They had eaten leisurely in the icy cavern, talking and laughing over the past and musing over their hopes for the future. Neither acknowledged that that future was in jeopardy...dreaming dreams of a world where horror did not exist. It was a much needed interlude, giving them a brief respite from the impending doom ahead...as well as a chance to allow their hormones to calm.
Jack knew he'd be replaying those moments in his head every time he was alone for a long time to come. He had been caught completely off guard by her response to his kiss...she had opened herself to him completely, blazing hot beneath his wandering hands. If he hadn't stopped when he had, Jack wasn't entirely sure they would have stopped at all. Though he wanted nothing more than to explore every supple inch of her skin, Jack knew it wouldn't have been right. If it happened, he wanted it to be when they would both have time to fully appreciate each other. No rushing, no fumbling.
After they finished eating, they spent the remainder of the afternoon sparring. Elsa was good, but by the time they finally decided to call it quits for the day, Jack could confidently say she'd improved to great. Her speed was incredible and her accuracy was almost always on the mark. Paired with the force she was learning to put behind her attacks...she would be deadly in battle. The thought of her on the front lines was sobering, and he forced it away as he wrapped his arms around her and took to the sky.
The Workshop smelled wonderful wen they entered, no doubt from the dinner that was being prepared. They wandered to the dining room, surprised to find they were the last to gather around the table. Jack glanced at the clock, shocked to find that they were more than half an hour later than he'd expected.
"Bout damn time!" Bunny grumbled, though there wasn't much bite in his words. If anything, he sounded slightly amused.
"Sorry." Jack took a seat next to Elsa. He looked sheepishly at North, who already had suspected him of sleeping with the Queen. He was met with the older man's disapproving glance. "You had us very worried."
"It was my fault, really. Jack was showing me how to fend off aerial attacks, and I was so close to getting it right. I just didn't want to stop." Elsa wasn't quite telling the truth-she'd picked up that particular section of her training quickly. Jack shot her a grateful look and she smiled.
"Well...good, then. Are you feeling more confident in your abilities?" North asked her. If he had any suspicion of her fib, it didn't show.
"Oh yes, thank you. It felt good to exercise my powers...it's been a while." Elsa said with a grin.
"I'm sure it has." North smiled back, then surveyed the rest of the group. "I'm glad to see everyone has returned safely."
A group of Yetis appeared, placing goblets of wine and salads in front of each Guardian. When they moved back to the kitchen to finish the preparation of the main course, Bunny spoke. "So. What's the news, guys?"
"Why don't you go first, Bunny?" Tooth suggested. "How is Arendelle?"
Elsa was peering at Bunny with such rapt interest it almost hurt to watch. She was good at hiding it, but Jack knew she missed her home and her sister and worried deeply over both.
"Anna is holding down the fort, from the sounds of things. It's probably more Kristoff behind the scenes, but no ones the wiser. They've managed to gain assistance from a neighboring kingdom and are rationing food strictly. So far, it looks like it might work." Bunny explained. "There hasn't been anything amiss that they could tell...no sign of our 'friends'." He looked toward Elsa, a slight smile surfacing. "Anna said to tell you hi and not to worry because she's got everything under control." Bunny mimicked Anna as he relayed the message.
Elsa chuckled lightly, relief flooding her features. "I'm glad that she's managing alright. As for Kristoff...if we get through this, I think he's owed a promotion."
"I'd say I agree." Bunny nodded. "How was the Kingdom of Castor?" He asked Tooth and Sandy, who had traveled together.
Tooth frowned, reaching for her wine. After a healthy sip, she shook her head. "The people of Castor are not well. The Plague is spreading...and there's nothing they've been able to do about it, of course." Castor had been the first on Grim's deadly tour, visited by Pestilence. "Their doctors are working frantically around the clock. The best they can do is keep them comfortable in the...final moments." She finished sadly.
"The children...?" Jack gave voice to the question they were all wondering.
Sandy's kind face was forlorn, and for a long moment, neither answered. Then, slowly, an undeniable shape took form in swirling sand above Sandy's head. A shape that caused a soft gasp from Elsa and dropped the jaws of the rest.
A casket.
Tooth looked away from the image, moisture collecting in her violet gaze. "They're losing them." She confirmed, reaching shakily for her wine again. This time, she did not sip...when she returned the goblet to its place on the table, it was empty.
Silence settled around the table as the group struggled with the heartbreaking news. Jack looked down at his lap, reflecting on the horror of such a loss of young lives.
Of such innocence. Children, the Jamie and Sophie Bennetts of the world...dying. It was sickening, and it made him feel helpless. It was their job to protect those young souls...and they couldn't.
He felt Elsa's hand slide into his own, and he raised his head to look at her. Unshed tears gleamed in her eyes, but the sentiment of her action was easily read. She was there for him. For them.
Bunny cleared his throat, reaching for his own drink. He drained it with little effort, taking a shaky breath. "North? What about Regilda and Matoon?" The final Kingdoms...the ones War had galloped through.
North rubbed wearily at his eyes, shaking his head. "Both are in ruins. They are still fighting, but they'll soon fall." His answer was dry, to the point, and just as helpless as the one Tooth and Sandy had given.
"God damn it!" Bunny exclaimed, slamming a fisted paw on the table so hard he toppled his empty goblet. "Why is Manny waiting? If he'd just tell us where Pitch and Grim are we could be stoppin' this!"
North shook his head. "Manny has his reasons, you know that as well as I do. They may not make sense to us now, but he has a purpose."
"Senseless dying?" Jack growled. "What is the purpose in that?"
"That's not for me to say." North said softly.
"Your leader seems callous." Elsa said, looking at each Guardian. "How could you follow an entity that can sit by and watch this happen...let it happen?"
"Manny knows all the things to be, Elsa. He is the Guardian of Fate...overseeing every thread that weaves our lives together. Every thread contributes to the greater whole...and each must be perfectly spun in order to blend to the next. That is Manny's job, and we will never be able to know the purpose of those strings he binds together. Only that they are somehow building something greater." North examined gently.
"So the needs of the many outweigh the few?" Elsa asked.
"If it fits the Purpose." North confirmed.
"It's bullshit." Bunny mumbled.
"It's life." North disgraced swiftly.
The Yetis returned then, carrying platters of roasted beef, glazed carrots, thick slices of buttery bread, and mashed potatoes. The scent was tantalizing, despite the heaviness in the air caused by the conversation.
"Friends, lets put our worries behind us and enjoy this meal together now. Yes?" North asked.
"Ain't gotta ask me twice." Bunny quipped, spooning carrots into his plate with gusto. "Think I'll enjoy me a bit more wine too, while I'm at it."
In the end, they all opted for another glass.
