The Guardian Games: The Odds of Five

Chapter 11: For Those We Love So Dearly Part 2

"Rapunzel, I think we're extremely curious about your hair. Is it real?"

"Yep, it is."

"How long is it exactly?"

"A little over 70 feet, the last time I measured it."

"Whoa-ho! You hear that folk! A full 70 feet!" The presenter chuckled, while the crowds murmured in astonishment. "Do you mind me asking though, why have you kept it so long? If it isn't a sensitive issue, of course."

"I...I can only say it's kinda of a health problem."

"I see. Now, I understand you have something to show us?"

"Oh, yes." The blonde girl scrambled to pick up the instrument lying by her side. "I'd just like to say I've enjoyed my stay in the Capitol. I've eaten so much amazing food, tried so many cool clothes, and met some good people." Her eyes darted immediately to young brown-haired man seated in the stands. He gave a two-fingered salute, then pointed at the green chameleon on his shoulder. "I'm really thankful to have this opportunity, and I only wish I could stay longer" -there were some 'awwws' echoing around- "So! I would like to sing this song," - she draped the strap over shoulder, with her fingers twined around the finger board, -"about that, and I dedicate it to my mentor, Eu-erm, Flynn."

The spotlight went suddenly to the brown-haired man. Basking in the attention, he grinned and waved to the appreciative crowd, but a curious look was what he shot at her.

"Oh, and thank you, Hook Hand, for providing the guitar," Rapunzel added, clearing her throat as she poised her fingers over the strings. Strumming gently, she allowed the intro to pass before beginning,

"All those days, watching from the windows,
All those years, outside looking in.
All that time, never really knowing,
just how blind I've been."

She glanced up nervously, catching her mentor's eye again. He nodded encouragingly, giving her a small smile. Taking in a quick breath, she went on,

"Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight,
Now I'm here, suddenly I see.
Standing here, it's all so clear,
I'm where I'm meant to be."

Her voice was clear and sonorous. Her fingers nimbly climbed the board.

"And at last I see the light,
And it's like the fog has lifted.
And at last I see the light,
And it's like the sky is new.""And it's warm and real and bright,
Like the world has somehow shifted."

The entire Capitol listened in awestruck silence as the chords descended.

"All at once, everything is different,
Now that I see you."

Raising her head, she grinned when she saw him mouth 'crazy' and gave her a thumbs-up. Pascal was hopping up and down in excitement, along with the raving crowds.

"I've gotta say, you have an amazing voice," Mike said admiringly.

"Thank you." The flush that rose to her cheeks seemed to make her glow.

"I'm sure we'd all love an encore, hey folks?"

The audience chorused in agreement.

"Unfortunately, we're running short of time. Thank you for your song, Rapunzel, but we've got to finish the questions."

"Sure." She didn't really pay any attention for the rest of the show, because all of hers were fixed on the lanky young man who was engaged in conversation with a miniature reptile.

For an entire twenty-seconds since his arrival, deafening shrieks were heard from all over the stands. Some ambulances even came on scene just to carter off those who had fainted.

The short green-haired man chortled mirthfully. "I guess you're kind of a lady-killer, aren't you?"

Jack jerked himself uneasily towards the presenter, still quaking in his leather shoes as he sat himself down. He managed to croak hoarsely, "Not on purpose."

There were some laughs from the floor, before many more chants of 'I love you, Jack!' filled another five seconds. Wiping off the terrified expression from his face proved to be a challenge. Why did he ever listened to Bunnymund and do the 'flirty-wave-and-wink' stuff during the parade? Now every girl in the Capitol must be convinced that he was her personal Romeo or something! Running off the stage screaming was ridiculously attractive at that point of time.

"Is it always like this at home?" The presenter asked, smirking at the boy's obvious distress.

Jack gulped, then wheezed out, just barely audible, "Sometimes it's worse."

The presenter burst into chuckles and so did the audience. Jack cautiously straightened his coat, looking at the host pleadingly. He avoided any glances to the crowds, lest some of the fans assumed that he was looking at them.

Mike noticed this and tried to help. "Well, Jack - just out of pure curiosity, mind you - do you have some special girl of your own?"

Jack privately thought that this wasn't the best chat topic, but at least the spectators were quiet now. Too quiet, actually. Though he didn't dare steal any glances,he was sure all the girls were desperately awaiting his next words, hoping that he would deny it.

His mind immediately drew out some high school dates, but he discarded those - too boring. There was Tooth, who was possibly the sweetest girl in the world. He liked her very much, but he was certain it definitely not 'that way.' Then there was the 'angel' - the platinum blonde girl from District 12...

Whoa! He crossed her out quickly - and why was she even on the list? He barely spoke to her and after the training session, he was sure she felt nothing but disgust towards him. Besides, it would be taboo to have 'feelings' for a fellow tribute, especially from another district. Not that he had any, or anything at all...

A grin crept on his face as a wicked idea popped in his head. It would seem that he could have some fun after all.

"Well, there is special young lady who's waiting for me at home."

Silence was so thick one could walk on it.

"Her eyes are chocolate brown and so her hair. She's not very tall, and to some, she might not be considered pretty. She likes bossing me around and blaming me for things I haven't done - okay, fine I've done some of them. She loves ice-skating and building snowmen, but she hates shoving snow. She hates going to school, but she loves making me go. Most of all, she loves to hear my stories, but she'd always criticize them at the end. She's the single most annoying person I've ever had my life, and the only one I'd die for over and over."

Turning to the crowds, he smirked when he noted the many disconsolate faces amongst the female population. He could see Bunnymund fuming at his seat. North was the only obstacle stopping the grey-haired man from stomping over and giving his mentee a much deserved ragging. Jack felt sorry for his mentor sometimes, but it was just so amusing to tease him that he couldn't resist it; it was like taking a carrot from a raging rabbit.

He decided to spare them further agony. "She's Emma, my little sister."

The sigh of relief from the spectator stands was unanimous.

Mike continued from that, "Well, your little sister is one really lucky girl, to have a brother like you."

"I'd say I'm the lucky one," Jack told him, before turning to a camera, "but I still think you're annoying, Emma!"

Some snickers were heard, and Jack couldn't help joining in.

"Is there anything you would like to tell her right now?"

"Like on the TV?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

Jack took a moment to ponder, which was readily filled by more chants and declarations of love by his fans. When his lips parted to speak, a hush descended as all eagerly perked their ears.

"Doesn't mean that sun comes up means that the moon's gone. Doesn't mean there are clouds overhead means the sun's gone. Just believe, and you'll know where to find me."

It was cryptic, and honestly made it very little sense to an outsider. Jack didn't know if he should interpret the lull as people being really moved, or really confused.

In attempt to save himself from the awkward break, he yelled to the camera, "I love you Emma!"

The crowds licked that up like honey, and the uproar that came was so deafening and enthusiastic that Jack immediately clabbered back up into his seat. He could imagine Emma throwing her head back, laughing at his pain, and decided that perhaps all this was worth something after all.

"You are from the plantation district, aren't you Ralph?"

A grunt.

"So what do you think your best skill is?"

A grim answer, "My hands."

"Well, if you were to encounter a problem in the games, how would you deal with it?"

"I'm gonna wreck it."

"Well, sure. You certainly are very strong, but with the tough opposition you may face, what do you to say to that?"

A growl - "I'm gonna wreck it!"

The green-haired presenter recoiled warily. "Okay..."

She tugged hard on the gloves, rolling her knuckles in her palms. To anyone else, it looked like she was warming herself.

She was so stiff! Why couldn't she be pleasant and cheery? Why couldn't she laugh and make jokes? Anna would do so much better; she was a people-person, after all. She'd gabble on about something completely trivial and make several slip-ups, but her awkward sweetness and bubbly friendliness would win hearts instantly.

Then Elsa reminded herself why Anna was not here.

"-you know her better as the 'Snow Queen', she heard Mike Wazowski's voice blaring from the front. The applause was not much softer. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Elsa Arendelle, the Girl on Ice!"

The heels were biting into her soles as she ascended the stage. The teal green dress was quite becoming on her, but she was well aware that it paled heavily comparison to the fantastic crystal blue gown she had several days earlier. She wondered what was going through her stylist's mind when he gave her this dress. Her blonde hair was twisted in a coronet, which was much relieved to be wearing, and what comforted her the most was the gloves.

"My, my, aren't you a looker, Elsa," the green-haired man greeted her, taking her arm as he led her to the armchair across his own.

"Thank you." She didn't even have the grace to blush. Ladylike manners came to her easily, since Anna and her had had enough lessons from their mother before. But mannerisms alone didn't make good showmanship. Why couldn't she relax?

She could feel her palms aching and burning beneath the gloves - as much ice could burn at least. She heard Mike say something, and she shifted her body to him. "What?"

There was mild laughter at that, while Mike gave her an amused look. "I guess even the Snow Queen can get cold feet. " More laughter came with that, and Elsa forced a smile on your face. She tried to remember the words that Olaf had exchanged with her just two minutes ago - "You're the nicest person in the world, Elsa, but you need to let people know that."

Nice? Why should she be nice to these people, who were the very reasons why she had fight in an Arena in the first place? Her palms formed fists in her lap. 'Nice' was not an option, as far she was concerned.

"-grandest parade ever. That carpet of ice across the streets, it was like 'whoa!' I swear, this has to be the coolest thing since butterscotch ice-cream. Get it? Coolest?" Mike Wazowski was talking.

The audience chortled right on cue.

The green man turned to her now, inquiring, "How did you feel about when you were in that ice dress, rolling down the streets of the Capitol?"

She blinked, then quickly remembered that he was talking about the cover story. Trying to sound good-humoured, she replied, "You mean, after I got over freezing to death?"

Encouraging hoots of laughter came from the stands, and Elsa allowed herself to exhale, adjusting her platinum-blonde over her shoulder.

"It's a pity it lasted only for the parade." Mike sighed dramatically, and much of the crowds agreed with him. "I would love to see that snow again."

Elsa remembered something about that Olaf had said during preparation time. She had just confessed to him that honestly she had no idea what to say or do on the stage.

"Well, Elsa," he had said in sage tone, which in his bubbly voice sounded just too cheerful, "what you need to do is let it go."

"Let it go?" She had been bewildered. "What is 'it'?"

Olaf hadn't seemed to hear her. "On the parade night, people loved you because you let it go, and if you are willing to do it tonight, you'll do perfectly." He gave her a comforting squeeze on the shoulder.

Stepping back, he had admired his handiwork, bouncing excitedly as he had gurgled with joy. "You look beautiful! Or you will be. Here." He had shoved a drawing into her hands. It was a sketch design of a dress much similar to the parade gown, but much shorter, without the white train, and strangely, with gloves. Elsa had to admit that the white gloves seemed rather out of place in the design.

"That part's optional," the stylist had told her, noticing her finger tracing it.

She had smiled and asked what had been bothering her for a long time, "Olaf, you know why I really wear gloves, right?"

"Yeah!" He had answered without hesitation, as he had adjusted her dress one last time. "You have a thing about dirt. Now on stage, when you ready, I want to twirl for me, then just let the 'magic' take its course."

"What!" Had been all she could say, before she had been shoved unceremoniously out of the studio, to the backstage. He was a rather confusing person, she found.

For now, she searched the crowds and eventually found the short, white-haired stylist in the stands. He found her staring and gave her a happy little wave. By his side sat the old wise victor, who now nodded at her encouragingly. His words came to mind - 'Never let fear stop you from doing what you need to do.'

What she needed to do right now was let it go.

She was trembling, but she spoke up, "Actually, I'm wearing the snow today." She tried steadying herself with the arms of the chair, but she didn't stop herself from talking, even turning to the hordes she so despised, as she called out, "Would you like to see it?"

All answers were in approval.

Her knees felt were wobbling like jelly as she got to her feet. Reluctantly, but determinedly she removed her gloves. Dropping them onto the armchair, she took in a breath.

'Twirl for me,' Olaf had said. 'Let the magic takes its course.' So she closed her eyes, and spun.

Shouts of surprised pleasure came as snow started whirling around herself. Specks of ice were flying around as the teal dress wound with her. Her coronet was undone into her plait flapped against her back. She took a risk by allowing an ice blast to shoot up, bursting into icy flakes when it hit the rafters. People were already screaming and whooping with admiration. She recalled the drawing that Olaf had shown her, and with a single touch on her own dress, she willed the ice weave into the green fabric, spinning and twining until what she wore became the exact manifestation of Olaf's drawing.

Cries of awe and gasps of delight were heard all around when she finally stopped, herself giddy with exaltation. The thunderous applause shook the stands so hard that one would have thought an earthquake was happening. With a curtsy, she returned to her seat.

"That's it!" Mike exclaimed with mock resolve, "I'm getting an ice suit!" Many in the stands whooped in agreement.

She remembered to play along. "An ice suit? With your nice green self?" She found herself teasing the presenter, "I don't know about that." Some snickers came from the spectators.

Mike pretended to pout. "Don't judge till you try." But then he laughed, and Elsa gladly joined in.

As of now, only half of the three minutes had been used up. She wondered what Mike would make them talk about next. Pabbie had said he'll likely gloss over the training score - for that she was grateful, but that didn't leave much else to talk about except -

"During the reaping, Elsa, I think all of us," the green-haired gestured at the spectators, then back to himself, "were seriously moved when we saw you volunteer. That girl was your sister, wasn't she?"

He had to bring that up, didn't he? As subtly as she could, she slid her gloves back on – she had turned them white, like Olaf's design. This topic was one she couldn't face with her bare hands.

"Yes," was her short reply. Then she suddenly imagined Anna curled up in front of the holographic player they had at home, clinging on every word that she said. Ever since the 'accident', she had always been afraid of reaching out to Anna, afraid of hurting her. But now Anna was safe, a million miles away, and the only way she could hurt her is by not speaking up right now.

"Her name is Anna," she interrupted Mike before he could inquire further. Afraid that she offended him, she glanced his way anxiously. However, he just nodded, urging her to continue. So she turned herself to the crowds once more. "She's my younger sister, the only family I've had since my parents died. I've - " Elsa twisted her fingers together "- I've always shut her out. I'd said that it was for her own good, but really, -" she wrung her hands together, "- it was for myself. I was afraid to love, and to accept it. And I just want Anna to know that I'm sorry."

Her words rung like a bell through the silence. Every neck was craned forward as all were all ears to whatever she had to say.

"There's so much that I owe her. But there's just no way I can..." she trailed off, not sure where to go with her words.

Fortunately Mike Wazowski was on the ball - it was expected, of course, since he had been in the job was ages. "Seems like you really want to go home, don't you?"

Elsa nodded, not daring to speak, lest her voice cracked and betrayed her overwhelming fear. Chanting her mantra over and over in her head, she prayed he'd take over.

"I don't mean to a stickler, Elsa, but your score compared to others, well, let's say it's just not the best" - looks like Olaf was wrong after all - "what do say of your fighting odds then?"

Mike wasn't bringing it up to damage her image - he was trying to help, but she needed to use this well. She pursed her lips, but she couldn't ignore the quiet forever.

At the back of her head, an old memory surfaced; the memory of the first ever execution she had ever witnessed. As the mayor of the District then, her father had to be present as the Peacekeepers led a man to the gallows. They had said that he had stolen from the bakery - three whole loaves. The man had been stocky and well-built, and she had wondered why he couldn't just fight the hunger and wait for the next pay, like others did. Surely he was strong enough. Her father had then pointed out to her a sickly, skinny little boy amongst the masses, whose dirty blonde hair was much like the man's. He had then told her something that she never forgot, and that was what she said right now.

"You'd surprised at what people would do for those they love."

"That was incredible!" Olaf congratulated her as she arrived back in the studio. He immediately threw a hug around her. "I knew you could do it!"

"Thank you, Olaf," Elsa said as sincerely as she could manage, when the little white man released her at last. She was still jittery, but largely, she was relieved that her part was over.

"You did well," a deep, throaty voice came from behind. She spun around. His dark eyes shone with kind affirmation. "Your sister would be proud."

"Thank you," she answered simply.

"Ooh! Ooh! Hans' on right now! Let's go watch!" Olaf was hopping around, dragging her towards the lounge. Elsa was reluctant, but she couldn't refuse in the face of the hyperactive stylist's enthusiasm. In some ways, he reminded her too much of Anna.

Hans was halfway through his interview by the time they settled down, but it was obvious that he was doing fine. He wasn't as funny as the boy from District 2, but his pleasant demeanor and droll humor kept him entertaining.

"So, Hans," the presenter in the screen said after the applause died down, "do you have any special someone back home? A girlfriend?"

Elsa grabbed the television controller, punching up the volume. She did want to hear what he had to say about her sister.

The boy hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Well, I had a few girlfriends before, but" - he shrugged- "no one special, as of now."

Elsa's eyes widened. What was he talking about? Wasn't he dating Anna? Had something happened to them on the day the trains left? Or was this some subtle message to tell his girlfriend to stop waiting for him? She scrutinize the boy carefully, suspiciously watching and waiting for his next move.

The presenter scoffed at Hans' response. "No one? A handsome lad like you? I don't believe that."

The red boy's eyes darted uncomfortably away for a moment, before he begun again, "Well, there's this one girl, but as far as I know, she sort of hates me..."

Hates him? Elsa's mind was in a whirl. Anna adored this guy! She liked him so much that it even made herself jealous! Behind the gloves, she could feel the familiar aching sensation, and she quickly clenched both hands to prevent the spread, but her fury knew no bounds. She furrowed her brows, her lips pressed in a hard line. If Hans had been playing her sister for a fool all this while, she would ensure he paid fully for it; boyfriend or no boyfriend.

"-you win the Games, she'd have no choice but start liking you back," Mike replied. Much of the audience concurred with him.

The boy swallowed nervously, folding his arms back - was it for show? - before he continued, "Actually, winning won't help in my case."

That threw Elsa off again, and this was shared by both spectators and other viewers in the lounge.

"Well, why not?" the presenter questioned curiously.

The boy reddened, and seemed reluctant, but eventually, he answered, "Because she's here too. In a matter of fact, she came with me."

S/N:
Did anyone see that last part coming? Who thought it was going to be Jack or Hiccup saying these signature lines? Because if you did, success for me!I'm probably going to drop songs from the movies every now and then, but I hope it won't be too inappropriate and that you guys don't hate it. So, 'I See the Light' from Tangled.

The teal dress Elsa transforms from is much like her coronation dress, just more Capitol style. Up Next: Counting down starts here! For the next 2 chapters:

"I said I'd think of something."

"It can't be okay. It'll never be okay."

"He was a man of his word."

A/N: I got bored. So I'm just updating this now.

Mailbox:

countrygal15: King Julien would be actually fantastic for a Caesar. Wonder why I didn't think of that…but I'm not very familiar with Madgascar stuff – and the dude is really nuts. Initially, I was just going to make Elsa wear the dress from the start, but since you suggested this, and since she's probably not gonna get to transform her dress again anytime soon, I added it in as well.

A way to uncreative girl: Thanks! I felt a bit uneasy about it, but I'm glad you like it after all. Thanks for reviewing.

Okay, I'll go a get a life for maybe two more days, then I'll update.

Review! Ask Questions! Critique!

See ya later folks!