"But what are we to do then? We can't just leave them in Pitch's clutches!" Tears streamed down Rapunzel's face as she faced the Guardians.
"I know, we are trying to figure out a way to bring them back without bringing harm to them, to you, or to your siblings," North replied.
"Please, just make the exchange, he wants me," said Rapunzel.
"Exactly, he's just not going to let your parents go either. This is a perfect scenario for him, once he has you, Jamie, and Sophie in his clutches, he can destroy the sunlight in your hair as well as the whole royal family of Corona, the one country he hates the most. He would win for sure, besides, I don't think your parents would want you to put your life in danger for them," said Katherine.
Rapunzel glanced down, sighing, "No, they wouldn't want that. Isn't there anyway to get them to safety?"
"Seems to me like the only option is to storm Pitch's lair," blurted Eugene. He glanced at the faces, "What?"
"We can't do that either, Pitch might destroy them just to spite us," explained North.
"But I don't think he would kill them, he's sure that Rapunzel would exchange herself for her parents' freedom," pointed out Jack.
"And he's right, I would do it," muttered Rapunzel. She glanced up at Jack, then at the others, "I'd do it without a second thought."
North opened his mouth, then closed it, rubbing his chin. He walked towards the door, and opened it to a pile of children tumbling in.
"You're rather persistent, aren't you, mates?" Bunny asked, as he hopped over to help the children up. The others joined him, and soon all seven were on their feet.
"Yes, you are talking about mine and Sophie's parents too, you know. I want to help get them back," said Jamie.
North looked into the boy's eyes, "Very well, we'll need all the help we can get in figuring out a plan. Maybe with your help, we can come up with something."
They spent hours thinking of every possible idea to use to rescue the King and Queen without risking the children's safety. Before long, seven youngsters were sound asleep. The yetis brought in blankets and pillows for them, and tucked them in.
"Rapunzel, you should get some rest," Jack said, noticing her droopy eyes.
"Sounds like a good idea to me," remarked Eugene, who marched over to an area already set up. He crawled in between the covers, and was snoring away.
Jack rolled his eyes. "At least he had the right idea. You should follow suit," he turned to the blonde.
"No, not until we can get mother and father back," Rapunzel yawned. Jack didn't say a word, only guided her to the last spot with a pillow and blankets ready. He tucked her in, and before long, she too was sound asleep.
"You really like that girl, don't you?" said a voice from behind him.
"Who said I liked her?" Jack jumped up, aware that he was feeling a little warmer than usual.
North chuckled, "Just the way you look at her, and the way in which you take care of her. It's kind of obvious. Let's just hope Pitch is too busy to notice." His usual mirth vanished from his eyes, but only for a second.
"Yeah, well, I don't plan to let him near her. So, is it really that obvious?" Jack asked sheepishly.
North laughed, "Only to knowing eyes." He winked at Jack, then glanced at Katherine who was busy going over some books with Ombric.
"Oh," muttered Jack.
Sandy then came and tugged on North's sleeve. "What is it Sandy, you have an idea?" asked North as Sandy showed some images of a light-bulb and an arrow pointing towards the table where the rest of the Guardians had gathered.
"Well, let's hear, I mean, see what you've got, Sandy," Jack replied.
Sandy began pointing arrows at himself and Tooth when everyone was at the table, their attention on him. "What about us?" asked Tooth.
Sandy showed an image of himself and Tooth fighting Pitch and his Nightmares, moving away from a hole, while North and Bunny went into the hole behind Pitch's back. "Ah, a diversion," muttered North.
"But, didn't we go over that already? Pitch would always have some Nightmares on guard in case we would try something like that, and whoever went in would have the whole army on top of him a few minutes after the alarm was sounded," pointed out Jack.
"He's got a point," said Bunny. Sandy held up his hand for silence, then showed an image of Jack and Rapunzel.
"Uh, why am I holding her hand?" Jack asked.
"I thought we were trying to figure out a way to keep her out of this?" Ombric quickly inquired.
Everyone nodded, but before anyone could say another word, Sandy moved on to another image, that of Jack and Rapunzel standing with him and Tooth before Pitch. He made the picture bigger, showing North and Bunny close to the King and Queen's cell. Then, North and Bunny attacked the guards and got the King and Queen out, while Jack, Sandy, and Tooth flew off with Rapunzel, leaving Pitch confused, and a bit angry.
"Hmm, that might work," said North.
"I don't know, that's putting Rapunzel way too close to him," said Jack.
"I hate to have to say this, but I agree with Frosty, that is a little too close," grumbled Bunny.
"Well, what are we going to do!? There doesn't seem to be a plan that will keep Rapunzel safe as well as her family!" exclaimed Tooth.
"We do need to come up with a plan now, Pitch won't wait for long," remarked Katherine.
"That is true, but we have to work something out to where we can keep everyone safe. Let's go over every plan we've been through already, and see if there's one we might have missed," North suggested.
Everyone agreed and began going through all the papers, all the ideas that were brought to light. Before long, Jack was getting restless.
"What's the matter, show-pony, all this paperwork too much for ya?" Bunny jeered.
"No, it's just that, something doesn't seem right, and it's driving me nuts that I can't think of what it is," the concern in Jack's voice was noticeable.
"Do you think that a break can help you, Jack?" North turned to him.
Jack looked more concerned by the minute, "Maybe, it's worth trying. Thanks North." He flew towards the door, then paused. He glanced back at the make-shift beds, his eyes looking over each one. North saw the move and soon joined him.
"What is it?" he whispered. Jack didn't answer, just hovered over each bed. A little breeze ruffled the blankets, causing the inhabitants to adjust to keep the cold out. There was movement under every blanket, except for one.