WINTER'S HEART

Things began to go abnormally perfect for Jack, who slept in the trees of the forest just outside the fjord of Arendelle—everyday he waited to see Princess Elsa, who'd gradually become more outgoing and playful with him. Each time she snuck out of the castle, the less afraid she was and the more excited she was to do it again the next day since there was now always someone waiting for her. For over a week the two would meet in the town square and would go to a quiet spot where they could talk away. Elsa couldn't leave the kingdom gates, but she'd sometimes watch Jack as he left into the woods, claiming he always went for a nature walk in the afternoon.

Jack didn't mind that Elsa did most of the talking—he preferred to listen. For the first time he had someone to listen to. And as for the blonde Princess, someone was there to listen. She would confide in Jack about her problems, the stress of having to act poised and regal as well as her distant relationship from her parents the King and Queen. Jack always thought it was funny that she had trouble with poise, because he saw such perfection when he was with her. Once Jack and Elsa got talking about other things, like music or dancing, Elsa was surprised that Jack had never been to one of their balls before. They were walking next to each other on a bridge over a sparkling lake and during this discussion.

"What?!" Elsa turned her back away from him and interrupted their walk, "You haven't been to one of our balls yet?" Hadn't he lived there all his life? The pale teenager took a step back, reminding himself to keep his distance.

He chuckled nervously, "Well, no… You see, I-" I have a power that could freeze the entire kingdom "I'm just awful at socializing." He backed away again—Elsa was used to his strange moments of increasing the space between him and her. Elsa raised a brow and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Oh? So what are you and I doing then?"

Jack Frost had been caught, and in his own nervousness, he turned away and walked to the edge of the bridge, now out of the way of anyone else who might be crossing, "You and I are friends, it's different." Like him and Pitch, except Pitch was a freak like him, "I actually got to know you… Anywhere with big crowds makes me nervous." Elsa joined him and smiled.

"I get nervous too—I've known these people since I was a little girl and I still lose my nerve whenever I have to present a speech for them." The blonde eased him. He looked at the tall Princess again, seeing the face of a young woman that understood, sort of… He smiled gently and blushed. He could hug her at that moment… But he wouldn't—he couldn't.

"Thanks, Elsa." He backed away, he was doing his weird 'hesitant movement' again, according to her; he was on the other rim of the bridge, across from her. Jack knew she probably thought he was a fool at that point, but alas, she would just smirk and shake her head. The two smiled at each other for a bit, getting lost in each other's blue eyes. Elsa's own eyes were blue, but Jack's were a different type of blue—unnaturally blue. Meanwhile, Jack simply thought Elsa was perfect no matter what color of her eyes or her face shape—her kind, warm personality was what he'd been needing all these years.

The moment was interrupted when they heard a faint noise, Elsa's facial expression changed completely, "The trumpets! That means something has happened?" Jack's heart sank when he saw her frightened expression.

"Something bad?"

"I don't know. But it requires a meaning from the royal subjects! I've got to go!" She held the ends of her dress up and fled towards the castle.

"W-Will I still see you tomorrow?"

She turned around, continuing to back away, "Of course! Bye!" The Princess didn't even bother making sure her dress wasn't going to get stepped on and she rushed ahead. Jack waved at the unseeing beauty. He was about to lean on his staff when he remembered (again) he didn't have it. Pitch probably just set it in a corner of the ice palace and left it there, waiting for Jack's return… When Jack thought of it, he didn't want to return… Despite his worries, he was happy, euphoric even. He probably should check in so Pitch knows he's alright, but Pitch could travel much faster than him—he'd probably checked on him a couple of times a day since he'd left.

It was strange how Jack's own powers had influenced the staff; his magic could do things that were out of his control at times. He had to especially be careful with it; its destruction could lead to his death. Part of his soul was now in that wooden crook, according to Pitch. Jack didn't bother testing to see if the 'curse' was true, he didn't want to take any chances of slipping into a permanent coma. He decided to leave the kingdom for the day and take a trip up the mountains; he had more time than usual that day. Meanwhile, Elsa slipped through the garden gates and back inside, rushing to the throne room. It was only the servants, the royal handler, and her mother and father. Erlend was reading a long document to himself in front of them. Elsa tried to slip into the audience where she found Gerda.

"What's happening?" The elderly woman shook her head, not sure herself. They all, including Queen Agnes, waited in agony for Erlend to finish re-reading the document to confirm what had happened was true. The smile on his face changed the atmosphere, they anticipated his next move, positive their hearts could cause an earthquake.

"Fantastic news!" He shouted, "The neighboring kingdom of Germany has decided not to purchase land near our kingdom!" The royal subjects began to murmur, some gasped, some sighed with relief. It had been a painful six months of worrying about another kingdom taking their land. Apparently a new deal had been made to expand the area elsewhere. Agnes grabbed his arm.

"This is wonderful! Oh, we should tell out people!"

"I have a better idea, let's notify everyone that there will be a ball in celebration of the deal. Kai, start proposing letters to every subject in the kingdom about this."

"Yes, your majesty!"

The crowd began to chat with excitement, meanwhile, Elsa pondered to herself—another ball… This would be a wonderful opportunity for her to get to bond with Jack. Gerda held her shoulder, "Oh Elsa, isn't this exciting? I get to make you a new dress, we'll do your hair and makeup all formal since it's a celebratory event!" Elsa smiled, "Oh, not that your birthday wasn't celebratory, but-"

"Gerda!" She grabbed her hand mid-sentence, "Everyone in Arendelle will be coming?" The maid nodded, though confused.

"Of course. Why, dear?" She smiled down at her grandmotherly figure.

"Well, I want Jack to be here, I want my family to meet him." Gerda longingly anticipated this moment, "My first real friend."

"Oh…" She hugged her, "Bringing home a man, you're so grown up!" Elsa's jaw dropped.

"Gerda! We're just friends." She reassured.

"Oh… You're too beautiful for him to think that." The two smiled and laughed, Gerda then brought her upstairs to have her think of a pattern for her dress.

Jack Frost had finally reached his palace far from the kingdom and up the mountains, still blanketed with snow—softly falling and erasing the footprints, the ice castle still stood tall and proud. He opened the double doors, "Pitch?" His own voice echoed; everything was normal. Maybe he was down in his cave or off haunting some other village—if he got lucky enough that they saw him. He walked in and let the door close behind him, "Hello?"

On the throne, he saw his staff, probably placed there as a joke. He picked it up and heard a voice from the platform above him. "Came to visit me?" Pitch Black spoke in his usual sinister tone, "How sweet of you, Jack." The seventeen year old chuckled.

"Yeah… Just thought I'd stop by." He swung himself up to the platform with a gust of wind created by the staff; snowflakes always followed after, "Things are going great." He announced heavenly, strutting past the tall man, "Elsa, she…" How did he describe her? He held his staff tightly, just as tightly as he wanted to hold her, "Oh, she's the best!" He leaned into it, "Did I tell you how she's a year older than me?"

"And an inch taller?"

"Don't remind me!" He begrudgingly remembered her stance of five-ten, just one inch damn it. But a year older at least made him feel, well, younger. Pitch chuckled and crossed his arms.

"No need to tell me the details Jack, I know all the fun you've been having." So he was right! The young man smirked and turned around.

"So you have been watching me."

"Did I mention how Elsa looks more Swedish?" He played with his black sand, "Probably ancestors." The pale son of snow flipped the crook in the air and caught it.

"Yeah, but who cares… I swear if it wasn't for my powers I would, I would hold her." He wrapped his arms around himself, "And…" He sighed, Pitch frowned, "She's the only friend I've had in years." The Lord of Darkness patted the Snow Prince's back.

"Well, nothing's gone wrong so far…" He positioned himself regally as he slowly descended the stairs.

"Yeah, but only when I'm with her. She was talking today about royal balls and dancing and-"

"Dancing?" Dancing meant touching! This was perfect for Pitch to peak the young man's fear. Feigning concern, he literally swept his body back up the stairs and in front of him, "No, Jack! You know what happens when you come in contact with another human."

"I know, I know!" He turned away, "But, lately, it's weird—I'll forget all about my powers and worries. But then when she gets closer, I back away."

"Because you'll hurt her." Pitch added. Despite of his desperate plan to keep him alive, whatever was hurting Jack, was hurting him too. Jack lost the light in his eyes and his stomach turned just thinking about anyone else suffering the way Sophie did… Pitch wouldn't get anywhere with his fear alone. He had to refute his own statement, "But nothing's happened yet, has it?"

The white-haired young man said nothing and shook his head.

"You don't have to worry—it's good that you're aware." Pitch added, circling him like a vulture, "And remember, I've been watching you. So in the rare possibility that something should happen, I can intervene." Jack didn't want to venture farther into the notorious possibilities of what the villagers would do to them if they were discovered. He looked soulfully down at the snowflake patterned floor… That hexagonal snowflake that based the entire castle having been made by the very boots he was wearing; a single stomp created it. Why did he have to have such a worthless curse?

"So what do you say, Jack?" He shook him back to reality, "You going back tomorrow?" He held the staff as Jack grasped to it tightly, waiting eagerly for his response. With much thought, Jack tried to swallow whatever worries he had and let go of it.

"Yes…" His answer full of doubts.

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