Chapter 1
A tall slender man stood on a balcony from an extravagant castle overlooking the kingdom covered in snow. The townspeople were busy with putting up decorations and cooking food. Music can be heard from afar. Burgess has always been a joyful kingdom despite the harsh climate they were always in but today is different, today was definitely more jovial. He looked up the gray skies and sighs. "Something troubling your mind, comrade?" a deep, almost booming voice with a thick foreign accent asked from behind. A mountain of a man walked beside him. "The kingdom looks extra happy today, don't you think, Pitch?" The large man clapped his hand on Pitch's shoulder which made Pitch stumble a bit. He furrowed his eyebrows and walked into the castle, the man following him closely.
"Yes, North. The kingdom is indeed happier today," Pitch said coolly. "It is their crown prince's coronation day and the winter solstice, after all." They walked into the throne room and looked up at the throne. The silver throne glistened as sunlight streams through the tall windows. Royal blue curtains with white embroidery of snowflakes draped candidly on the wall behind the throne, framing the kingdom's emblem: a stag, its antlers adorned with sage flowers. Pitch touched the same emblem on his collar and walked out of the throne room. He and North walked through the hallway filled with paintings of the crown prince's predecessors. "Do you think we trained him well enough to rule?" he asked as they stared at the family portrait of the boy.
North looks up at the four smiling faces on the painting. "We will never know until he sits on the throne but I believe in our prince," he strokes his beard, smiling at Pitch. "I think we did well. He is a brilliant young lad!" Pitch was still in deep thought. They had spent almost 8 years teaching the heir almost everything he had to know in preparation for the time he rules over the land.
Even though Pitch was known to be a fearless man, a fearless general at that, more often he would be the one striking fear at everyone in the room. Today, however, was one of a few fears he had: a coronation of a young lad that Pitch had brought up himself. Will the boy bring success to the kingdom? Will he be a wise ruler? Or will he be a tyrant as the years go by? If the worse case scenario comes true, Pitch will take the responsibility to heart. He'd blame himself if something had gone wrong. Deep inside the tough and brooding general had a soft spot for children and since he had spent almost a decade looking after the royal siblings, he had grown attached to them.
"Pitchiner," North grabbed Pitch's shoulders and had the general face him. "Prince Jackson has a good heart and a strong mind. You don't need to worry!" He shook Pitch slightly before letting him go. He laughed as Pitch straightened himself, "Today is a glorious day! We should celebrate!"
...
Snow crunched beneath their shoes as the flock of children ran through the town. Jackson laughed like an idiot when he dodged a snowball thrown by a kid a few years younger than him. Laughter filled the streets as the children passed by. Even the adults seem amused at the sight of the prince and princess playing with the kingdom's children. Jackson scooped a handful of snow in his hands and tossed it, hitting his sister's back. Amelia squealed and chased after her brother.
The children reached an open field and all decided to lie down on the soft snow. A collective sigh filled the air, followed by giggles. The younger youths decided it was time to run around again. Snowballs flew into the air, snowmen were being made. Amelia slid in the snow, grabbing kids as she went, they twirled and twirled around, laughing and giggling, without a care for their older companions who were still lying on the snow.
Jamie, Jackson's childhood best friend, sat up and turned to Jackson who was basking in the cold. Jamie shook the snow off of his brown hair and nudged Jackson. "Hey, Jack? Do you feel nervous about later?" he asked the prince who was far from looking like a royal right now. Jackson was wearing clothes similar to the rest of the village's apparel except lighter since Jackson isn't really bothered by the cold. He's wearing a soft beige v-neck long sleeved undershirt, a brown vest, a brown cape, and brown pants. He never really bothered on wearing shoes, save for formal events.
Jackson let out a hum. He was too busy listening to the children's laughter to hear Jamie's question. "Hello? Earth to Prince Jackson!"
"What?"
"Do you feel nervous about later?" Jamie asked once more, rolling his eyes. "Y'know, with your coronation and all..."
"I don't think so," Jackson chuckled. "I'm kinda nervous of what comes after that." He stretched his arm towards the sky and let his fingers dance with a snowflake. He never really wanted the throne. All he wanted to do was be with the people, play with the children. Not having to worry about the political aspects of the kingdom. Sure, he still wanted to serve but not on the throne. He wanted something else, maybe like the positions Uncle North or General Pitch have.
He glanced at his sister who was running around with the other children, throwing snowballs at each other. She was the one interested in ruling the kingdom. He had watched her study with such curiosity about the kingdom's history and its partnerships with the neighboring kingdoms. She had studied philosophies way above her the assigned level for her. If anyone was fit to wear the crown, it was her.
"You're gonna be a great king," Jamie said, looking up the sky.
"I hope so."
"Prince Jackson, Princess Amelia," a squire bowed before them, "Lord Nikolaus asked me to bring you back to the castle." Jackson stared at the squire before him, internally thanking the gods that North hadn't sent a horde of knights to collect them. Amelia brushed the snow off of her brown dress and nodded at the squire before waving goodbye to her playmates.
Jackson helped Jamie up. He ruffled his hair before following the squire, "Wish me luck James!" Jamie rolled his eyes and threw at snowball at Jackson who laughed idiotically.
Amelia held Jackson's hand as they walked through the town. She smiled at the villagers who would bow or greet her. She looked at her brother. He was looking up at the castle before them where they spent their whole lives in. Him being so quiet wasn't normal. He'd usually wink and flash his famous lopsided grin at a few fair maidens during their walk through town. Something was definitely bothering her brother. She brushed her bangs away from her eyes. "Mama and Papa would be so proud of you, Jack."
Jackson looked at her and grinned. He hadn't realized that he was in deep thought until she spoke. "Thanks, Emma." He ruffled her brown hair, he could see some white hair growing out of her roots. Her chocolate brown eyes were also showing streaks of blue in them. By the time she was 16, a little under 5 years from now, she'd have completely stark white hair and blue eyes like him and North. She was already showing signs of her powers and he was more than excited for her. Transforming was a royal birthright and a rite of passage.
Her bright smile diminished into a frown. She looked down. "I wish they were here."
"Me, too."
...
Jackson accompanied Amelia to her room where her nanny and a couple of maids were waiting for her. He kissed her forehead before he left for his room.
No helper on sight, he smiled to himself. On his bed sat his suit and cloak. A white long sleeved dress shirt, crisp blue waistcoat adorned with silver embroidery and shiny white buttons subtly nodding to the kingdom's emblem, white slacks, and a blue cape with fur lining the collar and adorned with the same silver embroidery on the waistcoat. If you look closely, you could almost see a story unfold within the embroidery: deer running gracefully across a forest during a soft snow day. Jackson doffed his regular clothing and donned the sleek white pants and his dress shirt. He tucked in the dress shirt, gently put on the waistcoat and straightened himself up. He walked towards a mirror and studied himself.
He almost looked like his father.
The only difference they have are his hair cut and his eyes. He and Amelia share their mother's eyes. And his hair was too messy to even be close to looking like his father's locks. He brushed through his hair in an attempt to fix it. No matter how many times he brushed, it cannot be tamed. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair instead. Leaving frost here and there so that it'd look like it sparkles in the light. Happy with his work, he wore his deep blue boots and looked in the mirror.
He found a lapel pin on top of the vanity table. It was his father's and his father's father's. A silver lapel pin of the family crest. An envelope laid underneath it with the royal wax seal: a crown surrounded by sage flowers. He took his paper knife and gently opened the envelope. When he saw his mother's handwriting, he froze, not quite revealing the rest of the letter yet. Was he ready to read that? Was he going to cry? He can't possibly cry before his coronation, he wouldn't look presentable! The people would be worried. What was in the letter? He took a deep breath and closed the letter, inserting it within his waistcoat. He picked the pin up and attached it to his collar.
Was he ready? He glanced at the clock. Only half an hour left until the ceremony. Can he rule the kingdom on his own? How can he top what his parents did for their kingdom? A knock interrupted his door.
"Come in!" he called out.
A mountain of a man walked into the room. It was North, his uncle and regent (originally the lord chamberlain of his father and soon to be his own chamberlain). He grinned at the sight of Jackson like a proud father and opened his arms. The man is the most animated person Jackson has met and he gave out a festive aura wherever he went. "You're the splitting image of your father!" his exclaimed. He took Jack in for a hug, his long white beard tickling Jackson's face. He smelled like cookies and mint. North looked into Jackson's eyes and smiled, his cheeks rosy red as always. "You're going to be okay."
Jackson sighed with a grin on his face, "Yeah, of course." North fixed Jackson's coat and pin. He placed his large hand on Jackson's cheek and smiled, tears threatening to fall down his face. "Aw come on, North! You're gonna make me cry too!" Jackson whined jokingly. He hugged the man before him once more.
"Ah, I'm sorry, son," North chuckled as he wiped the tears off of his face. "You and your sister," he said, taking Jackson's cloak from the bed, "both of you have grown into brilliant people." He stepped behind Jackson and donned the cloak over Jackson's shoulders. "I am so proud of both of you. The kingdom is in good hands," he grinned as he brushed the fur on the cloak. "Are you ready?" He walked towards the door and opened it. The sound of the castle echoed across the halls.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
...
The kingdom plaza was filled with people, music, and decorations. The townsfolk were buzzing and laughing in excitement as they made their final preparations for the coronation and winter solstice celebration. The scent of freshly baked pastries wafted from the houses. Strings of lights delicately illuminated the plaza, light silky blue and white fabric draped across the poles. It was almost sundown, the skies playfully changed colors. Amelia ran around with the children, there carried fairy-like lights hanging from sticks that emitted soft ringing. Despite the cold weather, the kingdom felt warm and joyous.
Unlike in other kingdoms where coronations happened within the castle, only open to nobility and other royalty, the coronation in the kingdom of Burgess is a more intimate affair within the monarchy and the people. And it always happened on the day of the winter solstice, one of the most celebrated events in Burgess.
Pitch walked around with a reserved smile on his face, he had ordered his knights to go their positions. The coronation was about to begin. He ran his fingers through his jet black hair and took a deep breath. He fixed his lapel pin and straightened his collar before assuming position on the right side of the makeshift stage. The skies were a mix of violet and orange and pink and light blue. The plaza fell into a hushed silence as the castle bells bellowed a deep sound. The harmony of the bells echoed across the kingdom as the people shuffled to their spots. The people looked up and reached to the sky as soft snow fell, they sung an ancient resounding prayer accompanied by full claps and snaps that corresponded to the tune of the bells.
Hear! Oh gods of winter!
Hear our joyous songs!
We come to thee in prayer
Bless the days to come!
No harm shall fall upon our land
No foe shall dare to rage
We ask for thee to extend thy hand
We'll pay thee with our sage
"Crown Prince Jackson Overland Frost!" a loud voice howled from behind. Amelia ran to the front besides Pitch who placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She peeked at the end of the plaza where her brother was making his entrance. The crowd bowed as he passed by, it almost looked like a wave. The children gentle moved their little bells, surrounding the plaza with soft harmonies of delicate enchanting music. Jackson had his chin held high.
Amelia almost giggled, this was the first time she saw her brother so regal. She bowed once Jackson reached the front. She looked up and saw North, also bowing, grinning from ear to ear as Jackson knelt in front of the High Priestess. He was presented with the crown jewels of Burgess: a wooden staff with a shepherd's crook passed on from generation to generation, and a silver orb with blue jewels representing their spiritual connection with the gods. He held these ornaments in his hands and opened his arms as the High Priestess took the crown.
The High Priestess held the crown high above Jackson's head and sung the hauntingly beautiful ceremonious hymn that was only sung when a new king is to be crowned. The hymn sung about the gods bestowing their power upon the royalty that stood before them, the troubles they might face, and rebirth. The High Priestess took in a deep breath, "I present to you, your new king! King Jackson Overland Frost the Spirited, First of His Name, Child of Winter, Ruler of Burgess!" She slowly descended the crown upon Jackson's head, "Long may he-"
The earth rumbled, interrupting the High Priestess. Darkness took over the skies as wind blew violently around the kingdom, drifting the decorations from the houses and the plaza. A loud thunder quaked the solemn atmosphere of Burgess. The people began huddling together, looking out for dangers that might befall upon their homeland. Jackson stood up and stared at the sky, this wasn't from the earth nor was it from the gods. Pitch commanded the soldiers to round up the civilians, making them run to their evacuation areas. Soldiers surrounded Jackson as dark clouds covered the skies.
"Your Highness, we have to escort you back to the castle!"
"Escort the Princess!"
"Your Grace!"
Jackson remained unmoved, glaring at the clouds. Their soldiers were no match against whatever that is. "Bring Emma to safety!" he shouted. Pitch picked Amelia up and handed her over to the High Priestess. They were escorted by the knights into the castle. He could hear her scream and cries along with his people's cries. North ran up next to him, swords drawn. The black clouds turned into black sand, spiraling around the kingdom. He has seen this before, heard of the stories from the elders. The prophecies of the fall of Burgess. But he didn't want to believe it. "What is this, uncle?"
"Fearlings."
A/N: Well that was a lot, wasn't it?! Kind of slow build up, I know but I like slow builds. I've always wanted to write about around the idea of ~the cast of ROTBTD~ being royalties! I'm not quite sure which pairing I'd be going with in this fic when it comes to Jack (Jack x Toothiana or Jack x Rapunzel? Leave a review!) but I'm sure that I'd sprinkle in some Mericcup in this (though this is mainly a Rise of the Guardians fic, I'll just be using the other characters for world building and maybe even spin-off fics).
If you like it so far, don't forget to fav, follow, and review! First 5 reviewers shall get a shout out uwu
Stay hydrated!