CHRONICLE 1: KAI & GERDA
Elsa could not remember ever being happier than she was now.
Two days ago, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven had finally returned from their different business trips overseas and land, respectively. These were the people who had helped her during the events after her coronation, and had subsequently become her closest friends, after all. She was understandably only too grateful that they had made it back to her side safely.
Tonight, the legendary Jack Frost had miraculously returned from his exile – and as if that wasn't enough, professed his feelings for her. This was the being who'd kept Elsa company the last week and a half, offering friendship when all her original friends were out of the kingdom. And, admittedly, she'd developed feelings for him herself in that time. Now, everyone she loved was back in her life where they belonged.
And now, on top of everything, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven could see, hear, and feel Jack as well as she could, proving that he was indeed real, not to mention returning the two bringers of winter the ability to touch. This was precisely what she'd wanted from the moment she'd befriended the Guardian two weeks prior, and her expectations were more than met. Elsa wished this night would never end.
Unfortunately, it had to, as all things did. Much as she'd enjoyed herself this night, the annoyingly responsible part of her had finally won her internal battle. It was late, she was tired... and tomorrow was her day off, so she and her friends would have the whole day to spend together! That was why they were all riding back to Arendelle so late, Elsa on horseback, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff on the sled drawn by Sven. All that Jack rode on was the wind, just a few feet over the group's heads. Admittedly, no one could keep their eyes off the mythical being for long. Like Elsa had been the first time (and still was, in truth), Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven were astonished to see the young man inexplicably soar so easily through the air, flipping and looping without a care in the world. Something else kept drawing Elsa's stare to him, though; the fact that he was here at all, that he'd come back to her despite the heartbreaking way they'd parted two days ago, that he returned her affections. Everything about Jack was amazing, as her friends were quickly discovering, but this left her astounded more than anything. Astounded, and infinitely grateful.
The Queen was roused from said astounded, grateful reflections upon realizing her party's arrival home. Reining her steed to a halt, she prepared to step down from the saddle, only to pause upon noticing Jack come to a gentle landing right there, a hand extended to help her down.
"My lady?" he asked quietly, offering a smirk.
Elsa almost chuckled; it wasn't like the carefree Guardian of Fun to be so chivalrous. But having just regained the ability to touch, he was taking any excuse he could get to experience it, revel in it. (He'd contemplated riding on horseback with Elsa when they'd departed the lake, but had elected against it, wanting to get to know all of his new friends on the way.) Offering a soft smile, Elsa reached out and clasped his hand with her own. Even now, the sensation continued to send a jolt of surprise through her, as she still, on some subconscious level, expected to pass through Jack upon contact. But she could feel his surprisingly smooth touch, his thumb stroking adoringly back and forth across her knuckles, and she revelled in it also. She was sure she heard Anna squeal in adoration at the simple gesture.
Once horse and reindeer were comfortable in the royal stables for the night, the remainder of the odd group made their way into the castle. The second the door was even slightly ajar, they were surprised to see light spilling out via the opening. By this hour, most of the lights were typically doused – if not by the whole staff, then by Kai (the undisputed Lord of Final Checks) for sure. But as they rapidly discovered, it was the steward himself – as well as his wife Gerda, the head matron – who had deviated from routine tonight.
"Oh, your majesty!" the latter person quietly exclaimed in relief, jumping to her feet. "Your highness! Thank goodness, there you are!"
"What a relief!" Kai sighed.
"Gerda?" Elsa queried. "Kai? Why are you both still up?"
"Forgive us, Queen Elsa." the steward replied. "But when the Princess alerted us all to your sudden absence, then took off in search of you, we..."
"The last time that happened, we received the Great Thaw, your majesty." Gerda continued when Kai found himself at a loss for words. "We didn't know what to expect this time."
At their words, Elsa felt more than a hint of guilt taint her good mood. Though she'd never personally committed such acts in her isolated life, she almost felt like an adolescent getting caught coming home late by her worried parents. As Queen, she didn't have to explain herself to the steward or the head matron – but as a person who considered them to practically be family, she reassured them anyway.
"I'm sorry I worried you both." she said sincerely. "But I promise you, there's nothing to be concerned about anymore."
"Oh, 'anymore'?" Gerda echoed, visibly relieved and surprised. "Was there something troubling beforehand?"
"Yeah." Anna spoke up, offering her sister a quick look to assure her she wouldn't divulge more than she was comfortable with. "But everything's okay now."
"Better than okay." Elsa agreed, beaming subtly first to Anna, then to Jack. An understanding passed silently between them; with now five people in the castle able to see the Guardian, there would be a time to let Kai and Gerda in on the secret. But after their reaction nearly two weeks ago, it would need to be a slow, gentle process. Elsa and her friends would have to ease them into-
"You bet!" Olaf contributed excitedly. "Elsa introduced us to Jack Frost!"
Then again...
If Olaf expected anyone to share in his enthusiasm, he was to be sorely disappointed. Instead, a hush fell over the castle antechamber. Shock immediately conquered the faces of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Jack. No one knew what to do, but it didn't matter; the secret was out, and the effect was immediate.
Kai and Gerda's gazes flickered back and forth between Olaf and Elsa as the snowman's words sank in. When they did, too many emotions to count – bemusement, recognition, confusion, shock, concern, uncertainty, worry – went to war on the two heads of staff's faces. It took all Elsa had to keep herself calm as these looks found her. Though she now knew that she was not hallucinating Jack, the experience had left an impact on her nevertheless. Expressions of fearful concern like these, as well as words like "overwork" and "crazy", made her cringe inside, and her powers rumble uncomfortably. She didn't have to look down to know small fingers of frost were slowly crawling across the floor from her soles, despite her best efforts. She had no idea what to say, and it didn't look like Kai or Gerda did, either.
Fortunately, Anna seemed to. The Princess took charge of the situation, stepping forward confidently, but with a gentle smile on her face.
"Gerda, Kai..." she began. "I know you have all these misgivings about this, and I don't blame you, I mean, you're not stupid. Not that it's stupid to believe!" she quickly added with a quick look of alarm at Elsa and Jack. "It's just, people kinda stop believing when they get older. Not that you two are old or anything! Of course not, you're still in the prime of your... wait, what? Where was I going with this? Oh, right. Just that I get why you don't believe anymore, I mean, I don't still believe in... I dunno, the Easter Bunny or something (if Anna heard Jack snort into his fist, she gave no sign of it), so I get where you're coming from, but..."
Though her words trailed off when they failed her, Anna's hands continued to gesture inarticulately for a second or two before she finally sighed, her rambling trip concluded, but her point reached.
"What I'm saying is..." she tried again, trying to pace her talking this time. "I get why you don't believe in Jack Frost... but won't you try for Elsa's sake? We all have."
Feeling him give her hand a light squeeze, Elsa looked at Jack beside her (mostly from the corner of her eye, not wanting to face him completely in these troubling circumstances). He offered her a reassuring grin before releasing her hand and walking slowly, quietly away – albeit not very far.
Both Kai and Gerda's eyebrows had been steadily rising as they'd watched Anna give her jumbled speech, and jumped up one more notch with her last sentence. Blinking, the two heads of staff looked at Olaf and Kristoff for confirmation – and received it, the snowman and iceman nodding – before their stares found Elsa again. Despite the discomfort they caused, the Queen maintained her unafraid air with a smile, remembering that everything was all right now. And even if they never believed her, it didn't matter; Jack was real, and to no one more than her.
Despite this, Kai and Gerda exchanged looks and turned their stares to the floor and middle distance, respectively, visibly contemplating all the evidence they'd been presented, however insufficient. This, at least, was more than they'd done in the nearly two weeks since this business began. Anna had chosen her words well. The steward and head matron had indeed been worried for Elsa's well-being at first. But now, they honestly considered being open to new possibilities, and for the same reason.
Their minds made up at last, the two offered Anna penitent nods before looking at their Queen once more – their expressions cautious, but kind.
"Very well, your majesty." Kai acquiesced earnestly.
"For your sake, we shall try to be a little more... open-minded." Gerda agreed.
"Thank you, both of you." Elsa replied warmly. "That's all I can ask."
"So you'll believe in Jack?" Anna spoke up, her eyes shining with joy.
"Indeed, we shall try, your highness." Kai responded with a small smile.
"That's good. 'Cause he's standing right there."
Almost simultaneously, the steward and head matron furrowed their brows in bemusement, turned to where Anna had nodded to... then jumped, he gasping and she giving a short cry. Both stumbled back, Gerda tripping and nearly falling, but an ice-cold hand caught hers at the last second.
Sure enough, almost in between them stood Jack, beaming pleasantly on as Kai and Gerda stared at the hitherto invisible being. It had been all Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff could do not to in any way react when the Guardian had snuck over during the Princess's speech.
Jack pulled Gerda back to her feet, and since he was still clasping her hand, shook it with a smirk.
"Nice to meet you too, Gerda." he said casually, as if meeting a legend was an everyday occurrence. Letting go, he strolled back toward Elsa, amicably patting Kai on the shoulder as he passed by. "Kai, pleasure's all mine."
Anna was the first to burst into laughter, which set Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff off as well, at the Guardian of Fun's carefree demeanour, and the two heads of staff's dumbfounded reactions. They looked very much like, though they believed in Jack, they did not believe their own eyes.
"You..." Gerda tried. "You're..."
"Jack... Frost." Kai said slowly. "Jack Frost."
As if to ram the point home, Jack turned to them, twirled a large snowflake around his finger, then flipped it like a coin into Kai's surprised hand.
"The one and only." he answered cockily. "Glad you enjoyed my ballet recital the other day, by the way. I'll just pretend you were applauding to me."
Kai and Gerda both blinked and almost recoiled, stricken with the revelation.
"That... that was you?" she clarified.
"Bet your bottom speciedaler. Speaking of which..." His eyes still upon Kai and Gerda, Jack approached Elsa and lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Isn't there someone you owe an apology to here?"
"Jack?!" Elsa exclaimed just above a whisper, shooting him a disbelieving look.
He didn't seem to notice, though, his words having done their work. Looking at their Queen, Kai and Gerda visibly considered Jack's words, and clearly realized their role in all that had transpired the last two weeks – the stress they'd unwittingly visited upon Elsa. Guilt found its place in their eyes, and the two immediately bowed to her.
"I am... terribly sorry for doubting you, your majesty!" Kai apologized, deeply penitent.
"As am I, your majesty." Gerda agreed, on the verge of tears. "Truly, deeply sorry. I... this is all my fault. I was the one who suggested you were overworked and... seeing things."
(Elsa flinched at those words, but kept herself composed.)
"But I was the one who feared she might be losing control of her magic again." Kai countered, glancing sideways at his wife. "We are equal parts guilty in all this."
"Kai. Gerda."
Both heads of staff dared to look up at the sound of Elsa's voice, eyes filled with shame.
"It's okay." she insisted softly. "I know you didn't mean to make me doubt myself. You were only concerned for me, like you always have been. I forgive you."
Kai and Gerda both sighed, the sudden weight on their consciences lightened, if not entirely gone.
"Thank you, Queen Elsa." the matron exhaled, relieved.
"Yes, thank you." Kai concurred. "Truly, your compassion knows no bounds."
"Ain't that the truth." Jack murmured to Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff, earning a chuckle.
"We apologize to you as well... mister Frost." Gerda said, sounding like she was still working on believing the name even as she turned to its owner. "I... can't imagine what it's like to have your existence doubted."
Following Gerda's lead, Kai also offered a few words of sincere apology to Jack. As Elsa watched, the Guardian of Fun blinked, surprised. Evidently, he'd never received any apologies this formal, least of all from someone he only barely knew, and so was actually speechless for a moment. But he never had any illusions about forgiving them. He laid his free hand on Gerda's shoulder, not passing through it – ever more confirmation that they believed in him now.
"Hey." he replied, offering both staff a grin. "You're here now. Thanks for coming around."
Kai and Gerda both smiled, relieved, Anna thanked them for their amenability, Jack joked that he should get the Princess to convince the whole world about him, Olaf cheered for the triumph of the group's effort, Kristoff laughingly praised "Feisty Pants" for her jumbled way with words... and Elsa looked upon all this, pleased. With her steward and head matron now persuaded, keeping her interactions with Jack out of their sight was no longer a problem she had to face. As she'd already observed, Elsa could not remember ever being happier than she was now – and it seemed that things were only getting better.
"Hey, Jack!" Olaf piped up. "Will you move in too now?"
The group quieted down as they waited for the surprised Guardian's answer.
"I... don't... think so...?" Jack attempted.
"Aww, why not?" Olaf whined. "Sven did! I mean, Kristoff- Whatever, Anna's boyfriend did!"
This was true. Only a couple of weeks after the Great Thaw – after Kristoff had become Anna's boyfriend and, consequently, one of Elsa's friends – Elsa caught wind of the ice harvester's relative homelessness over dinner one evening. In a move unbelievably generous even for her, the Queen shortly thereafter offered him a room in the castle (of course she ensured that the room offered was a safe distance from her sister's). Though Kristoff had at first been reluctant, having never been one to accept charity, Anna had rapidly changed his mind with her best pout and a few entreating words.
As a result, the whole group had lived together ever since (Olaf having moved in the very night the Thaw ended). So the snowman's question was not without foundation; to someone who didn't know that Jack needed no sleep or material goods, it only made sense to make him the same offer.
The Guardian of Fun crouched down before Olaf as if speaking to a child.
"Olaf, buddy..." he explained. "I don't really need a-"
"Um, sorry?" Gerda suddenly interrupted, a puzzled look on her face. "Mister Olaf, why exactly do you compare mister Frost to... mister...?"
The head matron trailed off as suspicion came to dominate her brown eyes, which looked from Olaf to Jack... to Elsa, who felt a chill of nervousness flash throughout her when wariness started to morph into realization. She could tell exactly what was going through Kai and Gerda's heads just by looking at them; Jack was her boyfriend. Now, both royal sisters had partners – partners who could very well make noble decorum hard to maintain.
The steward and head matron would have to keep an eye out for impropriety ever more now, what with two couples to worry about. And the fact that one was far more than human only made it that much harder.
"Why's everyone so quiet?" Jack queried, lost.
Olaf nodded his agreement with him, while Kristoff subtly brought a hand up to his mouth, cleverly hiding how hard he was fighting not to laugh.
"You know..." Anna murmured (not nearly quietly enough) to Elsa from the corner of her mouth. "Now that Kai and Gerda can see Jack, I think it's gonna be a lot harder for you to have any more secret sleepovers."
Even as she realized the truth of her sister's words, Elsa spun to look at her indignantly, her face going bright red.
"ANNA!"
Author's note: Hello, everyone!
So it may surprise some of you to hear this from the author of Snow & Frost but, as much as I love big, multi-chapter, three-act structure stories with a lot of thematic content (like Snow & Frost itself, for instance), I also rather enjoy smaller, episodic stories where every chapter is its own little tale – especially if every one of those tales takes place in the same universe. (Want an example? The first one I can think of off the top of my head would probably be The Prince of Arendelle, by FanFiction user Nardragon; it's just kind of a collection of days in the royal family's extraordinary everyday life.)
So since that's the case, I've decided to apply a little of that to what I am probably going to call the Snow & Frost Storyverse.
Anyone who read Accident & Rescue will recall that I said I was considering writing multiple one-shots that happen in the same universe as Snow & Frost, to both build up the world and explore the interactions between the different characters that didn't get the chance back then. Here, under one title, is where I've decided to do it. Over the remainder of this year (and maybe some of next year), I'll be releasing a number of such short stories like the one you just read; nothing that big or epic, but tales about how Elsa and Jack interact with each other's friends and families, and how everyone is affected by the new couple. Some will be funny, some will be sad, one or two might even be exhilarating, but all of them, I hope, will be worth it. In fact, I might even take a few story suggestions from you readers; as of the writing of this chronicle, I've already got ideas for how Elsa's various friends get to know Jack, but I'm still figuring out how each Guardian will get to know the Queen of Arendelle, or any of her friends, for that matter. But if anyone throws out any ideas that catch my eye, I'll consider them, and give credit where it's due.
With this first chronicle, though, I figured I should tie off one of the looser ends of Snow & Frost; Kai and Gerda, part of the reason for the whole dilemma of that story. I hope you had a good laugh, and will hate them a little less going forward.
But if Elsa-Jack short stories aren't what you're expecting from me – I admit, when I first posted a fanfic, I never thought it would come to this – then I've got good news for you. I know in Accident & Rescue I said a big, "real" Snow & Frost sequel was possible, but not for sure. Well, I take what I said back now. Here you go, in black and white; a written guarantee that I will put together a real sequel. So, provided I don't die in some horrendous dump truck accident (for very random example) before then, I plan to release Snow & Frost 2 at some point in 2022, and it will be at least as long as the original. For now, though, let me take my time with it, and enjoy these shorts while you wait, why don't you. Think of it this way; by seeing the dynamics the characters have with each other now, you'll be able to appreciate how they're all in this together when trouble rears it ugly head later.
If you agree, then welcome, new readers, and welcome back, longtime readers, to the Snow & Frost Storyverse! Happy reading!
Mikaelus, July 18th, 2021