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.

You were the one
I wanted most
to stay.
But time could not
be kept at bay.
The more it goes,
the more it's gone,
the more it takes away.

– Lang Leav, Time

Dawn - Pride and Prejudice OST (2005)
Kumo To Rouba To Shoujo – Jigoku Shoujo OST
Violet – Downton Abbey OST

Nocturne: The Third Movement – Part III

When the doormen opened the set of double doors leading out of the massive meeting hall, Elsa and Kristoff were the first to leave. The Queen of Arendelle was dressed in her signature blue gown, its train billowing behind her as she walked. Beside her, Kristoff strolled behind her with almost a skip to his step. Nothing, not even a political summit could dampen his mood. Behind the pair, the King and Prince of the Western Isles exited the room. The white-haired prince breathed a sigh, appearing somewhat relieved that the meeting was over. Elsa, too, was pleased with how the summit went, no voices raised, not angry arguments made, nothing more than discussions on current events, economic circumstances, and where the next summit should be held.

King James fell behind, waiting for King Nicolas and Prince Rudolf to discuss a hunting trip on the countryside of Santoff Claussen before the next annual summit. The King of the Western Isles even pulled Kristoff away from Elsa, asking the man to join them in the future for his knowledge in icy terrain was certainly an advantage.

Jack joined Elsa and though he had a smile on his face, Elsa could see that the prince was far from calm. His hand was gripping the hilt of his rapier and she could see his fingers still shaking under the tension. She longed to reach out to take his hand in hers, but with the number of people surrounding them, she couldn't gather the courage: all their most intimate moments were shared in private. So instead, Elsa walked beside her… beloved, hoping that her presence might be enough.

Aster and Emma were waiting down the hall, both pacing fitfully as the three of them approached.

"How was it?" Emma asked, resting her fingertips on her brother's arm.

"Well," Jack started, "they didn't suspect anything and it all went as planned. But that was… agonizing."

Emma sighed, slumping to the ground as her maroon coloured dress pooled around her. Aster rubbed his ear, muttering under his breath. Elsa watched as Jack slowly peeled his fingers away from the sword, his shoulders dropping as he leaned against the wall.

All four of them were exhausted from the sleepless night spent in the study, planning and plotting and discussing what on earth they were going to do to address this mistake at the summit. But not before Emma gave Jack and Aster an earful. The princess was livid as she shouted at the prince and the prince's guard for keeping this from her, especially about how angry Emperor Hirokazu was. Before long she started to cry. Jack chuckled helplessly as he tucked his sobbing sister into his arms, murmuring soft apologizes into her ear. Aster let the princess hit him in the arm as well and made her the promise that he'd never keep something of this magnitude from her again. Apparently, the 18-year-old's punches are renowned to being very painful. Emma would have punched Jack too, but he pointed to his forehead.

But after all the fuss, the four of them finally managed to come up with a solid plan, deciding to address Hestia's weaknesses to the council. So during the summit, Jack presented each point confidently, demonstrating to the Alliance Six that Hestia would not make a good edition to their union at the time being.

"I cannot help but feel as though I am lying through my teeth," Jack said in a hushed voice.

"But you're not," Elsa replied, "it's true that Hestia's economic status is lacking in comparison to what the nations want. It cannot offer us anything that we don't already have and there is nothing that we can offer them at a price that it would want."

"Distance also plays a factor as well as the country's military standpoint," Aster added, "it will not offer us aide if and when we need it and as such times like these with neighbouring countries to our own allies are suffering under conflict, it is best to know that we will have dependable allies."

"Jack, it was for the best. Emperor Hirokazu cannot argue against this. The Alliance has made their decision and you did nothing to defame the name of Hestia," Emma replied. The prince nodded, running a hand through his hair again.

"I will have to write a letter to Hestia then or at least travel there myself to make the report," he muttered.

"I'll go with you – if opportunity allows," Elsa said, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder. "I want to let Emperor Hirokazu know that he has nothing to fear about me."

"Then we will go …and I will make amends," he said. "So this is what it takes to be a ruler."

"And you already have the makings of a great king, Jack," Elsa said.

He smile softly.

"I should go, if I want to make a trip to Hestia, I'll need to plan it with my father."

"Of course."

With that, the small group dispersed. Aster had some preparations to finalize for a short trip to the countryside and Emma also had to take off, promising to help her mother with the large dinner party for the evening. They left the young queen alone in the hallway save for the servants passing by.

Elsa began walking, caring not where her feet led her, the events of yesterday evening and this morning left her feeling weary and numb.

When Kristoff came to Elsa to ask for an audience with her as the Queen of Arendelle yesterday evening, she knew exactly what he wanted before he asked for her consent. But with Jack's revelation in mind and the anxiety of the summit, Elsa was not ready for Kristoff's proposal for Anna's hand. Even though she knew it was coming, ever since she overheard them discussing plans. Elsa thought she was ready, she knew that Anna had made her decision after much thought, and the pair would be happy together. She thought a snow storm would erupt in the library. There was that insistent, nagging fear as powerful and relentless as the fear she felt three years ago.

Elsa remembered that Kristoff was awkward when he stuttered through his prepared speech. But he slowly gained confidence, becoming surer of himself as he professed his love for the Princess of Arendelle and his promise to protect and care for her for as long as he lives. Then he asked for Elsa's blessing of their union. He kept his eyes down, his hands clasped over his bent leg when he knelt before the Queen.

She remembered holding her breath as she stared numbly at the man. She couldn't speak, not when she knew that the words that come would be a stuttering mess. She took a deep breath then, reminding herself that this is what Anna would want. She straightened her shoulders, cleared her throat, and began speaking with the authority of a ruler.

"Master Kristoff Bjorgman of Arendelle, you come here today to ask for the Princess Anna of Arendelle's hand in marriage, offering yourself, your love, your protection, and all that you are to the union. Most would think you foolish in doing so, for my sister is the open-hearted Princess of Arendelle – one of the most beautiful, well-beloved idols across the kingdom," Elsa said. She remembered seeing Kristoff's face pale in response and his knuckles turning white. He closed his eyes, as if waiting for the dismissal. But then, Elsa thought about the events that occurred three years ago, about the valiant and noble deeds that Kristoff had done for her sister.

"But, I cannot fathom anyone more worthy," Elsa concluded with a soft smile, the man snapped his eyes open, a bright smile forming on his face.

"R-really? You mean, I-I-I,"

"Yes," she said, "I, Queen Elsa of Arendelle, give you, Master Kristoff Bjorgman of Arendelle, my consent and blessing to marry Princess Anna of Arendelle."

Kristoff thanked her again, then. She stood quickly though, excusing herself from the room as she tried to focus on the crisis of the summit. She tried to hold it in, tried to pretend that it was all was well for the summit. Now that it was over… the worry and panic began to wash over her.

Did she make the right choice? Nothing scared her more than the fear of making the wrong decision for her sister. Not freezing Arendelle, not realizing that she nearly murdered two men, not even…not even when she learnt of her parents' death.

No, Anna was everything.

The loud, creaking of a door pulled Elsa out of her thoughts. As the images of yesterday night clouded away into mahogany shelves and book covers, she realized she library, crouched on the ground and hugging her arms around herself. Her vision was strangely blurred, her breath came in short huffs, and she could hear her own heart beating in her ears. It was then that she also realized that she was hyperventilating.

Elsa quickly got up, whipping around and trying to hold her breath – hold herself to together to greet the new arrival in the library.

It was Jack.

"Ah, Elsa!" Jack cried, turning his back on her to quietly shut the door behind him. "The maids told me that I'd find you – Elsa?"

"Jack," Elsa replied. She couldn't hold her breath anymore and the library began to spin around her.

"Elsa, are you alright?" Jack asked. He crossed the room in only a few strides and wrapped his arm around her waist, leading her to a nearby sofa where he sat her down and knelt before her. "Elsa?"

The words: Yes, of course, and I'm fine attempted to roll of her tongue. But they were trapped in her throat, held back by the same insistent thoughts of…of hurting Anna.

"N-no," Elsa said, the word sounding so foreign to her. "I-I'm not – not really."

He stared at her for a second, before a gentle smile pulled on his face. Jack raised his hand offering her to take it.

"Come with me."

She found herself in the castle kitchens, sitting at the servants' mess table across from the white haired prince as a couple servants set a pot of cool peppermint tea and a three-tiered silver tray lined with finger sandwiches, pastries, and chocolates in front of them. The kitchen staff scurried around them, their eyes widening as they saw the young queen sitting beside their prince. They quickly dipped into curtsies and bows, however, they walked passed the Prince of the Western Isles as if he wasn't there, as if his presence in the kitchens was –

"The kitchen staff are used to my frequent visits." Jack explained, seeing her confusion, pouring her a cup of tea. "I end up down here often. Since the 'accident', I tend to eat less during meals, but I get hungry quickly. The staff even leave food out when I come during late nights."

"I see," Elsa replied, absentmindedly placing a square of decadent chocolate on her plate. "Anna is notorious for her escapades into the kitchen for more sweets – she always convinces me to come along with her."

"Now that would be a sight to see: the Queen and Princess of Arendelle tiptoeing down into the kitchens for chocolate." Jack chuckled.

They fell into silence. Elsa slowly stirring her peppermint tea as Jack broke apart a flaky blueberry filled pastry.

"I thought some sweets would help calm you down," he started. "But talking also helps."

Elsa removed the spoon from her tea, placing it down on the saucer slowly.

"Kristoff asked for an audience last night," she said, nearly whispering. Jack's eyes widened: just like she did, he knew exactly what was going to happen. "He wanted my blessing and consent to marry Anna."

"That's terrible timing, right after I left you with so much to deal with."

"It was bound to happen though," Elsa said quietly as she pulled a fruit tart from the tray. "I gave him my blessing."

"He would make Anna happy and… though you are her elder sister and her queen, Anna is an adult. She can make her own decisions."

"Yes, Anna can make the right decision, but have I?" she asked, staring at the circular patterns in the dark wood of the table. "I didn't even consult her on the matter, we're sisters and we've avoided the topic of Kristoff and an impending marriage. She's never brought it up with me and I never considered bringing it up with her – I wonder if she wanted to. I wonder if I…if I made the right choice not as a queen, but as a sister…I wonder what my mother and father would have done."

"…Do you miss them?"

"…Every day," she replied, trying to pull a smile onto her face. Elsa picked up a fork, poking the vibrant slice of kiwi off the tart and putting it into her mouth. Using the action as an excuse to delay talking. "I wonder if my father would be proud of my choices as the Queen of Arendelle, if my mother would approve of my giving away Anna's hand and…if they would be proud of me for finally being able to control my powers."

Jack pushed his teacup aside, reaching over from across the table and pulling Elsa's hand into his.

"Do you resent them?" Jack asked quietly.

"For what?"

"For well…isolating you and Anna."

"No. No, I never did. They did it out of their love for me, for my own good – for Anna too. It wasn't as if they loved me any less for my gift. My mother and father tried to spend as much time as they possibly could with me, even when I pushed them away out of fear of hurting them," she explained. "My mother never spoke much, but she often came to my rooms and just sat there reading or embroidering – her presence was more than enough. My father would let me sit with him in his office when he was worked, teaching me."

Words spilled from her lips as memories and images flooded. Elsa tried to focus on the pretty pastries on the tray, trying to stop herself from crying as her vision began to blur.

"My only regret – my only regret is not telling them that I loved them before – before –"

"Elsa," Jack said no louder than a whisper. She grasped his hand tighter, using her other hand to rubbing the tears, away hiding her face behind her forearm. "Elsa, I'm sure they knew."

He stood, walking around the table and sitting down beside her on the bench, never letting go of their already entwined fingers.

"I'm sure they knew," he repeated.

He reached for her other hand, gently pulling it away from her face and wiping her tears with his fingers. He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, letting her cry into his shoulder. He pressed his lips into her hair, running his fingers in soothing circles against her back, holding her, comforting her with his presence.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, pulling away from him and straightening her dress.

"No, no. I asked you, it's my fault." He said. "I'm glad, though. That you've told me."

She smiled, "I'm happy to tell you, too."

"Now, what do you say to riding?" he asked cheerily.

She breathed a laugh.

"Didn't the physician say that you should be resting?"

"Yes, but that was yesterday." He argued, "I should be fine today, right?"

"How about we go talk to the physician, and if he allows you to, we'll go riding."

"Alright, deal."

The Royal Physician, Sir William, had reluctantly permitted Jack to go riding after warning him to take thing easy. So Elsa had changed her clothes, putting on a dark blue riding dress underneath a deep grey cloak with a silvery, highly stylized clasp with the emblem of Arendelle. Jack was still in his formal attire from the meeting, but instead of the one-shouldered side-capes that he tends to favour, he wore a thick cloak in a royal blue. The hem and hood lined with black silk that heavily contrasted his bright eyes, pale skin, and white hair.

There was something wrong. He left his hood up throughout the entire ride as they circled the castle grounds, as if… as if he was cold. Jack was sweating and his breath…fogged in the wintery air. His face was flushed with a pink that she could never associate with winter prince.

"Jack," she called, pulling on the reigns of her chestnut coloured stallion. "Jack, maybe we should go back."

He nodded, pulling on his reigns and turning his horse around in a circle.

"Yes," he said.

When they returned to the castle grounds, King James met them at the foyer smiling when he saw his son.

"So, I heard from the stablemaster that you went for a ride, Jack," the King said.

"I was just showing Elsa the estate, Father." Jack said, smiling. She could see that he was trying to hold his breath, to sound like he wasn't tired. "I am going to prepare for dinner."

Jack passed his cloak to the butler, nodded to his father, and headed up the stairs. Elsa turned to leave as well, wanting to change out of her riding dress before the evening events.

"Lady Queen," King James called, "may I speak to you in the drawing room?"

Elsa paused, forcing a smile on her lips and nodding as she followed the King of the Western Isles down the hallway.

When the servants opened the door leading into the drawing room, she sat down by the empty fireplace. Snow dripped off her boots and the hem of her dress onto the carpet. She ringed her fingers in her lap, wondering what the King wanted. She felt very uncomfortable, knots forming inside her stomach. King James walked over to a table, silently pouring himself a glass of scotch from a glass container.

"Elsa," he started, saying her name rather than her title, "I am speaking you today, not as a ruler, but rather as a father with a daughter of my own."

Elsa stood, watching as the older ruler took a sip of his drink with a fatherly smile.

"The day that Emma becomes of age, I fear my health will take a turn for the worse." He laughed. Elsa smiled.

"My dear," he said, "your father was a kind ruler and a good friend of mine. He's the reason why my son is alive as well. I care about you and I don't want to see you hurt."

"Thank you, Lord King, but I…I don't understand what you're trying to say."

"Elsa, your relationship with Jack cannot last. He is the Crown Prince of the Western Isles. You know that he will one day take my throne. If you marry him and become his Queen Consort, you'll be expected to stay here in the Western Isles and rule by his side. You cannot marry him and keep your throne, Elsa."

"Is it not too soon to think of marriage… King James?" Elsa asked hesitantly.

"Yes, perhaps it is – but then you'll have to consider your own reputation. We live in such an era where your reputation as a woman is connected to your reign. You cannot be associated with a man who you do not intend to marry in such a manner."

"You must consider the consequences, Elsa."

Her heart sank and emotions flooded through her: sadness, hurt, and anger because King James believes her status as a woman will affect her rule that he has finally told her what she knew from the start: her relationship with Jack was forbidden.

"I understand, Lord King. I thank you for your counsel and advice." She whispered, dipping into a low curtsy as the King walked out of the room.

Was she being too hopeful? To wish to find love like Anna was, should she have accepted the marriage proposals that kept coming to her before rumours of her involvement with Jack began? So this is what it means to be a ruler, Jack had said. So this is what it means to be a queen.

Author's Note: Oops. It's been a while. Ahaha. But some news about me I got into the Creative Writing Course at my university! Horray! But it's a lot of work – hence why it's been a while since I wrote. But things have been slowing down a bit, so I managed to get this chapter out as fast as I could. Thank you for all your help, guys.

Also, in case you were wondering, I used Requiem and Postlude in my portfolio in addition to some original short fiction that I wrote.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter – it didn't have a lot of lovey dovey scenes, but I thought it was necessary to flesh out Jack and Elsa's relationship more as well as develop some political tension.

In addition to that, I have another set of 100 word drabble stories centered on Jack and Elsa. It's a Hogwarts Alterative Universe story called Glacius. If you guys are interested, go and check it out on my profile!

Thank you to:

Tohka Yatogami, Aria's –a-m-o-r, AonoKenshi, RomanticChicNahJK, SunriseImagination, HighnDaphne, ElsaTheSnowQueen2, effervescentbutterbeer, Miki Fubuki, Lifesend, Guest #1, Aurelianrebels, WritersElemental, Guest #2, Guest #3, Fany So Nyeo Shi Dae, Hatune Lover, Guest #4, whatnamehshallitake, Guest #5

I say this after every chapter – but I really, really mean it when I say thank you for reviewing guys.

Tohka Yatogami: I am glad you are enjoying it!

Aria's –a-m-o-r: Ahaha! Thanks!

AonoKenshi: Oh gosh, it's alright, I can't remember what happens and I have to do some re-reading – and I'm the author.

RomanticChicNahJK: I am not giving up on this story. I can promise you that. Ahaha. I hope you are enjoying it!

SunriseImagination: If it gets too much, just let me know – charts are fun to make!

HighnDaphne: Thank you!

ElsaTheSnowQueen2: Ahahaha. I think Elsa's reaction is justifiable.

effervescentbutterbeer: Thank you so much for your suggestions. I used Requiem in my portfolio.

Miki Fubuki: The Emperor is not out of the picture, yet. =P

Lifesend: Thanks so much, Lifesend. I agree, communication is important in relationships and I didn't want to use 'Jack not telling the truth' as the main conflict for Nocturne.

Guest #1: Awe! Thank you so much for your praise! I am so glad that you're enjoying everything!

AurelianRebels: Oh gosh, it feels like forever. Erm… ermm…. An entrance – the only thing I can of is Sherlock. Ahaha – no moustache though. I think there might be more grammatical errors in this one. I am a comma criminal and there must be comma splices everywhere.

WritersElemental: Reign is great – the plot is predictable and it's your typical historical drama that is not very historically accurate – more like Gossip Girl ish. I think. I haven't watched Gossip Girl. But the fashion is beautiful – so beautiful. And I based Elsa's riding gown in this chapter on the one Queen Mary of Scots wore in Season 2. Check it out if you have time. And thanks for your suggestions!

Guest #2: Your wish is my command!

Guest #3: Thank you so much! You're review makes me feel so confident about my writing.

Fany So Nyeo Shi Dae: Thank you for your review! I am so happy that you are enjoying the story!

Hatsune Lover: Thank you so much! Ahaha. I don't think I can get chapters to be longer – if they are longer then I'll take even longer to update than I already usually do.

Guest #4: Ahaha.

Whatnameshallitake: Ahaha, Jack's a lady's man isn't he? Even if it was unintentional.

Guest #5: Update here!

Until next time!

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Cordially,
EireneHarmonia