"Are you sure you'll be okay?" I ask Anna as she mounts Sven. The sky is darker than ever, and it's barely after midday... It's not a natural darkness. I feel nervous, and now, I feel nothing but worry for Anna. What if Pitch gets to her? What if something horrible happens to her.
I don't hear Kristoff come up behind me, so I jump when he places a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Elsa. I won't let anything happen to Anna." He smiles at me before jumping up behind Anna.
Anna purses her lips at him. "I can look for him fine on my own. We're only looking around the town."
Kristoff gives her a disbelieving look, but she doesn't back down. Eventually, he just chuckles. "Will I remind you how helpless you were without my help when looking for Elsa when she ran off to the North Mountain?"
I cringe. Running away was always something I regretted, but it was what needed to be done. Obviously, nothing good came from it anyway, and I put Arendelle in very deep snow. I remember the moment Hans told me my sister was dead, and I feel a sharp pain erupt in my chest. When I thought she was dead, I no longer cared. I even heard his sword in the silence, and I just wanted to die.
I look sharply at Anna. "Don't get hurt."
She smiles at me. "I won't. Don't worry." Her expression softens when she sees the worry on my face. "I love you, Elsa."
"I love you, Anna," I reply.
"Come on, Sven," Kristoff urges on Sven. The reindeer moves forward, eventually beginning to trot away from us.
I know they're only searching around the town, and around the castle, but I feel deeply worried for them. Kristoff may be with her, but he's helpless against Pitch Black and his rage. I've witnessed some of his power, and it's frightening. I'd hate to see his full potential... I shiver at the thought of the darkness he could unleash.
"So, I can't help but wonder how you and Jack happened." I jump, surprised by Mund's sudden appearance beside me. "It's a bit strange."
"Jack and I-? I- I don't know what–"
"Save it," Mund interrupts me. "I'm a bunny. I ain't some stupid animal. Honestly, did you think Sandy would keep his mouth shut?" I look at him perplexed, and he laughs, surprising me again. "Don't go saying anything, but I worry about that snow kid."
"Jack. His name is Jack," I remind him.
He rolls his eyes and scoffs. "You say something or do something nice and nobody pays attention but the get angry when you make one mistake." He looks at me. "You know it won't work, right? And quite frankly, I don't approve... At all. Immortals and mortals ain't meant to be friends. It just gets complicated."
I look away from him. "I know," I mumble. "It's just..." Why was I trying to explain it to Bunnymund? It's not like he cares that much. I feel at a lost for words, and I rack my brain desperately to explain how I feel.
He smiles at me and my worry disappears. "I know," he replies. Despite what I first thought of Mund, I'm slowly changing my mind. He's not as terrible and rude as I first thought him to be. "I just don't get why! Jack's so... Annoying."
I chuckle. "He's not so bad when you get to know him," I say a little defensively, but lightly.
"He's childish–"
"He's fun."
"He causes chaos!"
"He's energetic."
"He's cocky–"
"He's right behind you." Mund and I whirl around to face Jack who looks between us amused. He holds his staff in his hand and whirls it around, cocking a brow upwards. "As much as I love being the topic of the conversation, I have to interrupt this." He turns to just look at me. "You ready to go?"
My eyes travel to look towards the mountains. I let out a shaky breath, and nod my head. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess." Jack gives me a reassuring smile and I turn to Mund. "Good luck."
"No. You have to go to Tooth," Jack says getting my attention. I face him and see one of the fairies flying in front of his face. He laughs at the little fairy as she squeaks. "I have to go now," he tells her. "Stay safe." He gives the little fairy a stroke of his finger, and she sighs dreamily, before flying over to Tooth who's counting her fairies.
"You have a group of fans," I comment.
"Well, when you have my looks–" Both Mund and I scoff at the same time, causing Jack to grin.
"As I said: cocky."
I make a face and look pointedly at Jack. "Can't say I disagree," I reply. Jack just laughs at this, and for a few minutes, what we're going to probably face is forgotten.
"I guess we should be going, then." Jack holds out a hand and I take it. He helps me onto his back, and we're saying our goodbyes to the Guardians, and ravens, not butterflies as they're too sweet and gentle, erupt in my stomach, making me feel sick. I feel scared.
In seconds we're up in the air, and in minutes, Arendelle is far below us. I don't know what's making me worse- my own safety or Anna's. I ponder it for a second and sigh, because I know I'm more scared for Anna's safety than my own. God, I'd rather something bad happens to me than Anna. I know deep down she feels the opposite. She's always loved me, and despite shutting her out for most of our lives, she never stopped loving me.
The wind howls loudly like the wolves in the forest as we fly further up the mountain. I scope the ground for any sign of Pitch. I frown; how am I supposed to know where he is from up here? He can, after all, blend into the shadows. He controls darkness... Maybe I should look for where the darkness is the worst.
I can't help but think again that perhaps he has taken residence in my ice castle. It's the only thing I can't destroy from my past of fear and horror. There's something that makes me feel connected to it... I'm not sure if its the freedom I felt for a little while, or how I could finally use my powers without fear and see for the first time what I was truly capable of, or how finally I could contain my anxiety and doubts.
I hope he hasn't taken an interest in my Ice Castle.
"You know, Mund told me he worries about you," I tell Jack, hating the silence between us.
He smiles. "I know he does," he replies. "That big fur ball is a big softie, remember?" I laugh a little remembering that Jack had told me Mund is a softie.
"He also... He also said..."
"He doesn't approve of us?" Jack guesses. I nod my head, keeping an eye on the ground. He shrugs his shoulders. "I've never listened to Mund anyway, so who cares?" He grins. "I have always been a massive rule breaker."
"Jack... What are we, exactly? Because I.. I really do like you, but what's the point if we're never going to be able to be together?"
He keeps his eyes on the ground too, but I see he looks troubled. Finally, he says, "The point, El, is that I may be immortal and you may be mortal, but I've always been a strong believer in living in the moment. Quite frankly, meeting you was a big moment in my life, and life has been a whole lot better since meeting you. So, I think we should just live in the moment."
I look at him impressed, and I can see a cocky grin creep onto his face. He's right though: living in the moment will probably be a whole lot better than worrying about what waits for us in the future... Even if we both know what it means. Maybe for a little while I can forget about it, and let it go. Maybe, like Jack, I should enjoy the moments that are happening now.
Deciding to think this over, I look back to the ground.
The ground is blanketed in brown and red fallen leaves, and the trees are nearly completely bare. The autumn air is cool, but I don't think it's cold. I'm not sure; bar feeling it from Jack's body, I can't feel the cold. Plus, the more time I spend with Jack, the more I become used to the coolness of his skin. Well, sometimes when he touches me I still get goosebumps down my arms. I wonder if he feels coldness off of me...
The trees cast long shadows, and the further we fly, the darker it becomes. I see wolves and deer wandering through the forest. I see a little shop, and the lanterns are lit. The forest becomes more denser the higher we go, until eventually the branches, darkness and leaves block my view.
"I can't see a thing," I groan.
"Should we land?"
I nod my head, and Jack descends into the forest. From off in the distance I hear a wolf howl, and more answer its call. I shiver as the howls pierce the air. There's something eerie and sinister about a wolves howl, yet somehow, it's still captivating, silencing the whole forest. It seems as though everything in life holds its breath as the wolves howl.
Finally, they stop, and I let out a breath. The whole world seems to exhale with me. "I think we should walk from here," I say. "The North Mountain isn't too far from here."
"And now we're on the lookout for Pitch and wolves... Wonderful," Jack grumbles.
Jack walks on ahead, and I grin, sneaking up on him and grabbing his back. He yells and jumps away from me, and glares at me when he realises that it was me. "Are you afraid of wolves, Jack?" I giggle at his expression.
He raises his staff, and his expression darkens. "Don't move," he whispers to me. I freeze on the spot, terrified to even look behind me.
"This better not be some joke-" I'm cut off by a snarl behind me. I gulp, trying to control my fear. The ground beneath me begins to freeze as I lose control of my fear. My breathing becomes rapid, and I try to regain control as I know wolves can smell fear. "Landing was not a good idea," I squeak.
I whirl around and throw out my hands. The wolf hunches on its hind legs in seconds, and pounces, my ice missing it by inches.
A blast of cold whistles past my face and freezes the wolf, about ten inches from where I stand. I back away and it lands in front of me, frozen.
Jack scowls at it, coming to stand next to me. "I'm not afraid of them, but I'm definitely not a wolf person, that's for sure," he says darkly. He turns to me looking at me in concern. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I manage, although I haven't got control of my breathing yet, and the area around us is completely coated in ice. I furrow my eyebrows. "L- let's go look for Pitch."
"From now on we stay side by side," Jack decides. He looks worried, and glances around us again. "Wolves stay in packs, right?"
"Normally," I answer.
"Then, let's get out of here," he says. "We're a small pack compared to them."
And so, side by side and on foot, we continue our search for Pitch. I listen to any sound– whether it be Pitch or wolves, I'll definitely be ready.
But everywhere I set my foot down leaves an icy patch. Fear is consuming me again, almost as bad as when the town discovered my power. I close my eyes for a few seconds, and I let the sound of Jack's breathing, and his shoulder bumping off of mine guide me.
At least Jack's here with me. I'm not alone. I have Jack, and that's all that matters right now. I'm not going to be facing this monster on my own.
It doesn't help my fear.
Okay!
Terribly sorry, but I'm too tired to reply to comments today! Plus, school tomorrow– I don't want to go. :( So, I have to go to sleep as it's eleven at night! Hmmm... I may update tomorrow too. I mean, I have after school study until ten past six at my school, so, I'll have my HW and study done... So... I MIGHT update tomorrow. Maybe. We'll see.
And to all of you who have said anything about it: thank you so much. It's nice of you to have my uncle in your thoughts and prayers. I hope he can get out of this. Maybe. Never say never, right?
it honestly does mean a lot to me to read all your comments.
...
anyway... While writing this I was listening to Lorde's album. Can I just say how flawless her music is!? I mean, she's seventeen! Only a few months older than I am, and look how much she's accomplished! Agh. Sorry, I just lover her.
Night, and bless you all!
(I notice I say bless you to people, all though I'm not religious. I mean, I was brought up a catholic, but... I'm not religious. I consider myself atheist... I don't believe in god... But anyway... I'm rambling...)