Stupid work kept me from posting this days ago. I am sad. :( And then today I get home and the internet is out for HOURS! SO DOULBE SAD!
Beware the Frozen Heart
Chapter 4: Reindeer Love
The band was playing and people were dancing and spinning around the ballroom floor. The celebration was in full swing. Everyone was smiling and laughing and having a grand time. It had been years since such a party was thrown. Not since Zach's birth.
Claire stood at the front, to the left of the ceremonial throne. She had now fallen to the title of Regent, an acting queen in power only when Zach was absent and until Gray was old enough to be titled Regent. And she did feel that immense sense of relief. The ceremony had gone wonderfully! The ball was likewise going. Everything was perfect!
Claire turned slightly and beckoned Zach forward. He was standing off to the side, hidden almost completely from view in the curtains. The young man swallowed nervously and stepped out timidly. Claire smiled. "King Zach of Jurendelle." She said, pointing.
Zach stepped up side her slowly. The way she was looking at him made him squirm. He turned quickly and smiled out at the crowd. And that also made him want to squirm. But he held himself up, tall and regal, and smiled.
Claire leaned forward slightly and waved her arm again. "Prince Gray of Jurendelle."
Gray stepped out, smiling. He ran the few paces to Zach's side and threw his arms around him. The crowd laughed as the new King stumbled back under his brother's hold. Zach quickly pried his hold off and pushed Gray in between Claire and himself.
Gray's eyes widened and he looked up at Zach. "What? Here Are you sure?" Zach nodded at him and Gray glanced over at Claire. It wasn't that he had a bad relationship with his aunt, exactly. It's just that Gray was intelligent in ways others weren't. He picked up on his aunt's reluctance and sense of obligation early on in his life. And it had put a strain on any sort of relationship they could have. Gray looked back at the crowd and took a step closer to Zach.
Zach reached out and placed his arm across Gray's shoulders. He hugged him close as people started approaching and introductions were made.
"King Hoskins of Fattown."
The man in question narrowed his eyes at his announcer. "It's Fotten!" He snapped. Then turned and straightened. He stepped towards them. "As the King of your closest trade partner, I decided to come myself instead of sending someone else in representation."
Zach eyed the man for a moment. Fotten had always been a fine ally. But Zach had never met it's King. And instantly, he didn't like the man. But he smiled, as was customary, and dipped his head. "I thank you for attending. It is a great honor."
The man beamed and stood taller. He easily had a good 4 inches on Zach. And he was clearly proud of that fact. "When you have time, I would like to discuss some... new opportunities. I've thus far only dealt with your lovely aunt..." He glanced sideways at Claire and smiled. "But I would love the chance to speak with you. In private."
Zach nodded his head, ready to agree to nearly anything to get the vile man out of his face. "Yes." He said.
"Tomorrow." Claire cut in, stepping closer. "Or the day after. If your visit permits you to stay a few days."
Hoskins glanced at her again. His eyes narrowed for a moment, but he quickly smiled. "Yes, yes of course! No need to talk business when there is a celebration to be had!" He held his hand out to her. "Would you care to dance?"
Zach shook his head quickly. "She promised the first to Prince Gray here." He said, clapping his brother on the shoulders.
Claire quickly grabbed Gray's hand and started tugging him towards the dance floor. "Yes, yes. Come on, Gray."
King Hoskins smiled stiffly at Zach and turned, heading back towards his body guards.
As the music started up again, more people started dancing. Zach declined a few offers, smiling and shaking his head. And then, when no one was looking, Zach turned and bolted for the door. He knew it was inappropriate. But he just needed a moment to breathe. Alone. He let out a sigh as he walked into the gardens. He supposed now, being crowned King and all, he'd never get a moment alone to himself again. Not really. Everyone would be watching him.
He sunk down on a bench with a heavy sigh. He lifted his hand and touched the crown on his head. It would take getting used to. He pulled it off and set it down on the bench before him. Then he closed his eyes and leaned forward. Just a minute to relax and calm himself. Something wet touched his hand. Zach opened his eyes slowly and lifted his head. And came face to face with a reindeer. His eyes widened and he jerked back.
The reindeer opened her mouth and her tongue lolled out.
Zach's mouth fell open. "Did you just lick me?"
The reindeer nodded her head, like she understood and was answering. Her tongue wagged with the movement and it was all together ridiculous. Then her ears flicked back. She snorted, turned, and raced off back the way Zach had just come.
Zach leaned forward slightly, watching her. Then she turned, moving deeper into the gardens. Zach blinked and shook his head as he leaned back on the bench. Did that seriously just happen? Or was he totally losing his mind? Zach turned his head as he heard footsteps.
"Echo?" A voice called out. "What the hell! Where did she go?" The man came into view and slid to a stop. He straightened up and then waved, seeing Zach, and raced over. Two reindeer followed close behind him. One was darker than the one who licked Zach and the other was more of a gray brown color. They stopped just behind the man.
Zach blinked as he watched them. Was he suddenly just seeing reindeer? This was just totally a random thing.
The man paused for a moment, bending over to catch his breath. "Hey." The man breathed out and then straightened up.
Zach's first thought was the man had pretty eyes.
"Have you seen a reindeer?" The man asked.
Zach's second thought was this man must be crazy. He pointedly looked around the man at the two reindeer behind following him. And again he wondered if he was imagining them.
Pretty Eyes glanced back and then shook his head. "No! No, no, no. Not these reindeer. A different reindeer."
Zach opened his mouth slowly. Then he turned and pointed.
Pretty Eyes smiled and waved. "Thanks!" He took off running, the other two reindeer following close behind again.
Zach stood up slowly. He watched until the man and reindeer vanished from view. He turned and headed back inside. He shook his head as he went. That was... odd. Yeah, really odd. He ran a hand through his hair and then stopped. Oh shit! He turned and raced back out into the gardens. He slid to a stop in front of the bench and grabbed his forgotten crown. That was close!
He snuck back in quietly and ducked behind one of the curtains. After a few minutes, he peeked out. He spied Gray, standing across the room. The kid was beside the dessert table, sneaking chocolates.
"Zach!" He turned at her voice and Claire was walking towards him. "So you've been hiding here the whole time?"
Zach looked down at the ground sheepishly. He ducked back into the curtains further.
Claire reached in and grabbed his arm. She tugged him out, smiling. "Hey. It's not so bad." She said softly. "It's... sort of fun."
Zach breathed out and smiled. "Fun?" He asked, shaking his head. "You think something's fun?" He hadn't mean for it to come out that way. He really hadn't. He meant it in a flippant, light hearted way. But the look on her face was clear she didn't take it that way. She pulled her head away and stepped back. Zach's eyes widened. "No! Wait!" He said quickly, stepping forward to follow her.
"No!" She said, shaking her head. "What did you mean? I'm... I'm not fun?"
He sighed and scratched at the back of his neck. "You were so much more than just my aunt. To both of us. But to me... I remember..." He sighed again. "I remember playing in the snow with you. For hours! I remember building snowmen and having snowball fights. And at night, we'd stay up late and I'd sneak in your room in the morning and jump on your bed. You were like... my best friend! We spent all out time together! And then... you just changed. And you never showed that to Gray."
Claire took a step back again. Her eyes widened and she blinked as tears filled her eyes. "I'm sorry, Zach. I'm so sorry. I tried... I tried so hard. I did my best..."
Zach shook his head quickly and held up his hands. "No, wait aunt Claire."
"I've ruined everything!" She shook her head and stepped back again. "I always ruin everything!"
Zach reached out towards her and grabbed her gloved hand. But she wrenched away and Zach ended up pulling her glove off. He glanced down at it.
Claire's eyes widened and she stepped forward, reaching for the glove. "Give me my glove back!"
Zach shook his head. He held the glove to his chest and stepped back. "No, please. Talk to me!" He begged.
"Zach! Give me my glove! Now!"
Zach shook his head again. "You always do this! You change the subject!" They were shouting now and the party around them had stopped to watch. Gray moved to stand beside Zach, watching them with concern. But Zach didn't care. "Stop shutting us out!"
Claire turned away, shaking her head. "Enough."
"No!" Zach shouted. "What are you so afraid of?"
"I said, enough!" Claire spun back around, waving her arm violently as she did so. And ice shot from her hand.
It happened too fast for anyone to really see. But half the room was suddenly covered in sharp ice shards. There were screams and gasps from guests as they staggered back to keep from being impaled. Zach grabbed Gray and pushed him back, shielding him. Someone said the word sorcery. Someone said witch. Zach didn't look around to see who had spoken the words. His gaze was on his aunt. And then suddenly, she opened the door and was gone.
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Author's Notes: 8D No Hans. Just couldn't figure out that angle. Then we came up with another angle. 8D