He breathed in the cold mountain air, the clean scents of snow and the forest filled his lungs and he felt them ache. He exhaled with a happy sigh and a smile. He had taken the Snow Queen's advice and started at the waterfall. As he stood atop the outcrop with the frost melt cascading beside him he smiled at the kingdom before him. The many banners on the lampposts were being changed in the early day hours, though some maintained the Arendelle crest. The Lord of Snow sat down on the edge and simply watched the kingdom come to life.

Many ships had begun sailing into the harbor and he saw many high nobles walk the gangplank and into the main city square. Some flags swayed in the light breeze, other trade ships were forced to opposite ends of the harbor or even remained in the fjord outside the stonewalls. Others were simply long boats, carrying three or four people at most to the stony shore. Jack thought it all hilarious, the amount of mischief he could cause. But now he faced a dilemma he hadn't thought about this since he turned. By the kindness of creatures he nearly hated and by the love of the very ruler of the kingdom he was no longer a spirit, but a physical being to the world.

He stood and threw his cane over his shoulder; the box with his uniform tucked under his arm. He turned and walked down the rocky steps until he crossed into the thin forest. He wanted to use his magic but he felt that it would cause more harm than good. He tied his shawl around the box on the crook of his cane and took the familiarity of a vagabond. When he'd entered the city he was surprised that no one in particularly paid attention to him. Instead, they were busy with their own tasks.

He felt his heart sink, thinking the spell unsuccessful, until someone bumped into him. He stumbled backwards from the impact of the heavyset man and they grumbled an apology before continuing on. His first encounter was rude, but it was just more proof that the spell had in fact worked. With his resolve renewed, he strolled down the cobblestone pathways, greeted everyone not entirely busy, and helped those who were. Stacking casks of alcohol, moving sale carts, hanging steamers of witches and skeletons and playing tag with the younger children; he laughed and felt whole again. He had felt the ache of isolation lift greatly from Elsa, but here with the children tackling him into the mud did he feel like he had a family and at last a purpose.

He made a decision then and there and he would fight his love for it if he had to. He just had to find away to avoid that argument if he could. A glob of mud hit him in the face and he was pulled from his thoughts. With a laugh, he grabbed some mud and returned fire. Soon he was covered head to toe in mud and grass and he could taste the earth in his mouth. The dirt had turned his hair brown and he smirked at the image in the puddles. The mothers returned and began scolding them all. Jack cowered under their tones but felt a hand on his shoulder, the fathers thanking him for being a distraction for the children. He returned thanks and found a few of the younger girls giggling in a crowd and turning blushed faces away from him.

He smirked and gathered up his staff and box from the road. He would definitely need to bathe, but he couldn't just go walking into the castle and he felt wrong asking one of the girls for a bath. Instead, he thought of the perfect idea, with the harbor just there and the forest nearby he had the perfect cover for him to change and not be far away. He strolled down the wooden planks and avoided many of the crates of goods that were carted past, ducking and jumping around them if necessary. He looked back as a large and overflowing crate of pastries was carried past.

Suddenly he hit something solid and was knocked to the ground with a heavy thump. The box went skidding towards the edge and he dove for it, securing it to his chest before it went into the lapping waters. He scowled up at whoever it was and instead found himself glaring at the sun and two large figures horsed. Atop one of them was a slender but muscular man with salt and pepper hair and a thin black beard sneering down at him, the gold ring at his eyebrow glinting in the light.

"Watch where you're going boy." The last word spat with thick venom.

"I'm sorry who are you?" Jack asked,

The Master of Trade wheeled his horse towards him. "You better keep your mouth shut as you address a Master of Arendelle."

"Master?" Jack blinked but his tone remained mocking and he leaned on his staff.

"What's in the box boy?" He asked, shifting in his saddle, "Have you stolen from one of my ships?"

"No, and I don't think the queen would appreciate you harassing me."

"The queen?" The tradesman's eyes narrowed, "What does the queen have to do with this? You're just a rat in my gutter." He bumped Jack with the side of his horse.

"Even if I serve a higher noble?"

"What the queen desires is my command." With that, the Master of Trade turned his horse back to the docks; the hindquarters of the steed knocking him backwards and Jack had to toss the box farther onto the dock before he plunged into the water.

With a gasp, he surfaced and swung his head side to side to shake the mud and water from his hair. It ran in rivulets down his face and he glared after the Master of Trade confused by the encounter. He noticed the crossbow at the saddle and was suddenly glad he was only hit with a horse instead of an arrow.

A couple of tradesman, both of them burly, hoisted him up onto the docks and a younger girl handed him his staff and box. He would have easily assumed it was a boy, her short-cropped hair stuffed into a cap; his only hint was the yellow ribbon tying what wasn't short back.

"Careful around here sir, the Master is not kind to outsiders." Said the man to his right.

"Thank you," Jack said, shaking the water from his arms.

"Best head back to the square, the Ice Master could find you work."

"The Ice Master?"

"His name is Kristoff Bjorgman, a native to Arendelle. You should find him easily, tall as the North Mountain, strong as one too, blonde hair." The man at his left said in a thick accent.

"He works with Jack Frost," The young girl interjected neatly.

Jack blinked, briefly stunned, "What did you say?"

"Jack Frost, the Spirit of Winter."

Jack smiled down at the girl, "What is your name miss?"

"Yelena, sir."

"Do you believe in Jack Frost?"

"I do sir, but Papa says he's just a myth."

"Aye, Yelena, now don't you go filling this lad's head with stories too."

"No, let her." Jack said almost desperately, "I want to know, where did you hear of Jack Frost?"

"Mama reads us stories, about trolls and witches that eat bad children in homes made of candy."

"Homes made of candy?" Jack laughed incredulously, "And what of Jack Frost?"

"He's my favorite, but Papa and Kale think the Queen was cursed by Jack Frost and given her powers of Ice."

"Oh does he now?" Jack turned amused eyes to the older men.

"Aye, but that makes her all the more beautiful." Kale said, smiling at nothing.

"Here boy, what do you know of Jack Frost?" The father asked him.

"Quite a lot actually, I've heard he was just like you once, but then the moon turned him into a spirit." Jack turned to the girl, "And that the queen saved him."

The two men behind him were grumbling about his theory but the girl tugged on his shirt before he could argue.

"Saved him? How?"

"By showing him kindness, and love, and what life could be like when you are cursed with winter in your blood."

The girls eyes narrowed and her brother pushed her along. They wished Jack luck on his travels and he stepped into a nearby long boat. The girl turned back to look at Jack, he noticed and moved his hands in a circular motion, and snow swirled in the air. As the snow compacted into a ball, he turned back to the girl and with a wink paddled down the side of the castle. He heard the happy giggles and screams from the child and he laughed, his mischievous nature quieted some.

He had just gone beyond the reach of the docks before he noticed something glint in the light. It was a small purse of gold coins stashed in the boards. It smelt of wine and Jack washed the pouch to rid it of the foul smell, he guessed it had come from the former Master of Coin.

With a shrug, he picked up the oars once more and began paddling around to the far side of the castle, a bit of privacy needed. He sighed and dropped the oars as he fell into the shadow of the great castle. A sound pricked at his ears and he faintly saw a window open a few feet above him, just out of standing reach. He belatedly recognized where he suddenly was and what he heard. Elsa was sitting at her piano and playing simple tunes. He tumbled quietly into the water and held the boat still. He floated in the water listening to her play, the mud and sweat from the day floating away with the soft waves.

He took a breath and sank beneath the surface. He felt odd, as if he was replaying a memory as he stared at the rays of light distorted by the water. He remembered it differently though, the water had been darker and it had been very cold. He scrubbed the remaining mud and grime from his hair and resurfaced. He heard laughter and glanced up at the window. It wasn't Elsa's laugh but Anna's and he wondered what was going on. He didn't have to wait long before a pair of hands dangled over the edge and he heard a sigh the music dying out as it came to an end.

"I hate it. He's been weird, more distant lately." The princess said, "I mean that's beyond the ridiculous hours he spends working and with the festival today…I don't know."

He heard a soft laugh, "Don't worry Anna, I'm sure he's just exhausted. Have you asked him what's up?"

"No, not really. I will tonight though."

There was a pause had he desperately wanted to see, but he dare not give himself away.

"So tell me," Anna said breaking the silence "Where's your Lord Frost? Off making mischief with the woodland creatures?"

He heard her laugh again, "I hope he's in the town actually, mischief or no. I don't want him carted to me in chains however. That would be embarrassing."

"Why in the town? No one would even notice."

"Remember that ace up my sleeve? Well, I've played it."

"Okay you're going to need to be a little less cryptic." Elsa chuckled, "I don't like that look on you, it's too…"

"Too what? I'm not doing anything." He could hear the smothered humor.

"Mischievous. You're spending too much time with that man."

"I feel like I spend too little," Her voice was soft and he felt a smirk. I couldn't have said it better... "But it's necessary, and he's actually the one who constantly insists on it."

"Now that's interest." Anna mused. "Ask him to stay later!"

"I have! But then where would I be? Distracted to no end and then where would the kingdom stand? In worse shape and…" He heard a sigh, "What would they think of me?"

He felt his brow furrow for he heard the sorrow in her voice. He desperately wanted to climb to the window and embrace her. To hold her and tell her everything is okay and that she need not worry. He nearly had his chance as another, more familiar, set of hands fell over the windowsill.

"I'm sure they would be proud. You put too much pressure on your shoulders trying to please them." He heard a breath and her voice shakier, "Even if they were here, then you wouldn't be queen, you would still be locked in your room living in fear. I wouldn't have met Kristoff and-"

"And you would be much safer from me, everyone would."

"You don't know that."

"I do. I would never have caused the winter, trade would be greatly increased with the help of Weselton and even Hans might have approached us differently…but you're right." Jack blinked and felt as if Anna had as well at the confession. "I would give up so much for them to be here right now, but I wouldn't trade our lives for it. You love Kristoff and strangely enough he and that reindeer of his have grown on me." He heard a laugh, "No, I wouldn't be queen, I honestly don't mind that, but I do enjoy the freedom that my powers have had. I don't feel as caged as before, and I have a great deal to thank, especially to-"

"Jack," Anna said neatly cutting her off.

"Naturally…but I also have to thank you."

"Me?"

"Forgive the pun, but who started that snowball?" There was a pause and Elsa began to laugh, "You did Anna," She said through the laughter, "When you pulled off my glove."

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot that."

"I hated those things…" He saw Elsa wring her hands together briefly and then stand from the windowsill.

Jack made a mental note and left, towing the boat behind him. He made it to the other side of the castle where there was a soft shore, the edge of the courtyard wall a few feet away and up a rocky staircase. He stood from the water and pulled the little boat up to shore. He took off his shawl and vest and threw it on the edge of the boat to dry. He took off the white tunic and wrung it in his hands, splattering mud on his ankles and slopping water everywhere. He saw the sun begin to dip into the sky and he had to shield his eyes from the light.

A peculiar sound made his eyes stare at his stomach and it took him a moment to register what it was. He threw his head back and laughed as he heard the sound again. He wasn't used to that sound but he wondered if this was just a side effect of the spell. He pulled on the tunic and vest but tucked the shawl under his arm, along with the box. Staff in hand he walked back to the square for a bit of festival food. He paid with a coin from the purse and tucked it back in his shirt.

He earned a scathing look as the cart owner bit the coin before handing over a large pastry. He looked down and he understood immediately. How could a lowly peasant like him carry a purse full of silvers and gold? He left the town and headed back to the waterfall. As he overlooked the town, many children donned masks of witches and trolls and playful screams filled the air. He laughed to himself and watched the sun dip into the sky. He stood and made his way to the forest to change. The main doors to the castle remained closed and he wondered what his queen was up too.

Elsa remained in the music room, but the lid to her piano was shut. She had played for Anna the simple tunes of a waltz and Anna danced her way about the room. She smiled, hearing the piano keys warp into the festive strings and horns that would later fill her ears. She looked out the window and wondered what Jack was up to. It was odd, she had thought he'd have caused some sort of raucous earlier, but no such news came. She shook her head and looked back at her hands.

She wasn't wrong when she told Anna she hated those gloves. She could still feel the cloth that kept her powers at bay. A lie. With Jacks help she could summon her powers at will, though majority of her strength remained in her hands. She let a tendril of ice snake its way across the room and traced designs on the door. She looked out the window saw the tall shadow of the castles towers in the water. With a sigh, she left the music room.

With no particular destination in mind she wandered the busy halls of her castle. Servants and guards scurried in small groups here and there and she stuck to the railing as she made her way down the stairs. The castle doors remained closed but she felt the growing excitement just beyond them and couldn't help but smile in anticipation.

She remembered the slight joy that had found its way into her heart when they had opened for her Coronation. She had so much fear, but it was her first test as queen, and ironically she didn't fail, not entirely. Her secret was out and after careful planning and amendments to the kingdom they accepted her, in reality they had little choice. It is better to be loved, than feared if you can't have both, she recited. I wonder if I have both.

With a sad smile tugging at her lips she turned down the hall. Idly passing closed doors she stopped at one in particular. On the rare occasion she did venture out into the castle she often found Anna asleep on one of the many benches and couches within the salon. It was there she found Kristoff looking up at the paintings.

"Why this room?" She asked him softly, coming up to stand at his side.

He looked down at her and she could see the question in his eyes.

"I didn't want to be anywhere where Anna could find me."

"So you picked her favorite room in the castle?"

"Third favorite." He corrected and she raised a slim brow. "Her room of course, and then yours."

Elsa smiled and looked back up at the paintings.

"I wanted to ask you something,"

"Anything," She said with a wry smile.

Anna was right; she spent too much time with Jack. She wanted to tease him for the blush that came to his face and how he struggled for words. Instead, she bit her tongue and patiently waited; the grandfather clock just outside clunking in the silence.

After running a hand through the mop of hair he sighed.

"Well, I've had to do this once already but…may I have your blessing?" He sheepishly glanced over at the queen.

She blinked at him, but the she smiled slowly and the expression made his blush deepen and he looked away.

"You've asked this question before."

"I asked my friends, or family – whatever you want to call it-" He felt a cool hand on his shoulder.

"Kristoff," He turned and she dropped the hand. "As Queen of Arendelle I grant you my blessing. Don't make me regret it," She said with another wry smile.

In an instant, he had embraced her in a tight hug and she was lifted off the ground. The sudden motion had her tense and ice sprawl up on the window. She coughed a laugh and at the sound he placed her quickly back on the ground. She still held that smile and she felt her heart soar. It was all she ever wanted for her sister, happiness, and finally she was going to get it all. Kristoff blushed again but thoughtfully looked back at the queen.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it."

"Its fine," She waved it away, but she couldn't help but wince as her ribs groaned in protest. "Go get dressed, before Anna see's you."

He laughed and glanced back at the queen. She held the smile but he saw something else in her face. He knew the look and he glanced at the portrait above her, with a crooked smile he bowed and left the room.

"Hang in their Joan," With that he was gone.

Elsa blinked at his remark and looked after him. She looked at the portrait of Joan of Arc above her and exhaled a laugh. She headed for her rooms and a plot began to form. She almost missed his angry grumbles as he passed but for a curse that made her turn.

"What's that about?"

At the inquiry the Master of Trade sighed and rubbed his neck. When he turned, Elsa could see the annoyance and anger buried in his eyes.

"Nothing your Majesty, just a boy causing mischief on my docks. A thief I feel, he carried a box and it seemed very valuable to him."

"Did you ask him for his name?" She mused though panic flitted across her heart.

"He said he worked for a higher noble but that was it." He turned and headed back down the hall, "Go, your guests are waiting for you." He held a hand in dismissal and she felt it prick at her pride.

"Us you mean," He stopped in his tracks and stood straight. "They require your attention as well."

He turned and she saw his anger dissipate, in its place was a sultry smile, "Yes, your majesty."

With a lavish bow, he turned on his heel and quickly made his way down the hall. She shared his smile and quickly made her way to her room. She pulled out her gown from the wardrobe and threw it on the bed, a hand on her chin as she thought. She needed her mask, but what to do? She looked between her crown on the nightstand and the dress on her bed. She felt a smile and quickly drew on the dress. As the last of the ice melded into place, she sat at the nightstand and turned the oval mirror towards her. With her hair twisted away from her face and make up on, she carefully took the mask in her hands; it would be her crown tonight as well.

She wondered if he would recognize her. She didn't have long to think before there was a knock on the door. She saw Olaf and Anna poke their heads in, Kristoff a shadow behind them. She sighed and put the mask on, and with it came a new wave of nerves. With a run of her hands the bangs fit neatly between the spires of her mask and the intricate designs that traced down to her jaw seemed more like armor than a mask. It would behave as such if she needed it to be.

Kristoff and Olaf left first and Anna beamed at her sister from the doorway. They shared a smile and the door to her room clicked shut behind her. As they headed down the hall she stopped at the edge of the stairwell, a hand on the corner. She felt like she was being suffocated, the nerves, the fear, it seemed too much. She could hear the laughter and music coming from the great hall and she knew many of them awaited her personally.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and Anna was suddenly there. She didn't need to say anything. She saw the confidence in her eyes and with Kristoff's smile, she had all the support she needed. She would not make another disaster. Olaf shouted for them at the bottom of the stair and Kristoff led Anna down the hall with a laugh. Elsa smiled after them, wondering if he had asked Anna yet.

The queen slipped through a side door, blending into the edge of the crowd. She saw a few look at her, but only just. In the shadows she smiled, her ruse now begun. Kristoff and Anna's titles were read and a sound of applause rang out. She greeted the crowd and formally opened the festivities. The doors swung open and Elsa saw many familiar faces from the town beyond the bridge and a few from her coronation. The music sprung up again and the crowd dispersed. Anna giggled and all but dragged Kristoff into the mob.

She smiled after them and felt someone stand at her side.

"A fair entrance my queen. Your sister shows promise."

She made a sound of amusement and looked at him out of the corner of her eye. The Master of Trade stood gallantly in a fair tunic and clasped black vest. The silver mask at his brow making his already sea-green eyes striking, the beard slicked to perfection. He was indeed in fine form tonight but he paled in comparison to his queen. With a smirk, she made her way down the walkway and he a step behind her.

"I had wondered where you had rushed off to." She said wryly.

"I had to do my queen justice, even if I am only a tradesman." He said with a shrug.

"A Master of Arendelle," She corrected softly.

"It seems I failed though," He trailed a hand over her shoulder.

She fought the fear that slithered from his touch. In response, she willed her power find his hand and he made a sound of shock.

"Careful Master Tradesman," She gave him a wicked smile. "Don't want you to catch a cold."

She stepped away from him and she finally allowed the fear she felt from his advance, but it was short lived. Immediately, many she knew from before greeted her. Dignitaries from Ireland, France, Spain they all praised her for beauty and the remarkable changes she had made to Arendelle. She thanked them each individually and turned back towards the crowd. She made her way through the sea of people stopping to chat every now and then, but she still had so much more to do. With a suppressed laugh, she turned down the fifth offer to dance, and silently wished it was the last. She caught up with Anna again, leaning against a tall pillar. Elsa laughed as she saw the exhaustion clear on Anna's face.

"Having fun?"

"I am, but I didn't realize how much these heels hurt!" She whined.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just a little out of practice." Anna blinked before she began laughing.

"What's so funny?" Elsa smiled though she felt the laugh was mocking.

"Just a thought; last time we had this conversation you said this would never happen again, now here we are and this is all your doing."

Elsa had to laugh at that, "This is nice," She agreed, recalling what her sister had said to her that day, "I'll see if I can find an excuse to throw another one." Her lips twisted into a smile.

"Because you throw such good parties," Anna said dryly, but internally she hopped.

"Be nice," Elsa warned but laughed the threat away, "Where's Kristoff?"

"He went to get drinks, and hopefully something covered in chocolate." She heard Elsa laugh behind a hand, "Where's Jack?"

"He'll be here," She said, a slight frown tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Fashionably late, why am I not surprised." Anna shook her head and saw Kristoff's blonde mop wade through the crowd. "I bet he'll be even more handsome now."

"Catch me if I faint," The queen drawled sarcastically.

The sisters laughed and Kristoff joined them, he offered them each a drink before he placed a hand on Anna's waist. They talked and sipped their wine, or beer in Kristoff's case, and soon they were laughing again. Anna looked up as Kristoff pointed to a gentleman who just walked in the doorway.

"Who's that?" The Ice Master's voice caught the queen attention.

Anna saw the man her Ice Master had pointed to. He was tall, with a slender build but carried himself with a mischievous arrogance. His light grey jacket expertly tailored to accentuate his frame and made him seem larger than originally perceived. His leather boots clicked upon the hardwood and the many medals chimed as he walked. He was very handsome beneath the white and silver mask and clear blue eyes shinned underneath. He smiled as a girl began talking to him and ran a hand through to tousle the chocolate hair.

He politely ended the conversation and pushed his way through the crowed, turning his head as he went, as if he were searching for someone. Anna didn't have an immediate answer and looked to her sister.

"Elsa?"

The queen had become a pillar of stone, staring at the man. Anna had never seen her so shell shocked, but she couldn't tell for the life of her what she felt beneath it. Was she afraid? Angry? She had better luck reading a rock. Anna laid a hand on her sisters' arm and felt the pulse race beneath the skin, her eyes widened.

"Elsa do you know him?" Kristoff beseeched the queen, when she continued to remain silent.

She blinked as if she had just realized she had been spoken too. Her eyes darted between the two before she looked at Anna. She swallowed thickly and found her sisters arm; the cold spiraled sporadically down the limb. She barely heard the name as it came out in a whisper.

"Frost."