Child of Winter Solstice

by windstruck07

It was Snow Day in Arendelle. Elsa meant it as a joke to make a snow child, just to humor Anna. They were talking about the legend of the Child of Winter, then Jack Frost comes and joins in on the fun. Alas... the child came to life, calling Elsa her Mama... and an invisible Guardian of Fun her Papa. (JxE) Coverart by Story Hunter

10. Chapter 9: Who's the Father? (Part V)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything... Wait, slash that. I own everything. :) Go ahead and spread that rumor... If you even dare...

Chapter 9: Who's the Father? (Part Five)

Kristoff still felt weird wearing rich people's clothes, but he also felt proud wearing them.

That was because for the first time in forever, he had finally started a business that was an upgrade from selling giant blocks of ice cubes all over the kingdom. The perks of being Arendelle's official ice master and deliverer allowed him to start up a delivery business that included items more than ice. In a few months time, he managed to start up a franchise of Arendelle's top sleds... Who would have guessed?

And with the help and advice from his adoptive family of trolls, he had managed to start up a small snow cone and ice cream parlor in the heart of the city. Since Arendelle was gradually, if not completely accepting of the technology introduced by the west, he had to adjust with the inevitable possibility that fridges might put his ice business either to death, or a longer and more prosperous lifespan. He felt smug as he set his mind on the latter, and he definitely considered it an upgrade.

So everything that was expensive about him, from his ironed suit, to his leather boots, to Sven's imported reindeer shoes, and to his remodeled sled, that was a gift from the queen, was the result of all the blood, sweat, and tears from working his butt off for that ice business he so loved.

Yes. Kristoff was close to being filthy stinking rich.

He felt that he was gradually becoming more worthy of Anna's love and affection.

But, to discreetly show off his pride around the castle full of rich people wasn't the reason why he came. He had heard from his lovely girlfriend that today was some duchess' birthday... and of course, he had to be Anna's escort. Besides that, the girl mentioned something about introducing some Jack-person to him, and she had been very visibly excited about it too. He snorted. It's not that he was jealous or anything, but the way Anna told him about this Jack being all "good-looking" and "magical" and having teeth that sparkled like "freshly fallen snow" kind of struck a nerve in the ex-mountain man. The only comfort he had was when Anna mentioned him being the snow-child's "Papa".

Knowing about Snowflake wasn't much of a shocker, really. When you grew up in a dark valley raised by a clan of magical troll rocks, some things in life are just not that much of a surprise anymore. And the kid was pretty cute. He found the girl to be such an adorable little tyke. He was totally cool with Anna talking about the kid half of the time they'd spent the previous day together.

He could not say the same when the topic was about this Jack person though. In fact, he found himself wondering how the girl who only existed for a couple of hours could claim to have a 'Papa'.

"Flynn?"

Kristoff realized he had wandered into an empty guest room while deep in thought. And there, he found Eugene Fitzherbert, also known as Flynn Rider, the ex-thief, who was definitely not a person he had expected to see. The brunette man was caught in the act of putting whoopie cushions beneath the couches with a shocked expression as sweat trickled down the side of his face. Kristoff found himself agape and... merrily surprised.

"Wait... Kristoff? Is that you, blondie?" Flynn's brows were raised, a smirk sketched across his face. He stood from his place and rushed to the bulky man, greeting him with an affectionate, brotherly hug. Both men laughed as they slapped each other's shoulders playfully, some tears held back at the corner of their eyes.

"Wow!" Eugene exclaimed. "Look at you... You're like, all grown up! I mean... the last time I saw you, you were like, only four or five years old or something! How did you even know it was me?"

Kristoff laughed. "A guy like you's pretty hard to forget! You were like the big bro of the orphanage, man!" Kristoff followed the man inside the room and sat on an unbooby-trapped couch.

The two men talked about each other's lives after years of not seeing each other. Unknown to everyone, Eugene and Kristoff once belonged to the same orphanage in a coastal village near Corona. They, along with a couple of other kids, conspired to run away from the place for their own reasons. Flynn's was to become the person he always wanted to be, and Kristoff's was to search for a father whom he heard was a citizen of Arendelle but was never found.

They weren't that close, actually, but Kristoff remembered the man well enough to get the courage he needed to press on. During those times, Flynn had been well-known for his charismatic and rebellious nature, and all the younger kids looked up to the brunette lad. And of course, Eugene, in spite of himself, was very affectionate towards the younger kids in his youth. It was only until after the kid met Sven on a cargo boat to Norway that days in the orphanage were but a mere smudge in Kristoff's memories.

"Now look at you! You pulled off the Flynnigan Rider kind of life you always dreamed of!" Kristoff's eyes narrowed. "How the heck did you manage to pull this off, you devious stinker?"

Eugene barked a laugh. "Oh no, little man. I'm pretty much a changed guy. It's a long story, actually. Kind of a near-death experience turned lovey-dovey and all. I'm already married, in fact!"

"Naw..." Kristoff breathed in disbelief. "Don't tell me you used the smoulder on the poor girl!"

"She's actually the first to resist the smoulder, little man!" Eugene grinned as he eyed Kristoff from top to bottom. "Or... I guess I should really stop calling you little man now. You're even more of a beefcake than little old me! Hah!"

"Wow... So the great Flynn Rider has finally found the love of his life," Kristoff smiled in return. "Congratulations!"

"Aw Kris, nobody calls me Flynn anymore. The name's already technically dead," Eugene said as he leaned back against his chair. "My real name is actually Eugene Fitzherbert. Never got the chance to tell you after we ran away from that sleezeball orphanage. Sorry."

Kristoff almost choked on his saliva. "YOU'RE PRINCESS RAPUNZEL'S HUSBAND?"

Eugene smirked. "The one and only."

"You lucky son of a gun," Kristoff grinned.

Both men's attentions were caught by the Queen of Arendelle, dressed in her iconic teal dress (minus the trail), and her hair in her coronation braid. Behind her stood the charismatic Duke of Strabald: Lord Walter Raleigh Falconer, and his two escorts, all bowing greetings to the two men inside the room.

"Oh, greetings, gentlemen." the duke smiled at them.

Kristoff's heart rate spiked a bit at the presence of two high political figures. He bowed, trying to fight the tremble in his voice as he uttered his own greetings.

"Your majesties," Kristoff said. "It's nice to... Uhm... Meet you."

"We are honored that you have graced us with your presence," Eugene smiled. Unlike Kristoff, he seemed a bit more confident with himself. "My lord," He nodded to the duke and then, to Elsa, with a slight narrowing of his eyes. "My queen."

"As you were... my prince," Elsa replied, her own eyes glaring at the Coronan prince.

"Ah... It is an honor to meet the husband of the Princess of Corona," the duke smiled, then turned to Kristoff. "And of course, this young man whom I do not yet know. May I ask of his name?"

"K-Kristoff, sir!" Kristoff stuttered, a blush dusting his cheeks. "Arendelle's official ice master and deliverer."

The duke surprised him with a light chuckle. "I see. What an interesting fellow you are. I see you and the prince of Corona are old acquaintances?"

Elsa's brows were raised at this as she looked quizzically at her sister's boyfriend. Kristoff answered her with an uneasy smile, knowing full well from Anna that the queen was not in good terms with the Coronan prince. Elsa sighed, quickly wearing a smile she wore whenever around a roomful of dignitaries. Kristoff reminded himself that, as Anna had put it, this was the queen's 'I can't believe this is happening' poker face. He almost felt sorry for the queen, sensing her quiet distress.

"Yes, we came from the same orphanage once." Eugene answered for him. "It's been a fairly long time. But I don't forget a handsome face like this one."

Kristoff turned red at Eugene's joking compliment. The duke laughed, clearly amused with the brunette man's antics. He saw Elsa roll her eyes behind the duke, clearing her throat as if to draw their attention.

"Kristoff, have you seen my sister? And Snowflake too? Where could they be?"

Kristoff raised his brows and shook his head politely. "Uhm, I haven't seen the both of them... your highness."

Eugene froze when he heard Elsa's inquiry of Anna's and Snowflake's whereabouts. Of course, the queen's observant eyes took notice of this, turning her full attention towards the man and leaving the duke in confused amusement at the scene before him.

"You met with Anna at the port, right?" Elsa asked him with a fake smile. "Where did you think she'd run off to with the lovely missus?"

Eugene stepped back, feeling the literally cold and deadly aura emanating through the woman's stare. She knew just as well as Eugene that Anna and Rapunzel together often resulted to inevitable disasters. That was why oftentimes, Eugene was a-okay with letting the girls bond- because he knew full well that it would be the death of Elsa. The two had been responsible for Elsa's suitors who miraculously appear at her doorstep without her knowing. Those blind dates Elsa reluctantly took was the fruit of those two hopeless romantics' combined efforts to get her a love life.

But today was a different issue altogether. Because the fact that Anna was alone with a pregnant Rapunzel meant Elsa was in her protective sister/cousin mode. And he would answer to the queen's wrath. He shuddered.

"They're bonding somewhere in the guest rooms," Eugene lied... quite impressively, in fact. "Told me something about 'girl talk' and all. They practically kicked me out of the room."

"Figures," the duke said. "That's one thing I believe I will never understand in a woman's need for privacy."

Eugene smiled sheepishly, eyeing Kristoff with a knowing look, whispering through his lips as he gestured towards the queen in secret. "Well, girls are at times such complicated forces of nature."

"I heard that," Elsa muttered through her fake smile.

"Well now, I was hoping I could meet with this child called Snowflake," the duke said, interrupting them. "The queen told me interesting things about her, and I wanted to see for myself."

"Oh, you mean the queen's snow kid?" Eugene asked him. But as soon as the question left his lips, he had quickly regretted it.

Because Elsa had apparently turned pale.

"Snow kid?" the duke asked with a raised brow.

"Uhm you see... Snowflake is..." she murmured.

"She's just like Olaf," Kristoff interjected.

"You mean the talking snowman?" the duke inquired. He turned to his escorts who just shrugged politely. "I thought you said she was a relative of yours. Not a snow being..."

"She is." Elsa said. "She's uh... she's uhm..."

"Mama!"

All heads turned to the door where a child with silvery locks and blue eyes wearing a silver dress stood alongside a talking Snowman. She ran inside towards Elsa, wrapping her arms around the queen's legs as she smiled cheekily at the shocked queen. The duke was clearly taken aback, watching as a light dusting of snow floated around the pair at their awkward greeting.

"The child is... your daughter?" the duke asked her, a mix of... of shock, and horror, and awe at the sight of the snow child.

"Let me explain..."

"Hi! I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs!" Olaf cheered as he skipped inside.

"A Snowman named Olaf?" Eugene questioned.

Snowflake turned to the duke, walking toward him slowly as she eyed her with curiosity. She grinned up at him then bowed a curtsey, rendering the queen's visitors speechless.

"It's nice to meet Mama's guests," she greeted with a bow and small giggle.

The duke opened and closed his mouth, looking incredulous as he shifted his gaze from the girl to the queen. The resemblance was remarkable and it left him with questions that were aching to be answered...

Starting with the queen's chastity.

He eyed his escorts with an intimidating look. A clear sign understood by the servants of Strabald that should word of this spread, he would not hesitate to punish. His escorts agreed with a nod as they stood there quietly, watching the duke put on that dominating aura that rendered those who tried to cross him intimidated. Elsa seemed to shrink at the duke's stare that demanded an explanation. Quietly she gestured to the chairs, inviting all men in the room to sit with her and talk it out. They complied, settling themselves as Elsa placed Snowflake gingerly beside her on a sofa.

And then there were farting sounds.

All heads turned to Kristoff who looked pale, staring at the man whom he knew to be Flynn Rider, expertly suppressing a laugh.

"Whoopie!" Snowflake and Olaf cheered.

The duke blinked. Elsa blinked. Even the two escorts blinked.

Kristoff was red all over.

"So are we all going to the party now?" Olaf asked. Everyone snapped their heads at the snowman. Kristoff sighed in relief, deciding to thank the snowman later for breaking the awkward ice inside the room.

"Uhm... you go on ahead Olaf," Elsa told him. "We'll catch up."

Olaf stared at them for a moment then shrugged. Soon he happily skipped out of the room waving goodbye. And as soon as he left, the duke's escorts closed the doors.

The room was silent except for Snowflake's happy humming. Easing at the sound of her daughter's voice, she took a deep breath and began her explanation.

"As you all are aware of, I have been blessed with a power over the elements of winter," she began. "This little girl is one of the fruits and mysteries of my gift that I have yet to understand. I know that it's hard to believe... but Snowflake is a child conceived through the powers of ice and snow."

"It's just like the legend of the snow maiden, your lordship sir," Kristoff added nervously. "My queen and her sister had been telling stories to the young princesses yesterday, and they made a snowgirl with Elsa's powers just for fun. They didn't expect her to come to life... well, as a human, that is."

The duke shook his head slowly as he massaged his temples with his left hand. "As crazy as your explanation is, I am inclined to believe you Queen Elsa, since my wife speaks no ill will of you or your morality..." the duke paused and closed his eyes for a moment, the evidence of age crinkling at the corner of his eyes. "But how do you expect me to fully grasp this? It's almost as if you've equated your powers with that of God. Snowmen and ice castles are more believable if you asked me... Even the eternal winter seemed easier to accept... But to have created a human out of snow? No one will believe you."

Snowflake looked at Elsa with a worried face. "Mama... I don't understand what he's saying."

Elsa smiled at her reassuringly and turned to the duke. "My lord, I am not placing myself equal with God. However, I do speak the truth of the matter. I'm trying all I can to figure out how this happened... but I assure you that no affair with a man was made that I've suddenly become this child's parent."

Kristoff and Eugene eyed the exchange awkwardly. Eugene opened his mouth to speak, but decided not to. Both men decided to just sit still and watch.

The duke smiled apologetically. "That is what I am concerned about, Elsa. You are in no need of convincing me... But I'm only saying this because you are like a daughter to me. In a world filled with skeptics, no one will believe your explanation. Though there might be few that would believe... but those who are not for the union will see this as a scandal and a question to your dignity. What will become of Arendelle? And what will become of you?"

Eugene coughed and intervened. "With all due respect, Lord Falconer, I believe we can make terms work for us if we tried hard enough. My wife and I would gladly act as witnesses in Elsa's favor."

Elsa looked at Eugene with evident surprise. She tried to hide it, but Eugene knew the queen had been touched by his help... despite not being on good terms with each other.

"Still..." the duke pressed on. "Some others will demand another explanation... Such as the identity of the father."

"But I do have a Papa." Snowflake murmured.

All of them froze. Eugene most of all. He was the only one in the room who knew about Jack Frost's reality. Certainly she wouldn't...

"His name is Jack Frost." she grinned.

Eugene mentally slapped his head. The duke raised his brows at Elsa.

"Snegurochka?" the duke asked, not looking at the child. Elsa observed that the duke was being strangely cold towards her daughter... an observation that somewhat set her close to the edge. "Jack Frost's daughter? Really?"

Snowflake nodded.

Elsa tried to hold back the frost that was crawling all over her palms. "What would you have me do then, Lord Falconer? Have you no faith that I as queen can take these matters into my own hands?"

"It's not that, Elsa..." the duke said, using a gentler voice that reminded her of her father. "I am just worried about the people's reactions. I saw the other guests today and they seemed unsettled whenever you speak of the child's name. And should the child claim of the existence of a father... well... I can only imagine the trouble that would cause."

"They will get used to it," Elsa stated firmly. "They've dealt with the same discomfort when I first revealed my powers to them. That shouldn't really be a problem now, should it?"

The duke sighed. "No... it's not that. It's your chances of getting a husband that I'm worried about."

"I am perfectly capable of running the kingdom on my own." she spat, not meaning to be rude. But she just couldn't help it.

She pretended not to be irked by the idea of marriage... but it was an essential part of running the monarchy, especially with producing heirs. She could not surrender the job to Anna, knowing how stressful the duties of a queen could be. She understood why the duke had been so concerned. She knew the duke wanted her to get married, perhaps, preferably to his younger brother. If it were someone else, she would have guessed that the duke was scheming to squeeze his family in in the monarchy. But she knew better. Their allies from Strabald genuinely cared for the Arendelle family. Especially Lord and Lady Falconer.

Elsa closed her eyes, realizing that the reason she seemed so fond of the duke was because he reminded her of her Papa. And at the same time she shuddered, because the realization brought an all too familiar feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"I suggest you keep your relation with the child a secret," the duke said suddenly.

Elsa froze. She had never felt so horrified... Not since she froze Anna's heart.

She stared straight at the duke's fatherly gaze. No matter how caring his words seemed, the advice he gave brought nothing to her but the sour feeling of dread.

He was asking her to conceal it.

He was asking her to hide her.

Snowflake began to squirm uncomfortably in her seat. She didn't understand what was going on, but it sure sounded like what they were talking about wasn't very nice. The room turned several degrees colder as Elsa stared the duke down while Snowflake twiddled her thumbs nervously. Eugene looked at the child worriedly, grabbing the duke and the queen's attentions with a light clearing of his throat.

"Uh, your majesties... I believe we shouldn't be discussing this in the kid's presence." Eugene said, cocking his head to Snowflake.

To his surprise, Elsa agreed with him. "Prince Eugene is right, my lord. Is it alright that I may excuse my daughter from this discussion?"

The duke looked at her worriedly. "Alright."

"Mama... are you asking me to go away?" Snowflake asked sadly.

Elsa smiled at her apologetically. All morning she could not even spend a few minutes with her because of the party and yet now she was to send her away. She felt guilt build up inside her, silently berating herself for failing as a mother on her first day as one. But what was to be expected of her? Everything that was happening seemed to be on full throttle that she was having a hard time catching up. She didn't know the first thing about being a mother... however, she knew everything there was to know about protecting the ones she loved.

She would defend her child's existence. Not only to the duke, but to everyone else. If the duchess had not been in low spirits, she was certain Lady Helena would vie for her side.

"I'm sorry, sweetie?" she apologized. "The grown-ups have some things to discuss. Just for a few minutes?"

Snowflake rewarded her with an understanding smile. "Just for a few minutes."

"Kristoff?" Elsa turned to the ice man, a silent plea for him to accompany the girl for a while. Kristoff gladly accepted, since he was beginning to feel the awkwardness inside that room, and the duke could be incredibly intimidating when he wanted to be. Despite Elsa and Eugene's relationship, both of them proved to be a great team of stubbornness during important situations, like that one time when Anna had taken it too far with raiding Corona's pantries for chocolates last Spring and it took the two of them to convince the castle baker to forgive the spirited girl.

Yup. They could convince the duke to take their side. That Snowflake didn't deserve to be hid.

Snowflake jumped down from her seat, hurrying towards the door when she stopped. Elsa raised her brows when she turned back, curious as to why the girl suddenly went to Eugene's side and pulled him down by his sleeve. Had the two already met earlier?

Snowflake stood on her toes, whispering something indistinct by the ex-thief's ear.

"Mission accomplished, Uncle Euge!"

And then she ran off, pulling Kristoff by the arm as she lead him to somewhere else in the castle.

For a moment, Elsa forgot to worry about explaining herself to the duke when she saw Eugene's devious smile. She narrowed her eyes at him before turning her attention back to the duke.

A smirking Eugene was never a good sign.

...

Jack found himself in the late King and Queen of Arendelle's chambers, along with the two princesses who kidnapped him. The reason why he was there? Well, all the King's suits from birth to death were there so... he was having a fitting.

"I thought the plan was to get Elsa to see me... not dress up like a nutcracker!" Jack complained as he struggled to keep his hoodie on despite all of Rapunzel's pulling. He was also half shocked that a princess was forward enough to yank a stranger's clothes off just like that. "WOULD YOU STOP THAT?!"

Anna tapped Rapunzel on the shoulder. It was the mood swings that did it, Anna decided, because Rapunzel's actions shocked her herself. Rapunzel obeyed, letting go of her grip on Jack's hood and sending him toppling towards the bed.

"It's a duchess' birthday party, Jack," Anna scolded him. "You're supposed to get dressed!"

"It isn't proper for you to be going around the castle wearing..." Rapunzel eyed him from top to bottom. "That."

"Invisible, remember?" Jack rolled his eyes.

"Yeah but we want you to look decent when Elsa sees you!" Anna scolded him. "Now stop complaining."

"It's not like I'm gonna be hanging around the ballroom all day!" Jack said. But then he paused. Why were the princesses suddenly silent?

Oh.

"You gotta be kidding me," Jack murmured. The girls planned to keep him around all day.

"Get dressed," Anna ordered as she flung a grey, royal military suit at his face. In a few strides, she and Rapunzel were out of the room, leaving Jack inside, sitting across a bed covered in white, ghostly sheets, with the suit in his hands.

He grit his teeth. He was supposed to be at the North Pole that minute.

Why had things suddenly gone so wrong?

Toctoctoc...Toctoctoc...

Jack whipped his head toward the windows. His eyes sparkled at the sight of Baby Tooth, whom he had never felt so happy to see in all his life. He ran to the window and opened it to let her in. Because of the chill of the winter air, the fairy shot inside the room like a bullet, in hopes of the promise of warmth.

Baby Tooth began tweeting happily at the sight of a Jack who seemed a-okay.

"Baby Tooth! Boy am I glad to see you..." Jack grinned as he let the little fairy cuddle his chest.

The fairy began tweeting and tweeting and tweeting angrily, and Jack guessed that this was a fairy's version of a rant.

"Don't worry, they haven't hurt me that badly," he reassured. "Where's Snowflake by the way?"

The fairy answered her with more tweets and gestures.

"She's with her mother now?" Jack asked. Baby Tooth nodded. "That's good."

Baby Tooth began tweeting angrily again. Jack laughed.

"I know, I know. North will understand why we're late." and then an idea struck him.

Jack held Baby Tooth in a firm but gentle grip as he held her close. He peeked at the door to check if the two princesses were around. After confirming that they weren't, he began whispering to Baby Tooth.

"I need you to do something for me... so that we can get out of here as soon as we can."

Baby Tooth answered him with a salute.

"I need you to go back to that kitchen and find my staff." he instructed quietly. "I have a gut feeling that they haven't moved it out of that room. Can you do that?"

The fairy answered him with a determined tweet.

"Good," he smiled. "Well then, be careful."

Baby Tooth then shot through the closed window. Wait... she could pass through walls? Then why did she have to knock?

Jack shook his head and grinned to himself. Slowly, he removed his hoodie and stared at the full body mirror beside the grandfather clock in that dark, dusty room. He stared at his half naked self, watching with awe at the ghostly reflection that stared back at him. Jack rarely looked at himself in the mirror, so every time he saw himself, seventeen and unchanging, glowing like an ethereal ghost, it never ceased to unsettle him. He sighed.

He continued removing his other articles of clothing and reluctantly slid his legs into Anna's father's grey slacks. It fit him well, since the clothes were fitted to the King in his days as a youth. They just barely met his ankles, but it was manageable. He was forced to wear knee length boots anyway so, no harm done, he guessed.

He then wore the top half, fastening the buttons and putting on the royal blue sash across his frame. He pinned meaningless gold badges onto the front and smoothed the fabric of its sleeves. As he did so, frost began to dust the hems of his suit, making his attire look closer to silver than grey. He stared at his reflection again, observing himself. He grinned, finding that the princely look suited him quite well.

"Not half bad, Jack Frost," he grinned to himself.

"Not half bad at all."

Jack flinched at the sight of Anna and Rapunzel who were suddenly at the door. He let out a breath and tried to hide his embarrassment from being caught talking to his reflection like an imbecile. The girls giggled, circling him like two vultures as they scrutinized his overall look. The face Anna made told Jack that she was fairly impressed.

"You look good in that outfit Jack," Anna grinned. "I think you should wear that all the time."

Jack rolled his eyes and smiled playfully at her. "Not a chance."

"Ooh! This plan's getting me all excited!" Rapunzel said enthusiastically. "I can't wait to see the look on Elsa's face when she sees you!"

Jack raised his brows. "And how exactly are we going to do that?"

Rapunzel blinked. "Do what?"

"Make her see me?" Jack asked. "Don't you guys have a plan?"

Silence.

Jack groaned. "You girls haven't thought that far ahead have you?"

Anna puffed her cheeks and looked away in frustration. "I DO have a plan, mister! It's just struggling to get out of my head, that's all."

For the umpteenth time that day, Jack groaned.

"Oh Manny help me," he muttered.

Anna began pacing around the room as Jack and Rapunzel sat gloomily across the bed. Both of them sighed alternately as they watched Anna pause, grin, then go back into thinking mode for about thirty minutes already. Jack was still betting on Baby Tooth finding his staff so that he could get out of there pronto, but he was beginning to get anxious at how it was taking too long.

As for Rapunzel... well, she was beginning to crave for some hazelnut soup.

"Ooh! I know!" Anna yelled finally, turning towards the both of them with the brightest expression she could muster. "We're gonna get Jack to use his powers for Elsa to believe in him!"

Rapunzel brightened up at the sound of a plan. Because as soon as there was a plan, there was going to be some food... wait, that was the wrong logic.

"I can't do that without my staff though." Jack told her with a wry grin. But Anna continued smirking as she pointed a finger at his nose.

"Yeah you could!" she said. "But it's only limited. You said so yourself!"

Jack groaned. Him and his big mouth.

"How?" he asked with a depressed sigh.

Anna grinned. "What was your name again?"

Jack rolled his eyes. "Jack Frost..." Then his mouth formed into an 'o'. "Okay, I see where you're getting at."

Anna went on. "When Elsa sees frost that doesn't come from her powers, she's gonna have to be curious about that, right? And then we can have Jack write something on the frost like... 'I am Jack Frost, Snowflake's Papa' or something. Simple right?"

"There's one problem though," Rapunzel intervened as she cupped her chin with her thumb and index finger. "The whole castle is winter-themed. We can't be sure if Elsa would notice instantly. And let's not forget that Snowflake has the same powers. She could assume that it was Snow who did it, right?"

"Not unless we get the two alone together... Somewhere without much people or decor, and where Jack can properly do his magic!" Anna grinned deviously.

"Where?" Jack asked her.

"The balcony," Anna replied, her eyes all dreamy. "It would totally be just you and her."

Jack paused a moment, contemplating about the plan until an idea struck him. It was better and pretty much full proof in a way. It was something he felt sure that only he could do.

"Or I could do this," he said. He stood and walked towards the window pane, sliding his hand across the glass and forming flower-patterned frost where his fingers touched. Anna and Rapunzel marveled at the sight, finding the frost he made somewhat prettier and more elegant than Elsa's.

Jack grinned, satisfied with their expressions. "Watch."

He drew a butterfly on the window using his index finger. Anna raised her brows in question at first, until Jack seemed to sort of... pull out the image from the glass. Suddenly the frost drawing came to life, turning into an ice butterfly that hovered over his palm, sparkling in the light as it fluttered its wings made of frost.

"Oh my... Jack, it's beautiful," Rapunzel breathed in awe.

Jack let the butterfly perch on his finger, bringing the thing close to his lips as he blew frost over the creature. The action caused the ice butterfly to multiply in number, as dozens and dozens of butterflies began flying all around the room in a parade of blue and white lights. They circled around the princesses, coating them in an enchanting flurry of snow, dancing as the ice settled upon their skirts, shimmering at every movement of the pleats.

The butterflies swarmed, swirling into a vortex of blue lights at the ceiling, compressing into a ball of snow then exploding into a shower of soft blue flakes falling to the floor...

Anna appeared like she was about to cry.

"Let's go with your plan..." she sniffed in wonder and amazement. "Yours is a better plan."

...

The Duchess awoke, feeling slightly woozy as she sat up albeit too abruptly. She tried to recall the events that transpired before, but the only images she could retain was that of a child with silver hair and a talking snowman.

Oh, and perhaps a pair of storm grey eyes.

"Agatha," Helena murmured.

She sat up, somewhat feeling oddly at peace for some reason. She didn't understand how one moment, it seemed the world felt cruel and unjust to her, and the next she felt like... like a heavy burden had been eased off of her. A soft smile sketched her face as she fingered the chain of her locket against her neck. She let out a breath as she stepped out of the room, finally beginning to appreciate the decor of the halls as she walked towards the ballroom in long and graceful strides.

As she entered the venue of the banquet, the guests rose and the music turned into a grand welcoming tune only for her. Applause echoed across the room as she stepped inside, the guests bowing curtseys and greetings of a happy birthday. She returned their gestures with a smile, feasting her eyes over the efforts of the Arendelle folk in welcoming her back to her first home.

"Announcing the presence of Lady Helena Falconer, Duchess of Strabald and celebrant of the day," declared Kai, the queen's faithful servant. "A happy birthday to you, milady."

"Thank you, Kai," the duchess replied. She scanned the perimeters for the host of the party, but she couldn't find her anywhere. Turning to Kai, she inquired of the queen's whereabouts.

"Oh, she was on her way to the study with your husband, milady," the servant replied. "But I believe they made a stop at the guest room in the right wing to welcome some guests."

"I see," Helena murmured. "Thank you."

But before she could proceed to her destination, all the guests rose again from their seats as the queen herself entered the ballroom with a blank expression on her face. They all welcomed her and she nodded in acknowledgement. But the duchess took notice of the men behind her, the duke of Strabald and his escorts, the Prince of Corona, all wearing disturbed looks as they followed the queen with their gazes. She met them halfway, through, all of them visibly surprised to see her suddenly in bright spirits... and she was also quite curious as to why the company appeared to be the exact opposite.

The duchess was talented in that way. Reading surface feelings.

"Milady," Elsa acknowledged her with raised brows. "I see that you've finally joined in on the celebration..." She shook her head. "Well... uhm... of course, since it is your birthday."

The duchess laughed. "No need to get so flustered, dear Elsa."

"I'm sorry for being rude," Elsa murmured, tucking a stray lock behind her ear.

"It's alright. You weren't," Helena smiled. "And I'm sorry for making you worry."

"Helena," the duke said, his eyes twinkling at finally seeing a genuine smile from his wife.

"I'm sorry for being in such low spirits, dear," she told him as she held him by the hand. "But I'm alright now."

"Milady," Eugene greeted her with a bow and a kiss on her left hand. "I am Prince Eugene Fitzherbert of Corona. Very pleased to finally meet you."

"And I, you," the duchess grinned. "I see that dear Rapunzel has married herself a devilishly handsome young man."

Elsa coughed at this, making Eugene stop himself from doing an eye-roll. The duchess giggled.

"I'm sorry about what happened to your daughter," Eugene murmured. Elsa and the duke found themselves taken aback at Eugene's condolence, watching the duchess for signs of her suddenly high spirits wavering.

To their surprise, it didn't.

"Ah," she said. "I just recently realized it is much healthier for me to celebrate her life than to mourn on my birthday," Helena beamed, "I'm sure that is what Agatha would have wanted."

Elsa smiled, glad that the duchess had somehow finally found closure. She dreaded to see her role model so down, and she was certain that it had pleased the duke too...

Having the duke in mind, she froze in her spot, recalling the conversation they had moments after Kristoff and Snowflake left the guest room.

"How will you make our allies believe, Elsa? Especially when the child seems to be openly declaring that she has a father?" the duke asked her gently.

Elsa was quiet a moment, until...

"I will attempt to make another like her... in front of the council of the union after the ball."

Eugene blinked, seeming to disagree. "No, you can't do that!"

"And why not?" Elsa asked him. "I myself am yet to discover what I'm capable of. I'm sure I can do it again."

"Think about it Elsa. You said that you didn't mean to make her... uhm... what if there was something else responsible... you know... like an intervention... why you suddenly created a child out of snow?"

"Intervention?" the duke asked.

"I mean what if the legend of the child of winter was actually..." Eugene looked at them a moment then continued. "Real?"

"You mean Snegurochka... the snow maiden?" the duke asked increduluously. "Jokul Frosti's daughter?"

"Come on... think about it," Eugene told them, leaning forward with a determined expression. "The union might find it unnerving for Elsa to have made a human out of snow... but they won't question if such a thing can be done by a spirit."

"But he... he is just a myth," Elsa breathed, her voice trembling.

"I think it's more believable to think Elsa didn't make the child on her own," the duke agreed. "I mean... to create, a living, breathing, flesh skinned being with your own power would take an act of God. As amazing as your powers are Elsa... it's just so hard to grasp for you to have done something so impossible."

"The fact that I have inexplicable ice powers is an impossibility in itself, dear duke," Elsa argued stubbornly. "And yet I have them. How can creating someone as precious as her be any harder to accept?"

"Elsa, he's got a point," Eugene told her. "You gotta see it from our perspective. If people start believing you could give life to humans with your power, they're most likely to turn you into a god or accuse you of being a witch. Or... they'd rather choose to believe you've become pregnant before marriage. Whether we like it or not, people tend to think about peculiar stuff that way. I think it better justifies to tell them that you made her with the help of a spirit."

"And would they believe in a myth, Eugene?" Elsa demanded. "The whole logic seems flawed!"

"Yes," the duke answered. "If it's about creating humans, my queen, then yes, they would."

"If we want to prevent a scandal going out that you're a witch or a pimp or both... yes they would, Elsa," Eugene stated matter-of-factly.

"Watch your words, Fitzherbert!" Elsa warned. "And I thought you were on my side..."

"I am..." Eugene said. "I don't want her hidden. A few minutes with the kid and I love her like she's my own. Why can't you just tell them that she's the legend made real?"

"Because it'd be like telling them that Jack Frost is real!" Elsa yelled, not meaning to do so. "And they'd think me crazy for that!"

"It's less crazy than telling them you made a human," the duke remarked. "Think about it, Queen Elsa... and besides... perhaps Jack Frost might be real... and we just didn't know it."

"Elsa?"

Elsa snapped from her thoughts, surprised that Eugene was suddenly beside her, a hand to her shoulder and a smile on his face. It was rare for the man to grace her with a smile, but nevertheless, she appreciated his concerned gesture.

"It's gonna be okay," he murmured. "If it comes down to violent reactions, Punzie and I are here for you."

"I just don't understand," Elsa sighed. "Why would the duke think that? I mean... when I told my earlier guests about her, they didn't seem that problematic about it..."

As Elsa spoke, she suddenly felt aware of the guests' stares. Even with the loud cheerful music resonating through the room, she could hear the gossip that passed through some of the guests lips... it felt strange, making her suddenly feel so conscious of herself.

"Have you heard?" one lady in red murmured to another. "The queen already has a child?"

"How come? She's not even married yet"

"The dignitaries that stayed from the previous ball said she claimed she made the child out of snow."

"Snow? So the child is a snowman?"

"No. The child is human in every way! She even has ice powers like the queen!"

"GASP! By jove! Did she have an affair?"

"She claims she made her with her powers... but I don't believe that's true."

"It's more likely she had someone get into her skirt and got pregnant... such a shame."

"But the child looked to be four years old! Wasn't she cooped up in this castle before the you-know-what?"

"We never know... she might have sneaked off into the night without the King and Queen knowing."

"It might be one of the reasons, aside from her powers, why she never came out of those gates!"

"Shush! The queen is looking this way!"

Elsa felt embarrassed as she turned her head away. How could they say that about her? She was confident that the earlier guests had taken the news about Snowflake well. She could not believe that they thought of her that way...

She flexed her fingers and steadied her breath, trying to control her nerves. Eugene sensed her distress, judging by the sudden icy stab of cold that he felt on her skin. He withdrew his hand from her shoulder as the duke and duchess turned to the both of them.

"Is something the matter, Queen Elsa?" the duchess asked her with visible concern.

Elsa shook her head and answered with a smile. The duchess walked to her and held her by her arms. She gazed into the young woman's eyes, trying to read into them with her own grey ones.

"I know a damsel in distress when I see one," the duchess whispered. "I'll be here to listen when you're ready."

Elsa smiled. This was what she liked about Helena. She was a friend who didn't pry, who respected privacy and was willing to wait and listen. The queen relaxed her shoulders and let out a breath.

"Thank you, Lady Helena," Elsa said.

"May I have this dance, milady?" Eugene asked the duchess. Helena happily accepted, putting her hand in Eugene's as he led her towards the dance floor. The duke turned his head to the queen, the echo of Eugene's request to the duchess evident in his grin. Elsa bowed as she accepted his silent question, walking with the duke towards the center of the dance floor where they swayed to the cheerful music that contrasted the heaviness in her heart.

...

Jack was close to feeling dizzy at the sight of couples twirling and twirling to the harmonic sounds of tubas, violins and accordions.

He was already sick from the constant yammering of Anna and Rapunzel who kept commenting on how he should tame that messy white hair of his. That was one thing he didn't want to change though... They can force him to wear shoes and make him wear these ridiculously tight suits, but they would not have him change his hairdo. He kind of liked his messy bed-hair, thank you very much.

"I still think he could use some hair gel," Anna commented.

"No. You will not mess with my hair," Jack stated firmly. "It's already enough that you made me wear these stupid boots."

"They are not stupid. They are fashionable and they look good on you and you are going to like them," Rapunzel told him with a raised chin.

"Not with these heels..." Jack muttered under his breath. "It's lunchtime already and we still haven't seen her. Where the heck is she?"

"Patience, Jack Frost," Rapunzel reminded him. "Elsa's a queen, remember? She's supposed to be roaming around discussing important stuff with other monarchs."

"And I thought this was a birthday party," Jack rolled his eyes. "Can we please just make this quick?"

Anna interrupted him with a hard pat on his shoulder. "Look! There she is! On the dance floor with the duke!"

And then Jack saw her... Queen Elsa of Arendelle, dancing in the arms of a man who appeared to be in his mid thirties. The sight of her took his breath away. He admired how the style of her braid and bun suited her perfectly, and how the icy sparkle of her gown made her pinkish white skin glow under the morning light. But what caught Jack's attention was her eyes, a sea of blue that was a conflict against the merriment of everything around them. He found it strange... how someone with such a happy smile could have melancholic eyes at the same time. The idea mesmerized him so much that the party seemed to just fade into the background, because in that moment, Jack only saw her, that beautiful woman on the dance floor; that sparkling creature that just suddenly caught his eye.

"You are sooo pining after her, aren't you?"

Jack was snapped from his daze by a smirking Anna and Rapunzel on both his sides, cornering him to the wall. That way he could not hide the blush that threatened to cover his face as he opened and closed his mouth, struggling to find the words to say.

"You sooo have a crush on Elsa," Rapunzel grinned at him.

Jack didn't even have time to deny it as his brows scrunched together, obviously exposing his attempt at denial. Anna giggled excitedly at this with Rapunzel joining her shortly after.

"I just think she's pretty is all..." Jack muttered angrily to himself. But Anna caught his weak reasoning.

"Oh! You are sooo into her!"

"Come on! I find a lot of girls pretty. She's not the only one," Jack reasoned. "Heck, I even find you pretty, too."

Anna and Rapunzel stopped giggling and stared at him silently for three seconds. They looked away from him with a blush on their faces as they murmured apologies to the winter spirit.

"I'm sorry Jack... but I love Eugene. I'm already married."

"It would have worked out... but I already have Kristoff in my life... I'm sorry Jack."

Jack felt like wanting to palm himself in the face. "I didn't mean it like that."

"That's why if you manage to pull this off well, you'll have Elsa all to yourself," Anna assured him.

Jack sighed. "Again with the matchmaking?"

"You know we were only kidding, Jack," Rapunzel giggled. "Lighten up."

Jack rolled his eyes. How could he lighten up knowing he's not where he was supposed to be? In his state, a pair of women suddenly passed through him, shocking both Anna and Rapunzel in the process. Even after Jack had explained the matter about his invisibility and intangibility to non-believers, it still bugged the two princesses whenever people walked through him... even the borrowed clothes became phantom to the unbeliever's eye.

"Maybe we should go to someplace less crowded?" Rapunzel offered.

"Uh, yeah," Jack agreed.

When they began towards a less populated part of the castle, they were greeted by a polished Kristoff holding Snowflake's hand. Almost automatically, Snowflake left the ice man's side, running full speed towards Jack who knelt at the sight of her, catching the child with an affectionate embrace.

"Papa, you're here!" Snowflake cheered. "And you're all dressed up like Snowflake!"

When Jack pulled her out of his embrace, only then did he notice that the girl was dressed differently. She was wearing something silvery-grey, sprinkled with frost at the hem of her skirt. Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail and a necklace made of snowflakes embraced her neck. Jack also observed that the girl was wearing a pair of glass-like slippers... and judging by the squirming of her toes, she did not seem to like wearing them.

"Uncle Kristoff said I should wear shoes to the ball," Snowflake pouted, answering Jack's unspoken question.

He chuckled. "Yeah your aunts forced me to wear shoes too."

"Kristoff!"

Like lovers who hadn't seen each other in an eon, Anna sprinted towards Kristoff and greeted him with a soft kiss as he twirled her around and around. He set her down when their lips parted, both of them blushing wildly at the foolish grins and amused stares of the few servants and guests that passed by.

Rapunzel coughed lightly to get their attention, though she did not suppress her own grin. "Mind introducing me to your boyfriend, Anna?"

"Oh! Uhm... Rapunzel, this is Kristoff, Arendelle's official ice master and deliverer," Anna said. "Kristoff, this is Rapunzel, my cousin, and Princess of Corona."

Kristoff gaped then bowed at the brunette princess. "Your majesty, it's an honor to finally meet you," He stood up straight and grinned. "In fact, I actually knew your husband Flynn Rider-I mean, Eugene Fitzherbert. We used to belong to the same orphanage. I just had a conversation with him before and figured that you guys were already married! Congratulations!"

Rapunzel was amazed. "Wow! Really? That's fantastic!"

"Hey, you never told me that," Anna grinned at him.

"Well, that was because I didn't know Flynn's real name back then," Kristoff answered.

"Oh, and I'd also like you to meet someone else," Anna said as she stepped to the side to reveal Jack who was still crouched in front of Snowflake. "This is Jack."

Jack snapped his head up, greeted by a blond man who smiled down at him with a slight nod. Jack thought his jaw was about to hit the ground upon realizing another adult had seen him in a single day... and with not much effort done at all.

"Nice to finally meet you, Jack," Kristoff grinned as he stretched out his hand to him. Jack stood up and shook his hand, flinching a bit at the terrible grip the man gave him. His eyes were still wide open in shock at the thought that this person could actually see and touch him at first encounter.

"Same here," Jack said monotonously as he still tried to recover from the shock.

"That was quick," he heard Rapunzel remark.

"Papa! Papa!" Snowflake tugged at Jack's sleeve. "Look, look! I learned something new today, see?"

All of them observed the child as she skipped happily towards the walls. Jack raised his brows as he watched Snowflake produce a pattern of autumn leaves all over the walls in different colors, impressed that the child developed an ability that was unique from his own.

"Wow..." Rapunzel breathed. "Snow... it's so beautiful."

"How did you do that, sweetie?" Anna asked her.

Snowflake grinned as she held out her hands that were suspiciously covered with different colors. Anna glared at Kristoff who whistled idly to the side.

"Why is there watercolor on her hands, Kristoff?" Anna asked him.

"Come on, it was just a hunch," Kristoff smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to see if she could make rainbow ice or something."

"You and your ice obsession," Anna grinned. "Now, now, wash your hands, Snowflake. It's not proper for princesses to eat with dirty hands."

Snowflake stared at her hands sadly. "Aww... but I liked all the colors..."

Jack laughed. "You can play with colors after lunch, kiddo. Now go on ahead and wash up."

The child grinned up at him and nodded."Okay Papa," And then she left for the nearby washroom.

"Anna told me you helped make Snowflake," Kristoff told Jack, which kind of surprised him yet again. "Does that mean you've got ice powers too?"

Jack stared at Anna with an incredulous expression before turning his full attention back to Kristoff. "Yes. Yes I do."

Kristoff blinked a couple of times then shrugged. "Cool."

"Wait... that... that doesn't freak you out?" the winter spirit asked him.

"Uh, no," Kristoff answered him.

"At all?!" Jack asked him again, his voice rising in pitch.

"Nu-uh," Kristoff replied. "Why should it bother me? I mean, Anna said she thinks you've got better control than Elsa, so I've no reason to freak out."

"That's not what I meant!" Jack almost half-yelled. This man was one strange fellow.

Anna laughed at Jack's bewildered expression. "You see Jack, my Kristoff was raised by a family of trolls... and, he's a believer of Jack Frost!"

Jack felt like his jaw was going to detach from his face... but it didn't compare with the shock that now came from Kristoff.

"HE'S JACK FROST?!" Kristoff asked Anna, pointing at the white-haired man before him.

"The one and only," Rapunzel grinned while Anna nodded. Kristoff and Jack exchanged shocked stares at each other before breathing out a "Wow..."

"Can I get your autograph?!" Kristoff suddenly blurted.

"O-kay?" Jack answered uncertainly.

Then, all their attention was captured by the music's sudden stop. By the throne stood Elsa, who had just recently stopped dancing with the duke. She held a goblet in her hand, raising it high in the air as she smiled serenely at the crowd before her.

"A toast to the Duchess of Strabald, Lady Helena of Falconer, on her thirty-fourth birthday!"

The sound of applause followed as the duchess, who was escorted by Eugene, began towards Elsa's side. Eugene left with a bow, and the sounds of yammering died when Helena began to speak.

"I would like to thank everyone who made it here today; to this kingdom's young queen and her sister most of all who prepared all this for me," she smiled. "It seems like it was only yesterday when I was still running through the corridors of this castle as a child, and of course... the winter season has always been beautiful here in Arendelle."

She took a short pause before continuing her speech. "As you all know, my husband and I had lost our daughter the previous month. It still saddens me that she did not live long enough to see my first home... But today, I have decided to celebrate life, knowing that that was what my dear Agatha would have wanted... and what my dear husband had hoped for upon treading the grounds of this lovely country."

She looked up and smiled. "So today, I thank everyone for celebrating this day with me. Thank you for sharing our joys and our pains, and may this be a testament to all of us, that even in the differences of our races, our colors, and our faces, we are united in celebrating one another's lives, as is the very foundation of the union of all our kingdoms."

Helena turned to the queen, raising her own glass. "And I am very honored to see the day that my dear Elsa sits on that throne, for she has shown to all of us through this ball, what it means to celebrate life in happiness with the ones you cherish and love; someone who upholds the vision for the people of the union. Long live Queen Elsa of Arendelle!"

"Long live the Queen!" the crowds echoed, and they all broke into standing ovations.

Jack saw how Elsa's eyes began to brighten at the duchess' praise. He knew that look very well because he saw it in the children he protected whenever something or someone had given them happiness, hope, and courage. For a moment, he saw that spark of childish joy in Elsa which he never expected to see, and found himself grinning at the sight before him as he applauded for the queen.

But the applause died quickly when a snow child began running towards the queen, tackling her middle with a hug. The sight startled the guests and a chorus of gasps echoed through the room upon seeing the girl... this was not a scene they expected to see.

"Mama!"

The color of Elsa's face turned pale.

"Snowflake... uhm... aren't you supposed to be with your Uncle Kristoff?" Elsa whispered worriedly as she felt the questioning stares and murmurs directed at her from the crowd.

"But I missed seeing you, Mama," the girl smiled up at her. "And I'm so happy the lady said really nice things about you."

The duchess looked at the pair with raised brows. She recognized the child, she was almost certain... she had seen her before, but she wasn't very sure. Her mind was foggy.

"She is... your daughter, Elsa?" the duchess asked.

The duke, Kristoff, Eugene, Rapunzel and Anna quickly rushed towards them all. Not everyone knew about Snowflake yet... and they all began worrying that this might turn into a scandal. Jack stayed in his place, silently watching the events that unfolded as he began listening to the harsh murmurs of the guests that surrounded them.

"The queen has an illegitimate child!"

"This is preposterous!"

"How can this be?"

"Who is the father?"

Jack felt uncomfortable... he knew he dreaded what was going to happen next.

"Get out of there, Snowflake..." Jack found himself whisper.

"Is this true Queen Elsa?" A foreign dignitary demanded. "Are you this child's mother?!"

Elsa looked up at him with confident resolve as she answered, "Yes. Yes I am."

The sounds of louder gasps emanated from within the room.

"But... but the child wasn't born in the way you think." Anna reasoned out to them. "She was born through Elsa's powers!"

"That's impossible," one man murmured. "Is the queen capable of doing that?"

"Yes she is," Rapunzel answered. "The girl is only a day old. Even the servants of Arendelle know about it."

Murmurs of agreement were heard from the servants.

"But, but... that's just outragous!" Another man who looked like a French merchant retorted. "You mean to say that the queen is capable of... of creating humans?!"

"Do not mock us, woman!" a Danish dignitary said angrily. "It is evident that the child is the queen's biological daughter!"

"You do not speak to the Princess of Corona so rudely!" Eugene hissed angrily as he poked at the man's chest hard.

"The queen possesses of no such capabilities," the duke of Strabald spoke, silencing the murmurs within the room. "Tell them, Elsa."

The crowds quietly waited for Elsa's response as she stood there staring hard at the ballroom floors. Were it not for the winter-themed whiteness of the room, the guests would have seen the thin sheet of ice that scattered from the heels of Elsa's shoes. Anna glanced worriedly at both Elsa and Snowflake... then she turned to Jack with a silent plea in her eyes...

Help them... please...

"Why are they all silent, Mama?" Snowflake asked Elsa with genuine curiosity.

"They... they want to know who your Papa is, Snowflake." Elsa answered her. She fought to control her panic... for some reason, she did not want to follow with the duke's plan. Perhaps it was because of the dream she had last night...

She looked at her daughter who stared at her with worried eyes... Even though she had only known her for a day, Elsa already feared to lose her. If the child really was like the snow maiden of the myths... then it would only mean... it would only mean that...

"Who is the child's father?" a woman asked.

The castle servants eyed each other worriedly. They should have known that not everyone would readily accept Snowflake's identity... but what could they do? They had no say in this... not in the matters concerning the opinions of the union.

With a sigh, Jack walked towards where Anna was... it looked like Elsa wasn't going to be the only one who needed convincing after all. He knew he was going to regret doing this for the rest of his life but... he also decided he'd do anything for the sake of Snowflake's happiness.

He just hoped the plan was gonna work.

"My Papa?" Snowflake said. "He's standing over there."

All eyes turned to where the child pointed. Jack froze in place, feeling the stares of everyone in the room directed towards him... until seconds made him realize they were actually looking through him.

It made it look like she was pointing at Kristoff.

The crowd made a shocked gasp.

"Her sister's lover?!"

"That is outrageous!"

"An affair?!"

Elsa looked bewildered, Anna and Rapunzel gaped, the duke and duchess looked confused, Eugene looked like he was about to burst in laughter and... Kristoff looked panicked, confused as to why everyone was whispering about him when the child was pointing at Jack.

"Wait! You got it all wrong!" Kristoff stuttered. "She-she's pointing at Jack! Not me!"

Jack, in all the hullabaloo, side-stepped near Eugene and punched him in the elbow.

"You got it all wrong!" Snowflake argued with a pout. "That's Uncle Kristoff! He's not my Papa!"

Kristoff let out a sigh of relief.

"My Papa's standing over there!" Snowflake said as she pointed at Jack... which appeared like she was pointing at Eugene through a non-believers' eyes.

"Princess Rapunzel's husband?!"

"Adultery!"

"How scandalous!"

Elsa's face contorted with worry as the crowds began muttering angrily with one another. Also, Eugene began shouting curses about how he was not the father and how he had only met the queen during the coronation the previous year. She knelt beside Snowflake to stop her, but the child's face had gone red with anger as she puffed her cheeks and fisted her hands against her skirts.

"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" Snowflake complained. "You got it all wrong again! He's not my Papa! He's Uncle Eugene!"

"Well who is your father then? Why won't your mother tell?!"

Anna and Rapunzel looked to Elsa who appeared like she was close to breaking down. They wanted to rush to her side, but a single look from her told them not to draw near. The frost from Elsa's and Snowflake's combined distress was slowly threatening to coat the dance floor, and the servants were also beginning to take notice of it.

Snowflake turned to Elsa, a plea in her eyes.

"Mama," she said. "Tell them Mama. He's standing over there, see? Over there... he's my Papa. His name is Jack Frost."

Elsa gazed to where she pointed at... by the column near the doors... there was no one there.

"Snowflake..." she said. "There's no one there..."

The child peered at her, hurt and confusion mixing in a swirl of deep blue. Snowflake stepped back and held her hands to her chest, tears gathering at the corner of her eyes and snow beginning to form at the spaces around her.

"Why are you still playing that game?" Snowflake sobbed softly. "It's not very fun anymore."

"Snowflake..." Elsa pleaded as she stretched her arms out for her. "Jack Frost... isn't real."

"NO!" Snowflake yelled, red ice stretching from her position on the floor in one angry stroke. The people gasped.

"The child... the child is just as dangerous as her..."

"The child is a monster..."

Snowflake looked bewildered as her tear-streaked eyes looked fearfully at the people around her. She ran towards the door, only to be caught in the embrace of Jack who crouched in front of her. He watched the people's faces in quiet anger, outraged at the accusations they flung at the queen and the child who never meant any harm.

Elsa couldn't move. She was struggling to control her emotions herself... she wanted to run out of the room too. But all she could do was watch her daughter who suddenly stopped in her tracks... and the red frost that silently receded into nothingness.

"Baby..." Jack whispered in his daughter's ear. "Watch this."

Suddenly floral-like frost began to coat the floors and the columns that supported the ceiling. The guests watched in awe, marveling at its beauty as blue snow began to descend above them. Jack pulled the girl out of his embrace, smiling as he kissed her on the nose and drew a butterfly, a bird, and a bunny on the floor. With one pull, the frost images came to life, fluttering, hovering, and hopping in the air, startling the guests as the ice creatures roamed the aerial spaces. With a breath, Jack multiplied the number of the marvelous creatures, creating a parade of blue and white lights that swarmed the ballroom with magic and happy spirits. Suddenly the feelings of rage, bewilderment and hostility disappeared, only to be replaced by a harmony of music and laughter that came out from every person's lips inside the room.

Helena and Falconer cupped their hands to catch the snow that fell from above them, inexplicable joy and merriment filling their hearts with each frozen flake that touched their skin. As Anna watched the butterflies that flew about her, it almost seemed like she was about to cry in happiness, and even Kristoff had beat her to it. Rapunzel caught an ice bird in her hand, giggling softly as she let it nip gently at her nose before setting it free, and Eugene chuckled at the bunnies that began tackling him to the floor, nuzzling his neck before they hopped off to nowhere.

Elsa watched as the magic before her captivated her own heart. She had never seen anything more beautiful in all her life. She also felt the crowd's forgiving and understanding stares as they bowed, cheered, danced, sang and spiraled before her, rendering her both confused and enchanted at the same time.

"Wow!" Snowflake marveled, excitement bubbling in her. She left her father's embrace as she began to skitter around the place, pointing excitedly at everything she saw. "Mama! Look! Look!"

She watched Snowflake run around the room, trying to catch the butterflies that flew about. The guests laughed and fawned at her, as they clapped and cheered at her antics. With all her might, she caught one... only for it to burst into a puff of blue snowflakes making her giggle in place.

One of the German dignitaries went to the girl, patting her softly on the head. "This child is no danger to anyone..."

"She is magical!" an Italian added.

"How had the child come to be?" a woman asked fondly.

All eyes turned once again to Elsa, seeking answers from the elegant queen. Elsa gulped as she straightened herself... she was going to tell them the truth...

"Anna and I were telling stories about the Child of Winter Solstice. I meant to make her to humor my sister... but instead, she became who she is now..." she smiled warmly at her daughter who grinned back."My daughter..."

"And she had help!" Anna said, startling a couple of people beside her. "Because the legend of the child is real! Which means... Jack Frost is the girl's father!"

Jack felt alarm bells ringing at his ears. He felt the sudden urge to flee, knowing full well that his actions and their testimonies would certainly make the people in the room believe in him...

Almost as if on cue, Baby Tooth was by the door, carrying his staff with all his might. He quickly ran to her as he snatched the wooden stick from the fairy's grasp and began to float a foot above the floor.

"Papa."

Jack paused and landed back on the floor on his feet. He turned and Snowflake was suddenly before him with her bright blue eyes boring into his own. The crowds all stared, and Jack feared that they had now all finally seen him. But then there were whispers... about why the child was talking to thin air, and why a hummingbird was present inside the castle on a winter day.

"Are you leaving now?" Snowflake asked him... but this time there was no sadness or hurt in her voice. Only a song of approval and silent plea for his return.

Jack smiled. "You know Papa's coming back, right?"

Snowflake nodded. "Uh-huh. And we can go flying again."

Jack agreed. "Yeah."

Snowflake turned to the crowd. "This is my Papa, Jack Frost. And he is the bestest best Papa in all the world!"

The crowd looked on... but still they could not see Jack. They broke into silent whispers. Anna, Rapunzel, Kristoff and Eugene gazed at him apologetically.

And then the duchess Helena herself stepped forward, standing beside the girl and faced the crowd.

"If the child believes that Jack Frost is her father... then I believe her..." she said with an authority. Jack Frost raised his brows as he tentatively touched the woman's shoulder and... went right through her.

He grinned.

"Then I believe her, too," the duke smiled.

And more guests echoed the same... but still they did not see Jack Frost.

They all turned to the queen, and gave her a more honest response. "We believe in you, Queen Elsa."

And with that, Elsa sighed in relief as she beamed a loving smile at her precious daughter.

Jack Frost, happy that everything seemed to go well, turned to Baby Tooth and whispered, "Let's go."

And then Jack fled the ballroom, after one final look at the people behind him...

And for some reason, he could not shake the feeling that the duchess stared into his eyes for a long moment... and smiled.

Moreover, the shocked and horrified face of Queen Elsa when he suddenly bolted out of those doors.

Wait? Did Elsa just-

And Jack Frost, the Guardian of Fun, fell on the floors of the halls... hard. And broke his staff. Again.

Baby Tooth only rolled her little eyes, and groaned.

...

A/N: