Chapter 10: Turn for the worst
Anna was so thrilled to see the ballroom crawling with people. The citizens of Arendelle waltzed amongst one another as the orchestra played its tune. Their laughter and chatter echoed throughout the room.
She just finished dancing with Hiccup when they announced her name. Hiccup led her up to the front where Anna awkwardly refused to stand beside Elsa. The announcer rolled his eyes and chuckled, picking Anna up by the forearms, standing her side-by-side with Elsa.
The crowd cheered and began to dance once again, allowing the two sisters to get reacquainted. Anna watched as Hiccup lightly bowed and returned to the dance floor with Merida. She didn't know what to do, all she remembered was being shut out from Elsa's life. 'What on Earth could they possibly speak about?' She pondered to herself as Elsa cleared her throat.
"Hi," Elsa said with a small smile.
Anna widened her eyes, surprised to hear Elsa's voice, "Um…hi-who-hi-me?" she stammered, turning to her sister in utter confusion, with her palm against her chest.
Jack and Rapunzel stood in the far back and watched as their daughters carried on a conversation. He leaned against the wall content with the girls reunited. Rapunzel twirled to Jack and held out her hand. Jack knew that look all too well. The playful grin, big green eyes, and pleas meant one thing…she wanted to dance.
"No, Punzie...maybe in a little bit," Jack said, pushing her hand away. He wanted to dance with Rapunzel but he couldn't take his eyes off Anna and Elsa. He needed to ensure that this night went smoothly for his daughter's.
"Jack our girls will be fine, just one dance…please," Rapunzel begged folding her hands together.
Jack rolled his eyes, finding it hard to deny her pleas any longer, "Fine…one dance. I mean it Punzie." He pronounced holding up his finger.
Rapunzel leaped for joy as she grabbed hold of his arm, whisking him onto the dance floor. Jack twirled his wife around, watching as she beamed with joy. He had to admit, for the first time in thirteen years everything was going wonderfully.
He was reunited with his family, the girls were reconnecting, and Pitch had been gone ever since the incident. Nothing could possibly ruin this moment. Jack held Rapunzel close in his arms, slowly dancing back and forth, just taking in her presence.
"I've missed you so much Rapunzel," Jack whispered into her ear, a smile tugging at the ends of his lips.
Rapunzel closed her eyes, sighing with happiness, "I've missed you as well my love. Just think after the party, we can all go home, and be a real family again."
Jack grinned at the imagination of having his old life back. Maybe the girls would transform back into their true selves. Maybe all of this would just a distant memory or better yet, a dream. As he started to reply to Rapunzel's statement he caught the sight of Anna walking away with Prince Hans.
Jack pulled away from Rapunzel and started to march after them. He huffed as the papa bear mode kicked in, pushing through the crowd to reach Anna in time. Rapunzel grabbed hold of Jacks staff and pulled him backward, meeting his confused gaze.
"What do you think you're doing?" She asked with her hands against her hips.
"Our daughter is walking off with a total stranger!? How are you ok with this?" Jack asked throwing his hands up.
"He's not a total stranger, it's her true love," Rapunzel stated with a look of confidence.
Jack squinted, slapping his hand on his forehead, "True love!? Are you crazy!"
She put on a threatening pose and then rolled her eyes, "I am not crazy! They met on the dock, his name is Hans, and he's a gentleman. If you would've seen the look in their eyes you would agree with me."
"Gee, Punzie…I'm sure it was the look of 'Hi, I'm a naïve girl, please marry me now.' Anna's not in love. She doesn't even know what that is." Jack mocked.
"Is that what you thought of me? That I was some naïve girl who wanted to marry the first man I saw." Rapunzel brows narrowed, her tone was low, as she watched Jack flick his wrist.
"Can we argue about this later, I need to find our youngest daughter before that creep tries anything," Jack said leaving Rapunzel alone on the dance floor.
Jack searched high and low for Anna, but he couldn't find her. He searched for an hour when he began to lose hope, 'If Rapunzel would've just let me go, I would've had Anna back at the castle by now!' he thought to himself.
He eventually gave up and went back to the castle to rejoin the others. Jack figured that Anna would turn up eventually, perhaps Rapunzel was right not to worry. When he reached the ballroom, he found Rapunzel dancing with Merida, seeming to have the time of her life. Hiccup was speaking with Elsa, possibly about royal duties, and Elsa looked happy.
After all these years, he had never seen her smile so big. Tonight was going so well, except for Anna leaving with a prince, but he knew she'd be back. He walked over to Rapunzel and tapped Merida on the shoulder.
"Mind if I cut in?" He asked with a slight bow.
Merida went to lecture him but Rapunzel interjected, "Of course, are you going to apologize?" She asked with a curious gaze.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong Punzie. I should've trusted you." He stated leaning up and taking her hands in his.
They began to dance, not caring if people stared because they couldn't see Jack. When Elsa turned to find Jack waltzing with a woman, she felt overjoyed. Elsa excused herself from Hiccup and went to their side. Jack turned to see Elsa walking their way and he whispered into Rapunzel's ear.
Rapunzel turned with her eyes wide, and a smile sprawled across her face. As Elsa got closer, Rapunzel couldn't contain her excitement and threw her arms around Elsa's waist.
"Oh-uhm…your friend is very welcoming Jack," Elsa stated with a nervous laugh, "What's her name?"
Jack rubbed his hand through his hair and grabbed hold of Rapunzel, pulling her back toward him. Rapunzel apologized, stuttering with joy, "I'm Rapunzel…you have no idea-well-you might…I'm just so delighted to meet you…I-I geez."
Jack cut her off before she could go on, "Do you remember the Rapunzel from my stories, Elsa? Well, this is her and over there are the two heroes, Merida and Hiccup."
Elsa turned to see Merida and Hiccup waltzing together. She was extremely happy for Jack but at the same time, there was a pain in her chest. Her smile faded to a frown and her gaze fell as she spoke.
"So that means your leaving?"
Rapunzel turned to Jack, worry filled her green orbs, almost pleading for him to tell Elsa the truth. Jack sighed, he didn't know how Elsa would take the news, but she needed to know. Jack held Elsa's hands in his own and began to speak.
"Elsa there's something I need to- "
"Elsa!" Anna called, running hand in hand with Prince Hans.
Jack turned and glared at the man holding onto his little girl's hand. He released Elsa's hand, clenching his fists as they neared. Rapunzel smirked and placed her hand on Jacks, cooling his anger away. Anna stood in front of Elsa, Jack, and Rapunzel, beaming with joy.
"Hey, you guys! I'm so glad you're still here Rapunzel? Would you want to stay a little longer?" Anna asked excitedly.
Rapunzel looked at the spritely girl with a confused expression, "Uhm…I suppose, why?"
Anna turned to her sister, who was equally confused as the others, and took a breath, "We would like your blessing…for our marriage."
Jack's mouth dropped, horror filling his body, as he and the two women spoke, "Marriage!?"
Anna observed them, awkwardly before hugging Han's arm, "Yes, we want to get married. In the next few days. I figured with everyone still here, we could announce it and have a big wedding. Oh! We also need to invite his twelve brothers! Do you- "
"NO! Absolutely not! I disagree with this one-hundred percent! Your 18 and I say no." Jack yelled, being held back by Rapunzel.
Anna turned to Jack with a raised eyebrow, "I'm old enough to marry, Jack? My mother was sixteen when she married my father."
Jack's face started to turn as blue as the ocean. Rapunzel smiled and pulled him away from before he turned Han into a popsicle. She grabbed hold of the sides of his face and turned him to meet her gaze.
"Jack you need to calm down," her voice was honeyed as she stroked his cheeks.
He felt comforted under her touch, "She can't get married to that guy! She's too young! She just met him! Argh! I want to freeze that- "
"She's not going to…were all going home tonight. Everything will be ok," She said, placing a kiss on his cold lips.
Jack kissed her back as his skin turned back to its normal pale color. When their kiss ended, he smiled down at her and twisted around to see Elsa walking toward the door. Anna was chasing her with Elsa's glove in her hand.
Jack felt the chills run down his spine as he flew over to Elsa's side. He turned to Anna and held out his hand, "Give me the glove Anna, now." He demanded, looking at the blue-eyed girl shake her head.
"No! I'm tired of this. I didn't do anything to deserve to be alone!" Anna pronounced, clenching the glove closer to her body.
Jack slammed his staff against the ground causing Anna to become afraid, "That is enough! I won't ask twice."
Anna began to cry, and shouted at Elsa again, "Elsa, please! I can't live like this anymore!"
Elsa looked at Jack and Anna with sorrow in her eyes, "Then leave…you both can leave together for all I care. The was the plan, anyway right? I just made it easier for you."
Jack's shoulders dropped as did his spirit. He watched Elsa hold onto her forearms and walk nervously to the doors. He flew to her side trying to calm her down and explain the situation. On top of this Anna was relentless as she continued to yell her feelings out at Elsa.
Rapunzel pushed her way to the front, to find Anna yelling at Elsa. Rapunzel grabbed hold of the glove and yelled back at Anna but it was too late. All the fear surrounded Elsa, the tension, and resurfacing anxiety clouded her judgment. She pulled away from Jack and turned, unleashing a flurry of ice spears along the ground.
"I SAID ENOUGH!" Elsa shouted, unable to control herself any longer. She pulled away from Jack and turned, unleashing a flurry of ice spears along the ground.
Jack turned his head to find that Rapunzel and Anna in the range of fire. He swiftly flew to them, blocking the attack with his own power. Rapunzel and Anna clung to one another, placing all their trust in Jack to withstood the attack.
As the mist cleared, Jack saw Elsa falling back to the door staring at the crowd in fear. Then he heard the duke call her a monster and the people cheered in, yelling harsher words. Anna peeked out from Rapunzel's embrace to find Elsa beginning to breathe uncontrollably.
"Elsa…" Anna whispered, staring at the ice in unbelief.
Before Jack could snap out of his daze, Elsa ran out of the ballroom, running out into the castle square. It was surrounded with citizens of Arendelle. She felt the fear swarming over her as the crowds swarmed. Papi's vision started to trickle into memory, the reappearing crowds who wanted to harm her.
She was backed into the fountain and touched it with her bare hand, causing the water to freeze above them. The crowds backed away terrified of their new Queen.
"Monster! Stop that woman!" The Duke cried as he approached the entrance of the castle.
Elsa backed away toward the palace gates, begging for them to stay away from her. The Duke didn't listen and ran toward her. She closed her eyes and held out her hands. Through her fear, she blasted ice to the ground, causing the Duke and his sons to fall.
She opened her eyes to find the ice was black, just like the ice that covered her father's sphere and scepter upstairs. Elsa felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked up to find Pitch smiling.
"Come, your highness, you're in great danger here," He stated pulling Elsa away from the castle with great haste.
Jack flew out to find the Duke on the ground, Anna and Rapunzel stepped over them and rushed after Elsa. They followed the ice trail which led them down to the fjord. Pitch smiled at the heroes, holding Elsa's hand in his own.
"It's nice to see you all again. Especially you Rapunzel," Pitch said, smiling slyly at Rapunzel as she held Jack's hand.
"Let her go, Pitch!" Jack stated, releasing Rapunzel and pointed his staff at the dark figure.
"I'm sorry Jack, but she's made her choice," Pitch said.
Elsa gazed at the fjord, second-guessing her decision. She could hear Jack and the others calling to her. She was able to tune them out as Pitch whispered into her ear. He smiled as Elsa turned to glare at them.
"Is it true…are you my father?" Elsa asked.
Jack lowered turned his eyes over to Elsa, softening his face, "Elsa…"
"So…you gave me away…after all these years…you never told me."
"I can explain. Please, Elsa, don't go with Pitch. He's a villain." Jack pleaded, holding out his hand to Elsa.
Pitch peered down at the frightened girl, and spoke, "Are you going to believe a man who didn't want you? Who lied to you all these years? Or are you going to run away with the one who has been nothing but a friend to you?"
Elsa took one last glance at Jack and grabbed hold of Pitch's hand. Together the two ran across the fjord crating a mixture of black ice around the kingdom. Anna ran after her sister but slid on the ice. Rapunzel ran to her side and helped her up.
Anna turned to Rapunzel, "Is it true…are you both my parents?"
Rapunzel smiled softly and brushed Annas bangs away from her face, "Yes…but it's not what you think."
Anna pushed Rapunzel's hand away, "Did you really give us away!? Why didn't Jack say anything!"
"Anna, I can explain everything later, but right now…we need to get your sister back. She's in grave danger." Jack interrupted, walking over to Anna with the rest of the group.
Anna nodded and walked back up to the castle, finding Hans waiting with a shawl. He placed it over her shoulders, asking her a million questions. Jack watched her argue with the Duke and watched as Hans defended her.
His mind was still racing with the look of betrayal on Elsa's face. Never in a million years would he have believed his daughter would run away with the villainous Pitch Black. That she would gaze upon him as if he was the enemy. He never wanted this to happen.
Hiccup and Merida raced to Anna's side and helped her on the horse. Rapunzel didn't stop to pity Jack, instead, she went to her daughter's side. Jack tuned everyone out, his emotions clouding his thoughts as he leaned against his staff.
"I place Rapunzel and Hans in charge…" Anna cried, galloping the horse over to Jack, "Come on, let's go get Elsa back." She said, holding out her hand to Jack.
The Duke huffed and whispered to his son, "She's nuts! She won't make it. Mark my words this kingdom is doomed."
Jack took her hand and climbed onto the horse, galloping off toward the mountains. Rapunzel looked at Hiccup and Merida and placed them in charge of helping the villagers with warm blankets. She ushered the people into the castle and order the servants to accompany their every need.
Elsa gazed over the blank mountaintop, covered in blankets of snow. Pitch twirled around her in a joyous manner. She looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
"You're finally free! Now you can unleash your true potential!" He said grasping hold of her hands.
Elsa pulled away from him and walked further up the mountain, ignoring the dark figure. Pitch grumbled to himself, "Come now your highness, surely you aren't upset about Jack?" He asked catching up to her.
"I just can't believe that he's my father and he never told me," She said quietly, stopping to face Pitch with a stern face, "Why wouldn't he tell me! I hated being locked away! Treated like a misfit! I just wanted to feel normal!"
"Your highness…I'm sure Jack just didn't want the responsibility. He never was the father type. Why do you think he banished you and your sister here? The man wanted to be free. Now it's your turn to be free." He said placing his hands on top of hers.
Elsa smirked, not fully thinking out Pitch's words. She was letting go of all of her anxiety and fears of being perfect. For once she was going to do things her way, she was going to be the powerful and fearful Queen that everyone wanted.
"If they want to fear me…then fine…let them fear me," Elsa said, creating a massive palace, along with a new gown. She took off her crown and threw it away, turning to face Pitch with a toothy grin, "With you by my side, we will create a new world. One where I will never be secluded again."
"As you wish your majesty," Pitch replied with a bow, "Together, we will make others live in fear. You will finally be able to live your life. We will cover everything in darkness and winter. All the people will love you for who you are…Elsa, Queen of Winter and Darkness, long may she reign.
"I just can't believe that you never told us, Jack-I mean-Dad-ugh, I don't even know what to call you." Anna mumbled to Jack while lifting the tree branches away from, as Han's horse led them through the woods.
"Look, I wanted to. I really did. I just couldn't." He explained, flying off the horse and walked beside them.
"Why not!? We could've been a family again..."
"Because I didn't think you would believe me. I thought you both were happier with your new family. I thought I was doing the right thing. I had already missed everything! I wasn't about to screw up the rest of your lives."
Anna went to speak but was thrown from the horse into a pile of snow. Jack ran to her side and found that the horse had disappeared. He didn't trust that thing, like its owner, They both seemed out of place.
"You co-couldn't have be-been a summer-summer being! No, you both had to be wi-winter people!" Anna shivered as Jack took off his hoodie and placed it over her.
Jack laughed at her as she covered her eyes. She had never seen Jack bare-chested, not to mention the embarrassment of knowing he was her dad. He led her deeper into the forest, taking the led as Anna called out for Elsa.
He flew over a frozen pond and hollered for Anna to watch her step.
"I didn't hear-"
she slipped on ice and fell into the pond. Quickly she grabbed hold of a branch and pulled herself up shivering. Her clothing froze and jingled as she approached Jack, "Never mind."
Jack was half tempted to laugh at the sight, but his fatherly judgment decided against it and pointe to the cabin, "I uh...found a cabin. You should go inside and get warm."
Anna took off his hoodie and handed it back to him, wobbling over to the cabin. Her curiosity got the better of her when she saw the sign covered in snow. She smacked the sign with her hand, "Oh...Oakins trading post and sauna."
Jack rolled his eyes and watched Anna wobbled inside the cabin. Jack stood outside and listened as a sleigh rushed in front of the trading post. The man hopped off the sleigh and was covered in snow, he turned to see Jack staring at him.
"Hey! Don't even think about stealing my sleigh." The man yelled at Jack and turned to his reindeer, "Watch it with your life Sven, I'll be right back with your carrots."
Jack shrugged his shoulders as the man went into the post, "Well, I guess some people don't have manners. Do I really look like I need a sled?" Jack asked the reindeer.
The reindeer gave Jack a look like, what do you think?
"Who asked you anyway," Jack said, walking off into the barn to rest for the night.