An Icy Kind of Love

A Jelsa Fanfiction

Sorry for the sadness you guys, but it all links up to the main plot thing, and i didn't have anybody else to get rid of. Sorry again, but it'll hopefully get better, unless I decide to make it worse.

To the next chapter!

Chapter 3

Jack trailed behind me far enough that it would be proper, and I took him to my mother who had near pulled out all her hair. (Not really) I waited a moment to compose myself, straightening my dress and lightly dabbing my eyes for any escaped tears, then spoke. "Mother."

Mother spun around and looked at me. "Have you found her then?" Her eyes were lined with red and her dress was also wrinkled. There was a low punch to my gut, and I swallowed down another lump that had formed in my throat.

"Anna is dead, mother." I said. "We- I mean I, found her floating in a pond. She had been drowned."

At first, mother seemed to think I was playing a practical joke on her. She must have thought I knew where Anna was and the two of us were just trying to scare her. She should have known me better than that.

But after a little while, my mother noticed I was serious and seemed to collapse and crumble before my every eyes. She covered her eyes with her hands, and the sobs that came out of her still haunt me to this day.

I put a hand on her back, knowing that all she need right now was some comfort, just as Jack had done for me. I didn't dare point out that people were staring, and that it was unladylike to cry in public. Both sentences would be harsh and cruel, and I didn't want to do that to her.

I suppose when one is married to another, you get these instincts when your other half is troubled, because right then my father came up to me. I told him what happened and immediately his aura changed from being strong to being weak.

The next few hours were a horror. The men dragged Anna's body out of the water and into a hearse that my father called for (I don't know, don't hate on me if I'm wrong, I don't know much about this stuff) and the rest of us were left waiting for instructions. Jack had disappeared again, which worried me a little, but it did not compare to the numbing sadness and fear that threatened to take over me because of the death of my sister.

When everything was finally sorted out, Lord and Lady Black sent us all home with the promise of a better party sometime this month. Lord and Lady Black did offer their condolences before we left, but I knew once again it was just an act. Everything was with us. How I wished it were not so.

When we made it back to our three story estate made out of gray stone, I head straight up to my room and locked the door. I wouldn't see anyone, not even Constance, my maid, who had come to see if I needed help getting undressed or if I needed any food or drink.

I sent everyone away, preferring to wallow in my own misery than to speak to anyone. There was one person I wanted to speak with; Jack. He kept me firm, grounded. I needed that more than ever now.

When the clock struck ten, I decided I would go to bed and I proceeded in getting myself undressed. I slipped off my gloves first, but paused when a small piece of paper fluttered to the ground. I picked it up and read the words written there.

Elsa-

Should you need anything, you can always find me at the bottom of the North Mountain. I have a shop there where I sell my paintings. And I'm certain you've tired of hearing this, but I really am sorry about your sister. I wish you happiness in the days to come, and remember to keep your chin up.

Yours truly, Jackson Overland Frost

I smiled through the tears pooling in my eyes. He was such a good friend, as I'd come to call him, better than I deserved.

I let my hair down, slipped out of my dress and into a nightgown, and tucked myself into the down comforter. Almost instantly, sleep overtook me, but not fast enough that I went to sleep before realizing that I would go see him tomorrow.

(Time lapse)

The morning bells awoke me, chiming 11 o'clock - my, I had slept late - , and when they did, everything from the previous night came rushing back to me. I was hit by a sensation of raw sadness, but shook it away as I got out of bed and went to pick out a cream colored dress with a light blue corset.

I pulled my hair into a bun similar to my mother's from last night, and slipped on my comfiest pair of boots. Then I grabbed my light blue bonnet off the top of my bureau along with my gloves and tromped down the stairs.

In the dining room, I told mother and father that I would be going over to my cousin Rapunzel's house, and that I would be back around twelve o'clock to luncheon with Lord, Lady and Mr. Black. I was dreading that, but there was no going around it. Better to enjoy my freedom while it lasted.

I walked down the cobblestone street, slowly increasing my pace. I nodded hello to some of the good folk that I know, and made my way down the path that lead to the North Mountain.

Part of me was somehow nervous. I didn't have the slightest idea why, and I puzzled that as I walked past the church. The other part of me was excited to see him, which also baffled me. Jack was just a friend. Right?

After passing the church, I crossed a bridge, and walked down a dirt path leading to the bottom of the mountain. The trail went up further, waiting for the more adventurous who dared follow it. I strayed off, and looked around for Jack's shop.

I eventually spotted a cozy little cottage, which I also suspected was his home as well as his shop. I quickly walked up the steps leading to the door and grasped the little iron knocker. I knocked it against the door three times, then stepped back.

The door opened but a moment later, and out emerged a little girl, around 9. "Can we help you?" She asked. I decided that she probably helped Jack at the shop. Perhaps she was his sister or niece. When I supposed she could be his daughter, a pang of jealousy shot through me.

"Yes, I'm looking for a Mr. Frost. Is he available?" I twisted the finger of the left glove.

The little girl turned, and shouted into the house. "JACKIE! THERE'S A LADY OUT HERE WHO NEEDS TO SPEAK WITH YOU!"

I nearly burst out laughing at the girl's words, and thought immediately that she was lucky not having to be as polite as I all the time. Almost every waking moment of the day I wished I could just let it all go.

There was a few bangs, and then the sound of feet hitting wood floor. In a minute or two, Jack was standing in the doorway next to the girl. "Run along Emily, and go play with Rufus. He needs his walk."

Emily giggled and ran off to find what I supposed was a dog. Jack grinned at me. "That's my sister, Emily. Bit of a wild one, she is." He explained.

Jack had changed from last night. He was wearing a white dress shirt, but this one had paint stains all over it was untucked. The collar was unbuttoned as well. His brown pants were paint stained as well, and he wasn't wearing shoes. He looked comfortable and disheveled and... beautiful.

I snapped out of my stupor and smiled. "I completely understand. I remember Anna..." I trailed off, my grin replaced with a frown.

Jack looked at me, sympathy in his eyes. "It's alright. I understand. It's tough for a while, but then it gets better."

I dabbed my eyes. "How do you know?"

Jack took a deep breath. "My parents died a few years ago. I took Emily in here, at the shop. Now she's my little assistant."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know." There was a moment of silent between us, giving me a chance to soak up all the information he had given me.

Jack cleared his throat. "Would you like to come inside?"

I nodded and followed him into the warm cottage. In the hallway there was one lonely family portrait, and I examined it. Jack was the spitting image of his mother, with the same snow white and messy hair, and clear blue eyes. Emily was more like his father with brown hair and brown eyes.

I continued to follow Jack, and I got a glimpse of a kitchen from the hallway, and a little girl's room. He led me into a small sitting room, and gestured me to sit down. I did as bid to, and Jack at down across from me.

"It's not much," He said after a moment. "But it's all we've got. My bedroom and studio where I paint and store the finished ones are round back."

Against rule, I put a gloved hand on his bare one. "It's lovely." He gave me a soft smile, and I returned it.

"Can I see your paintings?" I asked, and he nodded. Jack stood up and took me through a door near the back of the sitting room, and passed a closed door, which I suspected to be his bedroom.

He opened the last door, and let me inside. I gasped at his work. Jack had managed to put life on paper. It felt like I was right in that forest, next to that deer. It felt like if I just stepped forward a bit I would call off that cliff. That's what made my heart ache so much as it wide when I saw the portrait of my sister.

"You," I gulped. "You've finished it already?" My hands were shaking, and I tried my hardest to steady them with no avail.

"I stayed up past the crack of dawn painting it. I didn't want to disappoint you."

"It's, it's extraordinary. Absolutely marvelous Jack, thank you." I pulled out a half crown. "Will this do for payment?"

Jack held up a hand. "Free of charge. As a favor from a friend."

"Really, I must insist that I-"

"It's alright, Elsa. Keep your money."

I nodded "Alright then."

We stood there in silence for a moment, and my hearing picked up on the bells. They were chiming twelve.

"I'm terribly sorry to cut this short once again, but I have an appointment scheduled for now, and mother will have my head if I show up late."

Jack looked reluctant to see me go. "When will I see you again?"

"Meet me at my balcony tonight at eleven. I'll be there."

Jack nodded, and took my hand. He pulled my glove off and pressed a light kiss into the skin of my hand. "Until then, Miss Winters."

That kiss sent the good chills up my arm, and I shuddered with pleasure. "Have a pleasant afternoon, Mr. Frost."

I walked down the hallway, and was about to leave when I quickly pulled out the coin and placed it with Jack's shoes.

It was then that I left the warm, welcoming house and headed out into the cold, strange streets of Arendelle, unbeknownst to the troubles that would soon befall me.

Dun dun dun! Sorry for leaving it like that, but my eyes can't stay open any longer. Goodnight all, even if it isn't night for you and I'll see you in the next chapter.