#elsewhere

And she gives him a hug

"Now, tell me what you love about this place? What called you to Alaska?"

"Mm. It's a long story. Not entirely mine to tell."

(However, Frank knows that he's perfectly allowed to tell the parts that are his.)

Siv nods. Her parents are a tough nut to crack

"Fair. I always wondered. You seem smitten with the land. You even call mom 'My Alaska' you love it that much"

"Mm." he gives her a look askance "Not often in public, I don't."

Siv fights the urge to roll her eyes "It's okay to love someone enough that you lower your guard now and then, Da. But I shan't spread that nick name around casual if that's your preference. I was just saying the land is special to you and tht's a sign of it"

"Mm."

She sits with her father and lets him enjoy the silence, or break it at his leisure.

"It IS pretty country" She says after a few minutes

Frank nods, finishing the work and dusting his hands off. "Ready?"

"Sure" She rises

Frank leads her to join Jonas and Brekke.

Jonas and Brekke are just arriving with their load of lumber, Jonas hauling some, Brekke carrying some.

And Jonas possibly in the form of a draft horse

Presumably.

They set their respective burdens down.

Frank moves to help with that.

Brekke and Frank make eye contact and exchange some married-think communication.

Jonas changes back, and Siv moves to him. They touch hands briefly, then nod. Their own communication newer, rougher but there.

It might take another couple of loads, but soon everything has been brought up from the ship.

It takes less time than one thinks, Siv gets a bucket, then chants over some of the logs. They shrink to the size of 12 inch rulers, she loads the bucket, and carries it up rapidly before the spell wears off.

Jonas tuts "They may think that's cheating."

An amused sound. "Siv finds her own way. It has always been so."

Frank nods agreement with that.

"Yes," Jonas says with some fondness and does the same.

Brekke looks at all the supplies and makes a satisfied sound. "We will start the early steps tomorrow."

Frank nods. "Want me to start something to eat?"

"Yes. We will eat together here, and then bring you to visit the barony lodge."

"Campfire food, been a while" Siv smiles at fond memories "Nothing like a family campfire cook out, Jonas"

Jonas grunts and nods ("I'll take your word for it")

A brow at Jonas. "Not many cookouts for you, Jonas?"

"I've had a few cook outs by campfire, but .. not family related" he shrugs

Frank nods and starts getting things set up and prep'd.

"Well, I hope you will find it enjoyable."

"I'm sure I will" He nods

Siv looks at Jonas with a mix of concern and frustration about something, but masks it quickly after

Brekke catches the expression before Siv has a chance to mask it. "Frank, will you show Jonas how you prepare the fire? Siv, let us put the twins down for a nap on that moss bed over there." She nods at a soft patch across the clearing.

Frank nods, and beckons Jonas over with one hand. "Pick up that firewood on your way. Ever build a fire?"

"Many times," He assures, "I had to learn to survive in the wilds when I was young."

"Ok. Go ahead and set one up, don't light it yet. Ever use a camp stove?"

"Yes" A nod and he starts to set it up , "Be happy to handle it." And he does. Clearly knowing his stuff.

Siv smiles at that

"Ok. I'll get the groceries, then." And he does, setting up a prep station.

Brekke's devious plot might not have been particularly subtle...but it does let Frank and Jonas bond a bit while she can talk with Siv. The babies get bundled up and settled down, cozy in blankets and sunshine despite the chilly air.

Finally, she says to Siv, "Something is upsetting you."

Siv says "Jonas does not talk about hsi family, not parents, not siblings. It's why he has camped, but never family camped" She explains in soft tones to her mother

"Hm. What do you think he is avoiding?"

"Oh he'll not talk of them, won't mention them, wants naught to do with them" She says "It's.. alien to me. I guess I was lucky AM Lucky. He says hes' got his family with me, Piper and the twins"