Our paths are never carved from certain ground. The hills and valleys upon which our bricks are laid can be treacherous in their own right-but it is the journey that makes our lifetimes beautiful. Each unexpected turn, every unforeseen curve helps to write each chapter of our lives, so our story can be complete when our pages wither with age and the time comes to close our book forever.
No chapter comes to a close without a new adventure on the rise. It is on fresh pages that we find Elsa, the Snow Queen of Arendale...having recently accepted her magical abilities and reunited with her sister and her kingdom, everything was beginning to look up for her. She had finally been accepted for who she was, and even better, she had finally accepted herself. Her future was bright-she could barely wait to embark on her queenly responsibilities and get to know her sister all over again. She even had new friends-Kristoff, the burly blonde who seemed to have captured Anna's heart, and Olaf, the sweet little snowman she's created by accident on the North Mountain. She finally had a family again, and she intended to enjoy every second of it.
They day had been eventful. Elsa had risen early to attend a breakfast meeting with several dukes to discuss trade agreements. By noon.m, the entire castle was bustling with excitement-there would be a gala that evening, following an official gate opening ceremony. It had been Elsa's idea, and Anna had been delighted. There would be no more isolation for either of them.
The ceremony had been touching as Elsa delivered a speech she'd been working on that week. And when the gates finally opened, the party had gone into full swing. Anna and Kristoff had danced, Elsa had sipped wine from one of the dignitaries, and Olaf had wandered about, gettig hugs from all who'd oblige him. The sisters even managed to steal some time to be together, giggling as they reminiced about their childhood years together and over Anna's antics in the halls of the castle during their separation.
As the evening wore on, Elsa even began to agree to dancing partners. One of the nobleman from the announcing kingdom, Sir walden, had spun her gracefully across the ballroom twice, and the dignitary that had gifted Arendale the wine had stepped in for a catchy number. Kristoff even took her hand, and the two shared a jovial conversation about the ball and their mutual adoration for Anna. By the end of the songs, Elsa had decided that she hoped the two were quite right for each other-as log as they took it slow.
It was nearing the first hour of the morning when finally Elsa bid her guests goodnight. The gala had been a huge success, and she was wearing a broad smile as she closed her door behind her. Elsa made her way to her armoire, her fingers swiftly removing the braid from her golden stands. It felt good to let it down, though she would never do so outside of her room. It hung in soft white gold waves down to the small of her back, and as she rummaged for a suitable nightgown, she tried to remember the last time she had gotten it cut.
There was a soft thud against her window.
Elsa jumped, whirling in the direction of the sound. Everything appeared to be just as it should-nothing askew, nothing out of place. Her brows furrowed...could it have been a bird? It wasn't unheard of during the summer months, after all. And if it had been a bird, what if the poor thing was out there still alive and suffering? That just wouldn't do.
Elsa drew the curtains open wide, flinging open the window. The summer air was sweet against her face as she looked down, trying to spot anything on the pavement below. The darkness was broken by the full moons light, but she could see nothing below. In fact, the world outside seemed to be just as calm and quiet as any other night. How strange...
Motion to the left caught her eye.
Elsa's head snapped in the direction of the movement, but what she saw there was something she simply couldn't believe. Or rather, someone. Even curled against the side of the castle, it was obvious that he was very tall and lean of build. His silvery white hair, still kept in fashionable disarray, shimmered in the moonlight. She was vaguely aware that his wardrobe had not changed much-he still wore a blue hooded sweatshirt and brown canvas pants, his curled staff secured in one pale hand.
His eyes...
They had always been a brilliant shade of blue, with the ability to take away one's breath with the weight of their intensity. Elsa had always wondered how it was possible for emotion to be displayed so clearly in one's gaze-happiness and mischief had always danced freely in those blue depths. It had been five years since she had looked into the eyes of Jack Frost, but their ability shock her to her very core had not skipped a beat. She had never witnessed anything so haunting as what she saw in those blue pools just then-panic, desperation, pain...and yet, something else. Something warmer.
Something she didn't stick around to identify.
Elsa swept back into her room, slamming the window shut behind her. "Must have been rather potent wine..." She mumbled her to herself as she closed the curtains. Her hammering heart was proof that even she did not believe the logic her brain was trying to convince her of.
She was nearing the armoire when the window swung open. She froze, spinning on her heel toward the sound. Ice chips shot from her raised fingertips, embedding themselves in the window trim and surrounding wall. What they did not do, however, was effect the figure standing in front of the window. In fact, he didn't even flinch.
He was the spirit of winter, after all.
And he was standing in her room for the first time in five years.
"Wow. Impressive." He told her, flashing her the very same half smirk that had plagued her dreams in the months after he'd left. "You've been practicing, I see."
Elsa's jaw dropped slightly, her mind struggling to comprehend the reality of his presence. Jack Frost. In her room. It had been five years since she'd last laid eyes on the boy who'd been her best friend-her only friend. Five years since he'd disappeared without even giving her a goodbye. Five years since she'd been forced to realize that she was really an truly alone.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She wasted no time on pleasantries.
"It's nice to see you too, Elsa." That damn grin didn't leave his face as he moved, sitting on the surface of her desk. His staff was propped between his knees, and he rested his cheek against it as he peered at her. "What a party, huh? I don't think I've ever seen this place so busy."
She glared at him. "Things change in half a decade."
This time his smirk did fade. His icy blue eyes trailed over her, right from the top of her head to the tip of her Aqua hued heels. "Yeah. I guess they do, don't they?" It would have been clear even to the blind that he was not speaking of the castle, but of her.
"Except for you, of course. You're still exactly the same." Elsa sniffed.
"I won't complain. It's not so bad looking young forever." He shrugged, that smirk returning in full force.
"That's clearly not what I meant. You know Jack, when we were actually friends, I didn't mind having an unannounced guest. I even looked forward to it. But I feel vastly different over such matters now-especially when my guest is without invitation. And yours ran out five years ago. Now, tell me what you want to I can be rid of you. I've things to do in the morning."
Jack raised a brow. If her words had effected him at all, it didn't show-something that both frustrated and infuriated her. "I was in the neighborhood...is it so wrong to touch base with an old friend?"
"Of course not." She raised her chin, fixing him with a cold stare. "But I'd like to remind you that we are no longer friends, Jack Frost. In fact, I question the integrity of the notion that we ever were."
Jack's smirk faded for a moment, a shimmer of something passing through his gaze. Shame? Regret? Elsa couldn't pinpoint it before he masked it entirely with a broad grin and a roll of his crystal gaze. "Really, Elsa...after all the time we spent together? Don't be so dramatic."
Elsa's jaw dropped at his audacity. Yes, they had spent many evenings together, filling her time of isolation as a teen with whimsical dreams and playful games. He had been one of the most important people in her young life-the one thing she had to look forward to when her entire world had consisted of no more than a single bedroom. He'd been the one person she hadn't had to be scared she'd hurt.
But one day, he simply hadn't shown up. Or the next. Or the day after that. Elsa had waited faithfully near the window day after day, watching for her friend to return. And then, her parents were lost at sea, and her entire world had come crashing down upon her. And Jack? He had never shown up again.
"Dramatic? You listen here, Jack..." She began, her fists balled at her sides.
"The place looks great, you know." Jack interrupted, meandering around her bedroom as if he owned the place. "People looked like they were having a great time. What changed your mind about opening the gates?"
Elsa couldn't believe how bold he was...sweeping into her room after 5 long years, as if no time had passed. As if he hadn't abandoned her. "A lot has happened since you disappeared, Jack. Five years is a long time." She said frostily.
"I've got no where to be. Tell me about it." He said, making himself comfortable on the corner of her bed.
"What do you think you're doing? Get up! And while you're at it...get out! It isn't proper for a man to be in the queen's quarters at this hour." She tried to keep her voice lowered, and it came out like a hiss between her clenched teeth.
"Queen, huh? Wow. My apologies, your majesty." He gave a bow from his seated position. "But I wouldn't worry...they can't see me anyway, remember?" There was that smirk again.
Elsa groaned in frustration. "What will it take to get you to realize I don't want you here?"
"A lot. Because I know it's not true. I know I missed you...so you had to have missed me, too." His logic was enough to make her want to smack him.
"That might be the case if you hadn't disappeared without a single word. But you did." She didn't want him in her room even a second longer. It was too much...and if she got any more agitated, her powers would surely misbehave.
"Duty called. Can you fault me for that? I told you about the guardians and how I was chosen. I couldn't help it, Elsa. Really...I'm sorry." He had stopped smiling that stupid smile, and he was looking at her intently.
It would be far too easy to let herself fall into those eyes. Far too easy let herself let go of the anger and the hurt she's carried for the years of his absence. Far too easy to slip back into their old routine. But she couldn't...she wouldn't...do those things. She was no longer a teenager with a broken heart that desperately needed his presence. She was a Queen with responsibilities, with a sister and friends. She did not need him anymore...even if a secret part of her would always yearn for the fun innocence of their previous friendship.
"It doesn't matter anymore, Jack. It's late, and I've meetings to attend
tomorrow. Please...just go." Elsa put her hands on her hips, careful to keep her expression closed.
"Will you talk to me tomorrow?" He asked softly. "After your meetings?"
Elsa resisted the urge to scream. "If I say yes, does it mean you'll let me retire?"
"Yep." He smiled brightly as he nodded with great enthusiasm.
"Fine. Now goodnight!" She pointed toward the window.
Jack rose from the bed, bowing towards her. "Goodnight, Queen Elsa." She rolled her eyes, stepping past him and back to the armoire to retrieve a resting gown.
"What are you doing?" She nearly shrieked when she turned, seeing him seated on the floor, back against the wall as if he were settling in for the night ahead.
"You didn't think I'd leave did you? I'm holding you to that deal. If I go, you'll avoid me like the plague." He drew his hood up around his white hair, as of closing the discussion.
"Jack Frost...you are the plague!" She growled at him. He looked so damn self satisfied down there on the floor-she wanted to storm over to him and let him have it. But giving him the satisfaction seemed like a fate worse than death for her right then.
"You know what? Fine. If you want to be uncomfortable all night, go ahead." Elsa stormed behind the privacy screen to change. She made quick work of undressing, throwing her dress on the floor. She'd probably never get the wrinkles out, but she didn't care. "That doesn't mean I still won't avoid you. I don't owe you anything." She slipped her nightgown on. Seafoam green in color, the silk clung to her hips and chest like a second skin. The neckline plunged low, and the back showed bare flesh all the way to the small of her back. Only two thin straps held it on her shoulders, without even a hint of sleeve. It was one of her newest pieces...selected for its beauty, but also for its daring shape. Since her time at the Ice Palace, she'd taken an appreciation for less than contemporary clothing. Such things were not proper for her daily life, of course...so she indulged in them in her private hours.
She stepped out from behind the screen, moving immediately to the bed. "Really, the nerve! Imposing yourself on me like this, knowing full well I can't even sic my guards on you. How low!" She was grumbling as she turned down the blankets. She glanced his way when she received not even a single smart remark from him in response.
Jack was staring at her with wide eyes and a slackened jaw. His expression was the same as as a blind man who has been granted a moment of sight might look upon the ocean...with complete and unrestricted awe. Panicked, Elsa looked down upon herself, fearing that in her haste she'd not dressed fully. Only then did she realize the selection of her gown. In her normal state of mind, she would have raced to cover herself, yelled for him to shield his eyes. After all-no man had ever seen her in her nightclothes, and certainly no man had ever looked at her as Jack was right then. But in that moment, she was oddly satisfied with his reaction. It would do him some good to be tortured if he insisted on sitting in her room all night. "I hope the frostbite bites." She told him stiffly as she climbed into bed, giving him a clear view of her bared back as she turned out the light.
"Hey Elsa?" His low voice broke the silence.
"What now?" She hissed.
"You look really good in that color." He whispered.
"Shut up, Jack." She put her pillow over her head.
He apparently hadn't heard her. "And I like your hair down..."
"One more word and I'll freeze your lips shut!" She was seriously considering throwing the lamp in his general direction.
She could hear his effort to conceal his chuckle. "Goodnight, Elsa."
"Humph." Was the only response she offered.