The Rift

Chapter 12

              Marie felt the warm mountain wind on her face and breathed in. A week had passed, and Elsa's shoulder had healed along with her scrapes. The former queen was saying her farewells to the Northuldra; it was time for them to return to the castle. Bruni hopped around Marie's feet and she leaned down. "Hey, there. I'm glad we all get along now," she said.

"Ready?" Elsa asked as she approached, her eyes fixed on the other woman. Marie nodded, trying to calm the familiar flutter in her chest. They had spent the last week on good terms, and Marie felt as though they had grown as close as best friends, but that did not stop her heart from racing every time Elsa laid eyes on her. Marie furrowed her eyebrows in frustration.

"U-um, wait!" The two women paused as Ryder ran to them. He scratched his head. "I, uh...Marie!" The brunette flinched. "Please save a dance for me at the wedding!"

"Oh." Marie blinked rapidly. "Of course."

Ryder threw his arms into the air. "Yes!" he hissed while walking away. "See? I told you!" he yelled at his sister.

Elsa cleared her throat, causing Marie to nearly jump out of her skin. "We should be going." They waved and began their journey back to Arendelle. Marie eyed the royal nervously.

"So...the wedding. You excited?" Marie ventured.

Elsa's shoulders fell slightly from being tense. "I am," she answered with a smile. "Kristoff is like a brother to me, and I know Anna will be happy." She fiddled with a piece of fabric on her light blue dress. "In your world, do people go to dances together?"

"Yeah. Sometimes they go with friends but finding a date to a dance is still a huge part of our culture." Marie's eyes grew wide. "N-not that I'm going with Ryder! Just for a dance! Uh..." She had been in serious relationships before, but now Marie was fumbling over her words like a child. Elsa watched her from the corner of her eye while they walked through the tall meadow grass. It was adorable when Marie got flustered.

"I think it would be wonderful for Arendelle and its guests to see the heroine responsible for fighting the darkness," Elsa suggested. "I know they will be happy to thank you in person."

The foreigner's cheeks grew red. "You help. A little," Marie jested.

A few hours later, the two women were barreling down a mountainside using their magic, having challenged each other to a race to Arendelle. Marie's dark powers were now harnessed, but not to the extent that Elsa's were. The newer mage lingered behind her just to view in complete wonder Elsa's mastery. One of her favorite moves was to use an ice ramp that looped in circles and twists to skate on. It was like watching her soar. Marie launched herself high into the air and dissipated her darkness, her body coming to a stop. Gravity caught her and began pulling her down. Marie dove through the air. I hope I get this right, she thought to herself.

Elsa observed her flight. She took in a breath before blasting ice from her palms. With magnificent force, she rocketed into the air towards Marie. The ice mage let her body fall and waited. Marie sprouted dark wings and reached out to Elsa, her eyes streaming from the air whipping past them. As soon as their hands met, they exchanged magic and covered each other in dark ice. A gasp flew out of Marie's mouth from the cold and Elsa grinned. Marie's wings caught an air current, and she pulled up, gripping Elsa close to her. They glided a few feet off the ground. Elsa's brilliant blue eyes grew wide. She clasped onto Marie, feeling the warmth of her body and tasting the freshness of the air. Marie faltered slightly, and Elsa instantly conjured a snow hill. They landed in it, Elsa being dropped while Marie rolled. The brunette groaned and shook her head. "I went too fast."