Disclaimer: This work of fan fiction uses characters from Rise of the Guardians, The Guardians of Childhood, and Frozen which are trademarked by DreamWorks Animation, William Joyce, and the Walt Disney Company respectively. The author of this story claims no ownership over them. The story the author is telling is of her own invention and it is not purported or believed to be part of the canon storyline. This story is made for entertainment purposes only. The author is not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story.


This is a One-Shot / Short Story.


When you walk in a dream but you know
you're not dreamin', signore.
'Scusa me, but you see, back in old Napoli,
that's amore.

Dean Martin, That's Amore


Chapter Soundtrack:
That's Amore – Dean Martin


Sonatina

It was hot, annoyingly, deathly, excruciatingly hot.

Why did Anna decide to hold her wedding in Italy during the country's blistering summer?

The ceremony took place in one corner of the villa's expansive gardens but there was shade there – the shade that took form in massive trees with plenty of green foliage, tree trunks decorated with white ribbons, and archways wrapped in pale pink flowers. The reception, however, sat in the middle of a green space, open to the Sun's unforgiving heat.

Jack groaned, pulling on his tie as he leaned back and stuffed his hands into his pocket. He shuffled his weight from each foot, trying to take his mind off his discomfort.

A server with a large pitcher stopped in surprise when Jack held out his empty glass. When it was filled with cool, refreshing water again Jack downed it in seconds, asking the server for more before he could even serve the next guest. But the ice-cold water wasn't enough; it only soothed Jack's drying throat and cooled his skin that touched the cool glass. His white hair was beginning to stick to his face, and the collar of his dress shirt suffocated him.

"Jack, are you okay?" Bunnymund asked. "Your face is bright red."

"The heat," Jack replied in a snap. "Why Italy? Why Italy during the summer?"

"It is beautiful, though, isn't it?" Bunnymund replied, sipping on a glass of red wine. The two friends watched as the happy newlyweds make their rounds among the small groups of guests spread around the area. "Guess Anna and Kristoff wanted a change of temperature, especially from Norway's colder climate. Then they can go on honeymoon in one of the world's most romantic places."

Jack groaned, tempted to snatch the pitcher of water from the server's hands and dump it on over his own head.

"Do you want to go touring around after this, Jack? Maybe meet a beautiful Italian girl…"

"No," Jack replied. "I want to go north. Russia. Norway. Canada. It's winter now in Australia, isn't it? How about you stay, Bunny, and I'll crash at your place."

"No. Nope," Bunnymund replied. "You stay out of my home, especially after what happened the last time you were there."

Jack laughed, watching the server pass by with another tray of hors d'oeuvres; 'spinach, sundried tomato, and brie turnovers' as the server described and Bunnymund helped himself to a couple. Jack declined; the heat was killing his appetite and his mood.

"Hey, I'm going to go find some shade," Jack said, putting his empty glass down on the table and pushing himself off with more effort than it should have been necessary. "I'll be back."

"If I don't see you in half-an-hour," Bunnymund began, the threatening tone in his voice sounding…less threatening with his mouth full of food. "I'm going to sound the alarm, show pony."

Jack chuckled, waving Bunnymund off and heading towards the villa.


meriggiare
origin. Italian
(verb). to escape the heat of the midday sun by resting in the shade


Jack spent some time wandering around the villa, looking for a place covered some amount of cooling shade. He managed to find a stone archway tucked in the corner of the villa that also housed cushioned straw chairs and a large wooden table – probably a nice place to have breakfast with the sunrise or the sunset with a glass of wine.

He collapsed in one of the chairs, the cool fabric pressing against him, and he sighed in relief. There was a small breeze coming into the tunnel, and it helped to cool his burning forehead and damp hair. Jack yanked at his tie, loosening it and tempted just to pull it off and unbutton the vest too. But then Jack realized that he had company: a woman with blonde hair.

Her hair was braided with thin gold headpiece around the crown of her head. She wore a flowing dress in pale blue and sat with her legs curled beside her with a book in her lap. A pair of strappy, beige heels was abandoned on the ground beside her.

Elsa Arendelle.

The bride's elder sister.

Jack had heard that Elsa had an upcoming examination for her Doctor of Medicine – which is probably why she was hiding away to study. Jack was not the one for gossip or eavesdropping, but with so many relatives of the family present and standing nearby, it was inevitable. The family moaned about how Anna was the first to be married whereas Elsa had yet to find someone. They also lamented the fact that Elsa would be missing the reception, being her sister's Maid of Honour was hard enough for the doctor-to-be.

"Oh, sorry…" Jack said, getting up and beginning to leave. He worried that he had disturbed this poor woman's attempt at studying.

"No," she replied, finally glancing up from her textbook. "It's alright. I understand the need to get out of this blistering heat."

Her voice was pleasant. Elsa was incredibly soft-spoken, especially in contrast with her younger sister. But her voice was also incredibly soothing: clear and cool. She didn't appear bothered by him, much too absorbed by her studying before he had spoken. Jack sighed.

Jack had met Elsa before. They were in the wedding party together. Jack and Bunnymund were one of Kristoff's groomsmen, and Elsa was Anna's Maid of Honour. Of course, Jack wasn't the one to escort her down the aisle. That was the Best Man's job, which was one of Kristoff's many brothers. However, Jack had talked to her previously on the many outings that the mutual friends of the new couple were invited to.

Jack really didn't want to leave, and he would be lying to himself if he denied a small crush on the beautiful 25-year-old.

"It's so hot," he whined.

She smiled and reached underneath her chair to pull out a small cooler. She then tossed a familiar blue square to Jack. He caught it easily and had to stop himself from almost moaning in relief when the ice pack touched his fingers and sent goose bumps up his arms.

"I've stayed in Italy for a couple weeks now in preparation for the wedding," Elsa began to explain. "You have to learn how to stay cool in this dreadful heat."

Jack mumbled several thank-you's and pressed the cold gel back to his forehead, sighing blissfully as the cooling touch soothed him. They sat in silence, their breaths harmonizing to the sound of her scratching pencil, turning pages, and the muted chatter of the reception party on the other side of the villa.

"What a wedding, eh?" he said.

"Hm," Elsa replied, flipping through a binder of notes laid out on the table. By the look of things, the woman was here since the end of the ceremony.

"Have you eaten, Elsa?"

"No, but I'm not hungry."

"Pfft. Not hungry," Jack scoffed. "Yah, right."

"Okay, maybe a bit," Elsa admitted, snapping the textbook shut. "But I don't want to go out there. My aunts and uncles and cousins will bombard me with questions about how I am single and my parent's family friends will introduce me to their sons who are 'eligible bachelors' and I just – I just need to get some studying done."

Jack stared.

"But it's your sister's wedding," he deadpanned.

"I know. I know! But my practical medicine examination is just days away, and if I can just study and finish it. I already spent a week with Anna in the Swiss Alps to make up for my disappearance on her wedding, and I promised to take a trip with her to Disney World when everything calms down."

Silence.

"I'm terrible. I know. But I have to do this," she mumbled.

"No, you're not," Jack replied quickly. "Okay. Okay. We compromise. I'll go get you something to eat now and later when the blasted sun goes down, you and I go and greet some guest – including the relatives and these so called 'eligible' idiots. You'll hate it. But, Anna would be pretty happy about it."

Elsa blinked, nodding slowly. Jack wasn't sure if she was agreeing with him or nodding to be nice.

"Also. You need a break," Jack finished as if that would change her mind.

"Alright," she said. "Alright."

"Good," Jack said. He got up, stretched his arms over his head and then reached to readjust the tie around his neck.

"I'm going to take this with me," he said, waving the ice bag. "If I am going to brave the heat for you I am going to need some armor."

"Go right ahead, my white knight," she said. Jack took one glance back to see Elsa returning to her textbook and sighed in relief. She didn't catch his cheeks flaring red and his heart sped up at her tease.


apericena
origin: Italian
(noun). a pre-dinner cocktail with food. A cross between aperitif and dinner


When Jack returned to the party, he saw Bunnymund conversing with North, the bride's godfather. Jack waved to his friend who nodded and returned to his conversation. Jack knew that the older man was making sure that he was okay in the roasting warmth.

The white-haired man now made his way to the buffet bar, filling a large plate with the many hors d'oeuvres served and then went to the dessert table to grab a couple mini cakes and pastries. He then grabbed a glass of punch, making sure that it wasn't the spiked kind (Elsa probably wouldn't appreciate getting intoxicated when studying) and a flute of champagne for himself. Then he went back to the archway.

"I'm going to get such an ugly sunburn after this," Jack sighed.

"That's your fault for not putting on sunscreen," Elsa replied.

Jack scoffed and placed the plate and glass down beside her books.

"I tried to grab one of everything and also some punch."

"Thank you," she said and immediately reached for the tart decorated with chocolate-coated espresso beans. Jack sat down across from her, loosening his tie again.

"When is the exam?" Jack asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon. I'll be driving to Rome early in the morning – I'll crash for a couple hours of sleep when Anna and Kristoff go off for their honeymoon."

"Rome?" Jack asked.

"It's computerized testing. All I need is an exam proctor and the university in Rome would offer it. It's better than having to rush home to Norway. Then I'll be able to return to the villa for a break."

"You'll need it," Jack mumbled. Elsa threw an espresso bean at him. Jack tried to duck, but the heat made his reflexes much slower and the bean bounced off his shoulder.

"Ow," he complained, rubbing his arm. "God, now I know where Anna gets her inhuman strength from."

"For someone who's supposed to be a world champion snowboarder, you certainly have a delicate constitution," she laughed. The sound made his heart jump and wide, goofy grin leap onto his face.

They lapsed into silence again, Elsa flipping through her books and Jack lounging in his seat. He stared out at the sun-filled balcony on the other side of the villa, taking in the vast Italian hills and countryside painted with bright yellows, browns, and greens. He swirled the glass of champagne in his fingertips and took a sip, it was lukewarm now – much to his dismay.

"Anna?" Elsa suddenly called. Jack turned around to see the beautiful bride waddling her way through the grass in six-inch designer heels. Her haute couture wedding gown gathered up in her arms. "You should be at the party!"

"Ya," Anna replied, stepping onto the cobblestone path and dropped the hem of her gown in a heap of white at her feet. "But I wanted to see you."

"Kristoff will miss you." Jack chimed in.

"Well actually, he's getting his tie cut up and sold to the guests – a Northern Italian tradition. I think." Anna said with a giggle. "Anyway, I wanted to come check up on you and see if you ate, but I think Jack's got you covered."

Jack nodded, raising his half-empty champagne glass in a toast. "I was hiding away from the sun with Elsa and bothered her study time. Getting her food was the least I can do."

"Awe, thanks," Anna said. "Well, if there is nothing else, I will go back then. Aunt Gerda and Uncle Kai miss you, though, Elsa! They just wanted to wish you well and they're leaving tonight. I wanted to pass along the message."

"Actually, I'll come in a bit to greet them, Anna."

"Really? But don't you need to study?" Anna asked.

"I could use a little break," Elsa said. Anna grinned from ear to ear.

"Okay. Okay! I'll see you in a bit! Good luck studying! Oh, I'll save you a huge slice of the wedding cake! It's triple chocolate!"

And Jack swore he saw Elsa's eyes light up at the sound of that.

"Okay, thanks! You enjoy yourself; it's your wedding, Anna!"

And they both watched as the newly wed girl skipped away in heels, nearly tripping on the chiffon dress.

"You were right, Jack." Elsa said, "Anna would be happy to see me at the reception."

"I know," Jack said, taking another sip of now lukewarm champagne. "I'm always right."

Elsa scoffed and returned to her studies, taking a chocolate macaroon from the plate, and taking a sip of her fruit punch. She placed the glass on the other side of the table, leaving a half-circle mark behind.


culaccino
origin: Italian
(noun). the mark left on a table by a cold glass


"The sun's set, Elsa," Jack said, finally speaking after an hour or so of complete silence. Elsa had scrounged through the plate for the remnants of the sugar that Jack brought her and he had managed to start dozing as the dusk set.

Elsa sighed, closing up and arranging her papers into a bag, leaving it beside her cooler and then stepping into her heels again. Jack stood and stretched, straightening his tie and collar. Even with her heels on, Elsa's dress still grazed the ground like fog rolling over mountains. They walked to the reception party, Jack with his hands in his pockets and Elsa beside him.

When the reception party saw the newcomers arriving, Elsa's relative greeted her warmly, pulling her into their circles and reaching for hugs and kisses.

"There you are, Jack." Bunnymund said coming to see the white-haired man, "You disappeared for a while and I heard from the bride that you're with the Maid of Honour. What were you doing?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Bunnymund jabbed him in the side. "Ack! Okay! Okay. We were just sitting in the shade. Elsa was studying anyway, I just came back so you knew I was alive and to grab her some food."

"Always the gentleman."

Jack chuckled and caught Elsa's eye. He gave her a mock salute, pointing at a table in the far corner where he'd be found if she wanted to see him again. So he sat with Bunnymund, chewing on cheese, fruits, and bread, chatting away as they watched the party continue with the traditional father-daughter dance before quickly morphed into loud party music.

"So, what are you going to do after this, Bunnymund?"

"I'll go explore the countryside, Tuscany has some of the best wine vineyards and I'll go see the cities too. You?"

"I was serious about crashing at your place," Jack replied.

"I was only kidding about not letting you in, you are welcome you know."

"I know," Jack laughed, "But I might actually stay and go see Rome."

"Really? What changed the ice cube's mind? Perhaps a young lady?"

"Oh, shut it, cottontail," Jack said, shoving his best friend, almost brother. "I'll stay until you come back, I'd like to go back to Australia with you. It's my off-season anyway. Besides, the Arendelle's have the villa rented out for guests and family until the end of the month – I might just stick around till then."

Jack and Bunnymund were not dancers much, so they kept to themselves. Bunnymund got up some time later, seeing that North had perhaps too much to drink and was spouting songs in Russian and swaying with the music. So he decided to put the old man to bed, dragging him into the villa. Elsa came then, pulling out a chair and sighing as she plopped down beside him.

"Swept away in the storm of relatives?"

"Always with the same questions. My parents invited a lot of business partners and their sons. My parents and sister kept pushing me to dance with them, my feet ache." Elsa said. Jack laughed and stood.

Elsa sighed, reaching down to pull off her heels, strands of her blonde hair falling out of her intricate knot, framing her flushed cheeks in a way that made Jack – nope. Don't think about it.

"I'll go get you something to eat and drink, rest your feet, princess," he said, trying to sound casual as he threw the teasing name in. He loaded up a plate with everything the dessert buffet had to offer in chocolate and a bowl of minestrone soup and brought it back to her.

"Eat the soup before you eat the dessert," he said. She blinked. "Seriously, I think you might be doing the whole stress-not-eating thing, but all I saw you eat today was chocolate and if your exam is tomorrow, you need to get some good food into you."

"You're right."

"I am – "

"Always right, I know," she laughed. She pulled the bowl towards her, slowly sipping before taking larger mouthfuls – as if she suddenly realized how hungry she was.

"When are you going tomorrow?" Jack asked, taking another glass of champagne with frozen raspberries in it. He usually never indulged in this much alcohol, but he needed the buzz to boost his confidence.

"6 AM, it's a three-hour drive to Rome," Elsa replied, in-between bites of soup.

"Can I drive you there?" he asked suddenly, nonchalantly as he could. She paused, glancing up from her half-finished soup.

"I was going to go up down to Rome anyway," Jack quickly reasoned. "I wanted to explore what the city had to offer, not in like touristy attractions, though, more of the smaller places."

"But I'll only be there for a couple of hours."

"I know, it's so hot, so driving you there and back will give me an excuse not to stay for too long," Jack replied. Elsa blinked, stirring her spoon absentmindedly in small circles in her bowl. He took a long drink as silence lapsed. He hoped the alcohol kicked in soon, so the rejection isn't so painful.

"Alright – but I have a condition."

"Oh – what." What. Was that a yes? Wait. Did she figure out his mini crush on her?

"We stay for dinner," Elsa said with a smile. "Then go on a proper date the next day."

Jack blinked before a cheery smile pulled on his face.


rocambolesco
origin: Italian
(adjective). fantastic, incredible, nail-biting. A spirit of swashbuckling adventure.


Author's Note: What's this? After disappearing for five months, I am back? Yah... sorry everyone... But at lot has happened! I finished my Bachelor's Degree! I'll be convocating in June, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to quit writing. I'll be starting a Master's Degree soon, though, but fanfiction is really a huge part of my life (even though I don't write enough to prove it). I'll be trying to get at least one piece posted every week, whether it be Nocturne, a one-shot, or Minuet. I'll be writing something. So I hope you guys will still stick with me! My author's notes aren't super long... and I'd love to get to know you guys better, seriously you mean a lot to me. So private message me on fanfiction or Tumblr and I'd love to chat!

This is technically a one-shot? But it might turn into a two-part story depending if the muses strike me or not. It's not a particularly mind-blowing story, but it was fun to write and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thank you to:

Kai, JoPoGirlsKickAss, ElsaTheSnowQueen2, Guest, Miki Fubuki, Starshinesoldier, AJRennerTMNT76, Churroscuro, YuiUsagi111, Trapid, guidancefrombooks, Vitals check (AKA: Sunriseimagination), Maggietheawesome, and HopelessRomantic183

for reviewing the last chapter!

Kai: Thank you for your review! I hope you enjoyed this piece too! I know, Pavane wasn't very long. It was actually a piece that I wrote for a class, ahaha.

JoPoGirlsKickAss: Thank you for reviewing!

ElsaTheSnowQueen2: Thank you!

Guest: It was really short, I agree, ahaha. I am working on it! Nothing is really on hiatus... it's just me being way too slow.

Miki Fubuki: Oopsie. Ahaha. But I hoped you enjoyed the chapter despite the heart stabbing.

Starshinesoldier: Thanks for coming back to read it! You'll just have to wait and find out, though, but it might take a while for me to write another chapter... seeing how slow I am writing already... sorry.

AJRennerTMNT76: Awe! Thank you so much for your praise. And yah, its not just a few grammar mistakes here and there, it's everywhere, and I know... I'm super bad with grammar. Ahaha. But I hope you are enjoying it anyway! I'll try and write more often!

Churroscuro: Ahaha! I am so glad someone enjoyed it. Impromptu was super fun to write but everyone who has read it totally thinks that it is nuts. I'll check out Coraline and maybe it will give me some inspirations for drabbles or a full on story. Thank you!

YuiUsagi111: I will update when I can! I am trying, I am sorry!

Trapid: I disappeared for a lot longer than a couple of months... oops. But I am back! Hopefully, there will be more stories to come. And I am glad that you see an improvement in my writing. The writing course I took definitely killed then boosted my confidence in my own writing, and I hope to be able to further my skills. Thanks for sticking around, Trapid! =D

guidancefrombooks: I know, guidancefrombooks... I have a tendency of starting projects and leaving them... I promise to finish it! Promise!

Vitals check (AKA: Sunriseimagination): I AM ALIVE! Sort of. But I am writing! Sort of.

Maggietheawesome: Ahahaha. Finally, someone decides to discuss that bit of news. Requiem is probably one of my favourite pieces in the series. And I tots agree, morbid, but super fun. =P

HopelessRomantic183: Wow. That's a heavy analysis. Ahaha. I wish I could answer all these questions for you, but you'll just have to wait and find out. Hopefully, I get more chapters written soon so you will have your answers.

Thank you once again, guys!

Until next time! Please follow, favourite, and review!

Cordially,
EireneHarmonia