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#chapter 73
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Masterpost
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strangerous · 2 months
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help he's so funny
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2001hz · 1 year
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Berserk: 'Eclipse' Chapter 73 vol.12 Illustrated By: Kentaro Miura (1996)
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manga-meow · 1 year
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carolinawrenn · 7 months
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So...not only have we had a warning from the angel Gabriel not to kill Moby Dick, the Pequod's crew believe that the devil is trying to make a deal with Ahab, Moby Dick in exchange for his soul? Ishmael, baby, I know you can't read my Tumblr posts, but you and Queequeg need to get off that boat yesterday.
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your-zipper-is-down · 4 months
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Shen jiangshi back at his regular clothes
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meimi-haneoka · 11 months
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Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Chapter 73: Comments + JP-ENG translation differences
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Welcome back everyone! We're here once again for another chapter of Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card, one more that's guiding us towards the grand finale! In this chapter we finally get more things coming full circle, one in particular that I've seen many wondering about (and also many ready to dismiss as a plot hole 😅give them time, people, give them time). To be honest, I needed some time to brainstorm and ponder if I had understood certain parts of this chapter correctly 😅, since the content is quite complex, and each language decided to translate certain pivotal parts in different ways, adding to the confusion (because there doesn't seem to be a version everyone is agreeing on). In one specific case, that's normal (at the very end of the chapter) because the lack in the Japanese text of specific words (subject) to lead the interpretation in one direction or the other allows to get the translation in either way (as we'll see ahead). In other cases, it's just translation mistakes and omissions that make things a bit confusing. We also have to consider that it might totally be normal if we don't seem to get a clear, well connected answer in this chapter, because maybe the rest of the puzzle pieces will be in the following one: in this case we don't have to fret and just have faith that everything will be connected properly and be answered in due time. It's normal, this is a serialization, we should always look at the big picture and not at the single chapters, because in the future the whole story divided in volumes readily available will be all that the future readers will get. The "confusion" that we feel as lasting for a month or more, for future readers will last only some minutes, maybe one hour, the time needed to get to read the right chapter where everything gets solved. Sorry for this long introduction but in light of this chapter that made me sit down and reconsider multiple times how I understood things, I felt like it was worth mentioning it even here. Maybe, who knows, that will help sedate someone's frustrations. Alright, before diving into the chapter, as usual, the gif of the month! This time it's dedicated to Sakura 😂
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Let's see what happened this month and if there are translation differences to point out! (spoiler, there are)
The Color Page
AAAAATTTT LAAAASTTTT!! FINALLY! After appearing with her back facing us, and then on the background with her eyes closed, we finally have a nice close up of our dear Lilie! With her eyes open!!! 😆 Predictable as it may sound, her eyes are indeed blue like her daughter! But....wait a second....her hair color changed or what??? 😂
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After being consistently drawn with a mix of blonde and grey/dark blonde color for the darker parts of her hair, this time around we have a more uniform coloring that's veering more towards taupe! If I have to be honest, this color looks more similar to the shade they chose for Akiho in the anime! But....I like the ash blonde better ☹️ also it bothers me quite a lot that Mokona sensei changed the color at the end of the manga, after consistently drawing her blonde for 2 color pages, first because it's hard to get used to (at first glance my first thought was "WHO'S THIS? O_O), and then because my fanart is incorrect now 😂 But as you know, I always have to find the positive side to everything so I have to say that, while it'll take a while for me to get used to this change (should we consider it a permanent change or sensei just ran out of yellow copic?? 😂 *winks at her friends on a certain discord server*), I also appreciate it because it helps differentiating Lilie from her daughter even better 😊 especially considering they both have blue eyes now. They really would've looked like one another's clone (UGH O_O) if they kept it like that.... (Unless they want to change AGAIN Akiho's hair color too but then I'll riot). Lilie appears here in all her glory and beauty, with a heavily decorated dress as per CLAMP's tradition, she looks like a goddess 🥹 The color scheme is similar to that of her clan robe: white-light blue-golden. And no wings. Maybe this is from a time when she was still alive (she's got wings in the double spread with Nadeshiko). Sooo finally the mystery of the color of her eyes is solved 😆 (I wonder why they dragged it so long?) The JP text of the color page is simply the last thing she said to Sakura in last chapter before disappearing together with the dream: "I believe...in the two Alice". We also get a big text informing everyone of the decision to produce a sequel to the Clear Card anime! A bit late, but the news finally came for the magazine readers too! 😊
You're Unique
The chapter starts with Sakura going back home from school, in the afternoon of the same day we left her off in chapter 72. Kero and Suppi hear her from her room (are those Nintendo Switch Lite consoles? 😂) and they notice how she goes straight to Akiho's room today, without passing by her own room to drop her stuff first. From Kero and Suppi's words it's easy to infer that Sakura got a very close relationship with Akiho, and she often goes to talk to her after school. It's understandable, after all, they're convinced they have spent many years of their lives apart, and it's like they're really starting to know one another only now, so there's a special attachment between them. Attachment which Kero and Suppi don't miss to comment on, reiterating the "sister complex" comment that's honestly become the recurring joke of this series 😆 This also serves as an opportunity for Kero to comment on Touya, another Kinomoto sibling "plagued" with sister complex. 😆 Our elusive big brother seems to be staying at Yukito's today, and that's really not a weird thing in itself, but the fact that we couldn't see him ever since the forbidden spell was activated and we had the time skip, to see his reaction and whether he noticed something or not, is certainly suspicious. Suppi comments that even Nakuru is still staying at Yukito's home, and argues that it should be really time for them to go back home in England (he's had enough, poor Suppi 😂). Kero tells him that they can always come back as tourists in the future, and he will be their guide - Suppi agrees on one condition: that next time he must take them to a place where he doesn't need to pretend to be a plushie anymore 😆 So this apparently useless comedy skit actually manages to give us two interesting info: that Touya is at Yukito's place, apparently still eluding us (and Akiho??), but also that the forbidden spell didn't change the fact that Nakuru and Suppi came in Tomoeda, it's just that the memory change made them believe they simply came for tourism (of course, without Sakura's powers going berserk and failing to "feed" her creatures correctly, there wouldn't be any other need for them to come). In the meantime, Sakura knocks on Akiho's door and she goes inside, school bag and coat still in her arms. She asks Akiho if she came back early, and she confirms that today there wasn't any choir practice (so confirming also that Akiho is still part of the choir at school - told you, everything is still the same as before!). As soon as she enters, Sakura can't help but point out aloud how this room's plan is exactly the same as hers, but you can tell right away this is Akiho's room: it filled my heart with joy to see how the forbidden spell didn't change anything of Akiho's interests, she's still very much in love with books and got a tall bookcase full of them, and....my heart literally jumped when I saw a moon-shaped lamp on her nightstand!! CLAMP, are you toying with my heart? 😭🥹 Sakura remarks that despite everyone telling them they look very much alike, Akiho is actually her own distinct person.
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Thank you, Ohkawa-sensei, for putting these words in Sakura's mouth. Thank you for clarifying to the whole fandom (who worried and in some cases complained about this so much) that no matter how much these two are told by other people how similar they are, each of them still retains their own unique personality, their hobbies, their interests, their dreams. You can really feel that their vibe is different. Not even magic can change that. No two human beings are the same, CLAMP was very adamant on that concept even when they talked about clones in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. This is because our soul is unique across the universe(s). And these two are no exception. I always found so wholesome how none of them tries to "imitate" or "wish to have" something the other has. There's no need for jealousy. This is particularly true for Akiho whom, before the forbidden magic was activated, had experienced so much pain in her past and wasn't blessed with many things Sakura had instead. We haven't caught her envying Sakura, not even once, but actually admiring (it's different!) her friend for being able to do the things she didn't think she was capable of doing (remember her comment "Being able to do things by yourself without depending on others is amazing" ?), taking inspiration and even being brave enough to ask for help to improve in those aspects. That's not imitating, that's taking inspiration and strength from your loved ones to become a better person. This crucial theme will be reiterated in just a few pages.
The Pocket Watch
Akiho replies that the same goes for Sakura, she's also unique (JP, lit.: "There's just one Sakura-san in the world!") (I agree very much!) and Sakura bashfully laughs at that, when something catches her eye......a pocket watch, resting on a handkerchief on Akiho's desk, surrounded by certain tools. Kaito's pocket watch. The watch case is still broken, but the glass seem to have been repaired. So, for those who thought that the watch had been inside Akiho due to the exchange with the artifact book, this actually clarifies the doubt at once, and I think it makes perfectly sense. A book inside Akiho -> a book inside Kaito, and a pocket watch in Kaito's hands -> a pocket watch in Akiho's hands. The exchange is even. Sakura seems surprised at the sight of it, and it's apparent it's the first time she sees it ever since Akiho came living with them. Akiho explains that she found the watch back at Masaki's home, and no one knew how old this watch was or whom it belonged to. And yet, it seems Akiho had the urge to have it repaired, she says they tried to bring it to many watch repair shops to make it work again, without any success.
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Sakura asks Akiho if she's actually trying to repair it herself (since the tools on the desk seem to suggest she'd been trying to do so), and Akiho replies something that made my heart melt at once:
Akiho, JP: "I don't know why, but the moment I met (this watch), I thought I had to make it work again" Akiho, JP: "Because I had the feeling it was very, very important (to me)"
Go on, CLAMP, keep stabbing my heart! 😭Gaaaah!! OF COURSE! Of course she would be getting that feeling!! Whatever function that watch will have in the finale, it's always been strictly correlated to Kaito, it seems there's a deep connection to him as the weaker he got, the more damage the watch took (randomly breaking on its own at different points of the story). It's as if Kaito literally left a part of him with her, consciously or not. And Akiho saying that is a testament to the strong bond between those two. A bond that not even a powerful, forbidden magic can erase. She might not remember now, but as soon as she found that "part of Kaito", her instinct told her to try to have it repaired at all costs, and in front of the failures of normal watch repair shops, she realized she had to try to make it work on her own. I'd like to think that it's because deep down she felt she was the only one capable to (this is actually what the French translation says, and although it's technically incorrect, it's a nice way to put it).
Akiho excuses herself for saying something weird (she didn't change even in that!), but as usual Sakura is super supportive of her and she tells her that she's absolutely sure she'll manage to make it work again. Foretelling powers, Sakura? 😏😆😆😆 This gives so much courage to Akiho, of course. And taking the chance of "weird talks", Sakura decides it's time for another kind of strange talk.....she finally decides to tell everything to Akiho about her magic and what happened in the years they spent apart, just like she announced in chapter 71!! We skip directly all the details we know all too well and get directly to Akiho's reaction, which is speechless at first (with Sakura fussing and apologizing that she blurted it all out on her and overwhelmed her 😂) but then excitedly thanks her sister for telling her about this, she's delighted because it feels just like a story coming out of one of the books she usually reads, and actually wants to hear more (complete with her usual 'excited flowers' like I usually call them 😂)!! Aaaah, it was so nice to see her reaction because it was exactly what I've been expecting from her. Akiho adds something really, really important: Akiho, JP: I just thought, 'We're twins, and yet so different, and that makes me so happy'. Akiho, JP: I can't use magic, but... If there's something you can't do and I happen to be good at it, then I might be able to help you out, precisely because we're different. The wording the ENG version uses is also very good, I liked how they specified (even if not present in the original text) "It's good we're different". Because it's very important.
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And then, in the very next panel, a surprise: Akiho (involuntarily) quotes her own young mother Lilie in chapter 72, expressing herself with the same words, gesture and all, saying "It's what I can do...and what I can't...that makes me who I am". As you can see above, Akiho and Lilie are almost identical, save for Akiho's cowlick and the length of the hair. Little trivia: the line both girls are saying uses the very same words, except for the pronoun 私 / わたし, which is assigned appropriately basing on how it's usually written when the two characters are speaking - 私 for Lilie, and わたし for Akiho. I absolutely loved this line in last chapter and I felt it had even more significance now, coming from Akiho's mouth, in fact it's so important that it's Akiho speaking in this whole scene (and not Sakura). Because ever since she appeared in chapter 7, she's been considered as someone very similar to Sakura, and sometimes perceived by the readers as someone who wanted to steal her spot, her friends, her capabilities, long story short, to steal her identity. But nothing could be farther from the truth. You can be told you're similar to someone else how much you want, but you'll always going to be your own person in the end. Even freaking twins aren't the same person, after all. Each one of us is unique, with our qualities, good sides, bad sides, peculiarities, quirks, personal baggage, no one can take our place in the world. Our identity is the most precious thing we have and it's important we try to do our best to know ourselves the best that we can (heard that, Kaito???), so we don't end up doing just that, trying to live someone else's life, which is always going to be a lie anyway. As I was saying before, Akiho never tried to live Sakura's life and is well aware of her qualities and limits, and is accepting that.
The Magic I've been Preparing
Luckily, this involuntary reenactment of Lilie's scene of last chaper gives the spark to Sakura to remember she had heard those same words before. "The same words...?" "And the same feelings (they gave to me)". And right after that, Sakura also remembers that she has to find the important magic she had been preparing. Akiho says that if this is about magic, she probably won't be able to see it, but Sakura answers that she can't see it either, and wonders why....so, what to do? Akiho thinks. She looks at her books. And they give her an idea. She tells Sakura that she's read a book once where a magician hid his familiar from other magicians so they couldn't find it, and this familiar would show itself only when its magician called its name. Sakura starts having the realization this could be the right track. And here we have our first real translation difference of this chapter, although not particularly serious like the ones that will follow: Akiho, ENG: I'm sure to you, this magic is very important...but to me it'd be like....something out of a book.
Akiho, JP: I'm sure this is a very important magic to you...just like a book would be for me.
As you can see, the meaning is different, quite the opposite actually. Akiho isn't dismissing Sakura's magic as something like a fictional story out of a book, but actually she's telling her she understands that this magic must be very important to her, just like books are to Akiho. And "books" is all Sakura needs to hear to get more recollections of something she heard before, this time even from the facts of Clockland itself! (This is huge! Because it's coming from their life before the forbidden magic was activated! She's defeating the magic that's trying to keep her memories changed, she is JUST THAT AMAZING OKAY) "Books are people's memories...they're RECORDS"
See why it was so important to keep the word "records" in the past chapter, whenever the word 記録 came up in the Japanese text? Because 記録 is also the kanji spelling of a Clear Card we were all waiting to see, in fact....Sakura utters "RECORD"!
The Record Card appears out of nowhere, responding to the call, surprising the two girls when it starts displaying a recorded scene: from what we can see in the blurry "screen" (we can see the couch and the door of Syaoran's living room), this really looks like a scene (that we didn't see depicted in the manga) coming straight after Sakura captured the Dreaming Card and confessed to Syaoran about her recurring dreams in chapter 46. In that occasion, Sakura used the Record Card to show him what she saw, but apparently after that Syaoran proposed to keep the Record Card perpetually turned on to record whatever happened, since Sakura sometimes created Cards without having knowledge of how she did it, and couldn't shake the feeling that someone was making her forget things. In this way, they would've been able to check what happened in case they were made to forget again. From the "video", we see Sakura apologizing to Record and asking to the Card to stay hidden till she would've called the Card's name again. Which is exactly what happened now. Sakura is surprised because she understands that this is a new Card that she's been making on her own. But then, the "video" changes to another scene, that happened later on the story and we probably remember well because it often comes up in the fandom's questions about the unresolved mysteries of this story: the scene of chapter 59, when Momo visited the Kinomoto home, unbeknownst to Kaito. Finally we get to see what happened afterwards.
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Momo knows the Record Card is present in the room, so she asks to the Card to be recorded, and addresses Sakura directly. Much to both Sakura and Akiho's surprise, she introduces herself once again as Momo, guardian of a "certain book", telling Sakura that this isn't the first time she meets her in this form, but since time had been rewound, she must have forgotten about it.
With a very painful expression (that made my heart squeeze, I'm weak against Momo's suffering), Momo says that she knows what's going to happen, and she cannot stop it. She also explains why, indirectly addressing other questions from the fandom as to why she never interfered more, if she didn't want Kaito to go on with his plan:
Momo, JP: A guardian cannot show bias towards "white" or "black". We must always stay impartial. So I cannot tell you, nor Akiho, about the core of this matter.
The ENG version is also good, but they translated "white" as "light" and "black" as "darkness" and while I can see why they did that and it could also work well, it ends up hiding the reference to her personal color scheme: on her outfit, but also in the Clockland world that she created on Kaito's request. Everything is black and white. An indication that she's always, constantly reminded of her duty as an impartial guardian, to never lean towards one or the other side (this is something that even Kaito reminded her of precisely in Clockland, becoming irritated that she was giving "hints" to Sakura). And therefore, she's got her hands more tied than ever, unable to tell anything not only to Sakura, but to Akiho too. How many problems we could've avoided if she was able to tell Akiho the truth about this? This is also probably the reason why she had to hide from her and take the guise of a bunny plushie: she needed to protect her, but at the same time she couldn't interact with her. It would've probably been impossible to stay neutral, with Akiho. If Momo's situation wasn't already unfortunate to begin with, having a contract with a boy she ended up caring about, who's literally risked his life to protect his most important person, we also get told to what extent she wasn't allowed to interfere, and get a glimpse of how painful that must be. To be honest, when this will be over, I really hope the Time Book gets destroyed and Momo freed from her duty over it, so she can finally have a normal life, free to interact with her beloved kids as much as she wants.
"The Boy"
Akiho hears Momo calling her name, though she doesn't seem to have any recollection of her beloved plushie (a bit sad for me). It's kinda "ironic" that she gets to "meet" the true form of the one creature who stayed by her side the most in her "old life", and she doesn't even realize it, nor remembers about who this creature is. How could she, her memories not only have been messed up with, but she also just knew her as a plushie, after all!
Momo shows that she isn't stupid. She says that she knows "the boy" is hiding something concerning the "forbidden magic" he wants to activate, but she's sure he won't ever tell her anything about it... So Momo knew Kaito was lying about something (the exchange of the two artifacts), but still wouldn't have had any way to know exactly the details of it.
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Upon hearing the word "the boy", Akiho literally lights up, wondering "...The boy?". Her soul responds to it, as if knowing exactly whom Momo is talking about (loved it!! this is the kind of reactions I was waiting for, from her! ❤️). As usual, Kaito gets called "the boy", and when I was checking the Spanish translation I was a bit sad to see that they removed any reference to that word, making Akiho ask "who?" instead. Of course Momo can't mention his name, not even his fake one, because she's bound by a contract.
Momo explains that once the forbidden spell will get activated, the Record Card would disappear too (just like the other Clear Cards).
And here we have one of the biggest translation mistakes of this chapter, of course when there's a major scene!! Momo slowly removes her crown, and with magic she brings it back to its original state: the ring Lilie gave to her long time ago.
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Remember? Lilie said she was going to make a request to Momo, and we saw a flashback of her removing the ring her fiancé gave her (a ring enchanted with a protection spell) to put it on the ear of Momo's plushie form. While Momo shrinks it back to its ring form, she says:
Momo, ENG: So that he'll never find you...and so that you'll never go away, no matter what happens...I'm going to cast a spell.
Momo, JP: So, in order to never let him find it (note: the Record Card), and so that it'll stay (note: survive even after the forbidden magic) no matter what happens...I'm going to cast a spell.
As you can see, in the ENG version Momo is saying "you", as if she's talking directly to Sakura, and so, as if she were going to cast a spell to hide her (?) from Kaito, and so that she'll never go away (??). Honestly, you can see by yourself that it doesn't make sense. Maybe with that "you" she was talking directly to the Record Card, in the translator's head? Well, very counterintuitive to translate it like that, of course it's gonna cause confusion because here Momo is addressing Sakura directly. No, the correct interpretation is that Momo is talking about the Record Card, while explaining to Sakura what she's about to do.
And, unfortunately, I'm not done complaining about this month's translation yet (god, they were doing so okay in the first part!).
Momo, ENG: I have held what I need to cast it...since long before I entered into my contract...with the boy.
Momo, JP: And I've already received the price needed to do that, long before I entered into my contract with that boy.
The ENG translation makes it sound like the ring Record is showing was somehow necessary to Momo in order to cast the spell. It isn't exactly like that. The ring was seemingly THE PRICE Lilie paid in advance, in order to make a wish to Momo and have it granted.
Yes, exactly like the customers do with Yuuko. But also what Yukito had to do to obtain the powers from the divinity of the Tsukimine Shrine. Basically it's safe to say that if you have a wish in any CLAMP series, you'll always have to pay something of equal value in exchange. And removing the word price from here, wording it in that misleading way, is honestly really annoying. We're reading a CLAMP manga, we love to see keywords and references to common CLAMP tropes and thematics present in other works too, when they've been put there on purpose by CLAMP. Can you please keep them, K-USA?? Note that here, we shouldn't give 100% for granted that the ring was exactly the price Lilie paid. It could be that, but also something related to the ring, something not physical. Like the fact that Lilie remained unprotected after giving the ring away (for a further purpose in the future). Some people gave away their time, freedom, luck as a price, in other works. Maybe it's something along those lines, and the ring gets to be passed over to those who need it the most now. Or maybe it was really the ring all along, I'm just pointing out that there are multiple options here to take into consideration.
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We see Momo holding the ring between two fingers, and on the other side of the screen, Sakura's hand takes the same pose, with some "magic sparkles" around it: did Momo indeed pass the ring to her, magically? It's pretty unclear but it's legit to imagine so. Momo continues saying that there are other Cards that haven't disappeared yet (beware, the Spanish version here seems to be implying that ALL of Sakura's Clear Cards haven't disappeared, but from how it's phrased that's not what the JP text is saying here, and the ENG translation is actually right - wtf is happening, hahahah), and they're waiting for Sakura to call them. Yes, just like she did with Record. Then, Momo finally tells her "(please,) Remember" (and not "find them" like in the ENG version!), and Record turns into a magic crystal, the same that appeared everytime Sakura captured a Clear Card, magically going through Sakura's chest. Yes. Should we say "stabbing" her? 😂😂Good lord was this imagery really necessary?? Moreover, people are also being reminded of how the feathers used to enter Sakura's body in Tsubasa exactly like this 😂😂😂it's a continuous reference-fest, with Tsubasa.... Sooo, as you have guessed, Sakura starts recovering all the memories of her life before the forbidden magic was activated: in this beautiful display of countless film strips we can see many scenes coming from the most disparate chapters, mostly related to Sakura (shots from the Two Alice play are included, but NOT futher than that, so I don't know what's the situation for what concerns what happened in Clockland). We can see many characters in those strips, Momo included (so she recovered also her memories that were erased by the time rewindings - I knew she would!! ) but....there's still one major absentee in those memories: Kaito.
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And yet. Sakura opens her eyes, after processing all the memories that came back to her. And her eyes are filled with tears, tears and extreme sadness. Akiho, of course, gets immediately anxious when she sees her like that. Sakura runs to the one whom she probably knows by now is not really her sister, to hug her tight. This is a scene that's very reminiscent of when she hugged Akiho in chapter 35 after witnessing Akiho's past on her skin. She didn't know how or why, but her intuition and empathy told her that she had witnessed something related to Akiho. And that's exactly what's happening here too.
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I'm not sure if Sakura saw Kaito, in those memories (while not being shown to us). But I'm fairly sure that what's making her cry, thanks to her awesome intuition and empathy, is the blind awareness that they lost someone along the way. Someone very, very important to Akiho, hence why she runs to hug her tight. And that can't help but breaking Sakura's heart too, because she loves Akiho and she would never want to see her "sister" suffer a loss of that magnitude. She knows what it feels like, she had to scold Syaoran before for that same risk. Therefore, with one of the most determined faces I've ever seen her making, she utters:
Sakura, JP: Let's get it back. The thing/the person you didn't want to lose.
There's a lot to say about this last line of the chapter. First of all, the interpretation: the international translations have interpreted in different ways this line, because there isn't a subject or a clear specification of what they're talking about. Some translations made Sakura say something like "I've got to take back what we should've never have lost", like the ENG and BR-PT versions did, making Kaito's disappearance her matter too... Some others decided to translate in a way that's more personal to Akiho, like "Let's get back what you never wanted to lose", like the FR and ESP did. This is possible because this line uses the word もの, which can both mean "thing" but also the hiragana reading of 者, "person" (as usual, a clever way from Ohkawa to not disclose who she's talking about yet, even though we all know). At the same time, it also doesn't specify who is the subject of the verb "didn't want to lose": it could be Akiho, or Sakura and Akiho together, just as each translation decided to infer. Therefore I'm not inclined to indicate one or the other as the correct one, though I have to say that the idea of Sakura making it a personal matter too despite knowing Kaito very little, just because she's that much empathetic, kind and genuine, is quite endearing. Kaito made Akiho feel loved, the happiest, and that alone is enough for Sakura to put up her warrior queen face (seriously, it's so heartbreaking but also beautiful) and declare war to whatever is keeping him away from them, trying to get him back. Ohkawa did say it, in one of the last Twitter Spaces where she talked about the upcoming events of the finale: "Sakura will take care of it in her own way". One last thing, this line is also a reference to what Touya told Sakura in chapter 58, that night when he prepared the honey milk to her, after his sister asked him "What do you do when you don't know what's true and what's not?" and he told her...."I choose what I don't want to loose".
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And that's exactly what Sakura is doing right now. We knew this advice sooner or later would've come useful. Sakura chose to bring back what they shouldn't lose. A precious existence that deserves a second chance. Sakura made her choice. She's on board with this. Will Akiho make the same choice? (don't you dare, it's a rhetoric question!! 😂)
Surprisingly enough, for this chapter we have an editorial text in vertical, on the right side of the last page, which translates to: "A wish entrusted from the past, (what will) Sakura (do)...?"
Aaaaand here we are, we reached the end of the chapter. 31 pages...we're back to longer chapters, as expected from those very close to the grand finale! We're currently 79 pages in for volume 15. It is interesting to note that, as I'm writing this post, no notice of "2 chapters to the end" or anything like that was printed on the Japanese color page (but there still could be something in the usual color ads page - I'd need to check the actual Nakayoshi magazine for that). Aside from the things I have already mentioned in the post above, I have to say I really loved to see Sakura and Akiho collaborating (and so immediately after Sakura revealed everything connected to magic to her sister!), effectively putting at work Akiho's extensive knowledge thanks to all the books she reads! Her suggestion of "calling" the magic Sakura was looking for, because it was hiding, was super useful and put into practice something she just had mentioned a few pages before: if you need me for something I happen to be good at, I'll always help you. That's what's good in us being different. Talking with an user on a Discord server, it was mentioned something that I personally really agree with and I would like to talk more extensively in a separate post (maybe someone can send an ask about it so I have the excuse? 😂), which is the fact that in this chapter Sakura talked honestly and clearly with an open heart to Akiho, trusting her reaction to be strong and positive enough, and that lead to a quick resolution of an immediate problem they had, as opposed to the other characters of the cast (Syaoran, Eriol, Kaito etc) who did things on their own, hiding - and even lying in some cases - to protect their loved ones, leading to unforeseen or terrible consequences (Kaito is the extreme example). I think there's definitely a fil rouge here connecting these situations.
Well, this post unfortunately already turned too long so I guess I'll have to stop here, but I'll be glad to answer to asks, if you want to discuss something else (or get more clarifications!). If you found this post useful, if it helped you clarifying some things, please share it - I'm always told of people being so confused by this finale and if I can help in any way I'd be only happy about that, but my posts need to reach those people first.
Chapter 74 is slated to be released on May 31st on CLAMP's Youtube channel (digital), and on June 2nd on Nakayoshi (digital and paper). The next Nakayoshi magazine will come with Sakura on the cover, the chapter being at the very beginning of the magazine (so it's probably going to be a double color page) and even a furoku - a pretty SyaoSaku foldable fan! I'm not sure how things will be with the release of the new K-Manga app, so for now I'm not gonna include it here.
See you next time!!
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khazaddoom · 7 months
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Love the thought that a human soul has roughly the same value as a silver watch like. Yeah those things sound comparable
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"Do you try to confuse me?!"
She's not trying, but she's still slaying it. 😁
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aliceinclockland · 11 months
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if that rule was nonexistent, momo could've told akiho about what yuna d. kaito has been planning sooner than expected
but honestly the pain makes the plot worth it so it's better this way... i guess
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Masterpost
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everymephistopheles · 1 month
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derikisu · 11 months
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bigfrozenfan-fanfics · 2 months
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Chapter 73 - Surprises and a nomination
Links: Chapter overview, Character list, Map, Glossar Rating: M over all Publishing cycle: around every 2-3 weeks
Remarks: all my chapters contain carefully selected music tracks (try to use headphones). It’s your own decision if you want to use them or not while reading. The purpose is to musically support the respective mood of the plot. If you can please use a browser for reading (not the Tumblr app) due to the text formatting and music.
“Alena, are you awake yet?” asked one of the men in the lavvú camp, standing in front of one of the tents. For the noaidi, one of it had been dismantled from Kolgrimr's former camp and rebuilt right next to those of her twenty men especially for Alena. “We need to speak to you urgently,” he said somewhat impatiently.
          There was nothing to be heard inside, but the next moment the tent’s canvas was pushed aside and Alena stepped out into the fresh air of dusk.
          “I'm awake, I've been awake for a while actually, because I was meditating. What's up?”
          “We smell winter approaching and so do our reindeer. They are getting impatient and are ready to migrate to the winter camp with the other herds. We need to get back to our families, Alena. It's time.”
          The noaidi nodded. “Yes, you are right about it and I too feel it is high time. Many families who have a further way to go than you and I will surely already be on their way north. However, I'm afraid I must stay here in the Northuldra camp for another day and night, for there is something very important for me to do. Therefore, if you do not mind, I would like to ask you all to ride ahead. Dismantle the lavvús and get ready to leave. I will see you on the plateau in two days.”
          “Árnason is staying here too? We could take him with us.”
          “No, that's all right. I'd like his company on the way back and he can help me on the road. Tell his family that it will be a little late and everything will be all right. They don't need to worry.”
          “We will. Please take good care of each other and good luck.”
~~~
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Elsa had left the kota early and was strolling leisurely through the camp, looking for Yelana. She felt very well this morning, although she had hardly been able to sleep last night after what had happened. It had also become quite chilly and she was looking forward to these temperatures. “I don't mind the cold … finally, it’s here again,” she muttered to herself and, just for fun, let a few big snowflakes form on her hand and float above it.
          I wonder where the nature spirits have gone, Ahtohallan is free again now; she thought and looked around to see if she could spot Bruni or Gale somewhere, but saw nothing that pointed to them. Nokk hadn't shown itself yet either and the earth giants preferred to stay among themselves anyway, along the river to the north. She shrugged her shoulders, perhaps she would summon them later today.
          There were hardly any Northuldra on the way yet, she really was an incorrigible early riser, as Anna sometimes joked. But then she did run into someone, just as she was turning around one of the huts. Suddenly Honeymaren was standing in front of her and they both just smiled at each other silently at first. Then, for a change, it was Elsa who took the initiative, taking Honeymaren completely by surprise. After a quick sideways glance to make sure no one was watching, she stepped forward and gave her a gentle kiss on her full lips.
          “Good morning, Maren,” she wished her softly with a smile and that made Honeymaren beam. She immediately fell around Elsa's neck and kissed her back, with passion. Elsa returned the embrace and even played with Honeymaren's tongue because she was doing the same to her. It was a situation she could never have imagined before last night. It felt great to taste Honeymaren's lips and tongue, to feel her body heat and to breathe in the scent she gave off so soon after getting up.
          Maren has made a different person out of me; Elsa thought with amazement and at the same time great satisfaction and they smiled happily at each other as they parted again.
          “Why are you out so early in the morning?” asked Honeymaren.
          “I could ask you the same thing. You probably couldn't sleep, could you? I, on the other hand, am just an early riser and wanted to see if Yelana was awake yet. I want to talk to her about what brought us here in the first place because of her.”
          “And that would be?”
          “I don't know, that's the thing. She acted very secretive and we supposedly really needed to see it before we could talk about it and decide.”
          “Strange … I can't even think what it could be.” Honeymaren mused strained. “Except …” Her eyes widened. “It can only be one thing really! Yes, I'm pretty sure of that now, but …”
          “But?”
          “It's a Northuldra secret that no outsider has ever been privy to. It was even whispered to me once by Ryder that Yelana specifically did not invite you to it then because of … because of the danger you posed to our people when Kolgrimr had not yet shown himself but the effects caused by him were already being felt. Everyone was pretty scared.”
          “Wait, it has something to do with Kolgrimr? What is it that Yelana has been keeping from us so far?”
          “No, nothing about Kolgrimr, it's about our Ting place.”
          “Your what?” Elsa was completely taken aback and stared at Honeymaren with big question marks in her eyes.
          But Honeymaren suddenly shut up and said, “It's probably better Yelana explains it to you. I'm not allowed to talk about it and I've actually already told you too much.”
          “I see …” Elsa looked at her sadly and put a hand on her shoulder. “I'm revealing something to you too, but it's something I'm not really supposed to talk about to you either.”
          “What?” Honeymaren looked at her uncomprehendingly.
          “Just this much … maybe you will make these kinds of decisions all by yourself in the future.”
          “Well, that … I guess that's it then. I've suspected it for a while now, ever since Yelana made those hints to me, but then said nothing more about it. At the time, my mind was also elsewhere.”
          Elsa nodded, no longer seeing any reason to keep it from her when she already suspected or thought she knew anyway, “You're right about that. Yelana feels she is too old to lead the Northuldra and wants to nominate you as her successor officially.” They strolled on as they spoke without taking any particular direction.
          “Well, I knew it. But for that she needs all the Northuldra and the remaining elders, and that can only be done in one place. All right, if she has already earmarked me for this, then I might as well tell you the secret and about our Ting House, where all important decisions are made that affect us all as a people. Actually, the assembly is called Norting and apparently goes back to centuries of tradition when we had a noaidi and a grand council of elders. There is even a separate entrance for her and I know from Alena that her assembly tent, her big lavvú, also has such an entrance. It's comparable to your council meetings in Arendelle, only with us it's not just a few but almost everyone who votes at the end.”
          “That makes sense,” Elsa mused, “and yet Yelana is planning something that will affect all of Arendelle and she also spoke of great changes and a new opportunity with many new possibilities.”
          “Hmm … I wonder what that could be. You've really got me curious now. Come on, let's look for her together, because last night she wanted to talk to me urgently and I want to bet it all boils down to me and the Norting. Incidentally, that would be something I would change first and foremost should I become the new leader. And I'm not even sure about that yet, by the way.”
          “And what do you want to change?”
          “Until now, only men of a certain age were allowed to participate in our Norting, with the exception of Yelana as our leader, of course, but otherwise no women. And yet we do so much for all our people, not only taking care of the little ones and raising them, cooking, making clothes for the men and all that. Even our healer hasn't been allowed to come so far and she really takes care of everyone. That has to change and become the way it used to be and where among our council of elders there were also many of us women, so we had an equal say. After all, this concerns all our people here in the forest!”
          “That's a really excellent resolution, Maren, and …. hey, we've arrived at the beach after all, I wasn't paying attention to where we were going,” Elsa said in surprise as they suddenly stepped onto sand.
          “Neither did I. It's interesting that we both keep being drawn to the same place. Maybe that means something, who knows “
          Surprisingly, they found Yelana sitting there on their tree trunk and Honeymaren remembered that she too liked to get up very early and seek the peace of nature. What better place to do so than this place and they both exchanged meaningful glances.
          “Excuse me, Yelana, but may we disturb you?” asked Elsa quietly as they both stepped behind her.
          Yelana startled slightly and wheeled around.
          “You two, and together … interesting.”
          Elsa and Honeymaren looked at each other questioningly. Elsa in particular wondered at this remark.
          “You're not interrupting, of course, so please come closer and sit with me.”
          They both settled down to the left and right of Yelana, and the first thing they did was to wish her a good morning.
          “How can I help you both?” asked Yelana.
          “You know why, or surely you can already guess,” said Honeymaren.
          “You mean because of what I told you yesterday, when your family and everyone else arrived from Arendelle, that you and I had something important to discuss?” Yelana turned her head once to Elsa and then back to Honeymaren, then cradled it gently. “Could you two perhaps sit down next to each other, so I don't have to keep looking back and forth.”
          “But of course, Yelana, sorry,” Elsa said, switching sides to sit close to Honeymaren on her right.
          “Well, actually I wanted to discuss this matter with Honeymaren alone first, before announcing the event to our people, and with it the surprise for you, Elsa, why I wanted you and the queen to be there. But looking at you both and how close you seem to have become since yesterday, I might as well speak frankly.”
          “Nothing escapes your notice, does it?” asked Honeymaren, amused.
          “Only rarely, Honeymaren, that's true.” Yelana had to think back at that moment to one of the few deceptions in her life, when Gyda had lied to her about her son Kolgrimr and she had foolishly defended and taken the old liar's side at the Norting as well.
          However, her expression must have reflected her feelings because Honeymaren asked, “Are you all right?”
          “Yes, yes, it's nothing, just a sudden memory.” Yelana's face brightened again. “Well, I'm sure you can already guess that I want to put you forward as my successor in front of all the Northuldra, and I also assume that you've already spoken to Elsa about it. And that I can only make this announcement in a special place has probably already been told to you, Elsa, by Honeymaren as well, hasn't it?”
          “How …”
          “Experience, Elsa, good judge of character and powers of observation. Something you still lack a little, by the way, Honeymaren, but that will come in time.” Yelana sighed. “But I feel there is more … and it's between the two of you. And before you ask, Elsa, I've known about Honeymaren's love for you for a long time. I'm just surprised that despite my advice to her about the far-flung locations and the vast difference from you of royal blood, you two seem to have found each other after all and are, shall we say …. together as lovers.”
          Elsa's jaw dropped, something that really happened to her only extremely rarely, but she could not reply because she was too perplexed. She had already realised in the castle of Arendelle that evening from Yelana's look that she knew about Maren's feelings for her, but the fact that Yelana had now also seen through their fresh relationship was something completely different.
          Yelana grinned slightly, “But are you sure about the consequences and the difficulties such a relationship entails? You are the big sister of the queen and you have a lot of duties in Arendelle, Elsa, besides the big responsibility. As for you, Honeymaren, know exactly how our people feel about such a union, If they ever discover your secret, you and Elsa would face severe consequences, you may even be banished. You will have to lead them all in the future and make decisions for our people.”
          They both nodded and nevertheless looked at each other unabashedly in love in the presence of the old, wise Northuldra.
          “We know that, Yelana, and I am grateful that Maren has shown me a side of life that is completely new to me. Besides, Anna would even approve this relationship and she has suspected it for some time. As for Maren and her people, we're already paying attention.”
          “Maren then, very nice that name … I'm happy for you and after you saw the secret place and my ideas about it as far as Arendelle is concerned, I now even see a new way for you to be together. At least for a certain time. But more about that tonight under six … er …” Yelana counted briefly, “… no eight eyes, because Anna has to be there too, and by the way, it's good that she probably already knows. Right?”
          Elsa fussed a little. “Well, not really yet. I … we still have to tell her.”
~~~
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Anna woke up with a shudder and pulled the reindeer skin up a little further to her chin to snuggle in tightly. She blinked and realised by the light from above and from the light coming in through the gaps in the hut's flap that it was already daytime. She just didn't know what time it was.
          It had become quite cold, so cold that she was shivering slightly, and she had no nightgown with her this time, so was lying completely naked under the fur blanket. Stupidly, her clothes would hardly protect her from the cold today, for she had not expected wintry temperatures, at least not so soon.
          She glanced to the side where Elsa was supposed to be lying, but of course she wasn't there and had probably already got up hours ago. How long had she been asleep, she wondered, and peeled herself out of the covers to dress and look outside.
          As she pushed the flap outwards she heard two pairs of boots clap together in salute to her left and right as the guards stood at attention and placed the outstretched fingers of their right hands to their temples to salute their queen, looking at her freely, courageously and with a decent face.
          “Take it easy, boys, we're not in Arendelle,” Anna muttered as she stepped out and gave them a quick, smirking look. “Good morning, by the way. Do you know where my sister Elsa is?”
          One of the guards replied. “She left the hut hours ago, but asked not to be followed, Your Majesty.” Anna nodded, pondering.
          It was indeed an advanced morning and the cooking fires with small cauldrons on them for breakfast were already going everywhere. Or was it already noon? Anna couldn't tell as she glanced up shiveringly at the overcast sky with no visible sun.
          “Why didn't Elsa wake me,” she muttered to herself, trudging through the camp in search of her, slightly annoyed. “Well, maybe it's because she didn't think about the fact that, unlike her, I do mind this cold?” she scolded herself, holding her hands over the flames of the nearest campfire to warm them. “I really need something warm to wear around my neck.”
          She was still wondering if it was time for breakfast, or worse, lunch already. Elsa had been awake for a long time and was off somewhere in the camp. If Kristoff were there now, he would surely give me a loving hug and rub my back and arms nice and warm; she thought. “I miss him already, even though it's only been a few days,” she then whispered, looking into the flames in front of her, but seeing into an imaginary distance where Kristoff was walking towards her, waving at her with a smile.
~~~
A few hundred kilometers further south …
“A wonderful good morning,” Karl wished his two guests good-humouredly as they came down the stairs, “Please sit down, breakfast will be ready in a moment.”
          “You too, Karl,” Kristoff said with a smile and looked for an empty chair at the table.
          Kai hugged his brother briefly, holding him at a distance again to look him in the eye and said, “It's so nice to have breakfast together with you and your sweetheart after so long. You even changed almost nothing in my old room. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go upstairs last time. When I look at my old things and think of the past …”
          “I know, because I always firmly believed that you would return to visit us one day! Please sit down in your usual place opposite me.”
          Kai settled down and looked around the rustic living room curiously.
          “I don't see much that's new here either, Karl, except that painting over there, which I haven't seen before.”
          “That was painted for us by the neighbour's daughter. She's very talented and often walks across the plateau with her easel. We really like this view of the valley and we told her so. She wouldn't let it go and just gave it to us the next day when it was finished.”
          “I know this viewpoint, I stood there once too many, many years ago and a little further away from it we both stood when I was here last time, when we had our big reunion after so many years and looked down into the valley. That was really nice to experience with you, Karl. So I see you and I still have the same taste.”
          At that moment Karl's wife came in with a full tray and put it on the table to serve everything for breakfast.
          “Good morning,” she said cheerfully to the group and then looked directly at Kristoff. “I didn't know what you eat in the mornings in Arendelle, Your Highness, so I have prepared what Karl and Kai always like. It's just simple country produce, of course, but I hope you like it anyway,” she added apologetically after sliding a plate over to each and placing the rest in the middle.
          “My personal tastes are not that different, because I love fresh scrambled eggs and country bread with lots of butter on it,” Kristoff said, his mouth already watering at the sight of the steaming plate. “Thank you very much, and please just call me Kristoff, …um…”
          “Hanna, my name is Hanna.”
          “Hanna, yes … We don't have to be so formal here with Kai's family.”
          She poured tea into the waiting cups and sat down.
          They enjoyed their breakfast in silence and could hear a few chickens clucking through the half-open window outside and a barking dog in the distance, still very small from the sound of it. He seemed to be romping around with some small children, because bright laughter also came from them.
          As Kristoff finished eating, took the cup, sat back contentedly in the chair and took a sip of herbal tea, he said, “I like these happy, rural sounds. It's very different in Arendelle. It's always a bit noisy there because of the sounds at the harbour, the market and the rattling of the horse-drawn carts on the cobblestones. And you can't miss our big tower clock either.”
          Just as he had said this, a longcase clock near the stairs struck not exactly quietly. Kristoff startled a little and everyone had to laugh at that.
          “Sorry, Kristoff,” Hanna said, “but as for the latter, we have something like that too, only a little smaller.”
          “It's okay, I just hadn't seen it or I would have been forewarned.”
          “It's eight now, so why don't we go on a tour of the village and ask the farmers about the supplies they can spare for Arendelle. We can also ask the two bakers here for flour,” said Karl, looking at the large clock face.
          “And afterwards, please don't forget to ask the baron if he can spare some time for me,” Kai added and Karl nodded at him.
          “But of course, I haven't forgotten.” He glanced at Hanna as she stood up. “Is there anything else we can help you with, dear?”
          “Leave everything, I'll clear the table by myself. You'd better get going, because this is all going to take a lot of time, I'm sure. See you later,” she said, already starting to put everything on the tray.
~~~
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In the far north, Anna was sitting at one of the larger campfires in the Northuldra camp, also enjoying her breakfast. She was glad that it wasn't as late as she had feared, but she hadn't discovered Elsa, even though she had searched the whole camp. Instead, a Northuldra could help her with her problem because she was so cold. She felt much better now and the hot soup that had been made from the leftovers from last night did the rest.
          Just then, Arendelle's stable boy Lars walked by with Árnason by his side, engrossed in conversation, and she greeted them both. Lars didn't recognise Anna right away, but then was all the more startled and bowed deeply before continuing on with his new friend, who only waved at Anna with a smile. At that moment, Anna spotted her sister stepping out of the forest with Yelana and Honeymaren and coming closer. As they were about to pass her, Anna rose.
          “So there you are Elsa, been looking for you all morning. Good morning, Yelana and Honeymaren.”
          Everyone immediately stopped their discussion, for Anna had the impression from the gestures that it was one, and looked at her in some amazement.
          “What's that strange thing you're wearing?” asked Elsa with raised eyebrows, looking her up and down. The other two could only grin.
          “Well, I was freezing and had a woman make me a poncho out of reindeer fur. All that's really missing is a belt to hold the monstrosity together.”
          Elsa laughed, “Oh, sis, you're always good for a little surprise. But I guess we can have something better made for you, can't we Yelana? Something that would go well with Kristoff's leather outfit. That's what you like so much about him, isn't it?”
          “That would be great, Elsa. This one ruins my figure a lot, but I just couldn't think of anything better and I needed something to warm me up real quick.”
          “You poor thing,” Elsa commented, stepping towards her to wrap her in her arms. “Got rather surprisingly cold, I agree.”
          “If you'll let me sit with you later, I'll get us something from yesterday too, Elsa, and see where Mum and Ryder are while I'm at it,” Honeymaren remarked.
          “Of course,” Anna and Elsa said almost simultaneously.
          “And I'll go ahead and inform everyone,” Yelana added, nodding at them and making off with Honeymaren.
          “What does she mean by that?” asked Anna as they both sat on the long wooden log in front of the fire.
          “It's about what Yelana wants to show us and about a special gathering of the Northuldra because of Ma … Honeymaren.”
          “Ha, gotcha!” exclaimed Anna. “You were about to say Maren again. That's how you addressed her last time here in the camp a long time ago, when we had to flee from Kolgrimr.”
          Elsa twisted the corner of her mouth and looked at her sister with a slightly lowered gaze. Anna raised her eyebrows in response. “Is there something I should know, sis?” she added, somewhat stretched.
          “Well … er …,” Elsa swayed her head uncertainly, as Anna had seen Yelana do occasionally.
          “Now tell me,” her sister urged, nudging her lightly.
          Elsa expelled the air. She just had to confess it to Anna and hoped she wasn't too scared about it. “We've been together since last night, Maren and I.”
          Anna's breath caught and she could only stare at Elsa for seconds. Then she hugged her tightly.
          “Really now? Like, really as a couple?” she then asked as she held her sister by the shoulders a little away from her and looked deep into her eyes. Elsa nodded bashfully.
          “But that's great! You've finally found the courage to do it. I'm so happy for you! What did you do? Did you kiss her and all the the romantic stuff?”
          “Anna!”
          “You can still ask your sister about it, can't you? I'm so curious how you experienced it and how it came about so suddenly. Tell me … come on … please, give me some details …” Anna was all excited and had to think back to her conversation with Elsa under the radiant night sky, with the soft background music from the field camp.
          “It kind of came naturally and by the way it was more than just a kiss, Anna. It was … beautiful with her and … exciting,” Elsa replied softly.
          “You had really made love to each other and you … even down there … caressed?” Elsa nodded.
          “But only she me.”
          “Wow, I experienced the same thing with Kristoff … In the bath and later in bed too.”
          “But not with the … I guess.” Elsa pointed tentatively at her mouth.
          “Oh yes he did! He did and it was fantastic. Now I know how you must have felt.”
          Elsa smiled dreamily. “Yes, I'll never forget that either … my first time. She was so gentle and tender, Anna, but then also so tempestuous, you can't imagine. Next time I will try to do the same for her if we get a chance. After all, here with the Northuldra, unlike in Arendelle, it's taboo.” Anna nodded in understanding.
          “You amaze me, sis, that you were able to jump over your own shadow and finally put your heart and soul to a great love. I'm proud of you and very delighted you have found someone who loves you for what you are.” Anna hugged her again and out of the corner of her eye saw Honeymaren coming towards her, balancing three guksis in front of her.
          “I'm back and I brought you something warm,” she said as she sat down next to them and handed over the bowls.
          “Thank you,” they both said, and while Elsa began to eat, Anna unintentionally looked at Honeymaren a little more closely, looking at her with different eyes than before, now that she was her sister's lover. But Honeymaren noticed these glances immediately, paused with the spoon in front of her mouth and lowered it again in surprise to look at Elsa reprovingly.
          “Elsaa? You've been chatting with Anna, haven't you?”
          Elsa almost spluttered the stew out of her mouth and looked at Honeymaren from the side, caught. All three women now looked wordlessly into each other's eyes in turn, not quite knowing how to react. The secret was out now and there was no turning back.
          “Don't worry, Maren … I can call you Maren, can't I? I don't mind at all, really. Elsa and I have no secrets from each other and I can only say it's nice that you two have found each other and are happy. Because I am too, for my dear sister who has finally discovered love for herself,” she said smiling with an affectionate look at Elsa.
          Honeymaren breathed a sigh of relief. “It's all right then. Elsa already told me that you wouldn't mind such a relationship.”
          No one said anything more and instead contentedly spooned the delicious stew into themselves. A little later, Elsa stood up and asked for the empty guksis.
          “I'll go to the camp and take the bowls right away. I'll also make sure with Yelana that you get something better to wear, sis.”
          When she was gone and out of sight, Anna moved a little closer to Honeymaren. Her expression darkened as she did so and when she had her face just inches from Honeymaren's, she raised her index finger in the air in front of her in warning.
          “I can promise you one thing though, Honeymaren. If you ever harm or hurt my sister and make her cry, you will bitterly regret it. Because if you do, I will finish you off.”^
          Honeymaren took hold of Anna's index finger and slowly pushed her hand down. She smiled in understanding and nodded slightly in response. Then she replied in a low voice, "Anna, I know you care deeply for your big sister and I will protect her with my own life if I have to, you just have to believe that. I will never hurt Elsa, because I love her more than anything."
~~~
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In the afternoon, Anna wore a gakti tailored for her and, except for her strawberry-blond long hair, was hardly distinguishable from the Northuldra around her. She found the clothes very comfortable and they also warmed much better than her royal traveling clothes with the short bolero over the thin dress. She was especially taken with the comfortably warm fur boots, which looked confusingly like Kristoff's.
          It was a long procession across the forest, always heading north. They walked for almost an hour between first light birch trees and then through increasingly dense vegetation. When they finally arrived in front of a wide brook, the way seemed to go no further, because on the opposite side high bushes blocked the way. At least that's how it looked at first glance.
          But Anna and Elsa only had to follow the others and waded across a shallow ford to the other bank. Where just a green wall prevented them from going further, a narrow path suddenly opened up as the Northuldra bent the branches to the side in front of them.
          What they saw then, as they stepped into the almost circular large clearing beyond, took both of their breath away. There was something magical about this place and the unusual, large building in the middle of it.
          Yelana stood waiting not far in front of them, facing them.
          “How did you guys build this?” asked Elsa, impressed, as she stood in front of her. “It looks like the birch trees grew through the roof and are supporting the whole building. And then there are these straight as a die tall birch trees all around the outside. Even our best builders in Arendelle can't get that right. You have indeed not promised too much, Yelana.”
          Anna, too, stood open-mouthed and finally looked up at the open spire, which had a pyramid-shaped little roof above it. Someone was standing up there looking down at them.
          “I'll tell you my idea for this a little later, after I've made the proposal to my people and it's been voted on. Why don't you go ahead inside? I have to meet someone first and I'll be right up.”
          The sisters followed the others through a large double doorway inside into a large hall that was already well filled. Both looked up in amazement at an impressive, free-hanging construction of a winding staircase that led up to the top of the tower. The crowd in front of them made way and let them through to the front, to where Honeymaren was already standing and waiting at the foot of this staircase with an equally astonished face.
          Behind them now the entrance was closed audibly loud and it became quiet in the hall. Everyone was waiting for something, or rather someone, because shortly after Yelana, followed by Alena, entered through a side door and went forward to join the three of them.
          She stood in front of them, while Alena went to Honeymaren's side and nodded to her. The noaidi had her drum in her hand and the young Northuldra already guessed what she was going to do with it.
          “Thank you all for coming. I will now share with you why I have called a Norting,” Yelana began. “Today will change many things for us and I hope for the better. Today is also a very special day because for the first time in many decades, a noaidi is present and will look into the near future for us.”
          All eyes then turned to Alena and Honeymaren nodded imperceptibly.
          “I have to tell you today that I have grown too old to remain as your leader and will be leaving you shortly.”
          A murmur went through the crowd and many a person shouted “But why?”, or “We want you to stay, Yelana!”, “After all these decades you want to leave us? We need you, Yelana!” and other voices. The old Northuldra gave them a pass and felt grateful for these heartfelt reactions.
          When things quieted down again, she continued speaking. “The danger from Kolgrimr and his allies is finally over, our people are safe again and we see the open sky above us. We, the people of the Sun, will have a new leader, someone who has courageously proven herself and significantly helped to banish this danger at the risk of her own life and even had to suffer a heavy loss. You all know and love her, because I am talking here about Honeymaren Nattura!”
          There was actually almost no one in the hall who was not astonished by this and this could be clearly read in the faces. But no one started the grumbling or cried out.
          “You must be wondering if it's the right choice, and even though I'm firmly convinced of it myself, in a moment Alena, who was actually just visiting and got dragged into the tragic story, will look into the future for us.” Yelana waved behind her, beckoning the two to join her. “Please both step forward.”
          Honeymaren and Alena complied, the young Northuldra keeping her head down and her hands crossed in front of her.
          “Alena was an instrumental ally in the outcome of the war, for she discovered and uncovered a fifth monolith and guided Elsa, our fifth Spirit, to the spiritual plane, where she was ultimately able to free Ahtohallan and, with whose help Kolgrimr and his evil mother Gyda were banished forever. You can all imagine what our future would be like if this had turned out differently. Ryder Nattura and his new friend Indu from the far north, together with Honeymaren and Elsa, fought our enemy Kolgrimr at that fifth monolith and together they were able to drive him into Ahtohallan's trap.”
          She paused for a moment. “Ryder, Indu, please step forward and show yourselves. And you too, Elsa, please.”
          As everyone stepped beside Yelana in amazement, she smiled and raised her voice.
          “Please now honor our liberators, all of whom stand beside me!”
          It took only seconds for applause to erupt, many in the hall clapping their hands, and all who had a battle staff with them stamping it rhythmically on the floor. A little later, the first ones sang a joik of honor, testifying to their great gratitude. Yelana also stomped her short birch staff on the ground and sang along loudly.
          It went on like this for minutes, and many a tear and a grateful smile appeared on the faces of the honorees. Anna had gone to one of the upper steps to see everything better and clearly showed pride in her countenance, for Elsa, but also for the two Nattura siblings.
          When it was finally over, Yelana asked for a vote on whether Honeymaren was accepted as the new leader at all. The vote was by a show of hands and no hand was seen not to go up.
          “Do you accept the election, Honeymaren Nattura?” asked Yelana.
          The addressed was moved, but still felt uncertain, especially because a plan was going through her mind since the conversation with Alena. And this one had also become difficult, because now she had a relationship with her beloved Elsa.
          Honeymaren was unsettled, so, surprising many, she replied, “I want Alena to look into my future, because I need certainty about a particular thing.”
          Silence returned and the noaidi stepped forward. She first looked deeply into Honeymaren's eyes for a few moments before she began beating the drum, walking slowly around her and singing a joik. At some point Alena stopped, closed her eyes still standing upright, and had fallen into a trance. The joik and drum fell silent for seconds.
          “I see Honeymaren. Very clearly, as if from far away. She will go on a long journey. I see her moving with the great herds of reindeer, in ice and snow, and I see a journey of experiences and discoveries. She is finding herself, learning new skills, and meeting lots of people of the People of the Sun who speak many languages. In the process, she travels far up into the cold north, to where the reindeer migrate each year. This journey will take a whole year and when she returns down to the summer camp with the great herds of reindeer, she will be a new person and ready to become the new leader of the Northuldra. She will usher in a new era and take the first step into a new future.”
          Minutes later, Alena opened her eyes again, lowered her drum and looked at Honeymaren in surprise. Then she spoke to Yelana and everyone else present.
          “And it will begin with me, for she will accompany me to the great reindeer camp on the plateau, along with the captured Northmen and some Northuldra who will follow her willingly.”
          She paused for a moment and turned to the young Northuldra, “I am surprised myself by what I saw, Honeymaren, but there can be no doubt. It is true, and I believe you have already toyed with the idea of accompanying me, haven't you?”
          Honeymaren nodded sadly, for she had to think of the great love she had to leave behind for this journey. “Yes, it is so and I was very unsettled. But now you have seen it and through you I know which way to go … for all of us.”
~~~
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Remark: I hope you have enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a comment if you liked the story, I would be pleased to read your opinions, even criticisms. If you want to be tagged as soon I publish the next chapter please let me know, except you are already tagged :-)
Tagging: @true--north @annaofthenorthernlights @dronning-formynder05
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