I'm Afraid of What I'm Risking if I Follow You

Part 6

I'm Afraid of What I'm Risking if I Follow You

Chapter 6

Elsa waited until she and Hans returned to the village before she could even properly think about what he'd told her. He and his brothers had to know everything about Arendelle? What did he even mean by that? What did it mean for what had happened around her coronation?

And what did any of that have to do with how the spirits were responding to Hans?

So the silence wasn't so awkward on the way back to the village, Elsa allowed Hans to ride in front on the Nokk, as long as he took it slow. The idea alone was enough for him to forget about what he just revealed and focus on riding, and on the way home, Elsa could think a little more.

The Nokk seemed to want to ride faster with Hans in front (traitor), but Elsa made sure to tap (kick) the back of Hans's calves to keep him in check. Her hands clutched to the fabric of his tunic to avoid touching him as much as she could, trying to forget the warm feel of his hands on her waist from earlier.

Had he been prepping for Arendelle? Did he just know who she and Anna were when he arrived? Into what kind of memories did she need to look?

The Nokk turned his head, as did Hans, and they paused for a moment so Hans could calm him down and not follow, where Elsa presumed, the voice was calling. Damn. She needed to speed up... whatever she was doing.

Hans echoed the voice, and the Nokk tilted his head in approval, making him chuckle.

He turned back to Elsa. "Come on, sing, too. He likes it," he goaded.

"Oh no, I couldn't," Elsa declined politely. "Besides, I don't hear the voice."

"I won't move until you do," he pressed, his smile smug. Elsa wished she could blast it right off his face. But he sang again, and looked back at her, expectantly.

Sighing, Elsa gave in, echoing Hans. Again, the Nokk tilted his head.

"He thinks we're headed toward Ah... toward the voice." Okay, no, she didn't tell Hans about Ahtohallan, or what it was just yet. And she didn't know how to bring it up, because there was no way he'd stick around the Northuldra for another moment if he knew about it. She nudged (kicked) him again. "Come on, it's starting to get a little dark."

"Fine, fine." Hans urged the Nokk on again, and they slowly made their way back to the village. "But I'm going to sing the whole time, and you're just going to either have to deal, or sing along."

Elsa sang along, only so she didn't have to accept the fact that Hans had a nice voice, and she liked hearing it.

--

Once back at the village, with dinner well underway, Elsa returned the Nokk back to the water, much to his and Hans's chagrin. But she couldn't keep him from his element, and there was at least that understanding (as well as the understanding that Hans should bow at the Nokk's departure). While he settled in, she went to find Yelena, but ran into Honeymaren instead.

"Have you seen Yelena?" she asked. Yelena might know something about Hans's knowledge about Arendelle.

Honeymaren shook her head. "Probably out scouting," she replied. "But you know she'll check in on the golden boy once she comes back."

Elsa hummed, to keep herself from scoffing. "I wanted to talk to her alone, but we'll see how that goes."

Sensing her concern, Honeymaren placed a hand on Elsa's shoulder. "What is it?"