The Reason

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Kuarlong

Elsa was expecting a pair of scaly arms to be holding her the next time she went flying, however this was a pleasant change.  While she wasn't a fan of flying on the back of some creature, she would fly on a hundred of them for the chance to be in his human arms.  Being with him made her reflect on the occasions where she found herself a bit envious of Kristoff and Anna as they cuddled each other, went on dates, kissed each other and the like, but she always told herself that was just how it was going to be.  Her sister in love while she waited in the wings. 

The wingette jerked downwards, causing her stomach to drop and Drake to tighten his grip on her waist.

"Sorry." he called over the wind. 

"It's okay," It didn't bother her, she trusted him not to let her fall, but it did make her think of something he had mentioned before.  "How come you hate going on boats, but flying doesn't bother you?"

Without missing a beat, he replied, "I don't like not knowing what's underneath me.  Kraken's and other beasts way bigger than me?  No thanks."   

She accepted his answer and turned her attention back to the mountains around her.  Beneath them was a river with cliff faces on either side of them covered in green vines, trees, bushes and nests filled with odd bird-like animals.  Beside them was the other wingette, Anna and Olaf both inraptured by the mountains, waving and calling at the various birds and flying creatures nestled in the rocks.  Kristoff kept a firm grip on the reins, not needing to steer or command it, simply keeping his hands busy.   

Anna glanced at her sister, pointing at her arms around Kristoff, then pointing at Drake's arms around her.  She made a bunch of other motions that Elsa didn't quite understand, but essentially Anna was excited for her big sister.

"What is Anna doing?" Drake asked. 

She shrugged.  "Just being a dork."

He laughed then pointed to an upcoming curve in the canyon.  "We're here." 

Finally.  All the stories and legends were about to manifest into reality.  And Elsa wasn't disappointed.

Grey mountain rock gave way to smooth stoned buildings easily recognizable as a castle commonly found in the Scottish territories.  Her eyes widened when she realized that the castle was actually built into the mountain.  The river they had met at before had formed into a sporadic waterfall covering some of the castle and a ledge that led to a cave.  The wingette took a slow turn descending towards a break in the waterfall to land onto the mountains ledge.  Just as Magnus had said, the wingettes took them safely past the waterfall into some sort of aviary.  The cave opened into an enormous cavern, occupied by both wingettes and their handlers.  Men and women wondered about the cave training, wrangling, and handling the flying beasts.

"Feel free to close your mouth at any time."

Elsa hadn't realized that while taking in the grandeur, her mouth was hanging open.

Their wingette touched down onto solid ground, it's talons scraping at the dirt as if just to be sure it was safe at home.  The other wingette landed beside them, Anna and Olaf disappointed that the ride was over so soon. 

"Let's go again! Let's go again!" The wingette bucked slightly at the showman's shrieking, prompting one of the wondering men to quickly grab the reins to calm it. 

Drake dismounted.  "So what'd you think?"

She slid off the wingette into his waiting hands.  "Your home is beautiful."

"And you haven't even seen the inside yet."  His hands slid down her arms till they met the coil around her wrists.  "Magnus, can you get This thing off of her now?"