Chapter 9
The village was bigger and even more crowded than Elsa imagined it would be, but it was just as beautiful.
The buildings were all decorated with purple flags that traveled from one building to another, each home flowering with divergent plants now clearly departing because of the weather.
Children ran around holding wooden toys in their hands as they chased one another, bumping into grinning villagers once in a while.
A group of teenage girls around her age, walked with their arms linked and flowers in their hair; and for a moment, Elsa didn't mind when they passed right through her and Jack.
Merchants shouted through the loud noise of heavy footsteps, much like Jack's words, as they held up different objects to all those who passed by them.
It was like scenery read from her never ending books, in which the protagonist found a beautiful lost city where adventure lurked in every corner. Never in her eighteen years would she have ever imagined she'd gain the liberty and straight to dwell in one itself; she couldn't have felt more amazed and powerful.
These were the places she wanted to visit in a near future; these were the places she was meant to educate herself about. Elsa's destiny was to explore different things throughout the world; not be locked up in a gloomy and lifeless castle that her father calls home.
Yet, her mind couldn't help but drift to the thought of her father, who was possibly looking for her in that very moment.
He'd be disappointed yes, but Jack had taught her that she was her own person and she wasn't about to go back to being the icy, excluded girl she was before.
Elsa was going to find herself, and she assured herself that she wouldn't return to her father until she did so.
There was no way she'd go back to being her father's controlled puppet, at least, not after everything Jack had opened her eyes to.
There was a world out there ready to be seen by her, there was no way she'd be denied that after eighteen years.
Not anymore, father, she thought to herself as her eyes lurked up at the beaming sky, I hope you can understand.
''So, what do you think?'' asked Jack, who was currently walking every step by her side.
Elsa dozed out of her thought and turned to him with a soft smile, while loosening her grip on Sterling's reins. ''It's practically something out of my novels and books''
''does that mean you like it?'' the white haired boy asked, leaning on his wooden staff with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes, this time a sincere grin plastering in her face. ''Yes, Jack. Now are you going to show me around or will I have to explore this whole village alone with Sterling?''
Jack lifted his hands up in defeat, standing next to her and extending his hand to the direction she was staring at.
He faked a bow. ''This way, your highness''
They spend the next hours sightseeing everything there was. From the bakery where Elsa learned what paradise really felt like, to the center of the village where many villagers danced to songs played by strange instruments. It was then that they discovered that it was Princess Rapunzel's birthday.
''is that her?'' asked Elsa, staring up in amazement at a giant painting on a wall of two adults holding a baby girl in their arms. It was a tall man with a dark bear and a crown centered on his head. To his right stood a beautiful dark haired woman, her too accessorized by a crown, holding a little infant who shared her mother's eyes. And that's what most mesmerized her; the baby's soft emerald eyes.
''Is this her?'' Elsa mumbled to a Jack a few feet away. She had no doubt that he was observing her.
''yup,'' Jack nodded, flying to her. He stuffed both his hands into his sweater. ''Princess Rapunzel, except grown up now''
Elsa giggled, running her pale fingers through the painting. Something about it was both tragic and inspiring about such a silly girl. Years of cruelty, she had to admit to herself, was what brought them together.
She turned her head to Jack, who stared back already. ''How is she doing?
''Punzie is doing good last time I checked''
''Punzie?''
''Rapunzel is a tad of a mouthful''
Elsa rolled her eyes, crossing her arms across her chest. A slight pain of jealousy making its way to her heart.
Of course he came up with a cute nickname for her and Elsa was stuck with a spoiled and childish name such as Princess.
Jack laughed, slightly startling her from her thoughts.
''Who knew princess could become jealous so easily''
Elsa pretended to gag. ''Jealous? How can you state such a thing?''
Jack walked to the wall and leaned on it with a smirk.
Sterling growled.
''Oh come on, I can see it all over your face. You're jealous that I have a nickname for her''
''what a stupidity''
''sure it is, Els'' he winked, grabbing her waist and pulling her closer.
She let out a loud gasp, as she mentally cursed herself for it. She was sure that white haired boy knew just how much he made her nervous.
''don't worry, I only have eyes for one girl''
''and who might that be?'' she dared to gasp.
He simply removed his hand from her waist and took a few steps away from her. ''that right there is just for me to know''
He sighed, but then brought his attention back to the painting. ''But yeah, she's fine. Like I said, she's married now and she's pretty happy. Such a sweet and bubbly girl''
Elsa chuckled. ''yup, just your type''
''nah, I like my girls feisty'' he sent her another wink, his face softening as it seemed he received an idea. ''hey do me a favor''
''will I regret it?'' she questioned, playfully.
He smiled and only shook his head. ''no, I promise I'll make it up to you. Just stay here and I'll be right back''
A slight feeling of panic ran over her. ''wait, you're leaving me?''
She knew her voice sounded rather desperate, but she didn't want him to leave her the way her father did when she was a child. He would always reassure her that he'd be back to the castle before she woke up, and as always, she would be disappointed. She didn't want to have that emotion of loneliness again.
Jack shook his head, violently. ''no, I mean yes, but I promise I'll be right back.''
She inhaled a deep breath as she brought her icy eyes back to the painting. ''fine, but if you don't come back in ten minutes, I'm leaving this village'' she tried to threatened.
It only made him laugh.
''give me seven minutes'' was all he said before rushing off.
Elsa pulled Sterling near and leaned on his head.
''he's making me feel'' she mumbled to the horse. He only snuggled back, making her laugh a bit. Her head swiftly snapped to a high pitch squeal coming from beside her.
Her jaw firmed seeing a tall girl, no older than her, smiling up at the painting. She had long red haired tide into two side braids and her green eyes shining in the evening sun. Her clothes were nicer than other women in the village, yet they still showed signs of over usage. A dark leather bag was draped over her shoulder and a golden necklace glimmered around her neck. She was quite a beauty, and instantly Elsa became intrigued with her.
''Anna!'' a male voice cried out from away.
The girl turned around and ran to a blond haired boy panting back and forth, trying to catch oxygen. Next to him stood a rather large animal that Elsa could only inference was no threat.
''Kristoff, it's so lovely!'' she cried out, staring back at the painting.
His lips went up into a smile seeing her excitement as he slowly walked to her and wrapped his arms around her from the back. His chin rested comfortably on her shoulder.
''yes, very'' he agreed, with a chuckle. ''but can you at least wait for me to catch up before running all the way over here''
She frowned slightly, and then bounced back up, causing Elsa to laugh. She was surprised that a human had brought that out.
''I'm sorry, Kristoff, but I'm just so excited. We get to see the lights tonight and you know how much I love them''
He turned to face and tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear. ''yes, I'm aware but are you going to visit them?''
Anna's face became gloomy and Elsa asked herself who ''them'' could be. Obviously they brought bad memories back to the poor girl.
''yeah,'' she opened the bag and pulled out a bundle of yellow flowers.
Anna took a slight sniff and sent him a sad smile. ''their favorites''
Kristoff pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed the top of her forehead. ''are you sure you don't want me to come with you?''
'' you always ask the same question and I always feel bad for saying no'' she giggled, ruffling his hair. ''This is sorta something I need to do on my own''
He nodded and planted a sweet kiss on her lips. Elsa awkwardly stared away at that.
''you know where to find me after you're done''
She squeezed his hand and grinned, only for her to let go and begin walking away.
Now, Elsa knew that she had to do what Jack told her to; stay where she was. But this girl, my, she felt a strong connection to her that she hadn't experienced since she entered the village. As if Elsa had known Anna from another life, another era, another time in which they knew each other. The only thing she felt towards that innocent human girl was overprotectiveness, and Elsa was bound to find out why.
''come on, sterling'' she pulled on her horse's reins. ''let's follow Anna''
I'M BEYOND SORRY YOU GUYS FOR NOT UPDATING TILL NOW BUT SO MUCH STUFF WITH SCHOOL AND CHURCH AND I RARELY HAVE TIME ANYMORE. I PROMISE TO ANSWER ALL YOUR REVIEWS NEXT CHAPTER IN WHICH ILL TRY TO UPDATE SOON. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO WAIT PATIENTLY. ~Lexi