Chapter 7. Confessions
Elsa
Elsa's heart pounded as she walked over to him.
"Hi" Jack said.
"Hi" Elsa replied. There was an awkward silence between them.
"Want me to help set out the blanket?" Jack asked.
"Sure" Elsa said turning her attention to the ice blue blanket in her hand.
Jack helped her lay the blanket on the sand and she set the basket down on one corner.
"It's another gorgeous day today," Jack commented.
"I know. It's also the perfect temperature" Elsa agreed.
Elsa wondered how to start the conversation about magic without making him suspicious.
"It seems that whenever I come to the forest, I guess it's the magic of the forest, the weather seems to stay nice" Jack noticed.
That would work.
"I know. This forest is magical. Living here has made me appreciate and discover all the magical creatures and beings that call this forest home. There are plenty of normal animals but also many magical ones that have lived here since the forest was young," Elsa told him.
"I've only seen a few but they are amazing," Jack replied.
"I have heard of people being born with powers connected to the woods. My mother and father told Anna and I a story about that once," Elsa said.
"I've heard stories like that as well," Jack said.
"If you met someone with powers like that what would you do?" Elsa asked. She hoped she wasn't being too obvious she was hiding something. Jack's mood seemed to shift. His expression became guarded.
"I would try and be friends with them. Show them that whether they have magic or not isn't a good or bad thing, it's how they use it" Jack said carefully. "Why do you ask?" He added.
"If you are spending so much time in the forest with me, I was just wondering about how you would feel to meet more of the beings here" Elsa replied.
"What about you? What would you do?" Jack asked suddenly.
"I would help show them that they shouldn't be afraid of their magic. I would help them through scary times and I would support them as best as I could. I would make sure they are kept safe from people who want to exploit their power for their own use. I would also help them train and let them know they don't have to hide it here," Elsa replied.
"What would you do if you were that person?" Jack asked.
"I would try and find someone who would support me and maybe help train me. I wouldn't hold it in or try and keep it a secret from my family. I would use it to protect my friends and family and I would practice controlling it so I don't hurt anyone." Elsa replied. She didn't add, again, to her controlling it and not hurting anyone. "What about you?" She added.
"Same as you" Jack said.
Elsa decided she could trust him with her secret. Many people in Arendelle already knew, fewer people outside the kingdom knew but some did. She had made up her mind that she could tell Jack. Elsa hoped that he didn't run away from her like she was some sort of monster.
"Jack, can I tell you a story?" Elsa asked.
"Of course," Jack said.
Elsa watched as he got comfortable before starting.
"When Runeard was king, he built a dam as a gift to the Northuldra people. It was a gift as part of a truce they made. The Northuldra people welcomed the truce and didn't question it. King Runeard had other intentions. During one of the peace meetings, he brought an army of men. He attacked the Northuldra people. The spirits became angry and fought back. Runeard was killed but so was the Northuldra leader at the time. The prince fled the battle field as the fighting broke out. He ran towards home but ended up falling and hitting his head. A young Northulda woman found him and instead of killing him for his father's actions, she helped him out of the forest. She made it out before the mist fell," Elsa began.
"So that's why the mist was there. We always believed that the forest had vanished and the mist was put up by powerful magicians while they healed the land," Jack said.
"Our kingdom had many stories as well, this is just the one I know by heart," Elsa told him.
"What happened next?" Jack asked.
Elsa smiled before continuing.
"She was locked out of her home, and the soldiers that remained were locked in the forest. No one came or went for many years. Eventually, the new king fell in love with the woman. She became the queen and they ruled over Arendelle together. During their reign, they had two daughters. The eldest one was born with powers over ice and snow, the other had none. Unknown to anyone, the two sisters were the bridge between the Northuldra people and Arendelle. When they healed the broken trust between the two worlds, the mist lifted. The eldest became the fifth spirit of the forest and the younger one became queen. The eldest moved to the forest, and the youngest took the throne. They were happy and finally where they were always meant to be," Elsa finished.
"Whoever this fifth spirit is sounds brave. I bet she had an eventful journey," Jack said.
"She did," Elsa said.
Jack
Jack had gotten up that morning full of nervous and excited energy. He had flown to the top of one of the towers in the castle just to have a place to think by himself. After breakfast, Jack had wandered through the garden looking for the perfect flower to bring Elsa. He had found the perfect rose for her. Snow-white and fully open. He though it looked as stunning and royal as the princess.
"Jack! Your father wants to see you" a messenger called.
Jack hid the rose carefully under his cloak and went to find his father.
"You sent for me Father?" Jack asked as he entered the office.
"I just wanted to remind you that in two days we are having the Duke of Weselton over to discuss possible trade plans. I will expect you to be here" King North reminded him.
"Yes Father" Jack sighed leaning on his staff.
"Where have you been going lately? I've barely seen you in the castle. You aren't flying to Arendelle and bugging the queen, are you?" King North asked.
"I've been spending a lot of time in the Enchanted forest with Elsa. She has shown me around the forest and it's stunning! She hasn't explained why the mist lifted but she may not know." Jack said leaning on his staff.
"Well, just be careful. When will we get to meet Elsa?" King North asked.
"Soon Dad," Jack said. He was planning on inviting her over for dinner soon because she had invited him. He just wasn't quite ready for them to meet her yet.
"Have you told her about your powers yet?" North asked.
"Not yet. I am going to talk to her about magic, see what her reaction is and go from there. If she fears the idea of people wielding it, I won't tell her. I feel like I can trust her because she lives in the Enchanted Forest," Jack said.
"You don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to," North reminded him.
Jack nodded and North dismissed him. Jack walked to one of the balconies and lept into the air, doing a couple of flips for fun, before heading to the forest. He landed on the beach and took out the rose. Leaning against his staff he waited for Elsa.
When she came, he couldn't keep from smiling. They sat down on the blanket and talked. Elsa began asking him questions regarding magic. He didn't think she could know about his powers already. She began telling him the story of how the mist finally lifted. At first, he was confused but the more she told him, the more he started to understand what she was saying.
"Whoever this fifth spirit is sounds brave. I bet she had an eventful journey," Jack said when she finished.
"She did," Elsa said.
Jack thought for a moment before speaking, carefully choosing his words.
"What are her powers?" Jack asked.
"Ice magic. At first, her kingdom was afraid of it, but now, it's part of what makes Arendelle so bright. It was hard, my powers got out during my coronation. It took Anna freezing before I learned how to reverse the damage and pull Arendelle out of its forced winter. Saving the forest brought me where I was always meant to be," Elsa said.
It took Jack a second to register what she had said.
"Wait, you are the fifth spirit! You are the one born with ice magic!" Jack exclaimed.
"Are you scared?" Elsa asked, her voice full of worry.
"No! I'm thrilled!" Jack replied.
"Thrilled?" Elsa asked.
She looked puzzled but Jack jumped to explain.
"Elsa, when I was born my parents instantly knew something was different about me. My white hair and ice blue eyes made them realize I'm not normal. I was also born with ice magic. My parents don't know why, but none the less, I was born with it. My staff helps me harness my powers," Jack said.
Elsa looked confused, shocked, and excited. Jack held his hand out and formed a snowball in his palm. Elsa copied the motion and formed a snowflake.
"I thought I was the only one," they said at the same time.