WINTER'S HEART

When Jack arrived to the village gates, something was different—he was hesitant; he dreaded seeing Elsa more than anticipated. Looking at the pale, white flesh on his hands, he remembered he was a danger, he remembered his old neighbors' faces, Sophie barely letting out a sharp, gasp of breath as he caused the ice below her feet to crack. Dear God if anyone ever shrieked out his name like that again, Jack wouldn't be able to live with himself anymore… Especially the voice of someone he cared about.

When he squeezed through the gates unnoticed once more, he saw the friendly townspeople going about their business—just as his old neighbors were, completely unsuspecting of the strange monster the Overlands had given birth to. He wasn't Jackson Overland anymore, not that monster. He was Jack Frost, the freak who lived in solitude—able to use his powers without hurting anyone. And now he was the young man who was willingly being a threat to Arendelle's people, their Princess. He went to back out the gates, but far ahead of him, he saw Elsa… actually outside speaking to someone! He'd always assumed she was a prisoner in her own home… Apparently not.

His own curiosity overpowered the anxiety and he approached his friend, "Elsa?" He saw the man she was speaking to raise a brow, "Uh-Princess Elsa." Jack bowed, he noticed the rolled up piece of paper in his hand. The young woman kindly sent the man away and turned to him.

"Good to see you so early!"

"I should say so myself! How are you out so early?"

"My father allowed me to leave the castle just to deliver…" She pulled another note out from the belt of her dress, "These!" She held out the note with her bare hand, Jack gently slid it out without making contact and read it… And the more he read it, the more painful it was. All those people, including the King and Queen… and his fair friend who appeared so delighted in front of him, "Jack, I really want you to be there!" Elsa sounded so giddy that it was tormenting. She even appeared desperate, "It'd mean a lot to me… If I have to present in front of all those people again, I'd feel better if you were there!" Jack winced, "I feel less afraid with you—Ah, I don't know." She played with her hair; some short bangs had fallen loose from her bun. But what the seventeen year old snow king was baffled by was that he was actually important to her!

She truly saw him in the light he'd always wanted to be seen in, but never thought he would be. Jack didn't want to break her heart… He loved seeing her smile, and he knew that once he was with her, he'd lose himself and forget his troubles. Jack smiled, "I'll definitely be there!"

"Oh, Jack…" Elsa pointed a finger, "You can't exactly wear…" She gestured to his entire outfit, his white shirt and brown vest with the poncho and brown pants and boots, the frost covering his poncho and boots seemed to go unnoticed, "That." She bluntly said, "It has to be formal." He was in trouble now! How does he explain he lives in an ice kingdom up on the mountains? Let alone, he had to wash those three-year-old clothes by rejuvenating them with his own frost?

"Well…"

"Don't worry." Elsa shook her head, "My maid Gerda can sneak you in and maybe fit you into one of my father's old suits—he's not much taller than you." She scratched her chin and grinned, "In fact, I'm not that much taller than you!"

Jack smirked, "Listen up here, one inch!" He reminded, just one darned inch that would make him equal height. Elsa turned away and crossed her arms—even when she was being mischievous, she still looked so elegant.

"Snow White." She mocked his pale skin.

"Freckles!" Jack laughed; Elsa had a light dusting of freckles that were hardly noticeable—which he did. Of course he shouldn't speak so soon; he had some freckles as well. When the two young adults finished playfully taunting one another, they walked out by the docks of the fjords and looked at the sun. They sat under it and Elsa held a hand up, shielding the blinding light. Jack had a strange relationship with heat—he never truly felt cold, but never warmth either. Such as sitting directly in the sun in seventy degree weather, he didn't absorb the radiance like others did, nor could he feel it. He was just aware of its presence. However, if it were sunny enough, snow created from his magic could still melt like any other, depending on how powerful it was.

"I could really use some snow in my face right now!" Jack's heart skipped a beat… That is until he realized Elsa was joking, "God, I miss winter so much… I can't believe it's months away."

Jack's eyes widened, "You like winter?"

"Mhm." The pretty woman nodded, "Even though I get sick of it after a while, I always miss it when it's gone. Every time the first snow of the year falls, it's always magical." She wasn't paying attention, but Jack's face had lit up with delight.

"…Really?" He looked at his hands, realizing how happy he could make her—how happy Sophie was until she… No! Never again!

"Wanna know what I could really use now?" He listened to her as he closed his hands and looked away from them, "Some nice, refreshing watermelon!"

Jack thought of all the yummy foods Pitch would bring to him, "Watermelon's good, but I like some nice juicy cucumbers."

"All sliced up and ready to be thrown in your mouth?" So Elsa knew her food too, huh? Jack could go on for hours about food, the conversation went on naturally, the eighteen year old blonde laughed, "When I was a child, I always loved a sandwich with some cold cuts."

"What's wrong with them now?"

"Well, I like them now for breakfast, but I need something on the side, like a fruit or something."

"Like tomatoes…" Jack sighed heavenly, now craving some. But Elsa still had an objection.

"Grilled tomatoes." The woman smiled mischievously, as if she'd won the argument, but Jack shook his head and was tempted to splash some of the ocean water in her face… But he couldn't touch anything without hurting it…

Jack managed to get through the day without any problems or fears. He walked with Elsa back towards the castle as the sun was setting; the ball was set to be two nights later, Gerda and the maids working rapidly on the Princess's new dress, "You are coming, right Jack?" Elsa nervously played with her hands, gingerly keeping from looking at his crystal-like eyes. Jack couldn't deny it anymore—he wanted to go, to maybe fill that void that only warmth could. To find peace and at last, show Elsa he wasn't a strange young man that only socialized with her and her only. Jack wanted to say 'yes', but he couldn't. But he was just as scared to say 'no.' He didn't have any more courage at that moment to say anything and he swallowed his tongue.

He opened his mouth to speak, but held it agape, "Ugh." Was all that came out, but the Princess misheard him and looked up. Worried, he took a step farther to the side, away. "I-I…" He sighed and stopped, "Elsa, I'd love to go…" The woman was smarter than she already appeared and raised a disappointed brow.

"But…?"

Jack hated how easily he could be read. Frustrated, he bit his lip and continued, "But I can't. I'm not cut out for this kind of life style." He turned away.

"What do you mean?" She didn't even bother to continue back into the castle, Elsa demanded an answer.

"I can't be around people." Jack announced, using the most stern voice he could muster. It reminded the Princess of her father, which she didn't like, until the young man felt guilty and softened his expression, "I get scared, Elsa." He finally released the truth, surprising her, "I get scared of what'll happen…" He felt his body temperature dropping and held himself, "When I'm around people." He couldn't let himself be exposed and he held it in. It felt like a snake that wanted to burst free from his chest but someone kept pulling the chains that were holding it tighter, and it hurt.

After a beat, he heard a soothing voice, "I'll be there." Jack didn't know why, but instead of making him even more afraid, it calmed him and he turned around, "I'll make sure nothing goes wrong." She even put her fingers to her heart as a sign or sincerity. Jack said nothing, but his earnest eyes were enough words for her to show that he trusted her. Without another word exchanged between the two, they bid each other bye until the ball. Elsa would be helping prepare everything the next day, giving Jack a day to spend at home… Wherever that was supposed to be.

It was nightfall when Elsa finished her nice, warm bath and dried her hair; she was ready for bed. Only dressed in a baby blue nightgown and bloomers. She stared out the window, the curtains being left open for the first time in forever. She finally had a friend. She finally had a reason to want to anticipate the sunrise. Sighing deeply, unable to wait for the night after the next. Crawling into bed, Elsa fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, Jack was too tired to trudge all the way up the mountains, so he found his way up into a tree and rested on the branch. He'd see Pitch the next day, knowing he could give him good advice and comfort for the next night. Jack watched as the full moon rose and would soon drift to sleep. In Arendelle's castle, where the royal family was resting, something odd was happening… On Elsa's window, frost was forming on the thick glass and was able to crack through and reach the inside. Slowly trailing up the walls, it rose in large spikes taller than the room itself, the sleeping young woman bundled up tightly; unaware of what could possibly be happening.

The trail of brisk frost made it up the legs of her bed and came to life… In the shape of a clawed hand it hovered over her unsuspecting body and prepared itself. It forcefully pounced on her when Jack jerked upright with a gasp. Eyes wide and full of fear, he breathed heavily, rushing out of the dream. His heart pounded, the branch he'd been sleeping on was coated with ice. Jack calmed himself and repeated that it was over. Just as he cupped his head in his hands, he saw something move. Just below him, something quickly darted out of sight.

Dropping down from the branch, he crept farther into the forest where he'd heard the noise. Unsure if he was alone, Jack kept on guard. Then darting past him, a large horse made of black sand let out a fierce scream. It was on its hind legs about to knock the man unconscious, as he backed away with fear.

"Whoa, whoa!" A familiar voice called, "Easy girl!" Pitch Black emerged from the shadows and calmed the Night Mare, "Easy…"

"Pitch…?" Had he done that? Turning dreams into nightmares was his specialty… But why to him? The steed was calmed and the tall, dark man turned around.

"Jack? Is that you?" He saw the grin on his face, he knew it was him. Jack's eyes narrowed.

"Did you do that?" It had been a while since Pitch had been able to create a full bodied horse with his magic; something wasn't right. Jack saw the man nod and shook his head in disbelief, "Why?" He paced around, "Is this your idea of some kind of sick joke?"

"It was a warning, Jack!" He yelled sternly, petting his Nigh Mare's muzzle, "I couldn't let you forget the real issue here." The young man gave him a hateful glare, as if he wasn't worried already! "That ball you intend to go to will end in tragedy! Don't you know what could happen?"

"I do!" He refuted, unfortunately, "I do…" He turned away—Pitch sensed his bitterness and, despite the pain it gave him, had to continue.

"It's your choice, Jack." He reminded, talking to him like the older brother Jack thought of him to be, "You still want to go, fine." He said cheerfully, "Have a grand time with Elsa and her subjects… Just know what any accident could cause."

"Nothing will happen!" Jack turned around with twisted fear in his eyes, "I won't let anything happen." Normally Pitch would be proud and tell him that he had the perfect attitude… But desperate times call for tragic measures.

"Who's to say it won't?" He began to descend into the shadows and vanish, "Don't be the monster you fear you are, Jack." And he was gone. The Night Mare had disappeared too. The area grew quiet again and Jack Frost was alone. He heard the sounds of crackling when he saw that he froze the spot he was standing in, his hands were coated with frost. Pitch had a point—but if he didn't go, Elsa would be alone too… Just like he always was.

"Don't be the monster you fear you are…" He mumbled to himself. Monster, he said over and over, monster.

He ended up spending the next day looking at Arendelle instead of going back to the palace like he planned. Jack saw everyone already baking, making new clothes and wrapping gifts to exchange for the celebration. It seemed Arendelle took any little reason they could to celebrate; of course not losing their land was a reasonable event. He kept peaking at the top window in Arendelle's castle… For some reason he could swear he kept seeing Elsa smiling from it, but every time he did a double-take, she was gone. He had to stop wasting time—he had to work on controlling his powers.

Jack spent that day in the woods; he placed both his hands on a tree trying to keep from anything freezing. Unfortunately, the tree would soon be glittering with ice and frost. He tried everything, but it seemed no matter how focused he was on hiding it, his powers still found a way out. If he wasn't so damn nervous… Okay, focus. He told himself, "Get it together… It's tomorrow night." It was only when his bare hands touched anything… Gloves! Gloves would do the trick. Maybe if that suit Gerda was supposed to let him borrow had a pair of gloves, he wouldn't have anything to worry about. But how would he explain frost that came through his boots? God, one thing at a time!

Jack told himself not to panic, nothing has gone wrong. Don't let it show. Don't be the monster you fear you are. Veil it, no one can know!

…

The next evening came all too soon; everyone was full of vigor and waiting outside the castle doors. Jack was able to get past the crowd and sneak into the garden—the very place where he'd first seen Elsa. He looked around, hoping Elsa would've known he'd be coming in through there, "Psst!" Much to his luck, he saw her—she waved him inside, where Gerda rushed him past everyone else and upstairs. The entire time Gerda went through the men's dressing room closet, Jack stood in a stiff manner, refraining from touching anything. Elsa, meanwhile, was readying somewhere else.

"It looks like you're our first guest tonight!" She called from the walk-in closet space, "Elsa's told me all about you. She was so worried you wouldn't be coming." And she had every right to be—Jack had to take a breath, he'd been holding it in for so long!

"How many people will be at this party, Miss?" Gerda came out with a white suit with gold epaulettes draped over her arm, she also found some white pants and black boots to match—much nicer boots than the village ones he had. She handed them to him without giving him time to react. They were in his arms and she rushed back to the closet.

"Don't you know it's a kingdom-wide event? Hang on, let me get you an under-shirt!" Jack looked at the white suit he was holding—it felt silky, which was odd… He didn't remember the last time he felt silk, or if he ever felt it at all! Gerda walked out with a yellow undershirt.

"Uh-um…" He stuttered, stepping away from her, "Would you happen to have any… gloves?" Gerda blinked; Guess he has a thing about germs!

"Why yes I do… Let me find a pair of white ones." She handed him the load of clothes and went back into the closet again. Jack didn't feel comfortable in the expensive clothes… He looked at his reflection on the window, feeling so out of place with his frosty, villager clothing hanging on the coat hanger. He saw the crowds of people just eager to charge in and celebrate—Arendelle just loved to celebrate. Jack didn't share the happiness that ran through the kingdom, just worry.

"It's for Elsa." He whispered allowed, "Do this for Elsa." As Jack looked at the gloves, which gave him comfort, the door opened, startling him.

"Jack?" It was Gerda again, "Elsa is all dolled up and ready to see you." Jack's heart leaped, he was actually excited to see how she dressed up. He walked out the hallway to see… the hallway, "Elsa?" The elderly maid called. She got a cross look and peaked around the corner, "You look wonderful, don't be shy!" She grabbed the eighteen year old Princess's hand and brought her out around the corner. Jack's eyes glittered when he saw her.

Elsa, in a teal dress with black sleeves, a black sweet-heart bodice with bronze lacing, her hair back in a French braided crown twist bun, blushed and smiled abashedly. She had long matching socks and black half-inch heel shoes on. Her lips were painted with magenta lipstick and she had on grayish-pink eye shadow… As if she weren't beautiful enough. The words were on his lips, you look beautiful! But were trapped on his tongue, "Whoa…" The Princess worried.

"Does it look bad?"

"No no! Not at all!" Jack waved his hands, still insecure about whether the gloves would change anything. Elsa stepped closer as Gerda walked down to the ballroom.

"I'm so glad you came, Jack." He stepped away as she got closer, "It means a lot-"

"Yes, erm-I know." He was afraid—and he was sure Elsa could see right through him! He turned around. The Princess was sure he was just as nervous as he was, but she smiled.

"You look like a Prince." She meant those few words that would mean so much in Jack's heart. Unable to keep from smiling, he faced her.

"You do too." He blurted out, "Whoa, not a Prince, I mean you look like a Princess… Which you are." Elsa laughed, "You are a Princess." Jack slid his hand down his face, embarrassed of his awkwardness—it was embedded within him. She thought about kissing his cheek, but that'd be too much… Maybe what she had planned later would be a better way to show her gratitude. She fixed her bangs that were swept to the left side of her forehead and heard her father's voice.

"That's the King." She held her hands together.

"Your father?" Jack jokingly corrected her.

"It's time." The blonde sighed, "I'll meet you in the ballroom!" She called as she rushed down the stairs. Where was the ballroom exactly? This would be interesting… Maybe he could make some room in his ice castle for a ballroom. Maybe one day, Elsa would find out the truth and accept him—then they could dance up there all they wanted. But that was a distant fantasy, as he remembered why he was even wearing gloves. Veil it. No one can know.

Everything seemed to be going well, Jack had yet to meet Queen Agnes and King Erlend, but upon catching a glimpse of them, when he saw Elsa talking to them, the resemblance was uncanny—she had her mother's face, her father's height genes. The blue-eyed young man grew pleasantly suspicious when he saw the woman with the same color eyes peaking at him as she spoke to her parents. At one point, she even paused and waved at him, with Erlend wincing to get a look at the boy, and Agnes smiling. Jack chuckled and waved back.

He began to feel more content as the night went on, despite not really talking to anyone other than Elsa or the maids about the castle's structure. That was one thing Jack loved to do growing up, study geometry and architecture—how else did he build that castle with his own set of magic? Festive music filled the air and men and women danced together across the ballroom, hand in hand. When it all stopped for a moment, he watched as the royal family joined at the end of the Great Hall. All so regal and poised, with faces of confidence. After everyone applauded, Elsa smiled giddily and gestured to Jack to come over.

"Mom, dad…" She cleared her throat, "This is the man I met yesterday," She lied, "And wanted you to meet, Jack Frost." Jack, though nervous, bowed.

"Your majesties…" Erlend observed him.

"Where did you ever get that hair? And don't you ever go outside?" It was always a father's job to make a male acquaintance uncomfortable. Agnes back-handed his chest.

"Your hair is like snow. And you have the prettiest blue eyes!" She rephrased what he 'meant' to say. He stood up straight again, surprised the King didn't recognize one of his old suits.

"Ahem, thank you." He couldn't look either one of them in the eyes. Elsa was just as nervous, though she was able to swallow it since he was there. Elsa pointed a finger.

"Jack, there's something I'd like to ask you." She'd already received her parents' blessings. She curtsied to them to show that she'd be walking off. Elsa escorted Jack to the middle of the ballroom, "Jack?" She played with her hands; he didn't know why, but knowing she was just as nervous made him smirk.

"Elsa?" She was closer to him than he liked, but it didn't faze him… Not yet.

"It's a Norwegian gesture to dance with each other's opposite cheeks on another." She blushed and Jack raised a brow… Not liking where this is going.

"I know…" He didn't want to seem rude, but he added his jokester attitude to his next statement, "What's your point?"

"Well, I…" She turned her back towards him, rubbing her hands on her arms, feeling so bashful, "I really um…" She'd never danced with anyone before, let alone someone she considered a Prince. Finally, she looked into his eyes and smiled, "I want you to dance with me, Jack." She held out her bare hand, fingers so nice and elegant, waiting to curl up with his. Jack gulped.

"Oh-O-Okay." He went to take her hand, remembering the gloves would help.

"Wait." She waved a hand, "It's customary to hold each other bare-handed." They weren't her rules, and Jack didn't want to seem disrespectful. No one was really paying any attention… Just stay calm. Jack nodded and went for the gloves; his face couldn't get any paler with how worried he was. Even though his heart began to race, he felt colder and colder. Taking a sharp hiss of breath, one glove was off. He could see his hands shaking, thinking people from across the ballroom could notice. He didn't want to look at the Princess's eager expression—it would make him feel even more guilty! He went for the other, now his hands were bare, the powers exposed!

Elsa was nervous too, but for a much different reason. Her hand was still held out, waiting to be swept onto the dance area and show everyone what a wonderful friend she had found. Jack's shaking hand went to touch hers, but he could hear the shrieks of the village all over again. Sophie's thin yet soaring cry of his name. He retracted and shuddered violently, alarming Elsa.

"What's wrong?" Her eyes widened. He went for the gloves, forgetting they were stuffed in the suit pocket. But he didn't had time, Jack had to explain.

"Elsa, I'm sorry. But I-" He saw the confusion in her eyes, what other explanation did he have, "I-I can't." He blurted out with pain in his eyes. Jack watched as Elsa retracted her hand and blinked.

"I-I don't understand, I'm confused."

"It's fine… You wouldn't understand."

"What wouldn't I understand exactly?" She became furious, as did Jack—but with himself. He started to turn away.

"Nothing! Ugh!" He turned away completely, pinching the bridge of his nose; he'd made a huge mistake, he had no place there. Elsa softened her voice and went to touch his shoulder.

"Jack, I know this isn't what you're used to." He felt her hand coming for his shoulder. He could freeze her! The teenager leapt away.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" He shouted, but his tone made it come out all wrong. The music halted, Elsa backed away, confused and startled. Everyone around the room was looking, including the worried Queen and angry King. Jack folded his arms and saw the hurt in Elsa's eyes. Unable to apologize, Jack allowed her to see the regret in his own eyes and went to flee the ballroom, then the castle, then Arendelle. For good.

What had gotten into him?

Elsa went to call out his name, but Erlend held her shoulder, "Hey you!" Jack was afraid to disrespect the King, but he kept walking without turning back, "No one disrespects my daughter like that!"

"Father, it's fine." She whispered bitterly, feeling rejected and cheated. Jack fought to gain control of his body temperature and his aching emotions as he listened to the argument.

"What good is it rejecting the Princess's hand in respect? What harm has she done to you?!"

Jack couldn't take it anymore; he spun around and swung his hand, "Just… SHUT UP!" Ice came spiraling from his hand, coating the floor of the ballroom and frothing up into frosted plumes. Jack's face turned blue as he held his breath in. His eyes wide and empty, he looked around at the people's horrified faces.

"What on earth?" Someone exclaimed. Erlend had his hand tightly on Elsa's shoulder, having snatched her back and away from the spikes. Jack looked at the Princess, a hand tightly gripped on her father's chest, the other wrapped around him. Her face… she looked at his eyes with horror, she was holding her breath too, gritting her teeth. His ice powers that now covered the floor would separate them there, it would separate them forever.

Before anyone could say anything, Jack pushed through the doors and practically flew from the ballroom.

Souls_&_Swords: Please leave your feedback or reviews, this was definitely the longest chapter so far and it took me hours to write. Thank you everyone who has followed the story so far :)

Back                         Home                              Frozen Main Page                              Next