Despite his family's misgivings, Elson continues his relationship with Jacqueline.
None but him and Olaf could see her, and so he was forced to take great pains to ensure his staff and his people he is of sound mind and body.
Anderson and Kristina, when approached, gave their own reassurances. Though they themselves had their own doubts of Elson's sanity, they knew the importance of keeping a united front.
"Is there any way for us to see her? Or even talk to her?" Anderson asked one day.
Jacqueline and Elson looked at one another. "She says she never found a way for humans to talk to her. I was the first," Elson says on her behalf.
"She's here?" Anderson swivels his head.
"She's right next to me." Elson indicates his left.
"Ah. Well, greetings." Anderson bobs his head uncertainly.
"Greetings," Jacqueline murmurs. She leans on Elson's chair, her fingers stroking through his hair.
"Is there any way we could talk? Privately?"
Elson looked concernedly at Jacqueline.
She purses her lips contemplatively. "I would, if there was any way we could speak."
"You don't have to talk to him if you don't want to."
"There are a few things I'd like to say." Anderson stands firm. "She— You— don't have to respond. I'd prefer if you listened."
Jacqueline touches Elson's cheek. "Go. I'll be fine."
He stands and leaves the room, closing the doors and retreating down the hall. He finds Kristina standing by the stairwell.
"Did you put him up to this?" Elson grouses.
"I didn't say anything." She puts a hand on his shoulder. "He loves you, Elson. Do not be angry at him."
"I know. I know he is worried about me." He bites his lower lip. "I wish you both could actually speak with her. You'll understand. She's… unlike anyone I've ever met."
He's breathless and flushed and faraway and Kristina's heart sinks.
Nothing she says will reach him now.
"What did Anderson want?" Elson asks as he returns to his study.
Jacqueline stands at the open window, still and contemplative. She raises deep eyes to him. "He asked me not to break your heart."
Elson ducks his head. "I'm—"
"No, I understand," she says. "He loves you and wants only the best for you." She lets him approach and presses a hand to his face.
He leans down and kisses her. "I trust you."
"What do you mean?"
"I trust you not to break my heart."
It is weeks later when Kai approaches Elson in the study. Jacqueline lurks, unnoticed, on the windowsill.
"Your Majesty." Kai bows. "I have the plans for your birthday celebration."
"Thank you, Kai." Elson glances over the papers. "Did Anderson look over these yet?"
"Yes, sir. He was the one to draft it himself."
Elson laughs. "I trust him more than anyone to throw a party. Tell him I approve and allocate funds from the treasury."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Kai leaves.
"When is your birthday?" Jacqueline asks.
"The winter solstice. Only a little more than a month away."
"Already planning so soon?"
Elson laughs again. "This is not so soon for Anderson. For Kristina's birthday, he planned in secret for three months."
He holds his arms out to her and she settles in his lap. She presses kisses to his temple and runs fingers through his hair. "How old will you be turning?"
"Twenty-eight." Elson kisses her neck and does not notice when her hand stills in her ministrations. "Do you celebrate a birthday?"
Jacqueline shakes her head. "I do not know when I was born, only that I rose from the frozen pond on a winter night. It has been… a great many years since then."
"Would you like to? I would throw you a party. A small one, just for us."
She laughs. "No, Elson, I have no need. But thank you. It's very kind of you."
He kisses her. "It is still so strange to me. When I was a boy, I always celebrated my birthdays alone. But now, I have an entire kingdom to celebrate with." He smiles at her, eyes glimmering in the light of the setting sun pouring through the window. "And you."
Jacqueline gazes at him and kisses him, letting her lips linger. "And me."
That night, she slips from Elson's bed and leaps out the window. She soars over the courtyard and alights on top of the belltower.
There is a full moon tonight. The light of it bathes the sleeping town in a silver-white glow and shines over the snow. The snow has never melted since Jacqueline first arrived at Arendelle.
She stands, holding her staff in the crook of her arm, and gazes up at the moon. "Please," she whispers, not knowing what she is begging for, only that she feels a terrible, terrible ache.
A soft wind blows. It tugs at her clothes and caresses her face and asks if she wants to fly, fly far away, away over the seas and mountains and into the endless sky.
She shakes her head and turns her back to it. She will not leave, not until she understands what she is feeling. Why she feels the urge to cry and howl and shatter and hold Elson to her until she could breathe him in, the scent and the taste of him and be lost in him for eternity.
She raises damp eyes to the moon. "I don't understand why it hurts so much." She presses her hand to her chest. To her heart. "Why?"
The Man in the Moon does not respond.
She didn't expect him to.