Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own the story line and characters of Frozen and Rise of the Guardians, they belong to their rightful owners respectively.

"What do you mean people can fly?" Elsa asked, raising an eyebrow incredulously.

They were having a cosy day in after Elsa's rounds in the forest, sitting on her couch in her grand living room.

Jack shook his head, his silver white hair moving animatedly along. "As in, you know how you have carriages that bring people around? So what we have are these things called planes, which are basically carriages that specially fly people in the sky."

"But isn't that too heavy?" Elsa's eyes widened. "How is that even possible?"

Jack smiled a little but the frustration on his face was still evident. He was trying to explain to Elsa how engines worked and she couldn't quite wrap her head around it, which he understood, of course. It's hard to imagine something that one has never seen or experienced before.

"It's heavy but the engines are powerful enough to keep the plane in the air. There's a lot of science and math involved and the experts know how to calculate it such that it works."

Elsa stared blankly ahead of her, trying to process his words. After a second, she hummed and shook her head slightly, giving a small smile. "No, sorry Jack, I can't seem to see it."

"So I've spent the last hour explaining all that for nothing?!" Jack half-joked with a groan, running his hand through his hair.

Elsa gave a laugh. "I mean, it's not something easy to believe-"

"I literally come from another UNIVERSE!"

"Alright," Elsa mused, picking up her empty teacup on the coffee table in front of them. "If you insist, then I believe you."

"C'mon Snowflake, now you're just humoring me to make me feel better," Jack pouted, crossing his arms as Elsa stood up with a grin, walking towards her kitchen to get a refill of tea.

As the Snow Queen walked through the door of her pantry, she felt his familiar gust of wind beside her. She picked up her kettle.

"Random thought," Jack floated in as he landed on his feet, his staff landing on the ground first with a gentle thwack. "It would be so cool if I could like, y'know, show you what's in my head?"

Elsa perked up at his words. Though she wasn't facing him, the smile on her face grew.

"It sounds crazy- but a way to show you what I'm thinking of and my experiences so that you can see that it's true!" He finished as Elsa picked up the cup in her hands and turned to look at the Winter Spirit.

"Like… your memories?"

"Yeah," he shrugged. "Would be cool if it was possible."

"What if it is?" She smirked as she took a sip from her cup, her blue eyes never leaving his as she took in his confusion.

"Wait- what?"

"Okay, so you're telling me I can show you my memories… through water?"

It was now Jack's turn to question Elsa as he followed her through the forest to the coast.

"Have you ever heard 'water has memory?'"

"Uh... no."

"Well, let me prove that to you."

As they reached the beach, Jack couldn't help but feel incredibly curious as to where the Snow Queen was taking him. She mentioned it as she dragged him out of the house, but he wasn't able to catch her words while trying to collate his thoughts at the same time.

"So where are we going again, Snowflake?" He asked as they both stepped closer to the shoreline.

"Ahtohallan." Elsa said, giving him a sweet smile. She bent down, placed her hand in the waters and sent a shot of ice into the sea. That was her way of calling for the Nokk.

Jack leaned against his staff, holding it with both hands as she stood up. "Isn't that place magic?"

"It is, but it's more than that. Ahtohallan is also a river full of memories…" she turned towards him. "The water that has memory."

"That's a very philosophical topic to go into," Jack chuckled. "I just wanted to show you what a plane looks like,"

Elsa gave a smile and grabbed his hand. "I'll have to demonstrate then! It'll be easier for you to understand."

At that moment, the waters before them rose, and there stood the Nokk, looking as majestic as ever. He inched his head closed to Elsa who placed her hand on his nose gently, forming a thin layer of ice on the body on the water horse.

The Nokk nuzzled Elsa gently and she laughed.

"Hello to you too, Nokk."

The Nokk turned to Jack and bumped his head on Jack's chest, causing him to stumble back slightly at the initial shock.

"Whoa, hey there, buddy." Jack smiled as he gave the Nokk a pat on the snout. "Great to see you again."

Elsa grinned as she hopped onto the water spirit's back, her ice forming reigns, ready to ride.

She looked at Jack expectedly, and he looked back at her.

"Hop on," she tilted her head, motioning him to hop on the Nokk behind her.

Jack's eyes widened. As established previously, riding an animal, whether mythical or not, never ends well for him.

"No thanks, Snowflake," Jack shook his head. He lifted off the ground and floated in the air. "Gale's got me,"

"Alright, if you insist, Mr. Frost," Elsa smiled as she signaled for the Nokk to start moving into the open seas.

"Last one there is a slow water horse!" Jack winked as he zoomed past them. "No offense, Nokk!"

Elsa laughed as she heard the water spirit gasp and speed up, chasing after the flying boy in the sky.

Jack turned back to see both the snow and water spirit gaining speed steadily.

"Come on Gale, don't fail me now!"

"Whoa!" Jack found himself flying through the air as he crashed into a pile of icy snow that Elsa created just in time before he hit the stone cold grounds of Ahtohallan.

Elsa hopped off Nokk with a small laugh as the water spirit neighed in amusement.

Jack stood up, spitting the ice from his mouth, feeling the tingles as he shook the fabric of his clothes, the ice running down his body.

"Thank you for the soft landing, Snowflake, but I didn't expect such a dirty move" he tsked, shaking his head playfully.

The race was close but the Winter Spirit was still faster than the Snow Queen. However, just as Jack was reaching the shores of their destination, the Nokk sent a huge wave of water in Jack's direction, causing Gale to stop abruptly, and sending the white-haired man flying into the sky towards the land.

Elsa had a hand over her mouth as she giggled. "All for the Guardian of Fun, and besides, you won in the end, didn't he, Nokk?"

The Nokk galloped up to Jack and gently nuzzled his chest, a rare show of affection from the usually wild water horse.

"Alright, alright," Jack laughed, placing his hand on the horse's forehead. "No hard feelings, buddy."

The Nokk gave a soft bray before he bid the two spirits goodbye, and disappearing back into the sea.

"So… no hard feelings?" Elsa eyed him playfully, leaning toward him.

Jack gave her a quick side eye and smirked before he threw a snowball in her face.

"Jack!" Elsa gasped as the Winter Spirit laughed heartily. He floated in the air, laughing as he clutched his stomach with both his arms, almost dropping his staff which was tucked under his right arm.

Before he knew it, a torrent of snowballs rained down on him and he soon found himself on the ground again, in a pile of snow. He smiled to himself as he heard her cute laugh as she took a few steps closer to the pile of snow he was in.

Just as she came close enough, she felt a tinge of regret upon seeing the playful glint in his eyes. He then grabbed her hand and pulled her in, her body landing on his as the snow flew around them. He wrapped his hands around her waist as she giggled into his chest. She lifted her head and looked up into his deep blue eyes.

"So… no more hard feelings? We're even?"

A glint of mischief flashed across his face as he moved quickly, turning over so that she was lying on the soft snow and he hovered above her. Not giving her any time to react, he pressed his lips onto hers, their fingers interlacing.

Gently and sweetly, their lips moved against each other's, separating only momentarily for little pockets of air. He deepened the kiss, making sure that he made known his feelings for her.

Her face was flushed, cheeks red. Her mind was dizzy with excitement and she couldn't help but give a small giggle when he broke the kiss, trailing little butterfly kisses down her jaw to her ear.

"We're even now." He whispered in her ear as he continued with his little trail of kisses down her dainty neck to her shoulders. His mind couldn't help but thank the fact that Elsa really liked to wear off-shoulder dresses, and he was always really tempted to just plant his lips across the bare skin of her shoulders.

Jack.

His ears perked up as he heard the familiar voice calling him. It was the same voice he heard when he first came to the Sunlands, to Ahtohallan.

Jack.

Jack's head snapped up, looking up to what seemed to be the sound of the voice calling him. He saw the same cave entrance that he found slightly over three weeks ago as he sat up slowly.

"Jack?" Elsa's eyebrows furrowed, concerned at his sudden mood switch. "Are you alright?"

Jack took a breath and his head shook slightly, as if he was snapping out of an entrancement. He slowly started to stand up.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" she asked him as he took her hand and helped her up.

He scratched the back of his head, with one hand still holding hers. "I'm not sure how to say this but-" he pointed to the cave. "I think there's something looking for me in there… I've been here before, on the first day I came here, and I heard it too."

Elsa gave him a small smile as she tightened the grasp of his hand.

"I think your memories are calling you," she led him towards the cave.

She placed her hand on the icy walls of the cave entrance and the ice lit up, leaving a trail of colourful luminescence in its wake. Jack's eyes widened and he looked at Elsa, who's calm demeanor scared him slightly as he still had no idea what was happening.

"Okay… Snowflake, as much as I am very tempted to go into a dark cave with an extremely sexy and beautiful woman for god-know-whatever reasons, how am I sure you aren't luring me in to seduce and rob me?"

She gave a small laugh though her cheeks reddened at his naughty compliment.

"Jack, you know I'm not capable of robbery,"

"True."

"Just trust me, it'll make sense," she assured him as she pulled him towards the cave.

Here goes nothing...

"Amazing," Jack uttered under his breath as they entered through another section of the cave. Though the light outside had barely any way of getting into the cave, the ice still glistened, lighting the whole area in its majestic aura of blue and green hues.

Jack traced his hand along the ice gently as he felt the magic radiating from the surface. He looked towards the Snow Queen as she turned back to smile at him. Grabbing the curve of his staff, she led him through the frozen wonderland and they stopped in the middle of the ice chamber.

They were standing in the middle of an ice room, with nothing around them.

"So… what happens now?" Jack asked as Elsa released his hand. Turning to face him and flashing her pearly white smile, his heart was pounding at how ecstatic her beautiful face was.

"Remember "water has memory"? Well, ice is basically frozen water. Ahtohallan is a river full of memories. We can share them with each other…"

Jack blinked in confusion as she bent down and placed her hands on the ground. He only barely caught her ramble on something about water memories and how ice is water.

Is it possible that I had hit her too hard on the head with that snowball earlier?

"Snowflake, I-HOLY SHIT!" Jack jumped as multiple ice sculptures suddenly popped up from the ground. They were sculptures of people, as if he was looking at frames of a point in time. A point in time of Elsa's life…

Her memories.

"Oh my god," he muttered as his eyes trailed around him. He turned his head as he took a small three-sixty turn. As his eyes scanned the incredible feat before him, they landed on the figure of a small girl, sitting on the ground in front of a door, her legs tucked to her chest. Her hair was in a neat french braid with a hairband on top. This was a young Elsa…

Jack walked toward the figure and he bent down in front of it.

"Jack…" he heard Elsa call his name softly, but all he could focus on was the little ice girl in front of him. Small and cowering, his heart ached at how her frozen face looked in fear at her gloved hands.

"You never mentioned the gloves," he said softly as his blue eyes looked at her gently. Sadness etched his face and she shook her head slowly.

"It's not exactly the best topic," she whispered. She waved her hand and the figure of the little girl disappeared. "Sorry you had to see that. I don't know how to exactly control which memory shows up here yet-"

"Did they make you wear the gloves?" He stood up from his position, body facing her.

"Jack, can we please not-"

Jack cut her off by taking a step closer to her. He was so close, she could smell his icy mint scent. He looked into her big blue eyes intently.

"How long did you wear them for?"

"Thirteen years." She swallowed thickly, the pain from the period coming back fresh in her mind. Tears welled in her eyes and he cupped her face gently.

"Were you forced to wear them?" His tone was hurt and confused. He didn't understand why they would do this to her.

"No. I wanted to do it. I wanted to hide because-" she paused and a tear rolled down her face. "Because I thought I was a monster."

"Snowflake," He whispered as he kissed the top of her hair and instinctively pulled her in for a tight hug.

How is it that even someone as amazing as her had to go through all that?

As they pulled away, Elsa sniffed and gave him a small smile. "I didn't mean to dampen the mood."

"It's not you," he reassured her, giving a kind smile in return. His eyes scanned the remaining figures and it landed on a particular Ice Queen in a thigh high slit dress. Elsa's eyes widened as she realised which one he was looking at.

"Now will you be able to tell me who is that foxy lady?" Jack gave a low whistle as Elsa suddenly just wished she could bury herself in a hole.

"Damn, that's one rough childhood," Jack said as Elsa finished her story and brought him through her past.

"It wasn't easy," she admitted and he took her hand. "But I'm in a much better place now."

"Happy to hear that." He cocked his head to the side as she gave a smile. She took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair.

"Okay," she exhaled and looked at him. "It's your turn now, show me what this plane you have mentioned looks like!"

With a wave of her hand, the ice figures around them disintegrated, leaving a trail of icy mist in their wake. She looked at him expectantly as he stared down at his hands.

"So I just… put my hands on the ground?"

Elsa nodded, she took his hands in hers. "That and try to really channel yourself into the ice."

Jack.

He could hear the barely audible whisper of his memories calling him. Squatting down, he placed his staff down beside him and put both his hands on the ground.

"Oh my gosh, it's real!" Elsa gasped as stared in awe at the airplane figure in front of her.

"Told ya," he smirked as he took in her child-like curiosity.

"I still don't really see how it flies? It must be terribly heavy!"

Jack chuckled and placed a hand on the sculpture. With a little more magic and memories, the aeroplane lifted off the ground, hovering in the air above them.

"I can't explain it cause I'm obviously not a scientist, but based on what I remember, it flies like that."

Elsa smiled in delight as she took a look around. She was so intrigued, Jack's life was so different. Whatever little remaining doubt she had about his life and story just vanished as the whole story unfolded before her.

"This… is me?" Elsa raised an eyebrow as she saw a figure of herself, coaxing the trembling baby calf on the cliff edge that day he saved her the first time.

Jack snapped his head in her direction as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, that was kinda the first time I saw you."

"So you were spying on me?" Elsa quipped with a small smile on her face.

"I was not."

"You were literally hiding in a tree, watching me from a distance."

"Snowflake, that's kinda out of context. I was flying over the forest and I happened to come across the commotion which I stopped to watch. You should be thankful cause if I didn't, I couldn't have saved you." He gave her a 'duh' face and she gave a slight eye-roll at his sudden cockiness.

As they continued the adventures of Jack's life. Elsa suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide.

In front of them, was the figure of a mother and child, walking through the Winter Spirit, who had a pained and confused expression on his face.

"Ah-this," Jack sighed as he looked to the Snow Queen. "You know how I said, it is the belief that keeps me alive? Well, when people don't believe in Jack Frost, I become invisible. People walk through me just like that."

"It looks… painful…" she muttered. She looked at his face and his eyebrows furrowed as he remembered the feeling.

"It was unpleasant, but after awhile, I did get used to it at one point." He shrugged nonchalantly but his face still seemed quite disturbed.

She put a gentle hand on his face. "How long did you go through that? To be able to get used to something so horrible?"

"Living in isolation? About 300 years."

Elsa took a step back, shaking her head slightly. "WHAT? 300 years?"

"I only became a guardian recently, that was about the time when I started being seen and actually interacting with people."

"And I thought I had it bad." Elsa shook her head again. She took a step closer to him, held his hand and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

"Don't be," he gave her a reassuring smile. "If it wasn't for whatever I've been through, I probably wouldn't have never met you. And I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for this time I have with you."

Elsa closed her eyes as Jack came closer to her. Her heart ached for him upon learning the sad past he had, but he was right. They were here now, together. She felt him lean in to kiss her, but before she could feel his lips, he pulled away quickly.

Her eyes snapped open and she saw him looking alert. She opened her mouth to speak but then, she heard it too.

Jack.

"Is that…" she started to speak and Jack nodded.

"My sister is calling me."

Elsa sat on the ledge of her room window, hugging her knees to her chest. She watched the night time sky of the beautiful horizon, the stars painted across the dark canvas in a beautiful light show. The waters hit against the coast as the waves came and went. Unfortunately, her mind wasn't focused on that. All she could think about was Jack and what she'd found out about him today.

She'd always seen Jack as a jovial, free-spirited, fun-loving individual. Plus, she was aware that he is also a very very handsome spirit. However, she never realised that beneath that, was such a tragic past that it made hers seem like a walk in a park.

Not only did he spend 300 years living in total isolation without a single soul to interact with, he had to live with the knowledge of knowing he died drowning in icy cold waters to save his sister, yet he never was able to find out what happened to her.

Initially, she had been so excited to learn his full story, to get all the details of his interesting life. But that didn't happen as planned because she couldn't continue on after finding out about his death. Right after that, they left to come back to the Enchanted forest.

Upon returning, she had excused herself from him and decided to take a walk alone to try to clear her thoughts. Sadly, that didn't help much so she snuck back not too long ago and was now hiding out in her room. She felt like a coward, but it was just so much to take and she didn't know how to face him. A mixture of guilt and disbelief pitted in her chest and a frown was etched on her face. Consumed by her own thoughts, she jumped slightly when she heard the door to creak open and the sound of his familiar voice.

"Hey Snowflake." Jack said softly as he entered.

"Hi."

She turned her head to look back at him, avoiding his eyes. She gave a small smile and quickly turned her head back to the window, pretending to take in the sunset as her mind rushed to think about what to say.

"I was getting a little worried, it's dark out and I didn't know when you'd be back," Jack walked up towards her and sat down beside her. "Thank god you are home, I was just about to go out to find you."

"You don't have to worry about me, Jack." Elsa assured him as she looked down at her hands.

"Hey," he took one of her hands and intertwined their fingers. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel like this."

"No," she shook her head, looking up into the distance again. "Don't be sorry. I am sorry that you had to go through what you did."

He sighed. "Elsa…"

She looked at him and could see the concern in his eyes. She felt her heart soften.

"I don't want you to feel pity for me, you know-"

"I'm not." She interrupted him, shaking her head slightly. Gaining her composure, she repeated herself with slightly more affirmation. "I'm not."

"Penny for your thoughts?" He gave a small smile as he held a hand up. In his palm was an Arendelle coin - the equivalent of a penny.

She couldn't help but chuckle and he felt her squeeze his hand as her blue eyes looked up to his. Fresh tears were building up and she blinked to control them.

"I'm just… guilty. And a little confused, honestly," She breathed as she slowly constructed what she wanted to say in her head. "For most of my life, I was so alone, so isolated. I thought I was a monster and I was so scared. I had so much fear. The only person I could fully rely on was Anna, and as much as I am happy for her to start her new adventure of getting married and starting a family, I am terrified of losing her."

Jack nodded, scooting closer to her as she took a breath and continued.

"I did find my place in the Enchanted forest. I finally feel like I belong somewhere. However, though I know that I am part of something bigger than myself, I am but a lonely chess piece in the grand scheme of things."

She wiped the tears that fell from her eyes and Jack couldn't help but feel for her. He knew these feelings very well.

"But then, by some divine grace, I met you. Someone who made me feel like I was the centre of my own life, someone who resonated with me and recognized me." She got up from the ledge and stood in front of him. Standing between his knees, she gently took his face in her hands, caressing his cheeks, her fingers trailing across the smooth edges of his jaw. "Now I understand that it's because you went through what I did by a hundred or maybe even a thousand fold. You went through hell… I just don't feel deserving."

"Elsa, don't say that-" she put her finger to his lips delicately.

"I am eternally grateful to you, Jack Frost, for teaching me to love myself more, to be less fearful and opening me up to new experiences. I was conflicted and confused because I couldn't believe how terrible you have been treated in both life and death." Her hands held his face tenderly with more firmness. "I saw your pained face, I heard your fear when you told me about your 300 years in solitude and your sister. You don't deserve that, you are a good man. You deserve all the love from people who believe in you. I hope you don't ever forget that, even after you leave."

As she spoke, one of her hands wandered down to his neck to the fabric of the leather strap. She took out the pendant and they both looked down to look at the red orange stone in her dainty hand.

Based on the stone's colour and glow, they both knew that the hourly countdown had begun. He had to leave the very next day.

He swallowed thickly, his breathing ragged and uneven. Even though it was not possible, he swore in that moment he could hear his heart beating rapidly in his chest. Her genuine words touched him greatly, rendering the great Jack Frost speechless.

Fuck. He cursed in his head as he did the first thing that came to his mind. He stood up swiftly, causing her to take a quick step back, before he took her face with both his hands and kissed her.

And oh boy, this wasn't like one of their usual kisses they've been having in the past weeks. This one was intense and electric, combining the fact that not only were they each other's emotional respite to heal from their sorrowful pasts, it also might very well be one of their last kisses shared between both winter lovers. And they were not going to waste it.

Elsa wrapped her arms tightly around Jack's neck as his lips moved against hers. She nipped his lower lip and he gave a soft moan. Slowly they inched back until they landed on her bed.

She didn't expect the lust to overcome her such that she was literally making out with the Winter Spirit on her bed, her straddling him. Despite her own surprise at her boldness, she was very clear what she wanted. Him.

And it was obvious to say he wanted her too. She'd be damned if she was not able to have him on this last night, all her royal queenly etiquette and rules just thrown out the window. In a brief moment of understanding, she felt a little less hard feelings towards Kristoff for getting Anna pregnant… just a little.

Giving him butterfly kisses down his neck she began tugging at his white shirt which he realized somehow already had the first few buttons undone.

It took him much effort in his lust filled haze to take her hand, stopping her in the midst of untucking his clothing. He looked at her, taking in her beauty as her blue eyes watching him. He took shallow breaths as he spoke. "Snowflake… are you sure?"

He didn't have to stop her, he knew that they could just continue and his wildest dreams would come true. But he couldn't help it, this was important to him, she was important to him. He needed to know that they both understood what laid ahead, and not just for tonight.

"I don't want to be selfish," he said looking up at her angelic face. She was still sitting on him, her knees on either side. His arms wrapped around her waist. "I just want to make sure-"

"I know." She whispered, shushing him. Her hands held his face, brushing the white hairs out of his eyes. "I know this isn't ideal, and from the start you made it clear that we don't have much time. I've accepted that I can't have you to be by my side, but at this moment… I-I want to be selfish for once. That's all I want. I want you."

He crashed his lips into hers fervently. His hands moving up from her waist to her back as he rolled over, flipping her under him with her legs wrapped around him. She felt the soft mattress surround her as she looked at him, studying his perfectly sculpted face. Her heart was thumping rapidly in her chest.

He kissed her lips again softly and he gently kissed down her cheek to her ear. "Snowflake, I've always been so afraid to ask for anything, especially because you are literally a god-send from heaven to me. I don't think I deserve what you're offering me, but to be able to have you, just for tonight, will make me the happiest man alive."

Her heart melted and she smiled, showing him the cute little grin he adored so much. She cupped his face and pulled him in once again.

Elsa stirred a little as she snuggled closer into Jack's chest. He smiled and pulled the covers up higher to shield her face from the sunlight that was streaming into her room. Usually she'd be awake by now, but for obvious reasons, the Snow Queen needed a little more rest time this morning.

He kissed her forehead tenderly, careful not to wake her. His fingers traced patterns softly against the smooth skin of her back. He looked down at the sleeping angel and his heart hurt at how he'd have to leave in a matter of hours. He was surprised at how comfortable he became here and almost wished he could remember this feeling. He felt the dread of going back home loom over him as the glowing red pendant caught his eye as it laid on his bare chest.

Moments later, Elsa stirred and she slowly opened her eyes. Jack grinned and helped her move some of her stray bed hairs out of her face.

"Hi you," he said as she turned her face into the covers more. He wondered if it was because of the sunlight or if she was shy.

"Good morning," she greeted meekly.

Definitely shy. He smiled to himself as he wrapped his arms around her tightly for a hug. "How'd you sleep?"

"Good," she croaked. She was embarrassed to look at him as she remembered the events of last night. She didn't regret it one bit, but her upbringing did instill some shame in her for engaging in such acts to someone she wasn't married to.

Not that she was ever going to get married anyways. She thought to herself, but right now, she was naked in bed, with a devilishly attractive man. Oh god...

"I would supposed so, especially with all that snoring," he chuckled and she gasped, sitting up straight quickly.

"I do not snore!" She retorted, slapping his chest as he laughed heartily.

"I'm kidding, Snowflake," he teased as she glared at him. Her eyes widened as she saw his eyes briefly look down, head cocking to one side cheekily. He didn't even try to hide his face of appreciation at her unintentional flashing and she quickly wrapped herself around the blankets again. Using her magic, she threw on a simple nightgown and gave a silent sigh of relief.

Jack felt the sudden cool fabric of her new dress and groaned. "Aww c'mon, Snowflake. It's not fair you have powers to create clothes."

Elsa peeped out of the blankets and stuck her tongue out at him, taunting him. Jack sat up quickly, grabbing her by the waist and laid back down, holding the Snow Queen close to his chest.

"I'll miss this," he muttered and planted a kiss on her hair.

"And this," he continued as she turned and he gave her a full peck on the lips. He hugged her tightly. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too." She said softly as she cuddled with him for perhaps the last time.

"Can you believe we were just here yesterday?" Jack asked, giving a nervous laugh. He'd hoped to cut a little of the moody atmosphere between them, but of course, the fact that he was leaving weighed down on both of them heavily.

Before them, stood the frozen river, the source of magic and memories, the place that started it all for them.

Ahtohallan.

He reached out for her hand and she took it with a sad smile as he led her into the cave. The red pendant hung around his neck glowing brighter with each step they took into the cave. He could feel the magic, the same feeling coursing through his body when he was first pushed through the portal to the Sunlands. He was really going home.

"This is it." Jack whispered as he took Elsa's hands in his. His eyes welled up as he brought both her hands to his lips and planted a kiss on each of them. "Remember Snowflake, you are strong. Stay fearless. Promise me you'll take care of yourself."

Elsa sniffed and hugged him tightly, her tears rolling down her face as they seeped into the fabric of his white shirt. Her mind whirled as she thought about the past month, how much happier she was in life because of him. The memories of every laugh, every touch, every kiss incited waves of sadness through her, but she knew this had to be. He must go and they can't fight this. "I promise you. Thank you for everything Jack, for saving my life and protecting me… Multiple times."

He kissed her hair and shifted his eyes to look up in order to prevent his own tears from falling. He rested his forehead on hers. "I'll do whatever it takes to come back to see you again. I can't promise that but please know no matter how far we are… I'll be thinking of you. You'll always hold a special place in my heart."

Elsa pulled away and Jack wiped her tears from her face. She nodded slowly giving him a small reassuring smile. "And I you. Let's hope we'll meet again, if not, I wish you every happiness, Jack."

I love you.

"Till we meet again, my Snowflake."

I love you.

And with that, he was gone.

Hello my dear readers, thank you for taking time to read this chapter!

I knew how I wanted to end the chapter but I had a hard time getting the story flow there. I hope this chapter has kicked in some Jelsa feels, totally took too long to get it going. Sorry for the wait on this chapter :(

I do plan to finish the story though it does take me some time between chapters due to my other life commitments, my apologies in advance!

Next chapter, more adventure and revelations as we get to some exciting parts and bring back other characters! Thanks everyone for your kind reviews and comments on the last chapter and hope you liked this one! As usual, feel free to leave me your reviews to let me know what you think!

Till next time!

~Mae