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: 𝐓 𝐇 𝐄
𝐑 𝐄 𝐀 𝐖 𝐀 𝐊 𝐄 𝐍 𝐈 𝐍 𝐆 🌀
𝕰𝖕𝖎𝖘𝖔𝖉𝖊 𝕿𝖜𝖔 - 𝕱𝖔𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙 𝕴𝖓𝖙𝖗𝖚𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖘
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"What?"
"You heard me right," Elsa firmly concluded, "Somebody caused arson in the Enchanted Forest. I'm the Fifth Spirit, Aiden. It is not only Yelana's duty to ensure their safety- it's mine, too."
Aiden still couldn't believe what was he hearing.
But the little piece of paper Gale brought straightforwardly from the balcony serves legitimate evidence enough, and ever since Elsa laid her eyes on the sloppily written down letter, she quickly jumped into the worst things that could've possibly resulted because of the arson.
"Are they sure it's not Bruni?" Aiden questioned nervously.
"It's definitely not Bruni," Elsa hastily opened the closet before picking out a more durable attire, "Gray flames? If I wasn't the Fifth Spirit I wouldn't even buy it. And the children... They have lost their homes."
"I will tell Captain Lars to pack up helpful resources."
"They are not staying in a forest where the potential scoundrel may be in hiding," Elsa gruffly shoved a pair of boots with heels next to her chosen attire, "I've made up my mind, Northuldra is not much of a large tribe. They can stay here. In the castle."
"And Yelana would be alright with what you're proposing?"
"She approves or not, I don't care," The queen began changing, "Please be a dear and tell Gerda to prepare several guestrooms."
Aiden hesitantly stepped out of the room before doing his given task, and the head maid immediately followed the fire king's orders.
Aiden quickly returned back into their room before taking out a black, hiking uniform and a pair of fitted black pants.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"I'm coming with you," Aiden rushed up to the changing screen, "There's nothing you can do to make me stay with me knowing that my wife could be in danger because of an on the loose criminal."
(A/N: The picture below does not belong to me. Credits to the one who owns it. Another excellent visual for Aiden.)
"Aiden," Elsa began, but her lips were intervened by a brief, deep kiss and a pair of soft hands on the sides of her face, "Snowflake, if I had found out you had gotten hurt without me getting to even save you from it, I would never forgive myself. So please," Aiden implored, holding each of his wife's shoulders, "Let me come with you."
"There's no point in arguing, right?" Elsa defeatedly sighs.
"Would you let me go with you if I said yes?" He smiled gently.
Elsa looked away and suppressed a giggle at his dorkiness. Aiden lifted her chin to make her look at him directly once more, "We will help them, I promise. We will bring only our best, Magoo, Lars, and Matthias."
Elsa smiled and cupped his face in her hands, "You just know how to make me smile, don't you?"
"If you can believe me, I'll make you smile forever."
"I believe you more than anyone, or anything," Elsa lovingly concurred before kissing his cheek as she continuously cupped his face.
"ELSA!"
The couple broke their passionate embrace before a gaping redhead bursted inside the room, "Is it true?! The forest is in remains? What's going on?" The princess bellowed.
"I only have one mouth, Anna," Elsa groaned, "And yes, it's true. Someone committed arson."
"But who would do that? I'm pretty sure not one of the Northuldrans would have done it. And most certainly not Bruni..."
"King Aiden, you asked for us?"
Matthias stepped forward in front of the general and the captain, "Apologies for stepping foot without permission, but I believe this matter concerns us as well?" He queried.
"Lieutenant," Aiden nodded, "Prepare the horses. We're heading north."
"Aye, your majesty," Lars gestured for the duo to follow him.
"I'm coming with you both," Anna confidently insisted.
"Like I'm agreeing to that," Elsa declaimed, "Anna, you can't put your unborn child into risky business because you wish to venture with us."
"B-but," Anna interfere, "I can be careful! I swear!"
"You're not winning this argument," Elsa gripped her younger sister's shoulder, "You must stay here with mama and papa. Keep the twins safe. And welcome each member of the Northuldra warmly."
"What do you mean?"
"I cannot let them stay in a forest where potential danger lurks."
"Then it will be my pleasure to make sure they feel comfortable," Anna bowed her head curtly.
"That's my little sister," Elsa chuckled, "Now, we must be going."
"W-wait what?!"
Elsa quickly pulled her husband's hand and ran as fast as they could to the stables, leaving Anna to poke her head behind the door and yell in irritation, "ELSA YOU BIG STINKER!"
"You sure she'll forgive you after pulling that trick?" Aiden yelled frantically as he barely caught up with his wife's speed.
"Aww, you're so cute," He heard her huff, "She'll understand."
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"Oh, my."
The Enchanted Forest was indeed, in a very bad state. Remains of wooden trunks carried the molten graves of flickering embers, and majority of the tents (which have served as Northuldran tribe members' shelter for so many undamaged years) were left in partly ashes and burnt materials.
Some Northuldrans had managed to save their belongings, while some had lost what they used to have. Numerous children are sniffling against their parents' arms, murmuring words of despair and fear as the parents were as equally as mournful.
Aiden could see some faces covered in what seemed like dark dust, and everything else breaks Elsa's heart from pieces into crushed fractures.
"Is there anyone hurt?" She managed to croak out.
Most heads shook slowly.
"Yelana, may I speak with you privately for a moment now?"
The old tribe leader emerged from her fixed sit before approaching the queen in reluctance.
"I think," Elsa began, "It is best if each and every one of you temporarily stay in Arendelle," She finally enjoined.
"B-but..." Honeymaren stood up from where she kneeled next to a wailing child, "What about the forest?" She faltered.
"My husband and I can restore it with the other spirits' help," Elsa smiled reassuringly, "Right after we find out who's the culprit."
"Thank y-you, thank you!" A woman exults, "The forest means everything to us. This is where we grew up to our roots, where the happiest of our memories occurred."
"We will reestablish everything," Aiden wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulder, "This, we promise you all. For now, however, Lieutenant Matthias, General Magoo, and Captain Lars will escort you back to the kingdom."
"And where will you both stay?" Ryder questioned.
Elsa gestured somewhere, "We have a cabin just nearby. It was built for our honeymoon. Aiden and I have packed our primary necessities."
"Anna and the others will welcome you all warmly," Aiden announced, "Make yourselves at home and be comfortable. The castle staff will be happy to assist you all in other things."
To be continued
on the next chapter...