Ch. 05
First of all, sorry for the delay!
I haven't uploaded this story in over a year. This past year, especially after summer, was kinda hard for me, so I couldn't find any motivation to work again on this story.
But now I'm back and better than ever, so the story will continue as normal!
Again, I'm sorry.
"I just have to stay strong..."
It was quiet and early in the morning. Elsa was still sleeping in bed while Jack was standing in front of the mirror. He pulled his hair back and noticed a few black strands of hair.
He rubbed through his hair and groaned. The hair was surely not going to turn white again. And how was he going to get rid of the voice in his head?
Not only that, why are you hiding the truth?
Jack cringed when he heard the voice in his head again. He wanted to smash his head against the mirror, but held himself back.
"What do you want?!" He whispered angrily. He had to stay quiet because Elsa was still asleep in bed.
Nothing. Just wondering why you hid and didn't answer the letter from the Southern Isles. Do you hate them that much?
Jack rolled his eyes and whispered; "No! I just need to solve my problem on my own!"
And how are you going to do that?
Jack smirked at himself in the mirror. "Easy. I'm just going to have to fight what's in my head."
"Jack?"
Elsa appeared behind him. Jack immediately turned around and nervously smiled at her. The queen was wearing her pyjama's and her hair was a mess. She yawned loudly and rubbed her eye.
"What are you doing in front of the mirror?" She looked confused at him with sleepy eyes.
"N-nothing!" Jack said quickly. "I was just checking my teeth!"
"Your teeth?" Elsa raised her eyebrows. "Why?"
"U-uhm, something was stuck between them."
"Really?" Elsa rolled her eyes. She then moved closer to him until her chest bumped against his. As she grabbed his chin and pulled his head a bit down, she stared him into his eyes. "Is it that demon again? The one in your head?"
"W-what?" Jack swatted her hand away. "No! Of course not!"
"Oh, right..." Elsa sighed. She took a step back. She suddenly seemed very sad.
Oh, now you've done it.
Jack wanted to tell the voice in his head to shut up, but kept quiet. If he said anything then it would worry her even more.
"I'm going back to bed." Elsa said with a cold voice. She turned around and walked to the bed.
"But you just got up...Elsa!"
Elsa didn't answer him. She lay back down and threw the covers over her body.
Jack groaned. He walked to the bed and rubbed his neck. "Elsa...are you angry?"
His wife kept quiet. Jack jumped onto the bed crawled towards her.
"Elsaaaa..."
Elsa groaned and sat up. She pulled the covers down and glared at him.
"What?!"
Jack moved closer to her. While leaning on his hands, he moved forward and put a small kiss on her nose.
"There's a little snowflake on your nose!"
"Oh, shut it." Elsa put her hand against his forehead and pushed him away. Jack saw that she was blushing. He chuckled and pulled her hand down. He moved closer again and ticked with his forehead against hers.
He stared into her eyes and whispered; "Are you still angry?"
"Kind of."
"Then can I kind of kiss you?"
"Maybe."
Jack smirked and he moved back. "Well, I need a solid 'yes'."
Elsa groaned. She grabbed his face and pulled him in for a quick kiss. She then released him again.
"That was your kiss. I'm gonna go sleep."
She laid back down and threw the covers over her body.
Jack rolled his eyes. She surely wasn't mad anymore. He yawned and laid down next to her. He threw the covers over himself and closed his eyes.
The voice stayed quiet.
Later that day Elsa visited the bakery together with Nanna.
They were supposed to have lessons from Alena, but they both sneaked out of the castle.
They sat down at the bakery. Elsa ordered a coffee and a cupcake and Nanna got two small muffins.
"So..." Toothiana sat down next to Elsa and smiled at her. "How is the cupcake?"
Elsa smiled at her. "Lovely, thank you."
"It's yummy!" Nanna said. She grabbed one of her muffins and stuffed it into her mouth. "Ifffooveifff!"
"Nanna!" Elsa said with an embarrassed look. "Don't talk with your mouth full!"
Toothiana waved with her hand and said; "It's fine. Now, I wanna know, how is it going with Jack? I haven't seen him a lot lately."
"Well..." Elsa rubbed her neck. She looked at Aster and Sandy who were cleaning the store and serving other clients.
"Well?" Toothiana asked.
"I can't say. But Jack has a hard time lately...he..."
All of a sudden Toothiana grabbed Elsa's hand. She took her to the back room of the cafe and put her down on a chair. Nanna had followed them to the back. The little princess leaned against the wall and tried to do a handstand while the adults talked.
"Elsa, tell me the truth. Why has Jack been so...closed off lately?"
Elsa rubbed her neck. "T-there is a demon and he is trying to posses Jack."
"Wait, a demon?! Like a real one? But why?"
"I don't know why. And I don't know who he or she is."
Toothiana sighed. "Right...because if you knew the demon than it would be easier to get rid of. Have you called prince jerky face to take care of it?"
Elsa giggled. "Do you mean Hans?"
"Whatever his name is."
"We've send a letter to the Southern Isles, but we haven't gotten any answer."
"So...you don't have any solution." Toothiana folded her arms and frowned. "Is there any other way to force the demon out? And isn't Jack dangerous now?"
"Of course he isn't dangerous! Jack has been himself, for most of the time...and we can't force it out! I might have powers, but I can't make demons disappear!"
"Hm...then...Jack hasn't changed?"
"Of course not! He is still the same man I fell in love with...just...he has been a bit tired lately. Look, we only have to wait until we get a response from Hans and his brother."
"What if they don't want to help?"
"Then, I'll have to find a resolution myself."
While Elsa was out with Nanna, prince Hendrik was in the garden of the castle. He was staring at the snow, which still had the footprints of the beast.
The young prince was confident that he could trace the beast and find out where the thing was or who made it.
"Hendrik?"
Hendrik almost jumped when he heard Anna's voice from behind him. He nervously turned to his aunt with a smile.
"Ah, aunty Anna!" Hendrik yelled.
"Please, don't call me aunty Anna..." Anna whispered. "It makes me feel old."
Hendrik raised his eyebrows. "But you are o..."
Anna send him a glare which made him shut his mouth.
"What was that?!" Anna said with a dangerous glint in her eyes and an almost angered voice.
Hendrik smiled nervously. "Nothing.."
Anna's stopped glaring at him and pointed to the snow. "What are you doing? Building a snowman?"
"No, I'm trying to trace the steps of the beast. If I find it, then I'll find the person who tried to kill us!"
"Then, can I help?"
Hendrik looked up at Anna. His eyes lit up and he put his finger up. "Like a detective bureau!"
"Huh?"
"You'll be the bad detective who's bad at her job and I'll be the good detective!"
"Wait!" Anna waved with her hands. "If we're going to play detectives then we need to come up with a plan! And don't call me a bad detective!"
"Okay, we're going to need to interrogate people...how about we start with mom? Maybe she knows someone who would wanna hurt us."
Anna gave him a thumbs-up. "Good idea, Henry! Then let's grab Elsa and find the culprit!"
"Okay!"
"Okay..."
Jack was sitting in his office. He had to answer a few letters from other kingdoms, such as the Darkened Forest (Hiccup's kingdom), who wanted to trade certain goods.
After reading and writing a few letters the king stretched his arms out and groaned. It felt very tiring to go through all of this, but it was his job...
A knock on his door pulled him out of his thoughts. Jack quickly stopped stretching and sat straight up in his chair.
"Come in!" Jack yelled.
Kai walked into the room with a book in his hands.
"Your majesty." Kai made a small bow and then straightened his back again. He looked serious at Jack. "I did some digging about witches and you wouldn't believe what I found."
Jack raised his eyebrows. "You were look for information about the witches? I didn't remember giving you the order."
"I did it on my own, since you made peace with them, I was curious about them..." Kai put the book open on Jack's desk. "Look at this."
Jack eyes went down to the page and his eyes widened.
"Elsa..." He whispered.
Kai swallowed and nodded. "Yes...she and the other witches wouldn't have a village if it wasn't for...her brother."
Jack could feel how his heart skipped a beat.
Elsa had a brother.
It explained the ice monster which attacked her and Hendrik...it explained a lot...but...
"Are you sure?"
Jack looked up at Kai as he asked the question. "I know it's probably true. But...how did they get the village?"
"Unfortunately the book doesn't answer those questions." Kai flipped the page to show a page that was missing.
"How did you even find this?"
Kai sighed. "I stumbled upon it in the library. I'm sorry, your majesty, maybe I shouldn't have brought it to you..."
"No, it's fine...just..." Jack put his hand against his head. He cringed when he could feel a sharp and short pain through his head. It faded as quickly as it went, but Jack knew that it had to do with the demon in his head.
"Your majesty?"
"Just...we shouldn't tell Elsa anything." Jack said. "It will only make everything worse."
"Of course. I understand that you wish to focus on your letters...speaking of; have you send the letter to the Southern Isles? Queen Elsa told me that she was worried that you might not have send it."
Jack waved with his hand. "No need to worry...tell her that I send it."
"Alright. Then I'll shall be going."
Kai bowed and walked out of the room. Jack sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
Now they had even bigger problems...how was he going to keep Elsa and his family save from monsters, the demon in his head and Elsa's brother?
Maybe you should ask her parents.
Jack narrowed his eyes. The voice in head really ought to shut up once in a while.
Okay, I was just trying to help you, Jack.
"And why would you help me?" Jack answered in a whisper. "You're not exactly my friend. You just gave me a head-ache."
Ah, that. I'm sorry, I wanted to say something, but you have a strong mind! I didn't mean to give you a head-ache.
"Sure, sure..."
But honestly, if you ask her parents about it then they might tell you more...
Jack shook his head. "No way Jose."
Why not?
"First of all, you're a demon. And I know that demons and witches are not on good terms. Secondly, her parents are not really my fans. And thirdly, why would I take any of your orders?!"
Because we could work together, Jack. Think about.
"No. Leave me alone." Jack grabbed the letter of the Southern Isles. He decided that he might actually need help.
You know that I can't do that.
Just as Jack wanted to grab a piece of paper and ink, his arm suddenly moved to the other side of the desk. It knocked over a few of his office supplies.
Jack grabbed his arm with his other hand and pulled it back.
I have more control than you think, Jack.
All of a sudden Jack felt how his legs kicked the chair away from underneath him. He yelped as he fell against the wall.
Don't underestimate me.
Jack sat up against the wall, panting heavily. His hand which was in control of the demon suddenly moved towards his neck, but he quickly grabbed it by its wrist.
"I thought that you wanted to be my ally!" Jack said.
I'm not your ally if you ask those hunters for help.
"T-then I-I won't ask them!" Jack stuttered. "I'll be fine on my own!"
That's what I thought.
The demon's voice faded away and Jack gained control of his hand again. Both his arms fell down and he let out a sigh. It was bad enough that he had a demon in his head...now he had to worry about that thing taking control.
"Daddy?"
Jack turned his head to see Nanna in the doorway. She was holding her bunny and looking at him with big eyes.
He smiled and held his arm out. "Nanna..."
Nanna slowly walked over to him. She pointed to his hair. "Daddy, your hair..."
Jack realized that his hair must be a mess and pulled the white strands over the black hairs.
"Ah, I just have a bad hair, honey." Jack said with a smile. He stood up and wiped some dust from his pants.
"Daddy, don't lie!" Nanna said. "That demon has made your hair black to punish you! And he also tried to hurt you! But...!" Nanna made fist with her little hand and smiled at him. "You are too strong to let him!"
Jack chuckled. He grabbed Nanna and pulled her up into his arms.
"You think I'm strong?" Jack asked her.
Nanna nodded aggressively. "Yeah! You're stronger than him!"
"Him?" Jack raised his eyebrows. How did Nanna even know the demon was a man?
"Yes! I can sense him!"
"Sense him? How..."
Nanna shrugged. "I don't know how. I just do. He is not a good guy, daddy. He wants to hurt you and mommy. It's scary."
"Well, don't worry, honey." Jack hugged her tightly. "I'll defeat him."
"Okay!" Nanna chirped happily. "I trust you papa!"
Jack smiled and petted her on her head.
She was the cutest thing in the world.
Elsa sighed. She was supposed to be in the bakery of Toothiana, eating some delicious chocolate cake.
Instead she was at home, sitting in the dining room at the table. Her son, Hendrik, and Anna were sitting on the opposite side of the table. The room was lit with a few candles, which caught enough light to lit the room up as the curtains were closed.
Elsa glared at the two. "What is wrong with you two? Why am I here?"
"Mom, we are looking for the villain who made the ice monster who attacked us. Do you know anyone who might want revenge?"
Elsa sighed. She folded her arms and shook her head. "No. I mean, not anyone who's alive. Prince jerk-Hans is back at his kingdom and he doesn't have any powers of course...sorry, but I honestly don't know anyone who would want to hurt us."
"Oh..." Hendrik pouted and he felt disappointed.
"Hold on." Anna pushed Hendrik away. "Lemme handle this."
She slammed with her hand on the table and looked at Elsa with a hardened stare.
"Just admit it, ice queen!"
Elsa raised her eyebrows at her. "Huh?"
"It's you isn't it?! All this time we were looking for the culprit, while it was you all along!"
Elsa rolled her eyes. "Right..."
"You were the one who made the ice beast while we weren't looking! It's all so clear! You even had a motive!"
Elsa snorted. "And that is?"
"Well...ah..." Anna smiled nervously. "Uhm..."
"Okay." Elsa stood up as she pushed her chair away. "I'm leaving, this is ridiculous."
"Elsa, wait! If you know anything..."
Elsa sighed again. She got a bit annoyed with Anna. "Anna, I don't know anything. Believe me, if I would, then I would have stopped them."
"Then..." Hendrik bit on his lip and frowned. "...never mind."
Elsa and Anna both looked confused at the boy.
"What?" Anna asked.
"What is it?" Elsa asked.
"Maybe..." Hendrik nervously fidgeted with his fingers. "You can sense it? Like how you sensed William and Regina?"
"I can't." Elsa said. "Not when that person is not reaching out...he or she is only attacking us."
"Then what can we do?" Anna asked.
"We need to wait until he or she attacks again and catch them in the act." Elsa said. "Then-"
"What if we don't ask your parents, mom?!" Hendrik interrupted. "They might know more!"
"True, but..."
"Okay, let's go then!" Anna said. "Hendrik, come with me to grab a few horses! We need to..."
"Hold on."
Elsa grabbed Anna by her arm.
"You two are not going to the witches village. It's way too dangerous. I'll go."
"But it's better if we go together!" Anna said. She turned around and put her hands on Elsa's shoulders. "Elsa, I know that you want to do it alone, but we're family! It's something we have to do!"
Elsa sighed. "Anna..."
"Aunty is right!" Hendrik said and he made fists with his hands. "We have to do this together!"
"You guys..."
"Together!" Anna said. "So let's..."
"Are you kidding me?!"
Elsa glared at the two. She put her hands on her hips as cold air blew through the room, sliding the curtains aside and letting daylight into the room.
"Anna, first of all, you have a son to look after! You can't let Kristoff alone with Jamie!"
Anna released Elsa's shoulders with a nervous smile. "B-but..."
"No buts! And you...!" Elsa turned towards Hendrik with a glare that made him shiver. "You're way too young, plus, if I remember correctly you have a lot more homework to do!"
"But mom..."
Elsa grabbed his ear and pulled a little bit at it. As Hendrik winched Elsa grabbed Anna's ear too.
"If you two won't listen then you won't need those ears!"
"Okay, okay, we'll listen!" Anna and Hendrik screamed in unison.
"Oh..." Elsa released them and the two stumbled back. They both grabbed their ear and pouted. Elsa folded her arms. "Now, I'll go and ask my biological parents for their help while you two your chores...okay?"
"Yes, mom!" Hendrik said.
"Yes, ma'am!" Anna yelled.
"Good!" Elsa said. "Then I'm gonna tell Jack that I'll be leaving!"
She turned around and walked out of the room, leaving her sister-in-law and son behind.
When she was out of the room, Hendrik looked at Anna.
"Mom is kinda scary sometimes..." He said.
Anna sighed and put her hand on his head. She smiled down at him and rubbed through his hair.
"I'm just glad that we weren't frozen to death."
Elsa went to Jack's office. When she opened the door she saw Jack playing with Nanna.
He was about to throw her up into the air when Elsa walked in.
"Wait!" Elsa yelled. It was too dangerous. If Jack threw Nanna into the air, who said that he could catch her?
But it was too late anyway. Jack threw Nanna up into the air. Elsa shrieked and put her hand forward.
A beam shot out of her hand and snow appeared onto the ground. As Jack threw his daughter up he moved forward, but slipped on the snow and fell into the pile.
"Nanna!" Elsa yelled. She ran forward, but slipped too and fell on top of Jack. Another beam of snow shot out of her hand and Nanna fell into it.
It was silent for a little bit. Jack let out a small groan and looked at Elsa who lay spread out on top of her.
"Elsa..." He groaned. "What the hell was that?"
Elsa groaned too. "I don't know...I tried to save Nanna..."
She looked over at Nanna who giggled while climbing out of the snow. The little girl was uninjured.
"Oh, smart plan." Jack said sarcastically.
Elsa stood up and brushed the snow from her dress. She held her hand out towards Jack. "Shut up and get up. This is partially your fault too."
Jack grabbed her hand and stood up. He released her hand, fixed his hair quickly and raised his eyebrows at her. "How is this my fault?"
"Because you threw your daughter high up into the air!"
"Yeah, and you created snow under my feet and made me slip!"
"So?" Elsa took a step closer and bumped against his chest. She looked him directly into his eyes.
Elsa noticed that his eyes seemed darker than normal...well, not darker, but there seemed to be something hidden behind them. Something that he didn't want her to see.
Jack stared back at her. He studied her face closely and instinctively moved closer to her face. Someday the demon might take over and he would forget her...
"J-Jack?" Elsa breathed.
"Yeah?" Jack whispered back.
"You're close..." Elsa glanced down at his lips. "Like...really...close..."
They moved closer and closer until the got locked into a kiss.
Jack put his hands on Elsa's waist and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. The kiss almost overpowered his senses, it felt like something they hadn't done in a long time. And he was enjoying every second of it.
Wow, I forgot how good she can kiss.
Jack immediately pulled back when he heard the voice in his head.
"J-Jack?" Elsa asked confused and with a bit of hurt in her voice. "Did I do something wrong?"
Jack forced a small smile on his lips and shook his head. "No, snowflake...I uhh, was thinking about...Nanna! She must be hurt!"
Elsa turned her head towards Nanna. Her daughter seemed fine. Nanna was playing with a little bit of snow between her fingers.
She looked back at Jack with a sigh. "She's fine. Jack, tell me...what's wrong?"
"Nothing..." Jack put his hands on her arms and rubbed them up and down to reassure her. "I promise."
"Promise on your life?" Elsa asked.
"Elsa...we're adults..."
"Right." Elsa took a step back. If he didn't want to tell what was bothering him, then...she shouldn't tell him about visiting the witches village.
Jack could feel the distance between them. Elsa was not telling him something and he wasn't telling her anything at all. But if he would tell her...it would only worry her. It would be better to keep it to himself.
"Well..." Elsa went down to her knees. She held her arms open and Nanna ran to her. Elsa picked Nanna up in one swoop as she stood up. "I better give her a bath...Nanna smells a little weird."
Jack raised his eyebrows. "She does?"
"Yes, how could you have not noticed that?"
"I don't stink!" Nanna yelled in protest.
"Sorry, honey, but you do a little." Elsa said. "Come on, we're giving you a bath. Jack, I'll talk to you at dinner."
Elsa walked out of the room with Nanna and closed the door behind her. Jack sighed. He walked to the window and looked at the kingdom beneath him. He could see Anna, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf running through the courtyard.
"I will protect them." Jack whispered to the demon in his head. "You can't defeat me."
He expected an answer, but the voice kept quiet instead.
The next day Elsa decided to go to the witches village.
She asked Jennifer to take of Nanna while she was gone and to not tell Jack about this. Jennifer was reluctant at first but agreed after Elsa gave her chocolate and a free coupon for a dinner by candle light for her and her boyfriend Hendrik.
So Elsa grabbed on of the horses and silently rode out of town early in the morning.
She rode for a near hour before arriving at the village. When she arrived a lot of witches were staring at her.
"Good job." Elsa gave her horse a pet on his neck and jumped off.
"You!"
She was immediately greeted by a fireball, which missed her, but spooked her horse and made it run away.
Naomi, a fire witch with dark hair, fiery eyes and someone who was always wanted to battle, stormed towards her.
"What are you doing here?!" Naomi said annoyed.
Elsa huffed. "Oh, just paying a little visit to my favorite wizard. How have you've been?"
"Good until you showed up!" Naomi put her hand on her shoulder and glared at her. "Why are you here?"
Elsa brushed her hand away. "I need to talk to my parents...Wiliam and Regina. Are they here?"
"Don't know. Why?" Naomi asked.
"Does it matter? Look, I'll fight you if you tell me where they are."
"Elsa?!"
Elsa took a step to the side and saw William and Regina behind Naomi.
"What are you doing here?!" Regina yelled.
Elsa walked past Naomi towards her parents. When she stopped in front of them she eyed them suspiciously.
"Regina, William..." Elsa said. "There is something I've been meaning to ask you."
"Yes, honey?" Regina asked.
"Wait, let's talk inside." William said, looking around. "The people here are staring too much for my liking."
Elsa nodded.
"Alright."
They went inside a small house and sat down. Regina made some tea and offered Elsa a mug.
Elsa took it gracefully and carefully put it down on the table. Her parents sat down on the opposite side of the table with each a mug as well.
"So..." William took a sip and then set his mug down. "What is the problem?"
"I..." Elsa sighed. "I came here to ask for your help."
"Our help?" Regina asked.
"Yes. Some days ago a strange beast made from ice attacked Hendrik and a friend of mine...they made it out alright, but I wonder if you two might know who created that beast."
As Regina and William kept quiet Elsa sighed.
"Look, I'm not going to exile you or something. I just want to know who..."
"It was your brother." Regina blurted out.
"Regina!" William said with warning.
"M-m-my b-b-brother?" Elsa stuttered. "B-but..." She smiled faintly and looked down at the table. "I don't have any siblings..."
"Elsa, we're sorry." William said with a sigh. "But it's true. You have a brother..."
Elsa went quiet. A brother?
She looked up at William and Regina again. "Wait, why didn't you tell me? And why would he attack me..."
"Elsa." William said. "Your brother is not a good person like you. He attacked you because he wants a fight."
"Can't you two talk to him then?" Elsa asked.
Regina shook her head. "There's not talking to him. He only fights."
Elsa frowned. If her brother was truly like that...then she had too meet him.
"Maybe he will listen if I threaten him..." Elsa whispered. She looked at her parents again who seemed concerned. "What?"
"Even if you threaten him, that boy won't listen." William said. "He is stubborn as hell as well and he never listens...plus, we got to keep this village thanks to him. If your brother hadn't helped us during the war..."
"You mean when they arrested witches left and right?" Elsa asked.
William nodded. "Yes...it was after we lost you and escaped the soldiers. The former king of Arendelle, king Jack's father, waged war upon us witches. During that time many witches were too injured too fight. He offered up his powers and saved us. We're indebted to him."
"So?" Elsa cocked her head. "That was many years ago...debts can fade over time. Plus, he attacked my son. Anyone who attacks my son isn't getting away with it without punishment."
She grabbed her cup with her hands. Elsa used her powers to cool the drink down. When it was colder she drank it all in one gulp.
Elsa put her cup down with a slam. "So, you can defend my brother all you like, but I'm not letting him get away with this."
She stood up with a small smile.
"I'm going to fight him."
"Elsa!" Regina jumped up. "You can't, what if he hurt you?!"
"Don't care." Elsa looked at her with a determinant stare. "Now, tell me...what's his name and his home?"
William stood up. He looked at her with dark eyes. "He...his name is Ethan...and he lives on the Silent island. It's an island not too far from here."
"Does he live alone?"
"No." William shook his head. "There is a tribe living there, but they don't interact much with him...or at least that's what I heard."
"I see...Well, I better take him on then. After taking care of Jack."
"Taking care of Jack?" Regina asked. "Is something wrong with him?"
"Oh, right!" Elsa nervously scratched her neck. "I forgot to tell you, Jack has a demon in his head and we're trying to get out."
Regina frowned. "That man...Elsa...to be honest, I don't think that he is a good fit for you."
"Mother..." Elsa said. "I don't care what you think of Jack. He is someone I can trust with my life and I...really, really love him."
Regina's frown turned into a soft smile. "Elsa..."
"Anyway, I gotta go!" Elsa walked towards the door. "Thanks for the information. Oh and don't worry!"
Elsa looked over her shoulder with a smirk.
"I'll make sure my brother gets a good spanking."
TO BE CONTINUED