**Two things to address: First, to the Guest reviewer that said such lovely things...thank you. I'm glad that this story has provided you with excitement and please know that your words touched me. Thank you for taking the time to say them...and thank you for taking the time to read my work. It means more than I can convey. That goes for everyone.
Second: Things are about to 'heat up' in the next chapter. Just a warning. )
We cannot help the hands we are dealt in this life. The cards we are given are all we have, and we must learn to play them wisely. It takes a lifetime for some to learn this lesson...for others, it is taught quickly. Elsa had learned in childhood that she would never be able to rid herself of the icy powers that plagued her...but it had taken until the moment she watched her ice palace rise from the mountainside by the direction of her own hand for her to realize that while she could not change what she was, she could change the destiny that went along with it. She didn't have to be a monster...it was all about perspective.
The very same was true now.
It would have been easy to rest in the pit of despair that they had been cast into following the fall of Matoon. Too easy, really...the process had already begun by the time they'd ventured out that morning. North's genius idea had been a refreshing example of how nothing was set in stone...how a fate could be changed, if enough thought was given. And it had given them just enough hope to dream on. Just enough to restore them.
Elsa found herself looking forward to the night ahead with a girlish sense of excitement. An evening free from talk of the darkness that threatened them, surrounded by friends and able to laugh freely...oh, how she needed those things. It would be the first time since it had all began that she'd be allowed to relax, to separate her mind from reality if even just for a little while. And Jack would be there to share in all of it...the mere thought was enough to send a little thrill shivering through her.
Elsa took her time in getting ready. She enjoyed a leisurely shower, letting the hot water work out the stiffness of her muscles. There was a dark purple splotch blooming against the rise of her rib cage where Bunny's boomerang had caught her, but the pain was minimal so far. She knew she'd pay for her exertions in the morning, but that worry seemed very far away in light of her excitement.
She used one of the big fluffy towels to smooth and dry her hair, and then wrapped it around herself as she applied a minimal layer of makeup to accentuate her eyes. When she was satisfied with the results, Elsa let her towel fall to the floor as she closed her eyes.
She hadn't been sure just how she would let her magic dress her. She'd only known that she wanted to look striking enough to make Jack look at her in that breathless way of his. Her powers had done the rest.
When she looked down at herself, Elsa gasped in awe. The gown wrapped around her was the most beautiful she'd ever seen-a champagne colored backdrop of fabric shimmering with thousands of golden beads. It was a trumpet cut, clinging tightly to her body before releasing her curves as it fell in elegant ruffles to the floor. It was backless, with two thin and shimmery sleeves that clung low on her arms. Her collarbone and shoulders were left bare, the color of the dress giving her skin a peachy tone. When she moved, the dress blazed, every sequin and bead reflecting glittering fractals of light.
She almost felt plain in such a dazzling piece...but she didn't have the heart to try again. It was just too perfect.
After a final assessing glance in the mirror, Elsa left the room to go join the others. She hurried down the hall, and was nearly to the kitchen when Tooth called out to her. "Elsa! Look at you...you're stunning!" She cried as she fluttered up.
"You're sure it's not a bit...much?" Elsa asked, a bit anxiously.
"Definitely not. It's perfect for a party!" Tooth assured her. "I'd have done the same...except it's hard to look elegant in a dress when you're covered in feathers."
"No dress could compare to what you've got." Elsa said kindly. "You're stunning without any help."
Tooth smiled. "Thank you, Elsa." She didn't look all that confident, though. Elsa suspected it had something to do with Bunny, and the way they had joined hands the night before. Tooth, she believed, was smitten.
"Come on. Let's go make sure they haven't caused any trouble." Elsa said with a good humored wink.
The women entered the dining room, greeted by luscious scents from the kitchen and the impressive decorative work of the Yetis. They had transformed the dining hall into a picture of elegance, with fresh flowers standing in various vases around the room and an abundance of flickering candles. Elsa blinked in wonder, and probably would have stared in awe for longer, if not for the wolf whistle that pierced the air.
"Fellas...I ain't to sure we deserve to be in the same room with the likes of them." Bunny had paused with his drink halfway to his lips, his green eyes flicking from Elsa to Tooth...where they lingered. "Angels, I tell ya."
Jack had been standing nearby, leaning against his staff. When Elsa's gaze connected with his, she was rewarded with that very same wide-eyed awe she had hoped she'd see...and then some. Jack looked as if he'd forgotten the rest of the world...like she was the only thing he saw. There was heat there too, she realized...and that was new. He was so good at keeping those feelings at bay...but as he admired her, she saw he wasn't even trying to hide it. And she couldn't help but smile.
"I hope you boys poured us a glass of wine!" Tooth exclaimed, breaking the depth of the moment.
"You better believe it!" Bunny lifted a goblet, indicating it was for her. Tooth fluttered off to retrieve it, and Elsa stepped closer to Jack.
"You look amazing." He said, handing her a glass. "I mean it, Elsa. You're gorgeous."
"It's the dress. I hardly do it justice." Elsa said, taking a sip.
"It's not. It's you. You're glowing." He said softy. "It's good to see you happy."
She let herself fall into the depth of those blue eyes. Let herself fully appreciate just how devastatingly handsome he was. Let herself appreciate him...his sweetly mischievous nature, his calm confidence...and the gentle way in which he cared for her. She took those things in, took them in appreciated them fiercely.
"I'm happy to be here with you." She whispered. She might have said more, except the Yetis chose that moment to enter with the first round of their meal.
They all sat down, filling their salad plates with the delectable appetizers they were offered. Bacon wrapped water chestnuts, stuffed mushrooms, and exotic cheeses...they had spared no expense on that particular evening. Elsa sampled a little of everything, nibbling from Jack's plate on the items she couldn't fit on her own.
The conversation was jovial, North talking boisterously about the olden days and what it had been like to meet Bunny, Tooth, and Sandy for the first time.
"I wasn't too fond Manny's choice is rabbits in the beginning." North said with a wink.
"Is anyone?" Jack joked, earning a playfully scornful glance from Bunny.
"I wasn't too keen on being stuck with a blowhard and a miniature mime myself." Bunny shot back.
Sandy rolled his eyes, an image of a groundhog taking place in the shifting sand above his head.
"Aw now Sandy, you know I'm kiddin'. You don't really wish for that rodent runnin' around in my place, do ya?" Bunny feigned being emotionally wounded over the implication.
Sandy grinned, shrugged, and then shook his head. Bunny chuckled and popped a mushroom into his mouth. "I thought not."
"Think of poor me, stuck with all men for so many years. Elsa, you have no idea how nice it is to have you here." Tooth commented as she sipped her wine.
"I can only imagine what you've been through." Elsa said with a teasing grin.
The group ate and drank merrily, teasing one another more and more as the wine continued to pour. Eventually the main course was delivered...cornish hens roasted to perfection on a bed of seasoned rice and vegetables. Elsa was sure she'd never seen a meal so beautifully presented, even at her own castle.
As they began to eat, Jack and Bunny began to banter. Jack made sure to bring up the time Bunny had been reduced to the size of a real rabbit, and just how fluffy he'd been.
"I coulda taken you then, and I'll take you now if you don't pipe down about that!" Bunny threatened, throwing a chunk of potato Jack's way. He ducked and it missed its target, bouncing off his chair and to the floor where an Elf popped it into its mouth.
"Maybe later, cottontail. This chicken is too good to let it get cold on account of you." Jack said with a wink.
Dessert had been over for quite a while by the time North stood and clinked his fork against his glass. "My friends, thank you for a wonderful evening. It was a blessing to be able to share in your laughter."
The group murmured their agreement, and one by one they began to part for the night. Elsa looked at Jack, sighing softly. "What a perfect evening. I don't want it to end."
"It doesn't have to end just yet." He took one of the half finished bottles of wine from the table, then reached for her hand. "Come on. I know a place we can go." There was an impish gleam in his eyes, and she couldn't help but smirk.
"You're nothing but trouble, Jack Frost." Elsa said with a shake of her head.
Jack raised a brow. "You don't know the half of it. C'mon." He tugged her toward the hallway, and she followed with great anticipation.