"

"She's right beside you."

Anna cracked open her eyes, her hand twitching against the cool lithe fingers that held her own. When she saw her sister's peaceful features, gingerly cradled against Honeymaren's chest, her heart eased.

"Good...good..." Her eyes fluttered closed without her consent, the pressure of fingers holding her back, sending her back down.

Honeymaren smiled at Kristoff, her body stretched out in the cart that he'd thankfully thought to bring. Providing Elsa a warm place to lay. The slightly taller woman resting chest down with her head pressed over Honeymaren's heart where she was taking in every detail of her face. The small little freckles that were almost impossible to see just under her eyes, the way the sun shadowed her angled cheek, the way her skin felt like cool silk under her fingertips. The small cut to her throat that made her want to burn heaven to earth.

Neither she nor Kirstoff had missed the smell of iron when they'd held Anna and Elsa close, nor the stains that pigmented their clothes. Although Elsa had added another layer, the blood beneath could not be so easily hidden from Honeymaren's careful inspection. She'd lifted the back of her shirt when she'd felt the bunched fabric beneath and her heart had filled with a rage that would have brought even the mightiest of spirits to their knees.

Thankfully, Elsa had continued the tradition of waking before her sister and dispelled any worry that Honeymaren held.

Her words were soft and simple and answered with the same kindness she had always been shown. When finished Elsa had shifted slightly closer before relaxing back down into the throws of sleep, her head nuzzling just a touch closer. Causing Honeymaren's heart to beat so hard that she feared waking her all over again. Thankfully, that had not happened.

"We're almost there." Ryder looked back from the bench, his hands idly holding the reins as the two reindeer trotted down the well known path towards the village, "Are they alright?"

"Yeah, I think so." Kristoff pressed another kiss to Anna's forehead making her let out a content sigh, "We should take them to a healer though. Just to be sure."

Kristoff had felt the large lump and stitching along the bottom of Anna's head, his fingers becoming sticky from the blood that had dried there. He'd tried to look but her hair and the position of her against his chest made it too difficult to do without fear of waking her. So instead, he'd decided to leave it to the professionals.

"Like I'd take us anywhere else." Ryder chuckled and shook his head turning back towards the front where people were beginning to gather. Not just his own people but a few of the soldiers who'd been left behind to protect Kristoff.

"They've returned!"

"Your highness!"

"Quiet! Everyone!" Ryder tried to sound commanding but his voice just seemed to lower their voices to barely restrained murmurs. As he pulled the cart to a stop inside the village he couldn't help but sigh when people crowded around, unable to restrain themselves.

"Let me through." A very familiar and welcomed voice parted the sea of people, and Grand Pabbie narrowed his eyes as he looked up at Kristoff who was now sitting up with Anna in his arms ready to get down.

"Grand Pabbie." Kristoff shuffled further towards the end of the cart before hulling himself and his love to his feet, "You're alright."

"Magic has returned," Grand Pabbie's eyes turned towards Honeymaren who was now doing her best to rise as well, though seemed to be having a bit more trouble for her effort.

Thankfully, Ryder had jumped down into the space left behind by Kristoff and was doing his best to be as gentle as possible with Elsa's lax form. Her head rolled slightly, her neck jerking as her body reacted to the movement but her lashes merely fluttered.

"Come, come bring them here." Grand Pabbie turned towards the hut where the others had been taken for care. He'd been working his own magic on their healing bodies. Though some had already been lost, he was able to save a few of those who would not have been.

oOOo

The smell of crunched leaves, tall trees and endless crystal streams filled Elsa's senses, her brows raising as the softest of groans purred past her lips. Instantly, she felt the air beside her move, and warm roughed fingertips along her jaw before they curled into her open hand.

"Hey, beautiful…"

Elsa's brow ticked at the moniker but she wasn't sure why her stomach only felt warmer, "Ma…Maren?" Her throat felt dry, her tongue thick. It wasn't a dream, a feverish hopeful dream.

"Yes, I'm right here." Honeymaren internally winced at her slip of the tongue, thankfully, Elsa seemed much too out of sorts to have put much thought into it, "How do you feel?"

"Heavy…" Elsa squeezed the hand in hers before trying to lift her head, "You're…you're alright?" She had seen her fall, she'd watched her best friend be slain. She had been so sure of it.

"Yes, a little sore but, I'll heal," Honeymaren had recived her own special round of healing from Grand Pabbie, leaving her feeling almost brand new. She shifted just a little to fluff up the pillow beneath Elsa's head to allow her to sit up just a bit more, "Are you in pain?"

"No…not really…" Elsa's brow furrowed as she tried to shift, the muscles in her back sparking and causing her breath to hitch, "A little…" Why were her eyes so heavy?

Honeymaren frowned when Elsa's hand snapped around hers, her palm going cold for the briefest of moments, "What do you need?"

"I need…I need to…" Elsa groaned again trying to open her eyes, finally the little spark of energy she needed came through and she was able to blink in the fading light of day. Her eyes took much too long to focus but when they did, she found herself staring into golden brown, like deep milk chocolate, "See you…"

Honeymaren curled in her lips trying to keep the goofy smile from growing on her face, "I'm right here..." She raised Elsa's hand to her chin before leaning forward just a bit more, "Always."

Elsa smiled and raised her index finger to run along the underside of her jaw. There were so many things that she wanted to express in that moment but she found herself sorely lacking the vocabulary necessary. A right feat for someone so well-read. Despite her internal distress, Honeymaren didn't seem phased by her lack of response, as though she could already see what she wanted to express. As though her words were written clearly in her eyes.

A deep breath closed her eyes again, "Why do I feel so tired?"

"Probably because you just saved the world?" Honeymaren tried to push back the chills that had run down her spine, the small show of affection leaving her near breathless, "You need to rest."

Grand Pabbie had come to the small commotion. He and Eresa had tended to the sisters injuries in private. Their clothes completely removed and replaced with fresh clean linens. Neither Kirstoff or Honeymaren had been allowed inside until a few moments ago. Though upon seeing the moment between the young women, he silently excused himself back out of the hut to inform the others of Elsa's awakening.

"Anna?"

"She's here, and she's fine." Honeymaren lowered their joined hands back down, making a bold move to lean herself over Elsa so that her palms rested flat over the bed, "Can I get you anything?"

Elsa turned her head slightly, she could feel the warmth of the others waist against her own. It was odd stomach flipping feeling that took much to long to process. So instead, she decided that she wanted to sit up, "I want to sit up…"

"Are you sure? What about your…your back?"

Elsa rolled her shoulders testing the muscles of her back, they felt tight, stiff as though she'd been laying on ice for much too long. There was a small bit of pain, mostly near her wrapped shoulder but to her great surprise the most irritating discomfort she felt was a sort of itchy sensation where she very much knew the spear had pierced her skin.

"It's stiff…and itchy…" Elsa's nose crinkled and her eyes finally opened at her command. Her head becoming less and less heavy, "Ah…" Another heavy breath puffed from her lips and she offered genuine smile, "I think I like my bed better."

Honeymaren couldn't help but laugh at the quip. Tears of happiness glistening along her lashes, "I'll see what I can do." With that, Honeymaren pushed herself up from the strict leather-made cot and started towards the door. Though she didn't leave until she looked back at Elsa one more time; a firm mothering look on her brow, "Stay. I'll be right back."

Elsa rolled her eyes closed with a grin, her hands coming up to rest over her chest as she focused on just breathing. Breathing in the life around her, breathing in the light and love that had come to her. The feeling that all had not been lost. That she'd actually done something worth being proud of. Something that she could truly accept for herself. A soft snorting snore disrupted her lingering pensive causing her to raise her head, much easier this time, and turn carefully to a most welcome sight. Anna.

A bit to the side of where Elsa lay, on her own cot, Anna rested most soundly. Her head wrapped in a thin bandage that gave her a real warrior-like look. Her clothes changed into what Elsa could only assume had been brought with her from Arendelle. A simple hunter-green tunic with gold lacing around the collar. Her hair had been re-braided and combed back from her face leaving her bangs to messily hang over the white cloth. Her arm was at a most awkward angle over her head that often denoted her deepest of sleeps. Her mouth parted just enough to make a low rumbling noise about every five breaths. It was an endearing sight.

"Oh, Anna…you're a mess." Elsa reached over the small gap and pulled a bit of stray hair from her sister's mouth before letting out a deep sigh. Love shining in her eyes.

Elsa shook her head slightly and began to pull her arms up her sides, her fingers flexing and testing her strength. A brave push had her sitting up on her own power, the sight of her sister bringing energy back into her aching frame. The pain like the ebb and flow of the ocean's waves. Feeling brave, she slipped her legs from beneath the blanket that had covered her, her eyes taking in her own attire for the first time.

Beautiful sky blue pants with a melting white-blue top that hung loose around her bruised wrists. It was devilishly soft, with a gentle weaving design along its seams. The neck was rounded and modest leaving only her collarbones to feel the cooling night air. It was definitely one of the many gifts that she treasured from her sister. It had been packed into one of the trunks that had brought a few of her things from Arendelle. An unexpected but welcome surprise.

Her toes pressed into the matting of the hut and when she pushed herself up, she found herself remarkably steady. Her eyes closed as she felt the soft pulse of the earth beneath her, the soft sounds of Gale twittering away outside, the lingering smell of the sea, the crackle and snap of the fire that warmed the hut, everyone in there rightful place. It filled her heart and she raised her own hand.

"Elsa!" Honeymaren's sharp tone made the blonde jolt from her pensive, her body falling most uncharacteristically back down onto the cot she'd stood from. Her arms flailing as she kept herself from falling completely over.

Honeymaren visibly winced and hurriedly put down the tray that held a cup of something called 'hot' chocolate. Something that Kristoff and her brother had been indulging in by the fire, "Oh I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you!"

"It's okay. Ah-" Elsa took the arms offered to her and righted herself well enough, "It's okay. I didn't listen." A soft smile, twinkling with mirth in her eyes. Her nose twitched and she closed her eyes taking in the fresh scent wafting into the air, "Is that hot chocolate?"

Honeymaren was sure her heart was somewhere in the Black sea at this point but when Elsa's fingers wrapped up her arms she couldn't help but flush, "Uh, yeah. Kristoff said you liked it."

"Bless that man." Elsa let out soft twinkling chuckle before pulling her hands back to her person; that same fluttering feeling returning.

oOOo

Anna found herself waking some time later, well into the evening. Her sleep disrupted by a most terrible grumbling in her stomach that just would not be silent. A deep groan rolled up her throat and she absently wiped at her face bringing down the arm that was over her head as she turned to try and find a more comfortable place to lay.

A few long moments passed before her eyes shot open, her heart beating in her ears from the sudden jolt. A dizzying push of fumbling limbs that still seemed to be heavy with sleep brought her up right when large hands came to her shoulders accompanied by a deep soothing voice.

"Woah, hey there. Relax." Kristoff had been resting beside her, not really sleeping but just letting the entire day unwind from his shoulders. When Anna's jolting squeak startled him to action he'd immediately righted himself to be by her side, "Just breathe."

Anna blinked him into focus but as the tears built in her eyes she realized it was going to be an impossible task and instead wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him in tight for a hug, "Kristoff! You're okay!"

A rich chuckle tickled her ear and Kristoff just placed a soothing kiss to her temple, "Of course I am." The hold around his neck tightened briefly before another deep sobbing sniffle wracked her frame, "Hey, it's okay. Shhh, calm down."

Anna shook her head childishly, pressing her face in tight to his neck for a long time. His hands ran circles around her back and the motion did help ease the tsunami of emotion that was raging through her in that moment. When the hut door opened her heart made a most unpleasant up and down motion akin to falling from a great height. An experience she was now more than well acquainted with.

Ryder appeared at the end of that moment. A tray of warm food in his hands. He gave her a kind smile before moving towards the fire where a small table had been placed. His back slightly turned to give the pair more of their private moment.

"E-Elsa?"

"She's fine. Resting." Kristoff relaxed his hold as her emotional outburst seem to subside. Shifting to sit beside her, he helped to pull her up into his lap and rested his chin atop her head as she clung to his chest.

"I woke before I my sister? That's a first." A teary chuckle barked out of the back of her throat and she released Kristoff to wipe at her nose and eyes.

"Oh, no. She was up before you but Honeymaren sent her back to bed."

"Oh." A stubborn pout, "Do you think I could see her?"

Ryder—who now approached with a very delicious looking stew in his hand—and Kristoff shared a secret look, a knowing look before they both shook their heads and answered in tandem, "No."

"Definitely not a good idea." Ryder nodded eagerly.

"Yep. She needs her rest. " Innuendo hung heavily in the air.

Ryder snickered before Kristoff elbowed him in the chest.

"I don't think I like the two of you together. Like the little brothers I never wanted." Anna's eyes bounced between the pair, oblivious to any sort of secret meaning in their words. Her brow curled tight, a pout on her lips and feeling completely left out.

"I'm older than you." Kristoff tried to look hurt but his smile gave him away.

"The feeling stands ." Anna puffed up her chest in a very queenly manner.

"Come on, let's get you something to eat."

oOOo

Honeymaren took the last piece of buttered bread into her mouth. Their meal had been filled with near silent recounts of what they'd experienced after the battle, each one sharing in a moment of silence for Agnire before Elsa had grown quiet. Her eyes staring so deeply into the nether that Honeymaren didn't have the courage to bring her back.

The calm quiet of the crackling fire was beginning to settle down in her heart. Elsa had finished her portion about ten minutes ago and was steadily growing heavier against her now. Gradually, Honeymaren opened her arm and without a single ounce of hesitation Elsa allowed herself to lean against her. The pure companionship exactly what she needed in that moment.

As her eyes grew heavier and her breaths drew deeper, Elsa found herself lowering down further. Her legs stretching out over the long couch as warm arms wrapped around her shoulders. A whispered question answered with a soft hum from the back of her throat as she turned to make herself more comfortable.

Honeymaren shifted her legs so that they laid on either side of Elsa's hips, the woman steadily growing heavier against her chest as she shifted to take her in close. Once she was sure they were settled, she pulled the blanket that had been laid over the back of the couch over the both of them before bringing her hands up into Elsa's silken hair. Her fingers massaging in slow circles while her other rest just beneath the shirt that had ridden up from their shift. Her fingertips absently tracing unseen markings as she felt herself falling into sleep's tight grip.