I did the calculations from our current time period (2012) and got the date 1694 when Jack died. I wanted to make him younger for the first part so he's 4 years old in the first half. Honestly, I think the dates suit well as not many establishments were made during that time. This is my first Jack Frost fanfic and I will be having a little surprise for all you readers with this story so hopefully you all like it. This took about 3 weeks to do since it was drug for so long in working with flow and whatnot, but now, I just hope that everything makes sense. So now I say enjoy and have a happy new year everyone!

Prologue: The Memory

Year 1680, Village of the north wood (before it was named Burgess)

Nature surrounded the village with life in the form of animals and greens everywhere one looked. Trees filled the forest full of protection and strength. Within this forest, laid a village, old but new, empty but full, quiet but alive. On the outside of the town, a large barn lays dormant filled with sheep and goats baying and bawling up a storm as the evening sun started to set on the mountains around them.

From the inside of the barn, a man appears carrying a young lamb in one arm and a shepherds crook with his other hand. His longish brown hair was tied in a small ponytail wrapped with a blood red thin ribbon as two thick strands shape his upper face ending at the bottom of his ruddy brown eyes. A man with a youthful face, like the age of 23 almost, with clear rosy skin, which matched well with his dirty white tavern shirt, black leather vest, dark brown wrapped pants and black leather boots.

Not far behind him was a little 4 year old boy carrying a bucket of fresh goats milk. His short brown spikey-like hair and ruddy brown eyes sparkled brighter than his white, pantless tunic as the two made their way to the house they called home.

It was a two story log cabin with a shed on the side of the building where dogs were barking and chickens were clucking, for this family was a farm family. Out from the front cabin door appeared a woman with short brown hair in a long green dress lined with brown designs on the edges of her dress and waist area. She was carrying a basket of bread from the local bakery, where which she worked.

"Hey Hilary! Back from work love?" asked the tall man, smiling at his wife's lively green eyes as she turned in surprise to her husband and son.

She smiled sweetly at her spouse and spoke, "Yes, I am Devon. You know me, we Hanson's are hard workers. Have to live up to the family name after all" she replied as she bent down to see her son, "Working hard for Daddy there Jack?" she asked.

The little boy nodded his head rapidly and smiled wide showing his nice white baby teeth. He then looked up at his father, who apparently was looking toward the woods with a puzzled look. The little boy followed his father's gaze to see a strange site.

From the woods, came a family on a cart with two horses. These horses, however, had very large antlers set upon their heads and had brown heads with lighter furred bodies. They were not like animals that one would see in the village little Jack lived in. Behind the strange animals is a large wagon covered in a cloth of white with a sturdy man with unkempt short curly ginger hair and light blue eyes holding the reins of the animals. Beside him was a woman who appeared to be of Spanish descent with her small elongated face, homecoming smile, lively emerald eyes and thick curly black hair. The cart came to a stop just beside the young family and the man smiled down with his ginger short mustache.

"Good day folks, pardon for us coming by on your land, but I was wondering if you could help us with something?" asked the man.

"What do you need good sir on this fine evening?" asked Devon, being cheerful and welcoming. Jack put the bucket down and hid behind his father's leg.

"Well, we were just hopping to spend one night here so we can move to our new home by morning? We have food and goods to share and trade and we have some money, but not much. I'm not sure how we can pay for the stay but we'd be happy to pay somehow" suggested the man.

Devon looked warily at the man and his wife, "You were supposed to be here earlier but didn't get here because…?"

"Our children were exploring the wilderness and had trouble getting back to us" explained the man. Devon then gave an 'ahh' look and nodded.

"Well, I don't see a problem since it's one night. Hilary?" asked Devon as he turned to his wife.

"I don't see a problem either, but I do wish I had cleaned a little better than what it is now. I hope you don't mind?" she asked slightly guilty/nervous.

The man just laughed and shook his head, "Not at all. We won't mind it a bit. Oh! My name is Larkin, Larkin Wolfe. This is my wife Evita, and somewhere in the cart are the kids. Kids! Get out here and meet the neighbors!" shouted Larkin.

From the back of the cart came two children, a young girl and an older boy. The boy was about 10 dressed in black trousers, small light brown shoes, and a white short sleeved shirt that was tattered along the bottom edge covered by a brown leather jacket with no buttons. His ginger hair was just like his fathers with a small curl like his mother. Stiking stain glass blue eyes outshine the red in his cheeks and nose. The girl was about 4 years old, same as Jack, with black curly hair and earthly green eyes like her mother. She was dressed in a white tunic as well and walked with light brown shoes on her feet.

"Yes father?" asked the kids at the same time. The little girl hid behind her mother away from the other people, but her eyes widened when she connected her green eyes with the 4 year old brown boy eyes behind his father's leg.

"Now, my boy Manuel and my girl Valora, these are our new neighbors-..umm" said Larkin

"Devon. Devon Hanson, this is my wife Hilary and my son Jackson. He can be a bit shy around newcomers. No need to be afraid Jack" he said as he kneeled to his son, ruffling his hair a little. He then stood up and turned to Larkin, "Well, come on inside before it gets cold. Hilary, why not fix up that special brew you always cook? We'll have the bread with it too. In the meantime, Larkin, let's get those fine animals in the barn while the wife starts the brew, eh?" he said with such cheerfulness.

Hilary and Evita, or Eevie, along with Manuel, head inside to get started on dinner, leaving the two 4 year olds alone.

Jack shifted his feet with his head down in shyness, occasionally glancing at the black haired girl. She places her hands behind her back and rolls on her heels a little while looking toward the sky.

She then glanced down at the boy and held out her hand while giving a small smile and spoke, "Hola! My name is Valora. Well, my real name is Melody, but I like Valora better. What's your name?" she asked.

The brown haired boy looked at her a little strange before, hesitantly, taking her soft hand in his, giving her a small smile at the sudden courage, "My name is Jackson, but I'm called Jack. It's nice to meet you Valo-Valasmila- ummmm, do you mind if I call you Val?" he asked, embarrassed by his slur.

She giggled at his little mistake and gave a nod, "I don't mind, I'm actually called that more than Valora. It's a pleasure to meet you Jack, or should I say Celio?" she grinned.

Jack tilted his head in confusion, "Cel-Celio?"

Valora nodded, "My mommy says that she is in heaven when she is with friends, just like how I am with my first friend. And according to mommy, Celio means heaven, so you are my Celio, my heaven" she smiled with her eyes closed.

"Jack! Valora! Come and help with dinner, won't you? We could use the help!" shouted Hilary from inside the house.

"Coming!" shouted the two children. Jack looked at Val and offered his hand, with a new spark of courage and spunk, to which she happily took it and walked into the house together.

That was the spark of what was to be a beautiful friendship that lasted both of their childhoods. Soon, time flew by, 13 winters as a matter of fact, and the bond was stronger than ever.

Village, 1693

During the time, Jack became a strong handsome young man. His hair grew spikier and his eyes full of wonder, mischief and fun. From his boyhood dress shirt, he adorned a white man's shirt, a brown leather vest, and brown/khaki trousers with rope tied to the bottom. He was lithe and lean, but had muscle like a blacksmith. Almost every woman in town wanted to be with him, but he would politely turn them down, saying that he has eyes for another, which was the truth. His father offered him a job as a shepherd for the sheep and cattle and was paid quite well, so well that he bought his own elk, a female he named Kisa. He also became a brother to one little sister.

She looked almost like Jack save for a rounder face and long brown straight hair. Her name was Genta, but for as long as she could remember she always responded to Ginny. She and Jack would always be having fun, be it mischief or games or anything else that involved laughter. And wherever the two went, Ginny's friends were always close behind looking for fun and trouble.

As for Valora, she grew into a fair young maiden. Her black hair became curly like her mother's and was often pulled back into a low mid-back ponytail tied with a dark purple ribbon that Jack gave her for her last birthday, and her eyes sparkled like emeralds fresh from cleaning, full of wonder and curiosity. Her attire consisted of a white undershirt with mid-arm loose sleeves, a light brown sleeveless dress that went to her mid-calf, a white apron, and black heel-less shoes. In the years that she and Jack have grown up together, they both learned how to ride elk from her father. She, like Jack, has an elk to call her own, a bull named Jovan. She took a job at the bakery, slipping some sweet bread to Ginny and her friends when she could, and providing bread and other baked goods to those who couldn't afford it, especially over the holidays. Overall, she grew into a caring, responsible young lady with cheekiness underneath.

Normally the two teenagers would be too busy to see one another during the day, but every once in a while, the two of them would have a day off where they didn't have to do any work, any chores, nothing.

On this particular day, just as the moon was beginning to set, Jack went over to Valora's on the back of his she-elk and whistled a small tune to wake her, their normal signal for the day of freedom.

Valora shot up from her bed with a smile on her face as she dressed, grabbed a sac filled with bread and fruit for the day ahead, moved quietly through the house without disturbing anything and made her way to the stable where Jovan waited irritably for the ride to start. She quickly packed everything on, mounted her bull and met Jack at the front of the house, where the two quietly went through the village.

Once they were a good hundred yards away, the two riders picked up their pace and fled through the forest like eagles to the sky. Often they would try to outrace each other, only ending up neck and neck. Soon in all the speed and laughter, the duo would end up in a meadow filled with flowers that shimmered like crystal as the sun began to rise up, showing nature in all its glory with light and color. From there the riders made their way to their favorite spot, a lake in the middle of the meadow with a few large willow trees swaying in the breeze of the morning sunlight. The two dismounted and walked their way to the growth underneath where the lake was a blue-green, undisturbed by man, just the way the teens wanted it to be. This was their heaven, the one place where it would be just themselves and their elk.

Jack was laying down on the ground beneath one of the willow trees with his hands behind his head, looking up at the sky lost in thought. His eyes began to shut and fall asleep again until…

"Jack"

"Hmm?" Jack sat up to see Valora looking at him with a hint of worry. She doesn't normally call him by his real name unless there was a serious situation, "What's wrong Val?"

"Well," she started (I imagine her with Ariel's voice from the little mermaid), "Do you think, with what we are now, that we'll be like this forever?" she looked a little worried, hence the nervousness in her voice.

Jack looked at her with a puzzled expression and tilted his head, "Well with where we are now as our friendship goes, I think so. What makes you say that?"

She turned toward the lake, took a deep breath and looked back at Jack, showing her fight of holding back tears as she choked a little when she spoke, "I don't know if this will last much longer Jack. My parents want me to marry soon so I can have a good life. And if I don't find someone, they will send me off with a bankers son, never to return like Manuel did with Elizabeth when they wed" she said, a few tears forming on her eyes.

Jack was shocked to hear the news. He got up to sit beside Val and hugged her close, letting her sob into his chest as the fear and worry were obvious.

"I-I wanted to tell father I wasn't ready, but I couldn't get it out because…." She lifted her head to meet Jack eye to eye, "there is only one man I truly love, but I know he doesn't share the same feelings for me" she attempted to dry her eyes, but it didn't work as her eyes continued to water.

Jack cupper her cheek and wiped away some of her tears, "Val, who is this person you love?" he asked, trying to help her.

She shook her head and looked away, "If I tell you, you may not like it and I don't want that" she said, tears falling more.

"Val, it's ok. You can tell me, I won't be offended or anything. I won't even laugh" said Jack in an effort to comfort his friend. Although deep down, he was afraid of who she is in love with, fearing the worst.

She looks at him, no through him with those piercing green tear stained eyes and took another deep breath to calm herself and spoke, "The one who I truly love…is…is….you, Celio" she let more tears fall as she held her head in her hands.

Jack looked at her with shocked eyes as he felt his cheeks flush and his heart race as he learned the truth. It was then that he knew what he had to do, and that was tell her his true feelings. He took her hands away from her face and lifted her chin to meet his smiling brown eyes as tears formed on the corners. "Val," he started as he took a deep breath.

"Val, I've known you since my childhood and I have to say that I was proud to be your best friend. But once I reached my man age, I thought more about us when I realized that it is love that I feel for you. I want nothing more than to make you happy, and if loving you is what makes you happy, then I am happy too, because…..because I love you too Val, and I would be honored to have you as my wife" a single tear runs down his face.

She looked at him with shocked eyes at his confession, "You….You really love me?...Really?" she asked in disbelief.

"Maybe it's better if I show you how I feel about you" said Jack as he cupped both sides of her face and pulled her close to him, laying his lips on hers gently as the salt from his own tears glazed them. Tears of joy streaked Valora's face as the two stood and she placed her arms around his neck, his arms around her waist pulling her close. The kiss lasted for about 2 minutes when they pulled back, smiling at the truth. "You know, I don't really have a ring, but I'm sure I can do something or make something to replace it" said Jack as he scratched his head sheepishly.

Val then realized and looked around a bit before stopping at the base of one of the nearby trees, picking up an orange gold flower in the process. "Your father is friends with the local carpenter right? How about asking him if he can make a wooden flower, a marigold for example, and cut it in half, then placing pendent rings in the halves so you have one and I have one? That should be enough right?" she said.

Jack thought for a moment then nodded his head. "That sounds fair enough. I'll do that- oh, wait, how are we gonna tell our parents?" he thought, worried about his families reaction.

Valora stood up and started to worry, "Oh dear, your right, hmm" she thought for a moment before her eyes widened and snapped her fingers with an idea, "I know! The summer harvest is coming up this week, I'll bet that we can tell them then, when everyone is happy and having fun! When both of our families are having a good time, we'll pull them aside and tell them of our proposal. "

"Brilliant! You were always a smart girl Val, and that is one of the things I love about you" said Jack, a smile from ear to ear on his face.

Suddenly a low growl was heard as Jack's face turned a slight pink.

Valora giggled as she noticed the tinge on his cheeks, "And I have always loved your taste for fun," she said, "and your taste for food too" she continued giggling as Jack joined her. They spent the rest of the day making plans for the wedded life. Children, jobs, sacrifices, and everything else needed to make a life worth living. After a long day of discussing their future, the two rode back home, preparing themselves for when they had to give their announcement.

One and a half weeks later, the summer harvest festival came and everyone was having the times of their lives. Jack and Valora had been together the whole day preparing for what to say when their parents react to the proposal. During the wait, Jack had made contact with the carpenter to make a request for the wedding pendants, two halves of a wooden marigold. Made from cedar to stay true to its orange color and with a delegate hand, the flower almost looked real, if only it wasn't cut in half. On part where the cut was made were each of their name burned into the pieces. Each pendent was fastened with a brown ribbon that measured to the place where their heart beats. Jack placed Valora's around her neck and she did his. With one final prayer, the two set out to find their families for the big moment.

About an hour later, the two brought their families in front of the local bank where no one was a bother. Both teens took one last breath before they began.

"Dad" said Valora, "do you remember what you told me a few weeks back? About life?"

Her father and mother looked at her skeptically, "Yes, what about it?" asked her father, eyeing from her than to Jack.

"Well, I thought hard about it, and I finally came to a decision" she stopped and looked to Jack, who nodded.

"Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe, you two have known me since I was little and know me quite well, so well in fact that I have been there for your daughter and have brought her comfort, laughter and happiness. So I feel that you will have no problems when I ask now for your permission for me to marry your daughter and have her become my wife" said Jack, honest but straight forward.

All the family members gave a gasp at the announcement, but all Devon could do is smile at his son's choice. Hilary then came to her senses and smiled as well. Eevie started to tear up at the news as she hugged her husband with joy. Larkin had his eyes wide and his mouth low as Valora placed her hand in Jack's gripping it tightly.

"I personally say that there is nothing wrong with this, and you have my blessing" said Eevie, "because you know each other better than anyone and I knew Jack, I knew that someday, my daughter would be yours" she looked to Larkin, "well honey, don't just stand and stare at the two, say something"

Larkin took a deep breath before he shook his head and placed a hand on his head, "I have a confession to make, and a dreadful one at this time" he began, "Had you told me that you had made your mind up earlier, I wouldn't have sent a letter to the banker in the next town to tell his son that you were available for marriage"

Valora and Jack felt their hearts sink at the news. Jack placed a protective arm in front of Valora fearing that he will have to fight for her hand.

"But," said Larkin, "when they arrive, I will have to tell them that my daughter has fallen for another, one that she has known for all her life and one that will keep her happy for many years to come" he finished with a smile across his face.

Jack breathed a sigh of relief as Valora hugged his arm lovingly from behind, knowing that everything was going to be alright. Later that night at the festival, Larkin made an announcement about Jack and Valora's proposal and that the two of them told him that they wished to be married four days after Easter, when spring was in full bloom, which was eight months away, plenty of time for families from both Jack's and Valora's sides to come and join in the big celebration. Everyone was overjoyed and congratulated the two on the wonderful news.

Months had passed and Easter was but a week away. It was that very day that Valora decided to take a break from everything and go for a ride on her own, specifically to make a bouquet of flowers for her dress. Little did she know that trouble was just behind one of the trees that encircled her.

As she was minding her own business, picking up lilies, daisies and foxgloves for her bouquet, Jovan started to grunt nervously. Valora looked to him to see what was wrong but she quickly turned to the deep low demonic growl that came from behind her. From behind a large oak appeared a large black bear with black tinted white fangs that dripped black ooze from its wide scaryingly large mouth, glowing dangerous red eyes, paws the size of frying pans bearing claws the size of daggers, and a roar that raddles the bravest man to cry like a child. Valora's eyes became wide as saucers as she backed up away from the beast that moved toward her, eyes focused on her instead of the bull elk behind the now frail human being.

"Jovan, run. Run Jovan RUN!" shouted Valora as she started to run to a nearby forest clearing. The bull listened and ran off toward the village while Valora started to climb a nearby oak tree, the bear hot on her tail. From a boulder overlooking the site, a wolf coated in black, beige and gray watches fearfully with dark sky blue eyes as he turns around to follow the elk to the village. High above him flies a Northern Goshawk, soaring it's way above the wolf to the village where preparations were being made.

Unaware of the danger, Jack talks with a few of the girls who had been on him about marrying Valora.

"Oh please Jack, why marry her of all people?" asked one of them sweetly.

"Because, ladies, unlike you girls, Valora has no competition when it comes to my interests, besides, I haven't known you all that long. Val, I've known her since I was 4, and had it not been for her, I wouldn't be as social as I am today-" their conversation was interrupted by a distressed elk bugle. "What the?" Jack said as he made his way to the center of the village where Jovan was wide eyed and looking stressed out. He gently went to the bull, grabbed his reins and petted him a little bit.

"Easy boy, easy. Where's Valora?" he asked as the bull tried to pull away. Suddenly a bark was heard and Jack saw the gray wolf pacing back and forth while looking at Jack, barking while doing so, trying to get Jack to follow him. Getting the message, Jack grabbed his staff, a dagger and a lantern and mounted Jovan.

"Jack!" shouted Ginny, "What's going on?"

"I don't know but I think Valora's in trouble. Go tell Mr. Larkin and Dad that something is wrong, I gotta go save my bride, be back later! Hyah!" he finished as he whipped the reins and the canine, elk and elk rider rode off to find the bride in distress.

Through the dark of the woods and over a river, the gray wolf lead Jack deeper and deeper into the woods, further from civilization, further from help. Soon the group were at the small clearing where Valora was high up in a tall oak tree where the branches were too far for the bear to reach.

"Help! Someone! Help!" Valora cried, scared out of her mind, clinging to the tree for dear life as the bear then tried to shake it so she would fall.

The wolf charged the bear and bit down hard on its tail end while Jack dismounted Jovan and gripped the dagger ready for battle. The bear gave a howl and turned to swat the wolf, but it was too quick and moved out of the way, snarling and showing its teeth defensively. Again the bear swatted at the wolf again, but he backed away before it could hit. Jack took this as a chance to jump on the bear and try to stab it as much as he can, but the pelt was too thick and he couldn't break through. He jumped off when the bear stood on its back legs and began to fall backwards, in an attempt to crush Jack. The teen male then made an attack at the bears throat, but the jaws were quicker than him and attempted to snap his arm off, only catching his sleeve and ripping it off. When the bear got back on its feet, Jack grabbed his staff , jumped onto the bears back again and placed the staff at the windpipe of the bear in an attempt to choke it. While Jack kept the bear occupied, the wolf barked at Valora to come down the tree and follow it so she can make an escape. She got the message but kept her eyes on the bear and Jack to see how her husband to be was holding. He was doing fine when suddenly, his right foot slipped on the fur and lowered to one side. The bear swung it's paw and dug it's claws into Jack's back, making him scream in pain and shiver slightly.

"Jack!" shouted Valora, making him and the bear turn to see that she was down from the tree.

"Run Val! Go! I'll keep him occupied! Get out of here! GO!" shouted Jack as he stabbed the bear in the side of the head as his shirt started to turn red.

Val didn't want to leave, but the wolf gripped a part of her dress gently and got her to run with him, quickly for that matter. Jack watched his bride run off, as this would be the last time he saw her. The bear made an attempt to stand and fall back again, only to have Jack jump out of the way again, this time less gracefully because of the pain. He picked up his staff and tried to hold his ground, but he was starting to feel light headed, so, while the bear was trying to recover from the pain in its back, Jack used a torn piece of his shirt and tied the dagger to his staff in an attempt to make a spear. Once the bear recovered and prepared to give the final blow on its hind legs, Jack ran to it with all his might, swung the knife part of the staff straight at the bears chest, but missed when the beast, like a man, pulled it's whole body back and brought it up again. It raised its paw and swung so hard that Jack flew with back first to a nearby cliff wall and collapsing on the ground unconscious, a small amount of red on the rock as Jack's vision turned black.

(Staying with Jack's side of the story from now on because if I did Valora's side, it would ruin the suspense and surprise and I don't want to do that. Not to you guys XP )

Jack started to stir as he felt heat hit his face, awaking him from his slumber. He opened his eyes to see he was in his own room. He and his sister had two separate bedrooms, both across from one another upstairs on the second floor. Jack's bedroom was about 10' by 11', a decent sized room consisting of a dresser with a small mirror, a small desk where he could read, draw, etc. that was now covered in bandages and ointment for some strange reason. He sat up in his bed, but then felt a sharp pain from his back as he groaned and laid back in bed, hissing in pain slightly. While occupied with his pain, he didn't even hear footsteps into his room as a voice made him jump.

"Jack!" shouted his younger sibling happily as she ran to his bedside and hugged his arm.

"G-Ginny? What's going on? Why am I home? Where's-" his eyes widen at the thought of his beloved. He was about to get up when his mother came into the room.

"Oh Jack! You're alright! Thank heavens!" she said as she hugged her son, tears of relief sliding down her cheeks. Devon was standing in the doorway with a look of sad relief, glad that his son finally woke up.

"Mom, what happened? Where's Valora? Is she safe? Please tell me she is, please" Jack asked worried.

Hilary looked to Devon, who gave a small nod to her. She turned her head and looked down before grabbing Jack's hand and looking at him straight in the eyes.

"Jack, Mr. Larkin saw everything from the cliff that the goshawk lead him to. He saw Valora escape and you fight off the bear, which was brave and stupid you know. But when you were knocked against the cliff wall, the bear chased down the same path that Valora did. Fearing for his daughter's safety, he went after the bear, only to find the wolf that lead you to the fight injured and in pain" she took something out from her apron pocket, "This was all that was found of Valora, the ribbon she use to tie up her hair. It was found in the wolf's mouth before it collapsed to the ground. There was no other evidence of her body or of the bear. It was as if they disappeared into thin air"

Jack took he ribbon gingerly as he felt tears starting to block his vision, knowing that he had failed to protect the one he loved, "How long have I been out?" he asked.

"About four days Jack. It took some strong herbs to get you to sleep so the nurses could work on those scars" explained Devon, a sad look on his face.

Jack looked down in disbelief, trying to take everything in as he held the dark purple ribbon in his hands and tears dropping down his cheeks as he started to quietly sob. His mother placed her arms around her son to let his sadness out as he sobbed and heaved in mourning for his fiancé and friend that he couldn't save.

"I-I should have been stronger. Had I taken a sword I could have-" Jack began to ramble as his mother spoke soothing words in his ears, explaining that he did all he could and that Valora's parents don't blame him at all.

The next few days were hard on all the villagers. On the night just before Easter, they gathered at the cemetery outside the village to pay mourning to the fallen maiden. Everyone placed a rose on the gravestone, including the wolf and goshawk that were present when the men tried to rescue her. Once everyone left, Jack stayed behind to stay with his fiancé one last time. Her elk nudged Jack's face gently, almost as an attempt to try to comfort him. Jack looked at him thoughtfully and petted the gentle giant. He turned to a sound of crunching to see that the wolf, now recovered, and the hawk, riding on the canine's back, come close to Jack. The wolf rubbed it's nose against Jack's hand as Jack got on his knees to meet the wolf at eye level. Broken ruddy-brown looking into sad dark sky blue as the wolf licked Jack's tears. Jack grabbed the wolf's face with both hands and brought it so he could see it.

"I never did say thank you. If it wasn't for you, all of you, I would've had my wife go missing without anyone noticing" he gently petted the wolf and moved his arms around the wolf's neck, careful not to frighten it, "Bless you…..Bless you all" Jack spoke as tears fell from his eyes again and he sobbed. But the wolf didn't pull away, instead, it placed its head on Jack's shoulder tightly and wrapped one paw around his lower back in an attempted hug. Although Jack was too occupied with his sobs, he could have sworn that he felt something warm on his back, as if the wolf himself was crying for Jack. The hawk had its head hung low an it's eyes closed. Jovan lowered his head and his ears in sadness as the sun sank into the mountains, leaving the grieving group in nothing but darkness.

Jack…..

A voice, deep and rich, called his name.

"Jack….Jack…..JACK! WAKE UP MATE!"

Blue eyes fly open as pale skin is shaken awake by two strong furry gray and white arms. Green eyes watch with worry as Jack shook his head and sat up.

"Ugh, did you have to wake me up like that Bunny?" Jack asked the Pooka beside him.

"Jack, you were in a deep sleep, as if you were in pitch's death sleep" spoke a flying fairy like creature with colors that reminded one of a peacock and bright purple eyes, "Is everything ok?"

Jack sighed, "Yeah, just….an old painful memory popped up" He then reached over to his nightstand, opened the drour and pulled out a small brown and green box with a willow tree on the lid painted in white. Jack traced the tree delicately before opening it to reveal the half of the wooden marigold that he kept for nearly 300 years prior to both his and Valora's deaths that happened the same year, 1694. He traced the petals of the flower and then held it to his chest as a small tear falls down his cheek.

"Jack? Is that necklace special?" asked Bunny, concerned for the young winter spirit.

He nodded his head, "It belonged…well half of the pendant belonged to my bride and I saved my half. It was one marigold flower that was cut in half and was used in place of rings for us. I knew I kept it for a reason, but I couldn't remember why, until last night. This is a symbol of my was to be marriage, but it never happened" he finished sadly while his face was turned from his friends.

Tooth floated in front of Jack, giving a look that had both sadness and desire, for wanting to know the full story. Jack sighed and gave in. After a few hours, Jack finished with his memory. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes as he told the end and he fought to not have them fall. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and saw bunny with sadness and understanding in his eyes.

"I'm sorry mate, I had no idea" he said

"It's fine" Jack choked as the droplets of water finally fell. Bunny couldn't stand it anymore and pulled Jack into him, gently while rubbing his back like an older brother to his younger sibling, letting Jack sob into his fur.

No one, not even the guardians, realized that Jack had not just the burden of being alone but the burden of blame that he had carried all his life even though his family from the past said that it wasn't his fault, he still felt partial blame for not being strong enough to protect her. He carried it to this very day without realizing it and only remembering when the pain struck his heart like a bullet.

Jack continued crying until he fell asleep, to which Bunny and Tooth decided to let him sleep, giving him some of Sandy's dream sand to hopefully calm him down. Fortunately for them, it worked as Jack slept soundly into the night.

Well, that's it for now, please let me know what you all think of this ok? As of now it is 12: 33 and I am tired so I say goodnight everyone, I need sleep!