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.
Author's Note: This is a complete short-story all on its own not related to any other Universe.
I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields,
that it kisses them so gently?
And then it covers them up snug,
you know, with a white quilt;
and perhaps it says
"Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again."
– Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
Soundtrack:
Come to Me – Laura Jansen
Pavane
When Elsa pushed the door open, shivering in the cold, wintery chill of the afternoon, she was met with the swirling heat of a roaring fire, the bright inviting song of the door chime, and the intoxicating scent of roasted coffee beans and pastries.
Ah, the Yeti Bro's Coffee Emporium.
It was a locally-owned café near her university campus that was situated in a plaza that was only accessible on foot. It was one of her favourite places to unwind, especially during the months when rich autumn reds were replaced by the pale blues of winter. And now when the snow was just settling in the city, making itself at home on the streets and in the rooftops, she found herself coming to the café more and more often.
Elsa stamped her feet on the doormat, brushing the large, melting snowflakes out of her hair before eagerly stepping into the short line to order. Winter always brought about a string of delightful drinks in comforting flavours of hazelnut, gingerbread, eggnog, and anything remotely related to Christmas.
She pulled a travel mug out of her bag and ordered a peppermint hot chocolate. Elsa gave into temptation by getting a gingersnap cookie as well. Then, with her order in hand, she made her way to a red, leather sofa. She put her food down on the table and sat, sighing blissfully as she sank into the warm chair. Her favourite place to sit in the coffee shop was nestled in the corner between the fireplace and the wide windows looking out onto the streets where intricate hoarfrost covered the glass pane. It obscured her view of the streets outside, except for a few splotches of clarity where the warmth of the indoor atmosphere melted the fern frost. Elsa saw that it stopped snowing outside, but she knew that it would come back. The trees were covered in white frost and it was certainly a beautiful scene but there was also something that confused her.
Outside, she saw a young man sitting on one of the stone benches that circled the clearing just outside the shop. The man was dressed in a blue tweed jacket with the collar pressed against his neck. It was certainly fashionable but it definitely wouldn't be warm enough for the freezing weather. It was so cold and everyone outside was rushing to get indoors. He was the only one in the clearing who wasn't hurriedly walking somewhere with their hands stuffed in their jacket pockets. He appeared unbothered, sitting there with his hands folded in his lap and his eyes focused on the sky above. Elsa shrugged: he was probably waiting for someone. She pulled out an e-book reader from her bag and settled in for an afternoon of coffee, warmth, and a book.
When the sky began to darken into an inky blue, moments before the sun disappeared beyond the mountains, she began to pack up. Her sister, Anna, would be finished with her classes now and she'd come pick up Elsa up on the road just beyond the plaza. They were going to cook dinner together, so they'll have to go to the local farmers' market for some ingredients.
When Elsa headed out the door and into the dark wintery night, she saw that the man was still there, sitting on the bench. It had been hours since she saw him. How was he not getting frostbite or hypothermia when her fingers were turning into ice from just seconds in the cold? The wind was biting into her skin now, nipping at the exposed flesh of her neck and cheeks. Elsa checked her phone again to see if her sister called but it would probably be another 10 minutes of waiting and the café was about to close. The street beyond the plaza wasn't well lit: she didn't want to risk it.
She slowly walked to the circle benches anyway and sat down on one across from the man – he could totally be a crazy psycho; she didn't want to sit too close. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He turned his head, smiling cheerfully at her. His crystal-blue eyes startled her, but it would be rude to stare. So she averted her gaze, pulling out her phone and checking to see if Anna texted or called.
"Beautiful evening isn't it?" he called, his baritone voice breaking through the crisp air.
"Ya, I guess," she replied. Awkwardly. "But it's cold."
"Depends on how you look at it," he replied. "I find it energizing."
Snow was beginning to fall again and the mounds that lay on the ground shimmered under the lamps that lit only the pathways. Elsa had to admit: it was pretty. Her phone vibrated and she quickly got up, mumbling a 'good evening' at the man.
"You too," he replied, just as cheerfully as he greeted her.
Elsa returned to the café a couple days after the meeting the man. Anna had a late class again this evening, so Elsa decided to wait for her sister and take the train home together. Consequently Elsa returned to the café for the afternoon. It was even colder today; she had to bunch her fingers into a tight ball from within her mittens and her breath came in thick, white clouds. All she wanted was the warmth of a fire and a coffee. But when she walked up the path leading to the Big Foot's Coffee Emporium, she saw the man again.
Sitting in the exact same spot.
Wearing the exact same thing.
Elsa stopped in her tracks and stared at the odd man, who was gazing wistfully at the sky. He glanced down and when he saw her, he flashed bright smile and a nod.
"Hello again! Enjoying the snow?" he called.
Elsa forced a smile on her face, nodding, before rushing into the café.
She ordered a hot chocolate this time and sat down on her favourite sofa by the fireplace – but then she saw the man from the frost-covered-window. He looked content to just watch the snow fall, smiling and laughing as at the children passing by. She glanced at the hearth, its comfort and warmth begging her not to go.
But as the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat.
With a sigh, Elsa got up and pulled her coat on again. Armed with a travel mug filled with hot sugary chocolate, she braved the snow, opening the door and stepping into the cold. When she approached the man's stone bench, he grinned.
"Glad you decided to join me," he said, and Elsa took it as an invitation to sit down.
"You looked like you were enjoying yourself," she said, "I wanted to see what was so great."
He chuckled. The movement shook his shoulders and snow that collected on his jacket drifted down onto the bench. He was pale as snow – as cliché as that sounds – and his dark brown hair only made him look paler.
"It's so cold," she said.
"Refreshing though, isn't it?" he said, taking in a deep breath. He turned to face her and she found herself enthralled by his sharp blue eyes. "Just smell the winter air."
"What is winter supposed to smell like anyway?"
"Pine needles," he supposed. "Cool and crisp. And childhood."
"Childhood?" She asked.
"Of course, don't you remember playing in the snow when you were younger?"
"I guess."
Elsa took a sip of her drink and as the hot, sweet liquid traveled down her throat, she realized just how cold she was.
"Aren't you cold?" she asked.
"No," he replied.
So she sat there, enjoying what the stranger called cool, crisp air and the smell of winter. She remembered her the days of her childhood, the hours spent playing in the snow with her sister when their noses would turn bright red and their boots were soaked through. She wondered what happened.
But now, the snowflakes stopped melting on her cheeks and she couldn't feel her blue-tinged fingers anymore, so Elsa decided that enough was enough. She bid the man goodbye.
"Thanks for the afternoon."
"No, thank you." he replied.
"Um, I'm Elsa."
"Jack Frost," he said.
A foehn wind came the day after and took the cold and snow with it. The streets were now filled with people taking advantage of the warm weather and the clear, non-icy streets. Elsa went to the café again, trying to convince herself on the way that her excitement was due to the fact that she loved the café not because she wanted to see Jack again. But when the plaza and circle of benches came into view, he wasn't there.
The stone bench was empty, the tiny rocks embedded were glittering in the sunlight, melting snow dripping onto the pavement. If he was here, he probably wouldn't sit there anyway.
She went in the café dejectedly, ordering a latte and a slice of chocolate cake in hopes to better her mood as she stared out the window. No trace of the man or the winter snow. Just muddy, brown slush.
Jack wasn't there the next time she came either.
The roads glistened with melted ice and there were no thick scarfs and heavy jackets in sight.
"I wish it was colder," Elsa mumbled over dinner with her sister.
"I don't," Anna replied offhandedly, "it makes transit so much easier."
That's true, Elsa though, but it's also true that Jack liked the cold.
The snow came back in all its brilliant glory two days after and Elsa made her way to the café again, hopeful and wishing that she'd see Jack there.
He was.
She went straight for his stone bench, returning his smile with a cheerful one of her own as she sat down.
"Hello again," he said.
"Hi," she replied.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Very."
Fin.
Author's Note: So, in light of the winter season, I decided to write something wintery. It's not exactly a full story – more like a drabble. I hope you guys like it! So, this is a modern universe with Anna and Elsa as humans and Jack as the personification of winter. Next up will be Nocturne. Hopefully…
Thank you to:
The Atlantean, SunriseImagination, Miki Fubuki, serenuchi, HighnDaphne, AurelianRebels, Yuyui Hime, Guest #1, Fany So Nyeo Shi Dae, and Guest #2
For reviewing!
The Atlantean: Thanks for your advice and bringing up the issues. I'll have to re-consider things…
SunriseImagination: More Jelsa! Thanks for the congratulations, it's a interesting course, but it is a lot of work. Ahaha. I initially thought I knew how this story was going to end, but some people have brought up an issue (AKA: loopholes) that I didn't realize. So, I might need to think some more….
Miki Fubuki: Stabbing hearts is my job. =D I mean, ahem. So sorry… for… stabbing.
serenuchi: I am happy you're enjoying it. I'll try my best to update when I can.
HighnDaphne: Ahaha. But it is a typical storyline… I hope you are enjoying it though!
AurelianRebels: Sorry for being an ignorant pig… I haven't watched that movie… there are a lot of movies I haven't watched. Ahaha. How's this chapter on the grammar scale? =D
Yuyui Hime: Ah, the world is cruel.
Guest #1: I will update Nocturne as soon as it is written!
Fany So Nyeo Shi Dae: Thank you for your praise!
Guest #2: Thank you! I am so glad you are enjoying it!
Until next time!
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Cordially,
EireneHarmonia