Night fell swiftly with the onslaught of Orangemoon, shortening the warm days and leaving behind cool air that stirred the changing leaves. It was far from a silent night, the sound of animals rustling around the grove did not fade away with the sunlight. Softly an owl hooted in the distance and smaller creatures scurried in the bushes, rustling the drying leaves.

The sound of hooves upon the earth, crunching those same leaves, was hardly a strange sound with the multitude of horses that called Helovia home, and few of the wild creatures paid any attention to the sound of a set that was approaching in a steady beat.  

This time, however, it wasn’t just some horse coming here, looking to get lucky beneath the stars and in the soft glow of the strange plants that lined this small lake.

Rarely did reindeer travel this far south but this was not just any reindeer. Beneath the full moon, the ice that coated its antlers glinted and shone, its black coat gleaming as it travelled beneath the the night sky and looking for all the world as if it was part of that sky. A little sliver that dripped down, splashing upon the earth and forming something reindeer-shaped.

Sure, no one had asked this particular drop of night sky had wanted to come down to earth. It wasn’t given the choice, it was just expected to show up and do “the job” and… then what? Would it go back home? Would it die? What happened to the strange creatures around Helovia that handed out magic and eggs and goodies like they were candy? Did anyone ever ask where they go?

He was asking, but no one was listening to him.

With a huff, the reindeer continued its morose march toward the shores of the lake where it would wait - the soft pink and oranges of a nearby lantern tree providing enough light to distinguish him from the reflection of the night sky on the lake’s surface. With his hooves just a few inches away from the gentle waves, he beckoned the wind to whisper the name of the one he sought.

Elsa.

The sooner she came, the sooner they would find out what happened next.

She came but there wasn’t really a whole lot of doubt that she would. They always came. Helovians were far too trusting. What if he had called her here to drown her in the lake? To break that peaceful little bond that existed between her and Edgar? He could be here for any reason! Sure, those meddlesome gods might have a thing to say if he tried doing anything too cruel and he wasn’t really here for that anyway.

What was he here for? Well that depends on what you mean by here. Clearly he was here to talk to Elsa but as to why he was here in Helovia? Well that was all part of his little existential crisis. He was trying to riddle that out!

Hey, maybe Elsa would know.

He had to admit, if he had to perform errands he was glad he got this one. No squealing or shouting, just a soft and curious word. At her greeting, he turned away from the lake to glance at her from the corner of his eye. “Oh you’re here.”

Well, now, let's see if we can solve some riddles.

Shifting, he turned his entire body fully to face her, the stars in his coat twinkling as he did so. She certainly looked Icebound enough for the name to make sense. His voice was low and quiet when he continued speaking, not yet daring to interrupt the peace of their surroundings though he had a feeling that peace wouldn't last too long. “How is Elsa the Captain? Still defending the Edge bravely?”

The reindeer eyed Edgar as he seemed to grow more agitated - incredibly amused with how the zephyr was handling this little reaction. His ears caught all of Elsa’s words, of course, but his eyes couldn’t quite be torn away from the little creature. Companions were such odd things.

Edgar looked fragile to the reindeer but the fluffed up bird was eyeing him as though he was the one that would break in an altercation. But, perhaps, they both had a point. He did start talking to her in the middle of a night with the ease of someone that knew her well. With a snort rolled his eyes and focused back on Elsa. “Oh tell your penguin to calm down, I’m not here to hurt you.” Right? Yeah that wasn’t the intention, he was pretty sure. “The gods sent me, Elsa, isn’t that obvious? As an emissary for them I am privileged to a small amount of information. It’s not like I know your deepest darkest secrets or anything.” To be a little bit petty, he shifted awkwardly and looked away for a brief moment - encouraging her to believe that last statement was a lie.

If he had to be uncomfortable with this conversation he intended to bring her down with him.

“And to be honest I don’t really know what happens with the information after you leave - whether it gets erased or whether I get erased...” His voice and gaze drifted off, forgetting for a moment his purpose here and he lapsed into a sullen and thoughtful silence.  

But after a few breaths, he was back. Snapping out of it. “But, alas, we’re not here to talk about me.” Too bad. “And, to get back on subject, I’m not interested in asking anyone else’s opinion about your job, Elsa. I was asking you - I am interested in your perception.”

The penguin didn’t take the bait and attack... which was probably for the best, right? Their attentions should be on dear Elsa, after all, she was why they were both here. Edgar’s life was tied to his and the reindeer… well, he might not exist if she wasn’t here for him to visit either. He’s still a little fuzzy on how that all works but he tried to ignore the existential crisis in favour of completing his job.

Though he did appreciate her pitying look, as though she might be interested in solving his problem. Well, he was rather starting to like her! And that favour encouraged him to wait patiently as she considered his questions, as she stepped back from him as though that would help her escape the topic. If she didn’t answer him today he would just find her again, to be sure. But he did not move, just blinked calmly and waited.

And then finally it was there - a wonderful, incredible affirmation that she did believe she was defending the Edge bravely. “Ah yes, but don’t we all feel like that? The best thing to do is try to learn from our failures so we might succeed next time.” He paused for a moment, considering the warrior before him - hardened into ice instead of the soft snow she had once been. “But I have a feeling you’re not quite as complete as a failure as you fear. I don’t make a habit of visiting just anyone, Elsa.”  

There he smiled faintly, feeling a little satisfied at being so close to completing his job.

“Sorry for all the blabber but I come bearing gifts and I had to make sure you were made of the right stuff.” The reindeer stepped back once so that there was a little more space between them then dropped his head. As he raised it again, ice flakes fell from his antlers and formed into a shining blade with an elegant curve. It stuck lightly into the ground between them, the point in the earth so that Elsa could grab the hilt and easily remove it. “May it uh… help you succeed in your… warrior endeavours...” Alright so maybe elegant words weren’t exactly the reindeer’s forte but here he was, giving it a shot. “Nothing too fancy right now, I suppose, so I suggest you take it to a god - they’ll be able to make it a little more interesting.”