I do not own Jack Frost, Rapunzel, or their movies. I am merely combining them in what I think would happen if this should be crossed over. Jackunzel is my OTP now! All belong to Disney, Dreamworks, and ect.
Yes, another chapter so soon. :D I was on a roll while writing this that I could not wait to write out how Rapunzel and Jack meet. lol it was fun to do and I hope I kept both in character. Well, it was fine for Rapunzel since I took lines straight from the movie itself. But showing through Jack's eyes was a different matter. Also, I hope you guys don't mind what happens near the end of this chapter. I had to give some way of how Jack can be seen and heard by others besides just Rapunzel. Thank you all for the favs and follows. If anyone has suggestions or ideas, please feel free to review me them. I love hearing ideas and I would also love to see how you guys like this story so far. (: Thanks and now onward!
Rapunzel was not sure of what to think when she saw this…strange creature come into her tower. The first thing she did was grab the closest object near her, which was a frying pan, and smack the invader. Once it fell to the floor, she yelped and hid behind a manikin. She peeked over and thoughts rang through her head. It had to be one of those men with the pointed teeth her mom warned her about. But how did he get in here? She then remembered seeing him "fly" in? She didn't think men can fly. So who or what was he?
Pushing the manikin forward toward the unconscious creature, Rapunzel tried to get a closer look. She took in his clothes first and he was wearing a simple dark brown cloak. From his laying position, which was him lying somewhat on his side, she also saw he wore a simple white long sleeved shirt with a small brown vest. She then took notice he was wearing tight tan colored pants that were tattered around his calves and strings wrapped around near the ragged ends. Her eyes widen a little when she saw he was just as bare footed as she was. This made her come from behind her manikin but she kept her frying pan ready just in case this boy jumped up and tried to attack her.
She shifted her eyes at Pascal, who in turned shrug, before she glanced back at the unconscious boy's head and took note that he had a strange hair color. It was pure white and Rapunzel was unsure if any of the men were supposed to have that hair color. She used her frying pan to push him a little until his face can be seen from the side. He was rather pale. She wanted very much to look him over some more but her mother's warnings about the dangers of men still rung hard in her head. She turned to Pascal and he walked up to the painting of the scary man Gothel made. He turned red while making fangs with his claws. He was indicating for Rapunzel to check if the boy had fangs.
Rapunzel turned her pan around and using the handle, she pushed the boy's lip upward. She was surprised to see no fangs but beautiful perfect white teeth instead. Realizing this boy can't possibly be dangerous; she lowered her pan and used this moment to look at his face. She can only see it from the side, but he had well defined features. Maybe it was because he was the first of his gender for her to ever see but she thought he was rather handsome. Not to mention he looked young. He appeared to be around her age at the most. She leaned even closer and felt the urge to reach out and touch his white hair.
Suddenly, the boy moaned and began to move. Rapunzel panicked and quickly hit him again while she shut her eyes. She opened one eye to see he was once again unconscious. She had to do something with him. She couldn't leave him out on the floor in plain view and staring at him wasn't helping her situation. She turned her head about. Her eyes finally settled on the closet. It was big enough and seeing he was rather slim, she could easily put him in there.
She crouched down and prepared to lift the boy. She was astonished to feel the boy was much lighter then what she was expecting. Not to mention he was really cold. She rushed to the cabinet which was the closet and put the boy inside. Once she shut the doors, she propped a chair against the doors to prevent him from coming out and she held out her frying pan.
"Okay, I got a person in my closet," She whispered to herself and then turned toward the mirror that was right next the cabinet. Realizing the situation, she started to laugh at her reflection, "I've got a person in my closet!" She echoed this time with more excitement. She smirked while twirling her frying pan, "Not strong enough to handle myself, mother?" She questioned while feeling cocky, "Well, tell that to my frying pan." She then grunted in pain when the pan hit her square in the head.
As she rubbed the sore spot, she then took notice of a couple of things on the ground. She was so focused on the strange boy that she did not even see what he had carried with him. The first object that caught her eye was a strange gnarred staff. She bent down and picked it up. It looked pretty ordinary to her except it had a G shape hook at one end. She glanced down at the bag at her feet and saw something glitter from inside. Curious, she leaned the staff to one side and knelt down to grab the sparkling thing.
She never saw something so pretty in her entire life. She couldn't be sure of what it was. It had jewels on it and it was circular in shape. Was it a necklace or bracelet? She glanced down at Pascal who simply shrugged. She put the object through her arm and glanced back down at the chameleon who in turned shook his head because that did not look right. She tried looking through the jewels like it was a magnifying glass but her little friend shook his head again.
Rapunzel continued to examine the thing before she realized it look big enough to fit on her head. She slowly turned back to the mirror and placed it upon her head slowly. As Pascal stared in surprise, Rapunzel was a bit taken aback of how the crown fit her head so perfectly. She continued to look at herself and was in a trance for a long while before she heard a familiar voice shout from outside,
"Rapunzel!" Rapunzel jumped in surprise. Her mother was home. She hurried to hide the bag and crown into a pot and then placed the staff behind some curtains, "Let down your hair!"
"Coming mother!" Rapunzel called once she was near the window and prepared the usual routine to bring her mother up.
"I have a surprise!" Gothel said a little cheerfully while she grasped her daughter's hair.
"I do too!" Rapunzel answered and began to pull her mother up.
"Oh I bet mine is bigger!" Gothel laughed and Rapunzel mumbled to herself,
"I seriously doubt it."
Once Rapunzel pulled Gothel all the way, the raven haired woman smiled, "I brought back parsnips. I'm going to make hazelnut soup for dinner, your favorite-surprise!" she said while holding out her hands.
"Well mother, there's something I want to tell you," Rapunzel replied for she was too excited to show her appreciation,
"Oh Rapunzel," Her mother once again was cutting her off, "I am so sorry for that fight we had even though I did absolutely nothing wrong."
"Okay, I've been thinking a lot about what you've said earlier and…" Rapunzel tried again but Gothel walked by her while placing the basket on the table,
"I hope you are not still going on about the stars, dear." She said with tight patience.
"Floating Lights, and, yes, I'm leading up to that, and..." As Rapunzel tried to speak, she was inching toward the cabinet that held the boy inside.
"Because I really thought we dropped the issue, sweetheart."
"No, mother, I'm just saying, you think I'm not strong enough to handle myself out there." Rapunzel responded while she was trying to keep the mood light.
"Oh darling, I know you're not strong enough to handle yourself out there." Gothel scoffed.
"But if you just-"
"Rapunzel, we're done talking about this-"
Rapunzel cut her off and was trying to be heard, "Trust me-"
"Rapunzel-" it was clear that Gothel was losing her patience.
"I know what I'm saying-" Rapunzel tried to say while putting her hand on the chair.
"Rapunzel-"
"Oh, come on-"
Gothel had enough and she shouted with her eyes flashing, "Enough with the lights, Rapunzel! You are not leaving this tower! Ever!" Rapunzel stared for she never heard her mother scream like that before. Slowly, she lifted her hand off the chair while Gothel fell back into her own chair, "Ugh, great. Now I'm the bad guy." She moaned while placing two fingers on the bridge of her nose.
Rapunzel was silent for a long time. She knew at that moment that her mother was not going to take her to see the lights. She glanced up at the painting and she was determined to see them. She had hoped her mother would go with her but it was clear that was not going to happen. She glanced at the cabinet and an idea popped into her head. A part of her was telling her it was a really stupid idea but another part told her she had to do it. She soon made up her mind and turned back to her mother. Not wanting to get yelled at again, she spoke softly,
"All I was gonna say, mother, is that, I know what I want for my birthday now."
Gothel sighed but kept her eyes closed before she spoke, "And what is that?"
Rapunzel held her arms and was glad that her mom wasn't jumping down her throat, "New paint. The paint made from the white shells you once brought me." She lied. She had enough paint for the time being. She felt guilty to be fibbing to her mom but her determination to see the lights was overpowering her loyalty to her mom.
Gothel finally opened her eyes and gave her daughter a look of disbelief, "But that is a very long trip, Rapunzel. Almost three days' time."
"I just thought it was a better idea than... stars." Rapunzel responded gently and gave her mother a small smile.
Gothel stared before her eyes softened and she slowly stood up. Sighing she walked up to Rapunzel, "You're sure you'll be all right on your own?"
"I know I'm safe as long as I'm here." Rapunzel replied while she and Gothel hugged. Her mother kissed her on the forehead.
Then, Rapunzel helped Gothel prepare for the long journey. She packed some food into the basket while her mother put on her cloak.
"I'll be back in three days' time." Rapunzel helped Gothel lower herself down from the tower. "I love you very much, dear."
"I love you more." Rapunzel waved from the window when Gothel was at the entrance to the small cave.
"I love you most."
Once Gothel was gone, Rapunzel pulled her hair back in and rushed back to the cabinet. She once again armed herself with the frying pan and slowly took the chair away from the cabinet doors. She positioned the chair to shield herself just in case and she began to breathe.
"Okay." She whispered before taking a lock of her hair and threw it against the handles of the cabinet doors. Once her hair was secured, she opened the doors. She saw the boy was still unconscious and had not moved from where she put him. She slowly walked over to him before she thought up of what she can do next.
A few minutes later, Rapunzel had all the windows and openings closed except for one to have the sun's light beam down in the center of the tower. Using her hair, she had tied the white haired boy to the chair and began to pull him to where the light was shining. She hid up in one of the rafters and waited. Pascal was perched on the boy's shoulder and tried to wake him up. First he smacked him with his tail and quickly turned brown to match the boy's cloak. However, the boy did not wake up. Pascal turned green again and whacked the kid several times with his tail. Still nothing and finally, the chameleon stuck his tongue straight into the youth's ear. This woke up the boy all right and Pascal jumped away.
Jack was startled when he felt something warm and sticky go into his ear. He shifted his eyes about before he moaned to feel his head hurt; really badly. He tried to remember what happened. He was helping the guards chase a band of thieves who stolen a crown and then, he and that horse went on a joy ride with his ice that he created. That was when he found a tower after going through a tiny cave.
"Ugh my head." He moaned and tried to reach up and feel the bump when he found he could not move his arms. He glanced down and saw to his shock that he was tied to a chair. But he noticed that it wasn't rope that was holding him down. No, it was too soft and warm to be. Not to mention it was gold in color… "Wait…is this hair?" Jack whispered as he followed the trail of the long gold hair with his eyes and he thought it seemed endless.
"Struggling!" He heard a female voice cry out from above, "Struggling is pointless!"
Jack shifted his eyes to whoever had spoken but since the light was shining directly down on him, he couldn't see who was in the dark, "Huh?" he questioned and he heard something fall to floor. He barely can see a dark figure move behind a pole.
"I know why you're here, and I am not afraid of you." The girl said again.
"Um…what?" Jack responded and he squinted his eyes in an attempt to see who this was.
He didn't have to for long. He watched as a bare foot stepped into the light. His eyes widen a little to see a girl about his age show herself completely. Jack could only stare as he took in her appearance. She wore a simple yet pretty purple and pink dress. Her long gold hair was the strange thing about her, but he was more focused on her face. She had large green eyes and a round shape face with a little button nose and light freckles decorated around it. Jack had seen pretty girls before but he never paid any of the slightest attention to them expect probably send a few snowflakes their way to hear them laugh. But this girl for some reason caught his eye. And there was something about her that seemed rather familiar. He was in a daze that he barely heard her ask,
"Who are you? And how did you find me?" She positioned her frying pan to indicate she will swing if necessary.
"Wow…you godda be kidding me." He merely whispered before a sudden thought struck him. This girl can see him? "Wait, you can see me?" He asked, even though with her hair tied around him and the fact she was looking directly at him made it perfectly clear that she can indeed see him.
Rapunzel was confused on why the boy would ask her that question. Was he trying to trick her? "Yes I can see you," she finally answered before she repeated, "Now again, who are you? And how did you find me?"
Jack however was getting excited. For thirty years, no one has ever been able to see him. He glanced down and a smile appeared on his face, "I can't believe it. After almost thirty years, someone can finally see me." He whispered to himself and Rapunzel was really starting to get even more muddled.
"Excuse me," she finally said and he glanced back at her, "I am not going to ask again: Who are you? And how did you find me?"
Ignoring the pain in his head and the fact this girl could hit him again if he said one wrong thing, he laughed, "Seriously? You don't know who I am and you can see me?" he questioned with a playful smirk.
Rapunzel narrowed her eyes at him. Now that he mentioned it, he did seem a little familiar. However she just couldn't place her finger on where she could have seen him before. And his playful smirk had thrown her off a little. Maybe it was because this is the first time she had ever seen the opposite gender but she had to admit that he was attractive. And his eyes were the most beautiful blue color she had ever seen. But she had a task to focus on. Regaining her harsh composer, she responded in what she hoped was an intimating voice,
"No. I don't know who you are."
Jack rolled his shoulders, "Fine, Blondie…"
"Rapunzel."
"Rapunzel? Bit of an odd name but anyway, my name is Jack Frost." Jack finally introduced and Rapunzel stared at him,
"Jack Frost? You mean the spirit who brings blizzards and snow days?" She asked in disbelief as she recalled from a book about the said spirit.
"The very same and I was…" Jack's blue eyes suddenly widen when he comprehended something, "Wait, where's my staff and the satchel?" he asked while he frantically looked around more for his staff then the bag. He always had that staff with him and without it in his hand, he felt very uncomfortable.
Rapunzel smirked while folding her arms, "I've hidden them. Someplace where you will never find them." She said while looking cocky.
Jack merely gave her a look before he shifted his blue eyes around the place and pointed out the obvious locations, "The bag is in the pot and my staff is behind the curtains right?"
Without warning, Jack's world went black again. He moaned as he slowly was coming back to reality and he felt that Pascal once again had stuck his tongue into his ear. Disgusted, Jack moved his shoulder to get the chameleon off of him and he growled while rubbing his ear to his shoulder, "Would you stop doing that?"
The lizard squeaked before he ran up to Rapunzel, who was back into her confident pose, "Now I've hidden them, somewhere where you will never find them," She said and then started to circle around Jack, "Now, what do you want to do with my hair? To cut it?" These questions threw the winter youth off,
"What?"
"Sell it?" Rapunzel asked again while Jack rolled his eyes,
"No. I don't want your hair. The only thing I want to do with your hair is to get out of it. And I mean literally." He said and struggled against the hair that held him down.
Rapunzel was surprised by his answer and she stopped in front of him, "Wait, you don't want my hair?"
"Okay, seriously, why would I want your hair? I am perfectly fine with what I've got." Jack said as he blew some of his white strands off his face.
"Then why are you here? Does anyone else know my location?" Rapunzel questioned as she pointed her pan at him.
"Okay look, I was trying to help some guards with these thieves who were stealing a crown. A horse and I ended up sliding around on my ice; I found the bag, then the hidden cave that lead to this tower. I was curious since I never been here before, came to check it out and then you hit me with that frying pan." Jack explained with a shrug.
Rapunzel stared at him, "Is that the truth?"
"Yes. I'm being honest." Jack sighed and then backed up as far as he could in the chair when Pascal came rushing up to the end of the pan and gave him a stare down. The young spirit gave him a look right back before Pascal motioned to talk to Rapunzel privately.
Rapunzel obeyed and turned her back on Jack. The winter youth watched her whisper to the lizard before he took this time to look around. He had a feeling this girl was rather innocent. He felt a smirk play at the corners of his mouth for that meant probably more fun for him, if he gets out of this. He was snapped out of his thoughts when Rapunzel spoke again,
"Okay, Jack Frost, I have a question for you," She then walked over to where the fireplace was, and using her hair, she pulled the chair until it was facing the painting she had made. Jack watched as Rapunzel gracefully climbed on top of the fireplace and moved the curtain aside to show her creation better, "Do you know what these are?"
Jack stared for a second before he recognized those shapes, "Oh I know those. Those are the lanterns that the king and queen release to celebrate their missing princess." He said with a shrug and he himself never been to the ceremony since he avoided Corona once he found the princess was missing.
"Lanterns? I knew they weren't stars," Rapunzel whispered before she spoke back to Jack while motioning with her frying pan, "Well, tomorrow evening they will light the night sky with these lanterns. You will act as my guide, take me to these lanterns, and return me home safely. Then, and only then, will I return your staff and satchel to you. That is my deal."
Jack could tell this girl was trying hard to sound tough. He managed to fight back a laugh before he spoke, "It's not going to be that easy. Listen, I might as well be clear up front. No one in the kingdom can see me. I have tried hard for people to recognize or believe me for a while now but I have gotten nothing. So even if I take you, it's going to be downright awkward when people see you talking to nothing but air. I don't think it might be a good idea," he glanced down and whispered to himself, "Although how you can even see me is beyond me. You act like you are just now hearing who I am."
Rapunzel stared before glancing at Pascal. He pounded one of his tiny fists into his other hand; he was clearly saying she needed to get tougher. The golden haired girl gave a sharp sigh; she got off the fireplace and started to walk toward Jack.
"Listen Jack Frost, something brought you here," She began and Jack quirked an eyebrow as he watched her grab her hair again, "Call it what you will: fate, destiny…"
"I'd say my curiosity, the wind, and a horse combined."
"So I have made the decision to trust you." Rapunzel went on like Jack had not even spoken.
"In your case, maybe the worst decision you ever made." Jack added with a snicker.
"But trust me when I tell you this," Rapunzel suddenly tugged on her hair to make the chair go forward which caught Jack by surprise. He grunted while the golden hair girl held the chair before it could fall and Jack saw he was staring straight into her green eyes, "You can tear this tower apart brick by brick, but without my help, you will never find your precious staff or the satchel."
Jack blinked before he chuckled lightly and asked, "So let me see if I got this straight. I take you to see the lanterns, bring you back home, and you'll give me back my staff and the satchel?"
"I promise. And when I promise something, I never ever break that promise," Rapunzel said as she continued to give Jack the stare down. The winter youth was looking at her in disbelief, "Ever." Pascal nodded to confirm what Rapunzel had said.
For a long moment, Jack and Rapunzel had a staring contest; spring green meeting cerulean blue. Jack wanted to say no, however, he could not help think that maybe taking an innocent girl like Rapunzel out would consider being a little fun right? Not to mention he was curious about this girl. He knew there was a lot about her he didn't even know. Like why was she stuck up in this tower anyway? Why was her hair so long? And if she wanted to see those lanterns, why didn't she go herself? And of course, why did he feel like he had seen her before?
Plus, Jack was amused by how hard this girl was being so tough. Just seeing her give him that glare brought a chuckle out of his throat. He had to admit, she was cute when she was trying to be tough. Rapunzel stared at him, "What's so funny?" she questioned warily.
"Nothing. It's just, for my first meeting with someone who can see me, I never had this much fun before," Jack replied while giving her one of his usual smirks. Rapunzel merely continued to give him her intimated look, "All right, don't look at me like that. I'll take you to see the lanterns." He finally said.
Rapunzel's glare vanished and her face was quickly replaced by a look of delight. She straightened up while shouting, "Really?" In doing so, she let go of the chair and Jack gave a cry of pain when his face met the hard floor, "Oops."
"Okay, that really hurt." Jack moaned and Rapunzel quickly helped him back up and started to untie him,
"I'm so sorry." She apologized once she got all of her hair off of him.
"Hey, it's fine," Jack sighed while rubbing his hair and he winced when he felt his fingers hit the bump that Rapunzel inflicted upon him, "Before I mastered flying, I was hitting buildings, the ground, and rocks for a while. Although your frying pan really hurt more than falling."
Rapunzel laughed nervously before she recalled something, "Wait, you said you were Jack Frost right?"
"Yeah, and that's one thing I needed to ask you. I really need my staff but you can keep the satchel hidden. I can even prove to you that I am Jack Frost if you will kindly give me back my staff." Jack said with a rare serious tone voice.
Rapunzel had to tilt her head back slightly to look up at him. He was at least a few inches taller than her. She sighed, "All right. But no tricks." She warned as she moved off to retrieve the staff.
"Awe, take away my fun, why don't you?" Jack teased with a playful smirk.
Rapunzel merely rolled her eyes before she took the staff out of the cabinet. Jack mentally snorted when he remembered about how she said she had hidden it in a place where he would never find it. Apparently to her the cabinet would be the last place he would look.
"Here." Rapunzel held out the staff and Jack gratefully took it back. The frost appeared on the staff and the winter youth let out a sigh of relief, "Wow, it didn't look like that before." The golden haired girl said when she saw the blue frost appear on the staff.
"Cool huh?" Jack questioned with a smile and when she nodded, he flew into the air, "That's not all it does. Check this out." He ignored her look of amazement before he twirled his staff and snow began to appear right inside the tower.
"Snow? You really are Jack Frost!" Rapunzel squealed like a little girl and Jack flew down to land in front of her.
"I told you." He said while he tapped her nose with his finger.
He had never seen anyone at Rapunzel's age or his act so innocent and childlike. He wondered how long this girl had been stuck in this tower, "Jack Frost nipping at my nose." Rapunzel giggled when Jack tapped her nose.
"There ya go," Jack then turned and flew to the window ledge, "So, aren't we going?" He asked as he pointed his staff to the outside.
"Oh right. Um, let me just get prepared." Rapunzel was now aware of why she was going with him. She was finally going to go outside.
Jack shrugged and flew outside. Rapunzel gathered up Pascal, and clutching her frying pan, she made her way to the window. Her heart was thumping widely inside her chest. Placing her long hair on the hook, she got prepared to go down. She glanced up and could see Jack waiting for her while he was hovering in the air. She gulped and began to sing:
Look at the world so close, and I'm halfway to it
Look at it all so big, do I even dare?
She glanced back at the painting she made of the floating lanterns and her tiny self watching them.
Look at me, there at last, I just have to do it
She started to turn back to go in,
Should I? No. Here I go
Finally, she flung her hair out and began to use it to go down. The thrill of falling freely toward the grass was a joy to her. She laughed like a little kid for she was never afraid of heights. Before she came within a few inches from the ground, she quickly clasped onto her hair to halt. She was now hovering just a few feet from the grass. Gulping, she finally put her bare foot down and could feel the cool blades of grass. Feeling more confident, Rapunzel put her other foot down and wiggled her toes. She began to laugh.
Just smell the grass! The dirt! Just like I dreamed they'd be!
Just feel that summer breeze, the way it's calling me
Rapunzel rushed after a butterfly before she felt something cool and wet against her feet. She glanced down and realized she was in the stream. She smiled before flinging the water into the air.
For like the first time ever, I'm completely free!
Noticing a bird, she turned and started to race after it. She then rushed through the tiny cave with Jack right behind her. He was enjoying her excitement.
I could go running, and racing, and dancing, and chasing
And leaping, and bounding, hair flying, heart pounding
And splashing, and reeling, and finally feeling
That's when my life begins!
Once she was done singing, she looked around the forest from beyond the clearing. She took this moment to realize that she was not dreaming and that she was outside. "I can't believe I did this," she whispered and turned to Jack, who came up to her, "Can't you see, Jack? I can't believe I did this!" she cried out while Jack laughed, "I can't believe I did this!" she repeated and started to laugh herself when a look of horror was on her face, "Mother would be so furious."
Jack watched with an amusement as Rapunzel was having a war with herself; her loyalty of her mother versus the desire to be free, "That's okay! I mean, what she doesn't know won't kill her, right?" Later she was in a cave while holding her knees and rocking back and forth, "Oh my gosh, this would kill her." She was then seen running through a field while kicking up some leaves, "This is so fun!" She cried and then of course she up in a tree with her head against the trunk, "I am a horrible daughter. I'm going back." But she was doing cartwheels and rolled down the hill in her hair, "I am never going back! Woo-hoo!" And then of course, her face was buried in some flowers, "I am a despicable human being." Now she was swinging around a tree using her hair, "Woo-hoo! Best. Day. Ever!"
Finally, Rapunzel broke down and started to cry while she sat down by some rocks. Jack frowned as he walked up to her. He honestly didn't know what to say but he was putting the pieces together during her two-split personality rampage, "Hey, you gonna be okay?" he finally asked as a touch of concern was shown in his eyes while he knelt down beside her.
"I…I don't know. I mean, I really wanted to see the lanterns but my mother will be very disappointed when she realizes that I disobeyed her." Rapunzel answered while her hands had her face covered.
"But she doesn't know that you are out here?" Jack questioned with a quirked eyebrow.
"No. She said she kept me in that tower for my own good and safety."
"Hey come on," Jack placed a hand on her shoulder. Rapunzel jumped a little but turned her head to look up at him. Jack was a little uncomfortable since he was not exactly great on comforting someone due to the fact that he never had the opportunity to do so in thirty years. He gulped before he finally spoke again, "These floating lanterns mean a lot to you. If so, don't you think, that if your mom cared about you, she would want you to be happy?"
Rapunzel sniffed while wiping her nose, "You think so?" she questioned and felt a little better.
"Yeah. I take it after what you said to me up in the tower about your hair and hearing how overprotective your mother is, you want to do something more," Jack shrugged and removed his hand before he stood up and laid his staff against his shoulder, "And I respect that because it's godda be lonely up in that tower."
"It is." Rapunzel sighed as she glanced at Pascal, who was watching Jack with wary eyes.
"Well, I think it's time I take you on adventures if you will let me. I mean, even after you see the lanterns, I can take you out." Jack offered and wondered why he was even doing this. Maybe because he felt sorry for her since he can relate to being lonely? Or the fact this girl was the first human to ever see and talk to him and she seemed rather familiar?
"But what about mother? She might say no." Rapunzel immediately said while she stood up and clutched her frying pan and Pascal scampered up to her shoulder.
"Oh come on. There's no harm in breaking a few rules. Rules are made to be broken." Jack quipped while he gave her his trademark smirk.
Rapunzel gave him a look, "I don't like breaking rules." She finally said and Jack rolled his eyes.
"Then how about I teach you not to be Little Miss Goody Two Shoes?" he joked and Rapunzel pointed her frying pan at him,
"Careful, Frost, because I am not afraid to use this." She warned while Jack tried hard not to laugh. This girl was really amusing him.
Before he can reply, the two heard a twig snap. Rapunzel gasped as she flung herself at Jack before he could even react, "Hey what are you…" he tried to say but nearly chocked when the girl wrapped her arm around his neck and her legs held onto his waist. Her other arm pointed the frying pan where the noise came from.
"Is it ruffians? Thugs? Have they come for me?" She asked frantically and Jack frowned.
If it was people, he wondered the look on their faces if they see a floating girl clinging to nothing. This image brought a smirk to his face. However, out of the bushes was just a little rabbit. Jack finally started to laugh, "Stay calm, Punz, it probably smells fear."
Rapunzel slowly got down and began to laugh with Jack. She had to admit, his laugh was pleasing to listen to. His voice was low toned and had a slight rasp to it, yet it was rather soothing. She then realized something, "Punz?" she questioned while giving Jack a look.
"Yeah, I figure I give you a nickname? Why? Don't like it?" Jack questioned with a smirk while he leaned against his staff.
"Uh no. I like it fine."
"Good. I'm still gonna call you that whenever you liked it or not."
Rapunzel gave him a pout and was about to lecture him when the two stopped upon hearing something else. Jack and Rapunzel turned and wondered what it was. It sounded like someone was singing. The winter spirit frowned before he glanced back at his golden hair companion, "Better stay close." He whispered before turning and holding up his staff, he made his way toward the bushes of where the singing was coming from.
Rapunzel held her frying pan and followed after him. Once Jack cleared the shrubs, he noticed a rather old woman was stirring away at a pot. She had white haired tied in a tight bun and was wearing a long brown robe. He gave her a look before turning to Rapunzel, "Just an old woman. Wonder what's she doing in the middle of the forest?"
"I don't know. How about we ask her?" Rapunzel asked and bounded over to the old woman.
"Punz wait!" Jack warned and rushed after her.
"Oh hello there, dearies." The woman greeted with a crooked smile as she watched Rapunzel and Jack come up to her.
"Hello. I'm Rapunzel and this is my friend Jack Frost." Rapunzel waved with a smile, but kept her frying pan close.
"Don't bother, Punz, the woman can't see me." Jack sighed and he knew after this, he was going to have to explain to the girl that she shouldn't be talking to him while they are at the kingdom.
"Oh yes I can, young man," Jack's eyes widen as the woman looked up at him, "I'm no ordinary old lady."
"Then what are you? A witch?" The winter youth was half joking and half serious. He had never come across a witch before but he had heard about them.
"A witch?" Rapunzel repeated and she had read about them in her books.
"Maybe," The witch suddenly stood up and examined the pair in front of her, "My, what a lovely couple you both are."
Jack for the first time felt his face go red at this mention. Rapunzel however was confused, "Couple?"
"Like the sun and the moon. Yes it must be true," The woman began to laugh and turned to Jack, "You, handsome young man, you desire something great don't you?"
Jack narrowed his eyes at her, "Desire? What are you talking about?" But he was cut off by the woman suddenly taking a hold of his face and making him kneel down to her height; she was really short.
"Oh yes, strong chin, blue eyes, and good teeth. If I was younger, I would probably take fine-looking lad like you." She finally let go of him and Jack immediately stood up straight while rubbing his chin. Rapunzel had to laugh during the scene but stopped short when the woman walked around her and picked up some of her long golden hair, "Beautiful hair dear. I know what it does."
"You do?" Rapunzel's green eyes widen in fear.
"Why yes. But don't worry, I won't tell a soul." The woman winked and she sat back down while stirring her pot, "Now then, I have something that can help you with your little adventure."
"Help us?" Jack echoed and held his staff at ready, "What do you mean help us?"
"You want to be seen and heard, don't you my dear boy?"
Jack was caught by surprise while Rapunzel could only watch, "Uh yeah. But how did you know that?"
"I know things. And I just have the potion to help you." The woman picked up a green bottle from within her robe and held it out to him.
"Wait, how do you know I can even trust you? You could be trying to poison me." Jack questioned as he pointed at the bottle while he eyed the old lady warily. Rapunzel too was concerned.
"Now why would I try to harm such a pretty boy like yourself? Besides, I only want to help those who need it." The woman gave Jack and Rapunzel a toothy grin.
Jack frowned before he leaned over and cautiously took the bottle from the woman, "Will it work?" He questioned glancing back at her.
"Yes. But the effect will only last for three days. And I must warn you, once you drink that, you will not be able to use your winter powers during the time." The woman warned and the winter youth stared at her in disbelief. Not use his powers?
He glanced back at Rapunzel, who merely shrugged. Pascal was perched on the girl's shoulder and he too was unsure of what to do. They then glanced back to the woman, "But how do…" Jack trailed off to see the woman was no longer there. Her brew in the pot had vanished too. It was like she never was sitting there.
"Whoa, how did she do that?" Rapunzel whispered as she leaned down and started to feel the grass.
"I don't know. But I'm still wondering if I should take this potion she gave me." Jack glanced down at the bottle in his free hand. Normally, Jack would do reckless things without thinking about his actions first. However, the thought of not being able to use his powers gave him a chill up his spine. On the other hand, the desire to be seen by people was starting to overpower that.
"Jack, since I dreamed of seeing the lanterns and your dream is to be seen by people; maybe you should give the potion a try. I think the woman was here to help you." Rapunzel said optimistically while giving the white haired boy a wide smile.
Jack had to laugh at the look on the girl's face before he shifted his gaze to the tiny bottle in his hand. He sighed and knew that maybe Rapunzel was right. He turned back to her and held out his staff, "Hold this will you? And if I do die, I want you to give me a proper burial."
Rapunzel laughed at his joke before she took the staff from him. She saw the blue frost disappear from the grooves and she was rather surprised. Before she can ask how it does that, she heard a pop and her gaze focused on Jack. She saw him gulp down the potion within a second. He lowered the bottle and his expression showed concentration.
"Jack? Are you okay?" Rapunzel questioned in concern. Despite only knowing him for less than a few hours, she knew she would be devastated if he does end up being dead.
"Wow that stuff was horrible," Jack gagged while rubbing his mouth, "I hope I never have to drink something like that again."
"But how do you feel?" Rapunzel questioned while Pascal even looked concerned for the winter youth.
"I don't know. I mean I don't feel any different. Maybe that stuff the woman gave me was a dud," Jack shrugged and Rapunzel handed him his staff. Just as he took it back, he noticed something odd, "Wait…"
"What?"
"My staff, look," Jack pointed to his staff and Rapunzel obeyed, "There's no frost coming from it."
"You're right. Does frost always appear on it whenever you have a hold of it?" Rapunzel questioned, her eyes full of wonder.
"Yeah. Maybe the potion worked. She did say I can't use my winter powers," Jack turned and tried to shoot some ice from his staff. However nothing came from it, "I guess it did work." He wasn't sure if he should feel excited or dreadful.
"Then come on! Let's see if anyone can see you!" Rapunzel grabbed Jack's free hand and began to pull him through the forest.
"Hey slow down, Punz!" Jack laughed before he ran alongside her.