Nathan couldn't believe his ears. The news hit him hard. Mark kept his hold on Fia, trying to keep her calm when he said allowed. "You've all been trapped here for... years. How can you not know how much time has passed?" Yelena glanced at her confused people before informing Nathan and Mark casually. "Something about the mist. It has affected everyone in some strange way. They don't seem to comprehend the years that have gone by because... time isn't really moving here. It's more like an endless loop. With every day that the sun rises, they go about their day like normal... we've had kids and we watch them grow into the adults they are now. But the season never changes. In their mind it's only the date that is resetting. Does that make sense?" Nathan pointed to her suspiciously asking aloud. "Then how do you know this? Doesn't your mind reset too?" Yelena shook her head, telling him honestly. "It did for a while, but when I went to Ahtohallan to speak with her... It was like... a veil was lifted. The violent sea seemed to cleanse me... Or maybe it was our mother who brought me back to the Black Shore. I don't know. I was distressed and cared not for my life then... So, washing up on the shores has left gaps in my memory as to how I survived the ordeal. I just know that I seem to be immune to the effect of the mist now."

Nathan locked eyes with Mark, before asking nervously. "And us? We had to pass through the mist to get here..." Yelena shook her head, openly informing them. "No. I believe you two will be fine. The children born here are unaffected by the mist's power. Leading me to believe that it happened during the mist's creation. Not something it is still doing." Lieutenant Mattias wiggled his hips, trying to pry himself from the ice encasing his legs as he snapped out in a distressed voice. "Oh, perfect! More magical crap that is meddling with the very world and how it is perceived! Your people will do anything to gain an advantage on us! Your trickery knows no bounds!" Yelena stomped her foot, retorting sternly at him. "My people did not do this! The Spirits did it because of the cruelty YOUR people inflicted upon us!" Lieutenant Mattias gestured around, smugly shooting back at her. "Spirits YOUR people keep around! If you fear them, you should be helping us get rid of them to put an end to this!" Fia hissed at Lieutenant Mattias, her spine igniting in black flames as her tail curled defensively. Mark touched her head with a finger, but she restlessly shifted from foot to foot on his palm like she was expecting a surprise attack from anywhere.

Nathan spotted Gale perched on a nearby branch, his leafy eyes glaring at the soldiers. When he lowered his eyes to follow Fia's eyes to Lieutenant Mattias, he inhaled slowly. The spirits did seem to be very uncomfortable around the soldiers. A few soldiers tried to chip away at the ice with their shields and swords. Only Lieutenant Mattias was more distracted with arguing with Yelena. Yelena crossed her arms under her chest, firmly retorting. "We don't fear them. We respect their power. There is a difference. They have their purpose on this earth. It is not for YOUR inferior being to judge them. You know nothing about them and what hurting them means for this world. They may take on the forms of animals, but they are beyond your comprehension!" Tossing her hands up, she added bluntly. "They are forces of nature. You may not like how they react to things you do, but you can't stop them from doing what they were created to do! They side with nature, and they will protect her at all costs." Lieutenant Mattias groaned in frustration, then locked wide eyes with Nathan as he yelled out in a hopeful voice. "If you really are the King of Arendelle, then use your magic on them! Stop them and we can end this war!"

Yelena took a step back from them and her people moved closer to loved ones. Shaking her head in disbelief, Yelena stated out rather grimly. "Of course, you'd say that. Your people are so against magic... Yet, so willing to use it for your own benefit." Lieutenant Mattias flashed her a smirk, stating out dryly. "Why not? He was clearly born with magic to make up for the actions of your people. Leveling the playing field and thus proving your side started this!" Yelena scoffed, huffing back seriously. "My people are innocent. We never would have attacked first. We offered peace! YOU brought war and stole our children!" Lieutenant Mattias retorted back quickly. "Some offer! Your Shaman didn't even show up! You lied to us!" Yelena stepped forward again, yelling out just as quickly in return. "We didn't lie! You sought to steal from us!" Lieutenant Mattias pointed a stern finger at her, yelling over her in a louder tone. "You wouldn't share the source of your magic with us!" Yelena practically screamed over his tone of voice like an angry mother. "So that justifies slaughtering my people and stealing our children!" Lieutenant Mattias took a deep breath and was about to yell, but Nathan stepped between them and shouted out. "STOP! PLEASE!"

Yelena turned away from them, placing a hand to her head like she had a headache or was struggling to hide her shaken emotions. Lieutenant Mattias exhaled his breath loudly but shrugged with a stern expression. Holding Aputsiaq better against his chest, Nathan leveled out his voice to say clearly. "Look... I don't understand what's going on. Or what happened. All I know is that I need to get to Ahtohallan. The Northern Lights are calling me there. So, I have reason to believe that she has the answers that can help us free this forest. But we aren't going to get anywhere if we're just standing around and yelling at each other." Yelena nodded but didn't turn around. Lieutenant Mattias let a smirk cross his face as he looked over Nathan. When Nathan asked him what he was smiling about, he answered warmly. "You just... You reminded me of Prince Agnarr just then. For a moment... I could see him in you. That passion and drive." Lowering his eyes, Lieutenant Mattias hesitantly asked in a pained tone. "Where is he now?" Nathan swallowed but held his chin high when he informed him honestly. "His ship sank while on route to a diplomatic mission in the Southern Sea."

Lieutenant Mattias' face contorted in both shame and regret, when he closed his eyes and softly replied. "I'm sorry to hear that. As his Official Guard... I should have been there. I failed him... and I failed his father." Moving closer to Lieutenant Mattias, Nathan told him empathetically. "No. You didn't. You don't know it... but you saved my parents that night. King Agnarr returned to Arendelle, and the people loved him. He took care of them, and he got married to a kind woman that they grew to love too. A Northuldran. He had me and... he was happy. They both were." Lieutenant Mattias slowly met his eyes and whispered out in disbelief. "Your mother was... Then that makes you...?" Nathan nodded, proudly finishing for him. "Part Northuldran. Yes." Lieutenant Mattias exhaled heavily with a shocked look, before whispering out. "Wow. I never would have imagined that..." Taking a moment to accept the news, Lieutenant Mattias composed himself enough to tell him. "Well, we may not be as young or as many as we used to be, but we're still strong. And we are proud to serve Arendelle. What will you have of us, Your Highness?"

Straightening up to his full height, Nathan told him nicely. "I'd like you to stand down. I can't figure things out if you both are fighting." Lieutenant Mattias didn't look happy but relented as he respectfully replied. "As you command, Sire. But I ask you not to fall for their lies." Nathan shrugged, waving his hand to melt the ice on them as he said nicely. "Noted. But until I get the whole story from both sides. I'll keep an open mind." The soldiers staggered to the ground as the ice melted, but they quickly composed themselves. Mark covered a hissing Fia in his hands, asking Nathan lightly. "What do we do now?" Yelena crossed her arms a bit protectively, stating aloud. "Well, I can tell you what you will not be doing if THEY tag along." The soldiers tensed as Mark blurted out. "What do you mean?" Yelena gestured to the soldiers, trying to keep her voice respectful and calm when she stated firmly. "I won't lead them to the birthplace of magic, just so they can desecrate it or worse..." Nathan was about to make a suggestion about leaving the soldiers behind but fell into silence as he heard the soft voice vocalize to him again.

It was low and seemed to be coming from a single direction. In Mark's hands, Fia's flaming spine extinguished and she looked in the direction of the singing with wide expectant golden eyes. Nathan thought it was a weird coincidence, until Gale perked up in the trees and let out a soft wispy song that kept in tune with the voice. The spirits could hear the singing too? That's when everyone gasped. Aputsiaq was suddenly starting to glow a soft blue in his arms. Aputsiaq looked perplexed as she looked herself over. Gale kept singing with the haunting voice and from all around them the snow that Nathan had covered the area in began to glow in the same soft blue light. Listening to Gale's song, the Northuldran broke out into smiles before singing loud and proud with him in a language that Nathan didn't understand. The tune was so calming and pleasant that he found himself smiling to it. Mark and the soldiers looked around at the glowing snow that lit up the dark forest in a gorgeous and serene light. While overhead the Northern Lights shined through the cloudy dark sky in bright shimmering colors of green, deep purples, and blues.

A few Northuldran picked up their herding sticks and pounded them on the ground to the song, leaving Nathan in awe. He didn't know what was going on but didn't want to interrupt. Gale lifted his wings, a soft breeze rustling the trees and sending glowing snowflakes through the air around them all. The glowing snowflakes swirled around Mark and then Nathan in a friendly playful display. Nudging Mark and Nathan closer, the glowing snowflakes coaxed Nathan's hand up and circled his wrist until he let out a puff of snow from his palm that shimmered into the air above everyone. Nathan flinched with unease, but his shimmering snow formed a beautiful display of a mist parting to reveal a starry sky with a bright glittering moon that shined down upon them. The display prompted gasps from a few young adults and children on the Northuldran side who had clearly never seen a night sky. The image then changed to reveal two hands clasping each other in what looked to be friendship. The soldiers clutched their weapons tighter and huddled up as they backed up a few feet. The Northuldran people watched the snow flutter down over them as the images vanished, moving closer to each other to put their hands on people close to them.

Even the children were counted among them. When hands touched Yelena's shoulders, she extended out her hands to both Mark and Nathan. Nathan reached out to take her hand and then reached his other hand out for Mark to take. Aputsiaq crawled up onto Nathan's shoulders, watching Fia copy her on Mark with distaste. Mark accepted Nathan's hand, then took Yelena's hand. Their singing faded, allowing Yelena to tell them with a warm motherly smile. "When nature speaks. We listen. Mother has led you to us. So, on behalf of the Sun Tribe. Allow me to officially welcome you both home. Mother seems to have big plans for you both. I will do as she says. I will help you lift the mist and with any hope... maybe we can put the past behind us and find peace between the Northuldran and the people of Arendelle." Holding her hand and Mark's tightly, he told her with absolute confidence. "I promise you. I will free this forest and restore Arendelle. We will find peace." Yelena smiled, but Mark looked at him with worried eyes as he whispered to him. "Nathan... That's a big promise to try and live up to... I hope you know what you are doing."

Nathan winced a bit, telling him in a sweet loving voice. "That's why I have you. You won't let me fall. I have faith in you." Mark tensed, turning like he wanted to tell him something, but closed his mouth and looked away with a grim look. Just seeing Mark's reaction gave him reason for concern, but whatever was bothering him he clearly didn't want to say in front of the others. So, Nathan turned to Yelena and pointed as he excitedly informed her. "I heard the voice coming from that direction. I think we should leave as soon as possible." Yelena glanced in the direction briefly, then replied calmly. "Coming from the North. That's accurate... but we don't travel at night. It's not safe for the reindeer and we need our rest. YOU need to rest. We'll leave in the morning." Nathan was about to protest, when she raised a finger and told him in a nice but unyielding tone. "Rushing only leaves room for bad things to happen. You have to give yourself time if you want it done right the first time. Trust me. There is no point in stumbling around tired in the dark. We'll go in the morning." Lieutenant Mattias cleared his throat to draw Nathan's attention, asking with soft curiosity. "Highness? What would you have us do? If you desire, WE can take you."

Giving them a smirk, he told them honestly. "No. She's right. We should wait until morning. I... I need to rest. Or at least try too." Subconsciously, Nathan rubbed his palms with an uneasiness. His power had almost failed him. That had never happened before. Looking at the fading glow of the snow, Nathan bit his lip. The blast hadn't been his intent, but it happened. Was he losing control? The very thought worried him to his core. Yelena's voice pulled him from his thoughts as she announced to him. "Nathan? If your people are hungry and need a place to warm themselves... We have the room and supplies. As long as they can behave themselves." Nathan looked to Lieutenant Mattias, who in turn looked at his soldiers. Seeing their eager and hungry faces, Lieutenant Mattias exhaled and said a bit reluctantly. "Oh, alright... I guess, we should help with any damage we caused by chasing the fiery menace here." The soldiers celebrated silently, then rushed forward to uneasily try to help the Northuldran people with their stuff. Nathan took one last look at the snow, before trying to follow them to the camp. Mark stopped him though by taking ahold of his arm.

Locking eyes with him, Mark whispered discreetly to him. "Nathan. A word with you. Alone?" Nathan nodded, setting Aputsiaq onto the ground. Fia hopped down to get a look at her and within seconds they were chasing each other around in light curious play. Pulling Nathan out of sight, Mark asked him in a deep serious voice. "Are you alright? You could have gotten yourself killed." Nathan shrugged, telling him openly. "Mark, they needed help. My power was practically made to snuff out fires. I was fine." Nathan swallowed down the words that wanted to be more honest about his power almost failing him. Mark seemed to sense his distress, when he told him rather bluntly. "You're not being careful. Nathan, your power is unstable. I don't think you should be using it right now. At least not until we find out the reason for why it is acting up." Nathan shrugged, trying not to fight him about it. Cupping his face to force Nathan to keep his eyes on his, Mark whispered to him lovingly. "I don't want to lose you, Nate. Please promise me that you'll be more careful." Unable to resist him, Nathan nodded and told him truthfully. "I promise, I'll be more careful." Mark gave him a smile that warmed his heart, before risking a kiss before anyone saw them. To Be Continued...