~18 Years Ago~
Jack's POV
Arendelle is a beautiful kingdom, but in the snow it is absolutely stunning. My fingers are itching to make it snow right now since I haven't made it snow here yet, but Queen Tara, or Mother Nature as you may know her as, would get onto me and annoy me with her scolding. She's actually very playful, but lately she's been acting...different. I've tried asking her what the matter was before, but she would always smile sweetly at me and say 'All is well, Jack. Worry not'. She seemed sincere, but her later actions, the lack of communication, the zoning out, the distant gazes over the horizon...they tell me otherwise.
Right now though, she seems to be her normal self, smiling softly and humming a tune in contentment as we walked down the quiet streets of Arendelle, on our way to visit the Queen. It's the middle of the night, the town is asleep, I want to be asleep too, but Tara insisted that I come along with her to keep her company since the others are busy. She also said she had a surprise for me.
"I hope Iduna doesn't mind you waking her up at this time of night," I say as I walked behind her, taking in the breathtaking view of the moon shining down on the kingdom. "Thanks for the light, Manny!" I call out to him, knowing that none of the civilians would hear me since no one believes in me.
That's the sucky part about being me. The only way for people to see me is if they believe in me. With the help of Tara and the others, legends were made about me. To the Vikings I am known as Jokul Frosti, but no one ever believes, and since they don't believe they don't see. I have no believers and it sucks, but I mean...I still have a family so I can't really complain too much.
There's North (Santa Clause), Bunny (Easter Bunny), Tooth (Tooth Fairy), Sandy (Sandman), Lucille (Cupid), Tara (Mother Nature), and La Muerte (Holy Death). North is like a grandfather to me, Bunny my older brother, Tooth and Lucille's my older sisters, Sandy my uncle, La Muerte my aunt, and Tara my mother.
And the eight of us make the Guardians. Protector of the People, mainly children though. We watch over everyone.
North is the Guardian of Wonder, Bunny is the Guardian of Hope, Tooth is the Guardian of Memories, Sandy is the Guardian of Dreams, Lucille is the Guardian of Love, Tara is the Guardian of Life, and La Muerte is the Guardian of Death. North, Bunny, Lucille, and La Muerte are the only ones who are also holiday spirits. Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, and Hallowmas respectively. Why do I say Hallowmas and not Halloween? Because La Muerte's holiday lasts for three days: October 31st to November 2nd. The three day celebration is called Hallowmas or Allhallowtide. Hallowmas is easier to say, so of course I go with the easy choice.
And me? I'm Jack Frost. Guardian of Fun, Bringer of Winter, and King of Mischief.
According to my mortal, childhood teeth, which Tooth collects, I had apparently died about 100 or so years ago saving my sister's life, and because of my act of love, the Man in the Moon granted me a second chance at life. Not just a second chance, but an immortal chance. For the rest of time, I will forever remain an 18 year old boy, and it sucks because no one ever takes me seriously. Although, that probably has less to do with my physical age and more to do with the fact that I'm pretty immature.
"When the sky is awake," Mother Nature says as she points to the Northern Lights, which I've come to learn are a different shade than the lights North uses to signal the Guardians, "she's awake. And if not, then I'll just come back to visit her a different time."
I sometimes wonder what it's like. Having a beloved mortal be so dear to your heart. We're not supposed to form bonds because...well they're mortals. They'll die whereas we live on forever, always to miss them and always to feel the pain of their absence. It's recommended not to get attached because of what will happen later on, and to this day, it still surprises me that Tara, one of the eldest Guardians, broke that rule. She said she didn't mean to, that it just happened, and a lot of the time, that's how it usually goes. By mistake. She also once said, long ago, that she felt it was her duty to watch over Iduna and Agnarr, Iduna more so, because she felt as though she could have prevented it. Prevented the death of both of their people.
It's not her fault that she didn't sense Pitch that day. We've tried telling her that, and while I know she understands, I also know that a part of her still blames herself. She told us all about what had happened that day when the previous King of Arendelle had killed the Northuldra leader. She told us all about the attacked, about Iduna and Agnarr, and especially about her and La Muerte's encounter with the Boogeyman. Yeah, she was very pissed off when she got to him in her tale.
Oh! How could I possibly forget about the Northuldra Forest being covered in fog and the Elemental Spirits vanishing? Yeah, after she told the others and I everything that had happened, we all made sure to visit right after, and I must say that it's a shame that no passing outsiders will be able to witness the forest's beauty. Unless they're magic of course. It's an even bigger shame that the people inside are trapped and that there's literally nothing Tara, myself, and the others can do. But at least the people are thriving. I mean, yeah it sucks that they can't ever leave, but they seem to be living just fine, even after 10 years. But then again...you got to make do with what you have. It's all the newer generations know too, so they really have nothing to miss. Not like their elders.
"You're still going to tell me that thing you mentioned earlier though, right? The whole reason why I even agreed to come along? The surprise you said you had in store for me after your visit with Iduna? Who, you know, still can't see me! I mean really, do you know how rude it is to invite someone with you to visit with another person who doesn't even know that you exist?" I ask her as I flew to her side and matched the pace of her walking. "Talk about being an invisible third wheel."
Tara chuckles. "Jack, you know I never actually talk to her. I just-"
"Watch her in your invisible form like a creep?" I suggest, grinning.
But Tara embraces the idea. "Exactly!" She exclaims, giggling. "It's been about two months since I've last seen her. And don't worry, Jack. You'll get that surprise soon enough."
A few minutes later, our destination is reached. The King and Queen's chambers. The doors were already open, and Tara, ever the polite one, just walks right in like she owns the place. King Agnarr was nowhere in sight, probably in his office doing some late night work, but his wife, Queen Iduna, was indeed awake, laying in bed and reading a book by some guy named Hans Christian Andersen. And the sight of her made my eyes pop out of their sockets.
Because not only did she look like she is on the brink of death, but she is also pregnant!
"Tara, what the hell?!" I exclaim, accidentally cursing, but instead of scolding me for the slip of my tongue, Tara is silent as she looks at the Queen who she sees as a daughter.
Her eyes were also wide in shock and I ask, "Did you not know? You saw her two months ago. Surely she was showing then. I mean, look at her! She looks like she's been pregnant for awhile."
"N-No," she stammered, "I knew about her being pregnant, but...she didn't look so sick last time."
I didn't know what to say to that, so I said nothing and let the awkward silence consume us. It became unbearable when Tara didn't say or do anything, so finally I break the silence by asking, "Was this the surprise? Because, no offense, it sucks." I was trying to lighten the mood, but I failed miserably.
Tara ignored me completely and instead walks toward the edge of the bed and does something she never did before.
After years of watching Iduna in her invisible form, Tara reveals herself, startling the pregnant Queen so much that she cries out in fright, which startles me and makes me drop my staff. "Spirits above!" She cried out, hand over her heart, but then realizes who it is that stood before her and gasped. "Oh...oh my god. Queen Tara? Is that really you?"
Tara's back was facing me, but I didn't need to see Tara's face to know that she was smiling. "Tara, what the hell are you doing?" I say to her, utterly baffled that she just unglamoured herself.
"Hello, Iduna." She says to the Queen, ignoring me. "Or should I say Queen Iduna instead? As a Queen myself, I am all about formalities, and I must say...you've come a long way since the Orphanage. I'm glad you didn't forget about me."
I held back a snort as I bent down to pick up my staff. Not because of the orphanage thing, but because she was rambling and her mention of formalities. Ha! A lot of our snowball fights were started by her. She may be way more responsible than I, but she is definitely not "all about formalities".
Tears fill Iduna's eyes and she laughs. "It really is you! I can't believe it!" She sets the book she was reading aside and goes to pull the covers off of her, but Tara stops her.
"No, please don't get up," she says as she holds her hand out, "You're pregnant and you look sick. You need your rest, Iduna."
Iduna smiles and sits back against the bed frame. "Do I really look that bad?"
"Only a lot," I say out loud, knowing only Tara would hear. Iduna obviously doesn't believe in me, so I can say whatever I want without fear of her hearing. But yes, she does in fact look really, really bad. Her skin is pale, there are dark circles under her eyes, and while her belly is rounded, her face looks too thin, and her collarbones way too sharp. Is she even eating? She's obviously not sleeping according to those dark circle under her eyes. How is the baby doing?
"You've looked better," Tara answers, and sits on the edge of the bed near the Queen's belly. "Especially two months ago when you were at five months."
"Wait, what?" Iduna says, shocked and confused. "Have...have you been watching me?"
"Like a creeper," I say to myself again as I walked around the larger room, absorbing all the details. God, this room is huge. I'd love to have a room like this at the Pole. I'm so putting it on my Christmas list.
From the dresser mirror, I see Tara nod her head in the reflection. "I've been watching you not long after La Muerte and I left you at the orphanage all those years ago. I was always with you, my dear, even when I wasn't. For I am Nature, and Nature is everywhere."
"So why show yourself now after all these years?" The pregnant Queen asks, voicing my question.
"Yeah, Tara," I say to her reflection. "Why now?"
Tara shrugs and says, "I don't know. Perhaps it's because you're going to be giving birth. Perhaps the mother in me wanted to give you comfort. You look like you have a lot on your mind. As one mother to another, I must ask. How are you feeling? And be honest."
Iduna smiles fondly and says, "Tired mostly, more so now with my sickness. I hope you don't catch it, whatever it may be."
This makes me smile. We're immortal. We don't get sick. We can, however, die. Just not from sickness. It's more like, a knife to the chest or something that causes your flesh to be impaled and to bleed out. That kind of stuff.
"Don't worry," says Tara, a little laughter to her voice. "I won't catch it."
The fond smile was still there on Iduna's lips for a moment longer, until finally she finds words to say. "That's relief, and forgive me for changing the topic, but I must ask," she pauses to lightly cough, "you say you've been watching me. Does that mean you were there for the wedding?" She coughs a few more times, all mild, but I knew it would be leading up to a very bad coughing fit.
Tara nods again and I knew she was smiling. "That's right. Your gown was breathtaking. I was also there for your coronation, and I promise that I will definitely be there for the birth of your child. May I?" She gestured to Iduna's belly, and the Arendellian Queen nods.
Tara reaches both of her hands out, gently touching the belly that held a life inside, and even from all across the room, I could see the child kick against Tara's hands. Iduna winces a little and nervously chuckles. "He's been kicking for a while now. I was hoping to be used to it by now, but alas I am not."
"He you say?" says Tara confused. "Sweetheart, what you carry is no he. It's a she."
Well damn. That's a twist.
Iduna's eyes widen and she's at a loss for words. "B-But the doctor and Midwife both said-"
She's cut off by Tara's laughter. "You would believe a their word over mine? Mother Nature?"
The shock did not wear off yet. "But how do you know?" But she realizes the answer right away and laughs. "Oh how silly of me. It's like you said. You're Mother Nature. Of course you know." And then her eyes are filling up with tears again. "Oh my. A girl. We're having a girl. Looks like Elson is actually Elsa."
"Elsa." I repeat, liking the name and how it easily rolls off the tongue. "I like it. Short, simple, and pretty."
"What a beautiful name," Tara comments, her hands moving away from Iduna's belly so she could hold her hands instead. "She will be a great queen one day. Just like you. I'm so very proud of you, Iduna."
Iduna's smile reaches her eyes. "Thank you. I just wish..." but she trails off, frowning now, which definitely caught my attention.
"Wish what?" Tara urges.
Iduna's eyes were locked on the doors that led to her balcony, to the Northern Lights that danced in the sky. She looks back at Tara a moment later and finishes her sentence. "I just wish I could invite my people, but...I know there is no way to free them, as you have said long ago. There's no way to get in either. I've tried many times in my youth. Though, if you've been watching me as you say you have, I'm sure you already know that."
Tara nods. "Indeed I do." And then she stops to let Iduna continue.
"It...it hurts not knowing who all of my people and family is left, and it hurts me even more knowing that it was them who attacked first. I used to think that they would never be able to do such a thing, but...but I witnessed it and-" She cuts herself off with a sigh and looks away sheepishly. "Forgive me. I haven't seen you in a decade and here I am laying it all out to you. I did not mean to-"
"No, no," Tara interrupts with the shake of her head. "I don't mind at all. I told you earlier to be completely honest with me about how you're feeling. Your emotions count too. Please go on. I happen to be a very good listener and you seem like you have a lot to say. So please don't hold back."
Iduna was quiet for a moment, but then her lips crack into a small smile. "Okay, well, as I said, it hurts. But what hurts me most of all is that...if there was a way to free them...I don't think I would. I won't risk my daughter's life. Or my husband's. They attacked the Arendellian soldiers for no reason. They killed the King, Agnarr's father. What would stop them from attacking Agnarr if they were to get free? Or me? They attacked innocent soldiers for no reason, so I don't think me being Northuldra would even matter to them. They'd see a traitor. And what about Elsa? Would they see an innocent child or an heir that could grow up and pose as a threat to them? And what about the innocent people of Arendelle? My people now that I am their Queen. I will not run away again. I will not abandon my new people like I did with my former one. Though the circumstances are different, since I left the Northuldra because of what they did. I will not abandon my new people, even if it comes to facing my original people, who I still love despite what they have done. I will do what I can to protect Arendelle, and it most certainly will not be by running away. I do not want to make that same mistake again. I could never forgive myself.
Do you think it wrong of me? The Northuldra were my people before Arendelle. I feel as though I betrayed them, and I can't help but feel that they betrayed me first by breaking our sacred oath of peace. It pains me to say this, but that knowledge sometimes comforts me in my decision to side with Arendelle, the side that did no wrong. And yet I still struggle with the idea of helping Agnarr arrange a war against the Northuldra. Despite what they've done, I still have love for them. All I wish is for peace, but...if they become free and wish for a war to happen...I'd have no hesitation in siding with Arendelle. For my child and husband, who I love more than my own life. Who I love more than the Northuldra. They are my first priority, especially my daughter, but that does not stop my guilt from eating me alive. Oh Tara, despite knowing which side I'd choose, I am still so utterly lost and confused. I wish I knew what happened that day that caused my people to attack. If I knew, maybe I could find a way to fix everything."
When she finally stops, only one word managed to come out of my mouth. "Daaammmnnn." That is some heavy stuff she has to carry. And just when I thought Tara was going to tell her the truth, that it was King Runeard who attacked first, not the Northuldra, she instead says:
"Oh Iduna, I am terribly sorry that you have been plagued with such worry. I wish I could stop your thoughts from troubling and confusing you, but I want you to know that you are no traitor. You did what was right by saving Agnarr and staying with him until he was brought home. You may see coming to Arendelle with him as running away, but you did what any scared child would, and I don't think anyone with a sane brain would blame you, not even your people. You tried to survive and you did. You saved the future of this kingdom and now you are its Queen. If the Northuldra come back during your reign, I guarantee that you will bring peace. For you are the bridge that connects the Northuldra with Arendelle. Agnarr's love for you is genuine and true and pure. He and your child are your rewards for your selfless act. Love is a very powerful force. Never forget that. Never regret it. Love is what will bring your two people together should the Northuldra ever be free of the magic that binds them. Until then, you are safe from any threats of war. The Enchanted Forest has been shielded for 10 years, and I doubt that that will end anytime soon."
And it literally blew my mind that she didn't spill the beans about what really happened. "Tara," I say to her, "you know that it wasn't the Northuldra's fault. It was King Runeard's fault. Iduna's father-in-law! He killed her former leader. Why didn't you tell her? She needs to know that her people are not vicious monsters, that it was her father-in-law that was the real monster, and that if there's anyone she should be worried about, it's her own husband. Magic was involved with the death of Agnarr's dad. If the Northuldra were to become free, how do we know that Agnarr won't be the one to attack them first? Just like his father before him. Tara, you got to tell her the truth!"
But the only response she gives me is the clench of her jaw. She wants to say something, I can tell, but she's trying not to respond since Iduna is present. "Thank you," Iduna says, "I feel much better hearing that from you. Do you, by any chance, know how they are doing? Do you know who all survived?"
And thankfully, Queen Tara tells the truth about this. "Yelena has taken over as leader of the Northuldra. And..." And she goes on, telling Iduna every person from memory that is still alive and she tells about the new children who were born and what they're all doing out there in the forest and how from time to time they have fights with the Arendellian soldiers who got trapped inside with them, all of who Iduna has never met, unless you consider their portraits around the castle a proper introduction.
"They may be trapped," says Tara, coming to the end, "but they're thriving."
Iduna's eyes glisten with tears. "That's good to hear." She looked like she was going to say more, but she suddenly goes into a coughing fit, one that I totally saw coming, and one that was so bad it even made me wince. When she was done, she looked at Mother Nature sheepishly. "Forgive me, I-"
"There is nothing to forgive, darling. You are sick," Tara interrupts, and at first, Iduna smiles at this, but then she frowns.
"Tara," she says, cautiously as she fingers the fabric of her purplish scarf, "there is more that haunts my mind. If I recall correctly, you once called yourself the Guardian of Life...is it possible if you can tell if someone is dying? Or can only La Muerte, the Guardian of Death, do that?"
This takes both Queen Tara and I off guard. Jesus, what kind of a question is that?
"What brings this up?" Asked Tara, worriedly.
Iduna sets her hands on top of her round belly and looks at them as she speaks. "I fear...I fear that this sickness is one of death. The Doctor doesn't know what it is. It is not like a regular cold. I fear...I fear that I am dying, o-or that my child is dying, or both! Oh Tara, I'm afraid. So terribly afraid."
And when her eyes fill with tears again...so do mine. Good god, this is heartbreaking.
"And if I am to die," Iduna continues before Tara or I could even think of words to say, "then my dying wish is to see a dragon." She laughs at little at herself. "I know it's silly, but we all have our quirks. One of Arendelle's former allies, Berk, is swarming with dragons. It's why the kingdom is no longer allies with them."
Her quick change of the topic reminded me of a child, but I knew it was so she could get her mind off of her current life or death situation. My eyes left Iduna's and landed on Tara, whose expression I couldn't read quite right. "If it is a dragon you wish to see," Tara says as she gets to her feet and takes out an object from a secret pocket in her white pedal dress. "Then your wish is my command."
The object turned out to be one of North's teleportation snow-globes.
"Wait, what-" Iduna starts, but she trails off to watch Queen Tara whisper something to the snow-globe, the location I'm sure, and throws it against the nearest wall, opening up a bright, swirling portal.
Iduna's eyes are wide with wonder, something North would have adored. "Oh my God, is this...is this for real? Are you serious?"
Tara giggles and extends her hand for Arendelle's Queen to take. "I would never lie."
"No," I mutter under my breath. "You'll just hold back the truth."
I said the last part loud enough for her to hear, but she does nothing about it, which I expected, and waits for Iduna to take her hand. The pregnant Queen, once realizing that this is indeed for real, takes Mother Nature's hand in excitement, and is quick to her feet despite her sickness. And for the first time in forever, I was so not up for the adventure.
"Tara," I say, my voice uncharacteristically stern and serious, "are you sure this is a good idea? She's obviously very sick and weak-"
"Are you ready?" She asks Iduna, who nods, ignoring me once again. I'm starting to get really, really pissed to be honest.
"Tara, wait-" but she stepped forward, her arm linked with Iduna's, and together they stepped through the portal, with me quickly following after them, muttering curse words everywhere.
My inappropriate muttering came to a complete stop, however, when I make it to the other side, to a place I've never been before.
Towering above the land was a roof, dome actually, made out of ice. But despite the icy sky, the temperature is actually pretty warm and the plant life is thriving. Green lichen clings to basaltic rocks and ferns have made a home for themselves in the relatively flat plateaus, steps, and cliff. There are waterfalls, hot springs, and most importantly, what really caught my interest...
Were the dragons.
Hundreds, probably thousands of them, flew everywhere, and there were so many species. There were a lot of species that I knew already, but there were many more whose names I did not have the knowledge of.
The only reason why I even know what I know about dragons is because I spend a lot of time on Berk, a Viking island way up North who have a bad "pesk" problems. Those pesks being dragons. I'm on the island a lot because 1) it snows 9 months out of the year. It's one of the many places I consider to be my kingdom. 2) like I mentioned earlier they have legends about me. I am the infamous Jokul Frosti, and while I still have no believers, it's still a really cool nickname. And 3) The dragons can see me, like all animals can, and they're so adorable. It's really sad how the Vikings slaughter them every chance they get.
They'd kill to be wherever the hell it is that I'm at now. Because this place sure as hell isn't Berk.
"Oh my Spirits," Iduna said, her voice in a whisper that I was able to hear loud and clear because my senses are on high alert. I mean come on, there is a sick, pregnant Queen who is probably dying in a land full of dragons! Yeah, they're adorable and misunderstood, but they're still dangerous. Tara better not dare leave her side. The dragons will listen to her. "This...this land is so beautiful. Is this Berk?"
Tara shakes her head and starts leading the Queen in a random direction. "No, but it's close to Berk. This place, as you can see, is home to many dragon species. They're all protected by the King of Dragons, known as the Bewilderbeast."
"The Bewilderbeast?" Iduna repeats, catching my attention, and when I look her I felt sick to my stomach. She looks way worse in the sunlight than she did in her candle-lit room. "What does he look like?"
Tara giggles at her friend's excitement, and I managed to smile a little despite my worry. "You'll soon see. I should warn you though that he's massive. And," she looks over at me for the first time, finally acknowledging my presence, "he's an ice dragon."
I stop in my tracks, shocked at her words. "A...A what?! Tara! There have been ice dragons this whole time and you're just now mentioning it!" I rushed back to her side, flying now instead of walking.
"There are only two types of ice dragons," Tara says, talking to both Iduna and I. "There's the Bewilderbeast and then there's the Snow Wraith."
"Amazing," Iduna breathes, "Dragons are known for their fire, but for the King of Dragons to be one of ice? What a twist!"
What a twist indeed.
A few minutes later, our traveling stops at the edge of a cliff. I was about to fly overhead to see if the dragon she spoke of was below, but Tara suddenly whistles and the wall of what I thought was rock in front of us moves! It freaking moves! I gasp when the wall grows taller and turns, and I'm pretty sure Queen Iduna gasped too, and when all the movement was done, a large set of eyes stared down at us.
I knew that this massive creature was the Bewilderbeast just by looking at its size.
It. Is. Huge!
It's a spiky dragon, with a pair of tusk-like horns protruding from the sides of its head. The front side of its body is covered with burr-like spikes, along with two lines of spikes along the eyelids, giving an impression of eyebrows, and protrusions from the back of its head forms a mane-like frill. Interestingly, no nostrils are visible on its face, and even more interesting is that its wings look more like fins.
Can it not fly?
Tara bows at the beast, and Iduna follows suit, bowing as much as she can with that belly of hers, and not one to be disrespectful (towards dragons at least), I bowed too. "Tara," I say as I bowed, "I don't know how your surprise is going to top this. This is incredible."
Tara grins before she rises, Iduna and I doing the same, and she says to the King: "Greetings your majesty. I hope all is well."
And I was not at all expecting to him talk back.
All is well indeed, my Queen.
His voice is deep, but soft, and I heard it in my head rather than...well...the opposite! Outside, through the ears kind of thing.
"Uh...Tara," I say, freaking out. "Why am I hearing the dragon's voice in my head? Can Iduna hear it too? I know you can, but how-"
"I have brought with me," she says, interrupting me, "the Queen of Arendelle, Queen Iduna. She wished to meet a dragon, so of course I found it logical to introduce her to you, the Dragon King."
Iduna awkwardly waves. "H-Hello, your majesty." She says, smiling up at the creature that's probably making her heart race. I know mine is racing for sure.
Hello, my dear. Welcome to my home.
"He says hello and welcome to his home," Tara says, making me realize that Iduna can't hear him.
So how come I can?
Iduna's smile is so large that it makes my own cheeks hurt and she says, "May I touch him or is that crossing the line?"
Mother Nature laughs at the Queen. "Not at all. Your majesty," she says to the King, and explains that Iduna would like to feel his scales.
He obliges, and a moment later, Iduna is touching his forehead with her hand, once again in tears. "Oh my, this...this is more than I could ever dream of experiencing. He's so beautiful."
But then she starts coughing again.
Iduna is quick to move away from the dragon as her coughing fit nearly kills her, and Tara is even quicker to reach her side and pat her back. "I think it's time we get you back to bed."
Finally! This is no place for her. She can come back when she's feeling better, maybe even with her own daughter. Right now though she's too weak and sick and honestly I think Tara is being completely irresponsible, and this is coming from someone who is way more irresponsible than her on the daily.
Queen Iduna nods in agreement. "Yes, you're right. Let us go." But instead of taking off in the direction we came, Iduna turns back to touch the King of Dragons one more time. She even went so far as to place her forehead against his. Forehead touches are heavily affectionate and it made me realize that this is probably Iduna's first time being around a creature of magic in 10 years. "Goodbye, your majesty. It was an honor meeting you. I hope we'll see each other again. Maybe next time I'll bring my daughter, and hopefully our visit will be for much longer."
I look forward to our next encounter, Queen Iduna.
And even though I knew she couldn't hear him, she still smiles wide, as though she had, and links her arm back with Tara's. "Okay, I'm ready."
Tara digs into her dress pocket and reveals another snow-globe. "I'm afraid, my friend, that you'll have to return alone. I am needed elsewhere." She holds out the snow-globe for Iduna to take, and take it she does.
"I...what do I-"
Giggling, Tara says, "Tell your desired location, give it a shake, and then throw it. Be very specific on where you want to go." She steps away from Iduna to give her some space.
Iduna is obviously nervous, but she doesn't back down. "Um...The King and Queen's sleeping chambers in the Arendelle castle." She shakes it and throws it, as instructed, and opened the portal back to home.
Her smile is wide, proud of herself, and Tara and I both wore the same expression. It's weird how even as an adult I can still see the child in her. Maybe it's because I've seen her as a child before. It's like parents with their children. Their children could be 50 years old, and still be seen as a child to them.
"Thank you for granting my wish," Queen Iduna says to Queen Tara. "Will I see you tomorrow? Or some time soon? I don't think I can bear not seeing you for another decade. I don't want this being a mere dream."
Tara's smile is tight, and I knew that that meant no.
Iduna won't be seeing her again, but Tara will of course be seeing her in her invisible form. Hell, Iduna wasn't supposed to see her now.
"We shall see, child," says Tara, "Now go before your husband finds you missing."
Iduna nods and turns to walk into the portal, only she stops a second later and looks back, "He doesn't know by the way. Agnarr. He doesn't know that I saved him all those years ago. I've been wanting to tell him for years, but he hates the Northuldra for attacking and killing his father. I'm afraid on how he'll react. What do I do?"
Tara walks over to Iduna and holds her hands. "You do what your heart tells you to do. Do what feels right. One must always do the next right thing. Agnarr loves you very much. I know this to be true. Worry not." And then she's pulling the young Queen into a hug that honestly warmed my heart to see.
After a few seconds, they release each other, say goodbye, and through the portal Iduna goes. The portal closes, and when it does, Queen Tara drops to her knees and cries, completely taking me off guard.
I rush to her side, confused and worried, and say, the moment I bend down to her level, "Hey, Tara, what's wrong? Why are you crying? What happened? Oh geez I hate when people cry, especially women. Is there something I can do?"
Tara shakes her head and wipes away her tears, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to break down like that, but...she...she really is dying. When I touched her belly...I immediately knew, like she had thought I would. I sensed the upcoming death and...and there's nothing I can do about it. I can bring plants back to life, but not an actual living soul. Once a soul is dying, there is nothing I, or La Muerte can do. We cannot stop death or give life. And even if we could, it would go against the natural law. A price would be paid. Probably another life in replace of the life restored."
Unsure of what to say, I awkwardly rub her back, and manage to form the following words: "Uh...everything is going to be okay. I know that's super cliche, but...we got to have hope, right? Bunny would say the same thing, being the Guardian of Hope and all. We'll find a way to save Iduna."
Perhaps I can help, says the deep voice of the Bewilderbeast, gaining our attention.
"Oh yeah, about that," I point to the dragon that we were both looking at now. "First of all, I can't believe you didn't tell me that ice dragons are a thing. Second, how come I'm able to hear him? I can understand him, Tara! A dragon! I'm a little freaked out."
Tara softly laughs as she wipes away the rest of her tears and moves to get up. Ever the gentleman, I grip her arm and help get her to her feet. "Thank you, Jack," she says, then turns to face the beast. "You say you can help, dear friend?" She says to the ice dragon, who in return nods.
I could sense her sickness in her scent. A deadly illness she does have, but her child is not effected. She will survive the birth, but Iduna will not. The birth will kill her, not the sickness.
"What?!" Tara and I say in unison, eyes wide, mine probably wider.
The sickness is making her weak and it is indeed killing her, but it will not be her cause of death. Her weakened state will cause her birth to be very hard, and afterwards, when the baby is born...well...she won't be around for long.
"So what do we do?" I ask the dragon, still freaked out that I'm able to hear him. "You said you can help, so what can you possibly do to save our friend?"
I can give her my blood.
I nearly choked on air at his words. "Say what now?"
Dragon blood has healing abilities. It will heal her and give her the strength to survive. Give the Queen a vile of my blood and, if her body is not too deeply consumed with the sickness, if she is strong enough beforehand, then it should heal her.
I look over at Tara, whose eyes are glazed over in deep thought, and ask: "Tara, are you seriously thinking about using this method? Are you sure it's safe? Has it even been done before?"
"I know not if it's been done before," Tara answers, "but he is right. Dragon blood does have healing abilities, and since he's the King of all Dragons, then his blood is basically the best medicine in the world."
"But-" I try to argue, but she interrupts.
"We have to try, Jack!" She raised her voice, taking me off guard. "I may not be able to help her, but he can, and I am not going to ignore this opportunity." And then she's marching toward the Bewilderbeast. She picked up a sharp rock during her march toward him and when she makes it to the edge of the cliff, she uses her powers to make a staircase made of grass, moss, and lichen, leading her all the way up until she was standing on top of the dragon's head.
Not wanting to be left out, I flew up towards her, and catch her sentence.
"This will hurt only a little bit, my friend."
It's nothing I won't be able to handle, says the King and that's when I finally ask again: "Yeah, so how is it that I'm able to hear him again?"
Not taking her eyes away from the area of deep skin she was going to cut, she says, "You're a being of ice. So is he. Magic calls and answers to magic, especially if they are similar. You'd be able to understand the Snow Wraiths too."
No freaking way! That's amazing!
"What about the Winter Fairies from Pixie Hollow?" I ask as I'm filled with amazement at the Bewilderbeast. "I can communicate with them, but I don't hear their voice in my mind."
"That's because they have a humanoid form," Tara says then finally pierces into the dragon's skin, making me nearly vomit.
"Geez, Tara," I groan s I looked away, "a little warning would have been nice."
She grins as she deepened the sharp edge of the rock into the King's skin, making me wince. "It's just a little blood, Jack," she says, giggling. "Now stop being so squeamish and make me a very cold, unmeltable ice vile to put the blood in."
I do as she says and hand it to her, wanting nothing more than to get this done as soon as possible, and when I saw the blood, I was honestly shocked to see that it was a silver instead of red. "Okay," I say, no longer disgusted, "that's actually pretty cool."
Once the vile is filled, we say goodbye to the ice dragon, and leave, with the help of another snow-globe.
"Another one?!" I exclaim when I saw her pull it out. "How many of those do you have in your pockets? You can't even see them bulging out."
Tara laughs and it made me feel good seeing her this way rather than her sad self from before. I don't like it when people are sad, especially when those people are usually the most playful and happiest people on the planet. It's just...weird seeing them be the opposite.
"I shall never tell you my secrets," she says and together we walk through the portal back to Arendelle. However, instead of being inside the castle, more specifically Iduna's room, we're in town, near the docks.
"Okay," Tara says as she puts the vile in her pocket. "I'll wait until morning so I can pour the blood into her morning tea. You, on the other hand, can either return to the Pole and get some sleep or you can do the surprise I mentioned."
"Hold up," I stick my hand up for extra measure, "my surprise is something I have to do?!"
Tara giggles again and nod. "That's right. Your surprise is to give Arendelle one hell of a snowy morning for them to wake up to. I know you've been wanting to for awhile. The Winter Solstice is next week and I have a blizzard schedule for you to give them too. Best start practicing now."
"Okay, for one," I hold up one index finger, "that is a horrible surprise. A surprise is not supposed to be a job. Two," there goes the second finger, "I gladly thank you for it, even though it's horrible, because honestly this place sucks without any snow. So how much we talking here? Five feet? Ten?"
"Make it two," she clarifies as she begins walking down the street, "no more no less. Save the deep snow for the blizzard next week."
And oh how I couldn't wait.