I thought this was going to be the wedding chapter, but that won't be until the next chapter. I realized there were a few things that needed to be taken care of before the actual ceremony.
Among The Stars
Chapter 17
In the few moments Jack had imagined himself getting married, this wasn't exactly what he'd had in mind.
But people on Warren loved celebrations, wedding most of all. His position as a Governor, living in Warren Territory palace, meant his wedding was a palace wide event. And word spread from one town to another, and through all the territories. And while none of the average civilians had the loyalty to him they had to their territory's governor (even the few people that lived on the edges of the Winter Territory didn't pay him much attention), just the thought of a wedding put them in a festive mood. Jack supposed he could understand it, when he thought about it.
Marrying a princess didn't make it any less of a big deal. Even more so because it involved not one world, but two .
Just arranging the wedding had taken more negotiations than Jack could normally have handled. He had endured a three hour argument about which culture's customs should be used for what part of the wedding. Thankfully North had handled negotiations (both before they left Corona, and later over interplanetary communication), and Tooth had handled the arrangements for the ceremony on Warren.
He was fairly sure it was inconvenient to arrange a wedding while the bride-to-be was on another planet. But someone had decided it was best for Rapunzel to stay on Corona until the wedding – probably to avoid possible scandal. But he had decided it was best not to fight.
Jack spun his staff between his fingers, breathing hard as he brought it up to deflect Nightlight's next blow. They had agreed no powers – this was physical training. And with his wedding the next day, Jack needed it to clear his thoughts.
He pushed Nightlight's staff aside, and swung the end of his own staff toward his friend's chin.
Nightlight swept the blow aside with his forearm, and brought his staff around again, this time towards Jack's lower legs.
Jack vaulted backwards, using one hand to spring off the ground. He caught sight of Merida from the corner of his eyes. She leaned back against the railing of a nearby walkway, more interested in the ceramic mug she was eating from than the fight she claimed to be watching.
He landed on his feet, just in time to block another blow with his staff.
The sweat on his bare chest froze in a thin layer of frost, keeping his body cool despite the warm air and the exertion of his body.
"Are you nervous?" Nightlight asked, with another attack.
"You're married," Jack reminded. "You have to ask?"
Nightlight chuckled. "Good point.
He kicked aside Jack's staff.
"Sorry I missed that," Jack said, meaning it. He ducked under the next sweep of Nightlight's staff.
He had been in the academy during Katherine and Nightlight's wedding. He hadn't even known it was happening.
Nightlight shook his head, avoiding Jack's attack.
The spar was an exercise in control, both holding back to avoid either of their weapons making contact. Normally they would have gone all out with little regard for a few cuts and bruises. But today Jack would rather avoid it. A black eye wouldn't go very well with his formal clothing for the ceremony.
Both opponents took a couple steps back, breathing deep to balance out their lungs as they calculated their next moves.
"I don't think they ordered enough ice cream," Merida said suddenly, her spoon scraping the inside of her mug.
"Not if you keep eating it," Jack said, not looking away from Nightlight, who grinned at the comeback.
"If this ice cream wasn't so good I'd chuck it at yer head."
Jack rolled his eyes and attacked Nightlight. He arced his staff around and up, but Nightlight blocked easily. Jack was more concerned with moving than winning – not that he had a very good record when it came to beating his friend.
Jack lifted one hand to wipe sweat from his forehead before returning it to grip the staff just before blocking another blow. He countered again.
"Jack,"
Both opponents pulled away and looked toward Toothiana, who was coming toward them through the gardens.
"Yeah?" he picked up the towels they had set aside before starting, tossing one to Nightlight and using the other to wipe his own forehead and neck.
"The ship from Corona is arriving," she said, smiling. Her excitement was obvious from her erratic flight.
Jack's heart skipped a beat as the meaning of her words registered in his mind.
Rapunzel.
He picked up the hoodie he had left by the towels. Baby Tooth has been sitting in the blue fabric, but returned to the air when he reached for it, following him as the wind picked him up and carried him toward the landing pad, where a landing party had already gathered.
The royal Coronan flag ship was coming in for a landing as the wind set him down beside the others.
"Weren't they supposed to be here yesterday?" he asked as he touched down, baby Tooth lighting on his shoulder.
Nightlight landed a few moments behind him. Toothiana arrived, but didn't actually set down.
"Yeah," Bunnymund said. "Kind Thomas said they were delayed."
"Right." Jack rolled his eyes. "Probably trying to talk her out of it at the last moment."
"You're so negative, Jack," Katherine said, smiling as she stroked Kailash's feathered neck. The snow goose honked cheerfully, head butting Jack's shoulder to get his attention.
He pet the goose's head absently. "I've decided if I wasn't like this before, it's a souvenir from the Academy."
"The Academy," Bunnymund said, ears twitching.
"I figured," Jack muttered.
They all looked toward the ship as it set down. Jack's throat clenched, his hand falling away from Kailash's head,
Bunnymund rested a paw on Jack's shoulder as the loading ramp began to lower. "Don't do anythin' stupid, Mate."
"Define stupid."
"Jack!"
Forgetting about Bunnymund and the definition of any word, Jack shrugged out from the Pooka's paw. Rapunzel was running down the ramp with no apparent regard for the landing party still on the ship behind her. The wind picked him up so he could meet her at the bottom of the ramp.
He pulled her into a hug, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around as he held her for the first time in two months. Two months too long.
He took a deep breath of her floral and sunlight scent, arms tightening around her waist. "Let's not do that again."
"Tell me about it," she whispered.
Jack set her back on her feet. Letting go of her waist, he slid his hand around hers.
The others were coming toward them: her family down the landing ramp, his across the landing pad.
"Princess," Bunnymund greeted, with a small bow. "Welcome back t' the Warren."
"I'm glad to be back." She squeezed Jack's hand. "And I haven't thanked you for personally making this possible. Jack told me how hard it must have been for you to agree to the New Empire's conditions."
"The way I see it, it was worth it, Sheila," Bunnymund said. "We hope you'll be happy here."
Rapunzel looked at Jack, smiling as she squeezed his hand again. "I think I will be."
"Hopefully you'll be able t' keep Frostbite here outta trouble."
"I'll do my best."
"Hey!" Jack looked between the two in mock offense, but it didn't last long before it gave way to a grin. He was too happy to have her back to do anything much beyond smiling.
North had stepped forward to greet the royal family, Toothiana fluttering at his side. He now led them forward.
"Your Majesties, this is E. Aster Bunnymund, Governor of Warren Territory."
The introductions continued from there. And even with Rapunzel's hand in his, he started calculating how soon he could get away from the politics of the whole thing – then wondered if that would fit into Bunnymund's definition of "stupid." Probably, so he called on all his self-discipline, and focused on Rapunzel's small hand in his.
About the same time Nightlight and Katherine were being introduced to Rapunzel's parents and brother, Rapunzel leaned against his side, letting go of his hand to slide her around his waist.
"If you're cold," he whispered, leaning down to whisper to her, but she didn't let him finish.
"You're not that cold," she said. "Actually, it's nice in this heat."
Jack looked around, realizing for the first time how warm it probably was to someone whose body wasn't cooled by an inner frost. He tightened his arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head. "I love you."
"You haven't reconsidered?"
Jack chuckled. "Not a chance, Princess."
"I'm glad." She rose on her toes to kiss him – a gesture Jack gladly accepted.
"Rapunzel."
They broke away and looked over at her mother and Toothiana.
"We're going to have to steal her for a while, Jack," Adela said, smiling warmly. "We have to get ready for dinner."
"Will Hiccup and Merida be at dinner?" Rapunzel asked, looking back at him.
Jack nodded. "Hiccup's training with the fleet, and I seem to have lost Merida – not a good thing. I should probably go find her before she eats all the ice cream."
Rapunzel giggled and followed her mother and Toothiana, who led her to the guest rooms that had been prepared.
#
Jack wiped water from his eyes, shaking his head to excise water from his hair.
Merida had decided to take a nap, so Jack didn't have to worry about her for a few hours, and Hiccup would be back by then. Nightlight had something to take care of, so their spar was over. His responsibilities in Winter were taken care of for the next few day. So he had the afternoon free until dinner.
It was equal parts relaxing and frustrating. Part of him needed something to do – his nerves would drive him insane if something didn't distract him.
Hence, he stood waist deep in the garden pool. With his wedding the next day, most everyday tasks were either taken care of or barred from him – something about staying out of trouble, especially now the Coronans had arrived.
Even Isolfr was being strangely cooperative – if annoying. He was sleeping near the water's edge, refusing to tell Jack why he had left Winter. It wasn't all that rare for one of his wolves to leave the territory while he was in Warren, but Isolfr usually stayed in the forest to guide the pack. Jack suspected the wolf's presence had something to do with the wedding, but had resolved to ignore the alpha male.
Jack pushed his hair back, preparing to dive under the surface again. But just before he did, he heard Toothiana's voice coming toward him through the gardens. He turned back as she came through the archway hedge, followed by Thomas and Augustus.
"This is the pool – you're free to swim any time you like," Toothiana was saying. Then glanced at Jack and smiled. "Though you may want to wait a few hours after Jack gets out."
"Not funny," Jack muttered.
"What do you mean?" Thomas asked, looking between Jack and Toothiana.
Isolfr hadn't lifted his head, but his light blue eyes were open, watching the exchange without comment or expression.
Jack sighed, pushing his hair back again. He had wondered if Rapunzel told her family much about his powers. Apparently not. But now he would have to.
"She means this," he said.
He rested one hand on the surface of the water, a thin layer of ice spreading across the top from his palm, the frost like an unfurling fern.
"Jack is Governor of the Winter Territory," Toothiana said. "That means power over the winter elements."
"His powers over ice and snow," Augustus said. "Rapunzel mentioned it."
"My disastrous first impression," Jack muttered, remembering that she mentioned them while introducing him.
The wind picked him up from the water, setting him down next to the marble bench where he had left his towel and hoodie. His staff lay nearby in the grass, next to Isolfr. He trusted the wolf to guard it, at least.
"More a misunderstanding than a disaster," Augustus said.
Jack looked at the young man, surprised at what could almost be viewed as a warm reception – not something he had expected from any of Rapunzel's family, though she had told him they accepted the upcoming marriage. He had been under the impression Augustus had encouraged his father to let Rapunzel choose Jack only because he was a better option than Fel.
"Misunderstandings are unfortunately common for me," Jack chuckled. He shrugged back into his hoodie.
Baby Tooth chose that moment to make her appearance (she had been off chasing something), flying up to Thomas and Augustus, examining them with her usual curiosity.
"Baby Tooth," Toothiana chastened. "Don't be rude."
The fairy chirped apologetically, returning to Jack's shoulder. He chuckled, looking at the small fairy. She shrugged.
"Jack, would you mind showing them around?" Toothiana asked. "I have a few last minute preparations for tomorrow."
Jack's eyes widened as he realized what she was asking him to do. "Tooth—"
"It'll be fine, Jack," she assured, resting a hand briefly on the shoulder that didn't already hold one of her fairies.
"Famous last words," Just muttered, watching as the vibrant fairy queen fluttered away over the hedge.
This should be interesting, Isolfr said, rising up from the grass.
Jack glared at the wolf. He flipped his staff up with his foot, catching it easily, though briefly considering if he could turn the motion into an "accidental" kick to the wolf's chin. But decided not to risk it.
But he did glower at the wolf, who only laughed in response.
"I had hoped for a chance to speak with you, Jack," Thomas said.
That didn't sound good. Jack ran the towel over his hair one more time before draping it over his free shoulder, since Baby Tooth seemed unwilling to even over by him, staying on his left shoulder instead. At least someone was on his side – and not just following in the hope of seeing him humiliate himself, the way Isolfr probably was.
Thomas and August eyed the wolf at Jack's side warily as he led them from the pool area and back into the gardens.
The three men walked in silence for a few minutes. The breeze joined them, curious what was happening. It didn't understand what was happening, but it could feel the tension. And with all the activity in Warren, the wind's attention was already on the territory, wondering why so much attention was being directed at Jack.
Eventually its questions because too much for Jack to handle on top of his own thoughts – he flexed the hand not holding his staff, telling her to go somewhere else for the time being. She was at first reluctant, but the breezes complied with his instruction and swept down the tunnel of hanging wisteria plants they were walking through.
Baby Tooth seemed to feel his agitation, and she touched the side of his neck with her tiny hands in an attempt to comfort him. It helped to an extent.
"Thanks, Baby Tooth," he murmured, reaching up to stroke her head absently.
"I've never seen a planet like this," Augustus said. "Fairies, walking eggs and abominable snowmen—"
"Yetis," Jack corrected.
They had reached the end of the tunnel. He jumped up, using his free hand to catch the low hanging branch of an apple tree that grew next to the path. He used it to swing forward a few feet. He didn't bother calling on the wind as he let go, instead bending his knees to take the impact.
"They prefer to be called yetis," he clarified, straightening out. "And they're not really the kind of people you want to rink insulting."
"I imagine that's something to keep in mind," Thomas said.
They continued walking, Augustus falling a few steps behind them as he looked at the planets around them.
Jack pushed his bangs off his forehead again, taking a deep breath and letting it out in an attempt to calm his pounding heart.
"I'm sorry," he said, sliding his free hand into the pocket of his hoodie.
"For what?" Thomas asked.
"Things didn't go as well as I would have liked on Corona," Jack said. "Seems like things went from bad to worse – not that I helped. I kept making the wrong move."
"You certainly could have handled the situation better," Thomas said.
On Jack's left shoulder, Baby Tooth huffed. Beyond her, at his side, Isolfr laughed.
Jack just cringed at the edge in the man's voice, but accepted that he deserved it. He had thought of a hundred things he could have done differently.
Thomas sighed. "No – I told myself I wouldn't… I owe you an explanation, Jack. I didn't handle it as well as I could have, either."
The king stopped, and Jack did the same, turning to face the older man.
"Rapunzel and I have always been close, since she was a baby," he said. "My wife and I tried for years to have children. We have given up by the time she became pregnant with Rapunzel, and I nearly lost them both a few months before she was born. She's always been so happy and bubbly – she's one of the brightest lights in my life."
If he was trying to make Jack feel guilty, he was doing an excellent job of it. His hand tightened around his staff, the hand in his pocket clenched as well. He knew Rapunzel's light. She had blazed into his life like a rising sun, casting light on all the shadows he had been running from for nearly five years.
Did he have the right to take that light from anyone else?
"When the Empire took her hostage, we had no power to save her – I lost hope of seeing her again. So when we received word that she had escaped, then that you were bringing her back…" Thomas's voice broke, and he looked away.
Jack resisted the urge to look away.
"I thought, perhaps, we could return to normal. But when she came back she was… she was so different – so quiet and withdrawn."
"She had just spent nearly eighteen weeks in the Tower, as Gothel's personal toy," Jack reminded, doing his best to keep the edge out of his voice, now he had an idea where this conversation was going. Though he wasn't so much upset at Thomas, but the thought of Rapunzel in the Tower always set his teeth on edge. "Anyone would be quiet and withdrawn after that. I spent twenty minutes with her when I was nineteen, and I left the room with my brain in knots."
"I understand," Thomas said, holding up a hand in defense. "I understand now. But at the time, I only saw the way she looked at you on the landing platform – as though her heart was breaking."
"Okay, that part was my fault," Jack sighed. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I shouldn't have avoided her on The Night Fury."
Thomas nodded. "I need you to understand, Jack. I finally had my daughter back – against all odds – only to see immediately that I was losing her again to you. At the time, I believed her relationship – whatever it was – to be, at the worst, unhealthy, or possibly brought on by her relief at being rescued."
Jack rubbed his forehead, trying not to dwell on the echo of his own fears back on Corona. A nightmare king could hardly put it better.
"I didn't help," he muttered.
"Not really," Thomas nodded.
Jack's fingers flexed around the staff again, without him giving thought to the motion. The breeze caught the motion, and his agitation. It tousled his hair lightly, rustling the papery leaves of the nearby juniper trees. It swirled, expecting him to call on it, not understanding why it didn't.
Thomas and Augustus looked around at the wind's unnatural pattern.
Jack withdrew his right hand from his hoodie pocket, waving it to calm the wind.
They both eyed him warily.
"Sorry," he said.
Thomas nodded slowly. "Rapunzel had clearly chosen you. But tell me: how can I trust my daughter to you, someone I barely know?"
The question he had been dreading. He could always point out that at least he wasn't Fel; he actually cared about Rapunzel, not her rank or appearance. But that didn't seem like it would be the best course of action.
"I don't know," he admitted finally. The breeze tried to his agitation again, but he waved it away before it could do more than ruffle his hair. "I'm not perfect, and she could probably do better than me. But I know I love her. Somehow she makes me better than I am. I would die for her. I already have. And I'd rather die than live without her. But if I knew being with me would hurt her, I'd walk away right now."
Thomas looked at him, expression unreadable.
Jack held his arms open. "I told Rapunzel I would give her everything I am. She says that's enough. I understand if you don't think so."
On his shoulder, Baby Tooth wrapped a tiny hand around a fold of his hood, her gossamer wings quivering in agitation. Isolfr had sat back on his haunches, watching with keep blue eyes.
Thomas's expression grew thoughtful.
Jack was unsure if the mounting tension was in his own muscles or the seconds that felt as though they were being stretched to the breaking point as his arms fell back to to his side. His hand clenched his staff, the tendons in his hand tightening painfully.
"How old are you, Jack?" he finally asked.
"Twenty-three in a few months." He didn't bother to clarify he didn't know his exact birthday – his amnesia made sure of that. Bunnymund's science had only been able to narrow it down so far.
"I can tell you've been through a great deal already."
Jack chuckled. "You have no idea."
Thomas nodded slowly.
For all of you who have been asking how old Jack is.