Before we begin, I would like to take a moment to thank those who have gone above and beyond the figurative call of duty: the wonderful people who have taken the time to follow, favourite, and especially review! So far, I've sent a PM to everyone who does that, individually, but if you weren't logged in at the time you reviewed or don't have an account, this thank you is especially for you! I love hearing your advice, feedback, opinions, and encouragement. It keeps me going when I start listening to the little voice in my head that whispers "You can't do this. It's not good enough. You'll never finish." I'd also like to add that if you are in a funk and listening to that little voice, DON'T! Each one of you reading this is an unique, amazing individual. No one can replace you! And you mean more than you think to many more people than you realize. If you ever need a listening ear or encouragement, just send me a PM so I can help.

Next, I'd like to take a moment to express my gratitude for all of you invisible readers out there: the readers who don't review, favourite, or follow, but still read my story nonetheless. I know you exist (the numbers I see prove it), and it means the world to me that so many people are interested in my writing and faithfully reading it. So thank you for your time, and on to the story!

Jack basked in the freedom of flying through the sky, making unnecessary loops and turns of pure exhilaration. The wind playfully nipped at his clothing and hair, invigoratingly chilling his exposed skin as it rushed by. After the initial burst of exuberance at taking to the air once more, Jack remembered his mission.

Oh, right. I'm supposed to be fetching food for Elsa.

Correcting his wayward course, Jack made his way back toward the town they had come from. Elsa was depending on him, perhaps quite literally placing her life in his hands. His new responsibility of being a provider was weighty, but not overly so. The way he figured, once Elsa learned to control her powers, she could come back here to her home.

Home…

The word still sent a pinch of longing shooting through his heavy heart. Jack thought that feeling had vanished when he was accepted as a Guardian, but now it was painfully evident that was not the case. He rubbed at his chest to get rid of the stubborn, uncooperative emotions.

Just live in the moment. Enjoy the now, and have fun.

Jack soared to the south, losing himself once more in the joy of flight. Keeping in mind the seriousness of his mission, he kept the frolicking to a minimum… sort of. The town, once a blur toward the horizon, was rapidly approaching. But instead of descending, he flew up, higher and higher until the clouds blocked his view of the ground far below. A grin lit up Jack's face as he paused, hovering in the air.

Then he plunged.

Jack whooped as the wind roared in his ears, a ravenous wolf tearing at his face and clothing. An incredible rush of electrifying emotions rammed through his skull as he hurled himself towards the earth.

This is what it means to be alive.

He used his powers to go even faster, a human bullet headed straight toward the town. His ears popped as he recklessly twisted into a spin, corkscrewing down headfirst.

"YAAHOOO!"

At the last possible second, Jack pulled up, stumbling slightly on the cobblestones as he landed harder than he had meant to. Unlike his previous visit, fraught with nervous tension, he had some time to look around and really enjoy the place. The snow-covered town wasn't all that different from the village he grew up in. Sure, it was larger, and the architecture and clothing weren't quite the same, but the same sense of community and peace was present. Unfortunately, Elsa's surprise summer snowstorm seemed to be putting a bit of a damper on the latter. A group of villagers had gathered in the square despite the cold, frowns growing as they discussed the situation.

"This snowfall ain't natural!" a young man declared, "We've never had snow this late in the season before."

A grey-haired matron on the edge of the group spoke up. "Nonsense. When I was a child, one summer a storm blew through much like this one. T'was the first time my younger brother was old enough to join the rest of us while we played in the snow," she said, smiling at the memory.

(Jack's heart goes yay)

"Be that as it may, I'm inclined to agree with Lars." The well-dressed young lady continued, "This weather certainly is unusual, particularly for late July."

A burly, middle-aged man stroked his whiskers before replying, "Unusual, mayhap. But not impossible or even 'unnatural'. What proof do you have?"

"I, uh…" The young man, Lars, fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, struggling to reply. However, before he could turn completely crimson from embarrassment, a mother holding the hand of a little girl stepped in.

"The proof has already been given, Fredrik. If you won't believe this midsummer snowfall is unnatural, then what about freezing a fountain with a mere touch? Because that's what the queen did!"

Interesting, I wonder what else Elsa can do?

The child twisted back and forth, sending her braids swinging as she chirped, "I seen it too! The pretty lady in a cape frozed the water!"

Confidence restored, Lars smacked his fist into the other hand. "We have to do something about this!"

"And what do you propose we do?" inquired the elderly lady.

"We should stop it!" Another man spoke up, "The crops won't be able to last much longer."

Others in the group voiced their assent, and Jack began to worry.

Scared and hungry people can do terrible things. Elsa needs to get her powers under control soon!

Amidst the growing discontent, a lone voice of reason called out "How would you stop it? Change the weather? When last I checked, you didn't have the power of the gods."

A few snickers pierced the silence that fell, and the villagers as one looked toward the instigator of the trouble: Lars. Faced with the multitude of (adj) stares, his bravado deflated, shrinking into a withered husk.

Being called out like that must be humiliating.

Jack felt bad for the young man, who was now kicking at the snow wedged in the cobblestones. "I just thought we should do something," Lars mumbled.

"Aye, lad," the bearded man—Fredrik—said, putting a hand on Lars' shoulder. "We're all worried. But there's naught to be done but wait." Looking around at the crowd that had gathered, he declared, "And back to your business, all of you! There's work to be done."

Suitably chastened, the villagers began to disperse, and Jack heaved a silent sigh of relief.

Now, where do I find food…?