Disclaimer: This work of fan fiction uses characters from Rise of the Guardians, The Guardians of Childhood, and Frozen which are trademarked by DreamWorks Animation, William Joyce, and the Walt Disney Company respectively. The author of this story claims no ownership over them. The story the author is telling is of her own invention and it is not purported or believed to be part of the canon storyline. This story is made for entertainment purposes only. The author is not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story.

So this is love, so this is what makes life divine.

– Cinderella

Social Ball – Vampire Knight OST

Nocturne: The First Movement – Part III

Anna and Elsa strolled towards the ballroom of the palace of the Western Isles arm in arm: the perfect picture of relaxed elegance, grace, and beauty.

Anna wore a gown with a deep purple bodice and a lighter-coloured skirt with velvet hemming and elegant gold stitching across the waist. It was simple in cut, with a sweetheart neckline and full sleeves. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a loose braided bun behind her head.

Elsa wore a dress of pale peach, with long off-the-shoulder-sleeves and a tight bodice just like Anna's. However, the focus of Elsa's dress was the intricate design of the full skirt, with large and small snowflakes covering the pale, sheer fabric of the cape trailing behind her. And, of course, being Queen, she wore the silver crown of Arendelle in her hair in which she had pulled into an elegant fishtail braid on the left side of her head with a snowflake pin to hold it together.

"Do you think there will be chocolate?" Anna asked as she clung to her sister's arm. Elsa laughed.

"I'm sure there will be chocolate, Anna. Knowing Jack, he'd probably request as much chocolate as possible for you."

"And you," Anna corrected, "Jack told me yesterday about how he met you. He told me that he bumped into the Queen who was making a beeline for the tray of chocolates."

"I was not!" Elsa cried.

Anna laughed, but their argument ended there as they reached the double door entrance to the ballroom. The guard there nodded before telling the attendants to open the door as he announced them.

"May I announce, Her Royal Majesty Queen Elsa of Arendelle and Her Royal Highness Princess Anna of Arendelle!" he yelled as the doors opened. The ballroom was bright with its high ceilings and magnificent arches, high marble pillars, ivory floors that clicked when they walked, and dark soft blue velvet curtains that surrounded the high windows. In the center of the dance floor was a large and long crystal chandelier.

"Anna!" A familiar voice called, as the sisters reached the bottom of the stairs. The sisters turned to see Kristoff jogging towards them. He looked dashing in a dark grey blazer, accented with maroon cuffs and collar, black breaches and a pair of dark leather boots. Anna sighed.

"I'll never get used to you wearing things like that." She said just as Kristoff stopped in front of them. He frowned.

"Why, do I look bad?"

"…No."

"You hesitated." Olaf said, appearing out of nowhere.

"What? I did not!" Anna snapped.

"So you are saying that I do look bad." Kristoff said.

"No, I mean, I'm not used to you looking all handsome and well-dressed. I mean – it's not like you're not handsome or well-dressed on other days. What – I mean – I just –forget I said anything."

Kristoff stared at her with his jaw wide and his eyes confused, but then then he half-smiled half-chuckled.

"I think you look beautiful too." He said. Anna looked up from her blush and smiled sheepishly.

Suddenly, a guard slammed the butt of his sword onto the ground, trying to gather the attention of the attendance in the room. Everyone turned and stopped their conversations.

The guard then loudly cried: "Announcing the Imperial Family of the Western Isles: His Royal Majesty James Overland Frost, King of the Western Isles; Her Royal Majesty Olivia Marie Allsbrook Frost, Queen of the Western Isles; His Royal Highness Jackson Overland Frost, Prince of the Western Isles, Duke of Burgess; and Her Royal Highness Emma Marie Overland Frost, Princess of the Western Isles!"

The double doors opened again, presenting the royal family of the Western Isles. King James and Queen Olivia strolled in first. King James wore the classic military attire in the colours of deep blue, silver, and white, with a heavy fur cape in deep blue cascading down his shoulders. Queen Olivia wore a beautiful gown of the same colours; across her shoulders lay a deep blue cloak that was pinned together with a bright sapphire clasp. They walked in arm in arm with their heads held high and a bright, glowing smile on their faces – the picture of grace and regality.

Behind them, Prince Jackson and Princess Emma walked in, with equally brilliant smiles – if not brighter. Jack's sister looked nothing like her brother or her father. She gained most of her mother's features with her straight brunette hair and brown eyes, and even for an 18 year old, she retained the wide, childlike eyes. The young princess wore a dress of azure blue with white half sleeves, dark blue stitching, and a full skirt.

And finally, Prince Jackson Overland Frost came into view, he held his hands behind his back with a bright smile on his face but his eyes were clear and firm with no hint if his usual mischief. He wore a dark blue coat with white shoulder tassels and a silver sash across his left shoulder. His jacket was adorned with silver embroidery and he wore simple black trousers and black knee high boots.

Elsa felt her heart speed up at the sight of the handsome prince. Everyone in the room curtsied and bowed at the appearance of the royal family. Elsa dipped her head down, taking a breath to calm her heart and the strange chill running up her neck and face.

"Please, stand." King James cried, raising his hands up. "I thank you all for coming today to celebrate the 25th birthday of my son, Prince Jackson. Now without further ado, let the party commence!"

And then the musicians started, playing a classic waltz loudly. Elsa watched as the King bowed and asked the Queen for a dance. The Queen laughed before taking his hand and letting him lead her to the middle of the dance floor. Beside her, Anna and Kristoff did the same, the strawberry-blonde princess giving Kristoff a fair warning to not step on her foot again as together they also headed onto the dance floor, leaving Elsa alone once again.

A Count from Esteos came to ask her for a dance and she put on an obligatory smile as she accepted. The waltz did not last for long though, the Count couldn't handle her icy touch and she did not make the effort to small talk. She made the wrong decision to leave her gloves in her bedroom, believing that she could handle the night without them. When he bid her farewell, Elsa stepped further away from the dance floor and into one of the corners of the room, taking a seat at one of the prettily decorated tables. She was more than happy to just watch the party go by then actually participate. Olaf came by after a while, presenting Elsa a plate piled high with cakes, pastries, and most importantly, chocolate.

Elsa smiled, thanking Olaf as the two sat together at the table, eating sweets and talking the night away. No one really paid attention to the Queen of Arendelle and her snowman companion until, suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Elsa whirled around, prepared to decline the offer to dance politely.

But to her surprise – and her heart's joy – it was Jack. He smiled at her brilliantly before bowing and offering his hand.

"May I have the honour of taking the Queen of Arendelle's second dance of the evening?" he asked. She bit her lip, trying to calm her racing heart. She turned to Olaf.

"I'll be right here guarding your plate, your Majesty!" Olaf cried, giving her a firm salute. Elsa laughed before turning back to Jack.

"You may, Lord Prince."

And with that, Elsa placed her hand in his as he led her to the dance floor. She'll never get used to the touch of his fingers – how odd it was that it didn't burn her.

They stopped on the side of the dance floor and he placed his hand on her waist, pulling her other hand higher in the waltz form as she placed her hand lightly on his shoulder; they set off as soon as Jack found the beat. He twirled her calmly around the room, his hold was firm yet gentle as he guided her along the floor. They danced in comfortable silence.

As they waltz, Elsa noticed how much taller he was: at least a full head. She stared at how the light played off of his hair, gleaming to show that his locks were not just white, but contained strands of silver as well. She suddenly wondered: why is it that Jack was the only one in his family with the stark white hair? He had his father's vibrant blue eyes and dark coloured brows – so Jack couldn't be an Albino. Is it possible that he was like her? Someone who was blessed with magic?

It would account for why the temperature of his touch didn't hurt… but could be due to him being injured by someone with such powers?

She wanted to ask him, but she knew it would be rude to suddenly bring up such a personal question when this is only their third meeting.

"I know what you're thinking," Jack suddenly said, smirking at the queen.

"You do?" Elsa asked, raising an eyebrow curiously, wondering if she was caught for staring at his hair.

He laughed, "You're thinking if I liked your present or not," he said with a wink. Elsa sighed in relief with half smirk on her lips. That's right, she and Anna both brought the prince a present. Anna never really told Elsa what her's was, other than it being something simple and fun.

Elsa decided on something personalized with her own magic. It took a little work to make, but nevertheless, the result was beautiful. The Queen of Arendelle had crafted a pocket watch of snow and ice. It hung from a chain of silver, but the watch itself was made completely of frozen water. With the hands made of a deep blue ice and the face coloured with a lighter blue with the background of a snowflake. She had the emblem of the Western Isles carved on the cover of the device, with a smaller emblem of Arendelle on the back – just so Jack knows who made the watch for him. The watch was cold to the touch, but it will never melt – no matter how hot it got.

"Caught me red-handed, Prince Jackson," Elsa said, using Jack's title teasingly. He chuckled, leading her in a series of steps to steer around the corner.

"Unfortunately, I haven't been able to open any of the presents." He said, "But, as much as I believe I would love your birthday present, Elsa, I have a request."

Jack spun Elsa away from him and then turned her inwards, catching her back against his chest.

"Oh?" she stated curiously before he spun her outwards again.

"I'd like to see your ice castle." Jack declared when she returned to his arms once again.

"The Ice Palace?"

"Yes! I heard about the palace you built on the North Mountain the night of your coronation." Jack said, "I heard it was beautiful, I would love to see it myself."

Elsa blinked in surprise, remembering the palace of ice she had built in a storm of pent up emotions and a test of her strength; she bit her lip in thought, wondering what the prince thought of events of that evening. But as the white-haired prince waited for an answer, he saw how her hesitation led to an expression of hurt and shame.

"Elsa, you don't have to be ashamed." Jack said softly, Elsa glanced up at him, surprised that he was so direct and so certain of her feelings. "How about I strike you a deal instead?" he asked with false seriousness, Elsa raised her eyes to his, curiosity marked on her delicate features.

"You give me a tour of your Ice Palace, and I'll give you a tour of city of the Western Isles."

Elsa scoffed.

"That's hardly a fair deal; the city is so large compared to the castle."

"Well then we better get started tomorrow then, shouldn't we Lady Queen?" Jack asked.

Elsa opened her mouth to retort, but then Jack suddenly stopped, dropping his hand from her waist. She instinctively let go his shoulder but her other hand was still held inside his palm.

"Mind if I cut?" King James asked, smiling at his son. Jack chuckled.

"Most certainly, my dear father." He said. Jack turned to Elsa again, raising their joined hands. He brushed his thumb tenderly over her knuckles before raising her hand to his lips.

"I shall see you in the eastern courtyard at noon then, Elsa?" he asked.

Elsa sighed, nodding.

He smirked, bowing charmingly, "Till tomorrow then, Lady Queen."

"Thank you for the dance, Lord Prince." Elsa said, curtsying.

And then he dropped his hand, letting go just as the King stepped in and spun her away. Elsa kept her eyes on Jack, as the King twirled her further into the dance floor; the prince smiled at her winking with his brilliant blue eyes before turning away from the dance floor.

Elsa wondered: could it possibly be that Prince Jackson Overland Frost was courting her?

Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

Oh my gosh, 13 reviews? You guys are awesome! Thank you so much!

First of all, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter; I put a lot of work into thinking about how I will flush out their relationship. I had so much difficulty trying to describe what everyone would wear and also what kind of dance it would be. I was thinking that this universe took place around what would be the equivalent of the Victorian Era… but I am not too sure.

Also, I think I would love to turn Nocturne into a larger story arc (Oh my gosh, I have so many plans!), however, I am not too certain how I am going to do it. I want to keep it in this one-shot and mini-arc collection and just call it one of the larger arcs... of... the mini arcs... ahem... that could get messy, but I also would like to write one-shots for other alternate universes and use other ideas that I like without having the burden of keeping up with three stories all at once.

So, in essence: Nocturne will be turned into a story, however, I think I will keep it and everything else related to Frozen and Rise of the Guardians under the umbrella of Overture in Snow, do you guys think that will be too much? And that was also a super long rant…

Thank you to:

nitroglycerine, Hysteria Rogers, Korean fan 96, 10, Kara, DarkbladerX666, JoPoGirlsKickAss, Guest, starsinthenightsky511, Poeta Senza Faccia, Musical Teardrops, and Miki Fubuki

for reviewing! Like I said last time: you guys are the absolute best! Your reactions and questions really make me feel as though you are truly engaged in my work!

DarkbladerX666, Starsinthenightsky511, and Miki Fubuki: You will just have to wait and find out if Jack has ice powers. Worry not, it will all be explained soon enough. =D

Until next time!

Please follow, favourite, and review!

Cordially,

EireneHarmonia