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.
Silk and Bamboo
Act Two
'Fair, fair,' cry the ospreys
On the island in the river
Lovely is this noble lady
Fit bride for our lord.
– 'Fair, Fair' Cry the Ospreys, Shih Ching
Scene One
"My Lord, stop pacing," Aster called, watching as Jack strode from one side of the room to the other, turning abruptly on one foot.
"You need to stop calling me 'My Lord'," Jack snapped, massaging his temples with one hand. He had a terrible headache and he couldn't tell if it was from being hungover or from tension.
"I will call you what I want, My Lord," Aster replied.
"This is my punishment for disappearing, isn't it?"
"If this is your punishment for deliberately throwing off your royal guard, getting drunk at a teahouse, and getting hurt, My Lord," Aster started, his voice getting lower as he forced it through his teeth. "Then I am a fool."
"Aster will call you by your proper address, Fifth Prince, because it is no longer appropriate for the servant to address the master by his name," North replied, walking into the room after overhearing the conversation. Aster bowed at the arrival of the old scholar and North greeted Jack with a low bow as well.
"Not you too, Laoshi," Jack groaned.
"My Lord, you're the fifth son of the Emperor of Wangshuang and Consort Jinglulu, it is our duty to call you by your title. Besides, we are no longer in our kingdom."
"You don't have to remind me," Jack muttered under his breath.
"Though you were always informal and comfortable among your servants, that can no longer be," North continued. "Jack, you're going to wed an empress, such informalities can no longer be tolerated. You have to set an example of respect for the nation."
"An example as Prince Consort?" Jack snorted. "What a title that is. No one will care about the spouse of their reigning monarch, especially not when it's an empress ruling."
"They must and they will."
Jack paused, his shoulders slumping. "I didn't want this."
"But it's your duty," North replied.
"Do you think my father would be happy? Do you think…. Think that my mother would be proud?"
"His Imperial Majesty is pleased that you've agreed to the engagement, My Lord, and he has given you a beautiful gift to show it," North said, pointing at the sword hanging off of the sash by Jack's hip.
"Yeah, a lump of metal. It'll probably get me in more trouble than not…" Jack mumbled.
There was a knock on the chamber doors then and a voice from outside the wooden doors.
"My Prince, Her Majesty the Empress will see you now in the throne room," the eunuch called. Jack sucked in a breath, gritting his teeth and trying not to swear.
"I will come shortly," Jack replied curtly. He quickly glanced in the mirror mounted on the wall and straightened the collar of his dark-blue yi, pulling on the lapels of the long sleeveless coat in white embroidered with the swirling motifs like hoarfrost native to his kingdom. He fixed the zi in his hair, ensuring that silver ornament remained firmly embedded in the knot of hair. He untied his sword from the sash around his waist, tossing the blade to Aster.
"It would be improper to take a weapon with me into an audience with the Empress," Jack said.
"You learnt something at least," Aster mumbled with a curt bow. "But good luck anyway, Jack."
"Thank you," Jack replied, smiling at his childhood friend and bodyguard.
The Fifth Prince of Wangshuang squared his shoulders, taking a deep breath before stepping out from his chambers into the snowy air.
Scene Two
The throne room smelled heavily of incense as he entered. The earthy, warm fog quieted his senses, numbing the dread in his chest into a dull pain as he walked, flanked by Aster on his right and the eunuch dressed in black on his left. The room was filled with a soft yellow light from the gold décor and pillars. Down the center, was a red rug, leading up to the dais where the Empress stood by a golden throne.
She wore a ruqun made up of a misty blue blouse and a dusty purple skirt. Overtop, rested a heavy silk daxiushan in white that piled in a heap of fabric at her feet. In her blonde-hair were dozens of dangling golden ornaments arranged like an intricate crown with curving, twisting lines and delicate flowers.
It was certain that the Empress of Norwei was an undoubtedly beautiful woman. She had ivory skin, soft cheekbones, blood red lips, and clear blue eyes that followed Jack's every movement. He avoided eye contact, dropping into a kowtow.
"I, the Fifth Prince of Wangshuang, am honoured to be in the presence of Her Imperial Majesty of Nuowei," he said, speaking loudly as he stared at red carpet in front of him and his shaking fingers. Around him, stood some of the Empress' ministers, aging men with pepper-coloured beards, dark robes, and judging eyes that bore into his back. No doubt wondering about the merit of a prince famed only for his silver-hair and adventurous nature.
"You may rise," the Empress said, her voice echoing through the room. "I am glad to have made such an arrangement with Wangshuang. And I hope such would become beneficial to both my kingdom and yours, Fifth Prince."
"On behalf of my father, the Emperor, Wangshuang extends our gratitude as well as our delight, Your Imperial Highness," Jack replied, trying to keep the resentment and distress out of his voice.
"The wedding ceremony will be held on an auspicious day when the winter has passed and spring has come. We will continue planning it with pleasure," the Empress' Royal Advisor announced. The Empress nodded, her red lips pressed into a thin line.
"Right. If that is all, you all may go," she said.
"By your leave, Your Imperial Highness," the ministers replied in unison.
"By your leave," Jack murmured, folding hands parallel with his palms facing him in front of his chest and bowing, stepping backwards as to not show his back to the sovereign lady. And finally when he turned to leave, he stole a glance behind him to see the Empress slumping onto her throne and a shuddering breath escape her lips.
So it was mutual. But there was no running now.
Their futures are set.
Scene Three
"My Lord. My Lord. Jack, are you paying attention?"
The prince jumped dropping the brush in his hand.
"What? Yes," Jack replied on instinct, jumping. Ink splashed everywhere in his jolting movement, ruining the delicate characters that he had written on the scroll moments before.
"No, you're not," North sighed, slapping the book closed. "My Lord, it has been three weeks since your arrival in Nouwei and still you have yet to grasp the nuances of court life here. You're going to be married soon. You need to be prepared to take on the responsibilities of being the Empress of Nouwei's only consort."
"Yes, I understand. I just, I just need a break," Jack said, he quickly stood from his place on the cushion, grabbing his sword leaning against the wall, his fur cloak, and pushing the doors open. "I'll stay within the walls of the Imperial City."
"You better," Aster muttered. Jack smirked – at least one thing hasn't changed.
The Imperial City in the capital of Nouwei was beautiful, especially covered in white snow. But it was too quiet. Jack often snuck out of the palace back home, spending much of his time wandering the city streets of Wangshuang. But it was unbecoming of a prince soon-to-be wed.
Then, as he wandered through the pathways leading from palace complex to palace complex, he happened upon a girl suspiciously pressing her ears against a wooden door. She wore a light green ruqun underneath a long pink silk coat embroidered with magnolia blossoms across the fabric. Her soft red-blonde hair was pulled back into twin braids and decorated with emerald-coloured ribbons and pink peony blossoms. She had familiar features: ivory skin and soft cheekbones, but she had streaks of pale-blonde hair and sharp green eyes. It must be the Grand Princess Anna, the younger sister of the Empress.
Jack slowed, watching as the young princess cupped her hands around her ear in the attempts to listen in on whatever conversation happened inside. He stood in front of the gates of the Palace of Everlasting Tranquility near the eastern walls of the Imperial City, so it must the Empress' complexes.
"You're going to get caught," Jack told her. She jumped, pushing back from the door in surprise. Turning, her eyes widened at the sight of Jack. She lowered her head, bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Prince Consort," she said.
"I'm not married yet," Jack said, huffing. "Please don't call me Fifth Prince either…"
The Princess blinked, "Um, Ge-ge then?"
Jack smiled, "Hey, I like the sound of that."
"Then you can call me Mei-mei," she replied happily.
"Sounds fair," he agreed.
Suddenly the chamber doors open and the Empress stepped out of the room with her lips pressed into a fine line. She wore the same white daxuishan that Jack saw her in when he first met her in the throne room, but now he could see twin dragons embroidered in gold and blue along the back and train. He quickly dropped to the ground on his knees, hands out in front of him.
"My Empress," he said.
"Jie-jie," Anna started, before dropping into a curtsy. The Empress considered the scene for a moment, Anna hovering close to the door on the veranda and Jack standing on the steps.
"Were you eavesdropping?" the Empress asked.
"N-no… well… yes."
"These political matters do not concern you and it's a offense to be spying on the Empress. There will be severe punishment if I catch you again."
"Yes, Jie-jie," Anna whispered. The Empress strode away then, the train of her robes trailing behind her. As soon as the sovereign monarch was out of ear reach, Jack stood, sighing and leaning against a post.
"She's not always like that," Anna chimed in. "It's just, being the ruler…she has to put up walls. She really is caring."
Jack smiled weakly. "So I see. I hope you're right. Or this engagement will not fare well for either of us."
"You'll see," the young princess said with a knowing smile. She bowed again, "I'll take my leave, Ge-ge." He smiled at the sound of the endearment, reminded of his own sister. He bowed as well.
"Until we meet again, Mei-mei," Jack said, groaning as the girl nearly skipped away. He took a long enough break; it was time to return to his studies.
Scene Four
The weather in Nouwei was getting colder rather than warmer as the days passed. The skies were constantly overcast and the sun never made an appearance past the clouds. Many of the nobles and servants in the palace avoided going outside when possible and when they did, it was nigh impossible to distinguish anyone for they wore such thick hooded capes. But that never stopped Jack. He always had an affinity for winter and the need for fresh air from his stuffy study was much needed.
So he found himself wandering through the Empress's Garden of Celestial Favour, crossing a bridge over onto the other side of the snow covered lake. At the edge of the bridge was a white stone pathway that circled the edge of the lake and as Jack neared the end of the path, he found that it led to a pavilion with posts painted bright red and a sweeping roof with black shingles covered in a blanket of white snow.
Then he started to notice music. Clear melodic tones coming from the pavilion hidden amongst bare trees and shrubbery. He silently crept towards the sound. Then he saw her: the Empress.
She sat in the center of the pavilion, dressed in a simple chest-high ruqun in the colours of grey and muted blues. Around draped over her arms and shoulders was dusty-blue coloured daxiushan embroidered with white blossoms on the long sleeves. She tied only half her hair with simple blue ribbon and a glass flower pin that hung over her left ear. In front of her was a guzheng, she had ivory finger picks on her right hand, plucking notes that vibrated through the crisp air.
Jack's brothers were never talented musicians and though his sister was skilled, she never threw her emotions into music as the Empress did. The young ruler played as if she was engaged in conversation. A short string of notes: a soft question. Then one long resonating note: a dissonant reply.
Suddenly, she stopped and Jack opened his eyes, not realizing that he had closed them. Then he recognized that he had been caught watching when the Empress' eyes met his. He quickly cleared his throat, kneeling on the snow with his head down.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, I simply followed the sounds of music."
Silence.
Jack bit his lips, screwing his eyes shut.
"You are forgiven," the Empress said quietly. "You may rise."
He stood, hesitatingly.
"Your Majesty plays beautifully," he said.
"Thank you for your praise, Fifth Prince," she replied. He stood at the steps of the pavilion, wondering if he should enter or leave. The Empress' hands rested atop the strings of her instrument. Her fingers were white with peculiar spots of muted red.
She noticed him staring and quickly moved her hands to her lap, covering them with the sleeves of her robes.
"Are you cold, Your Majesty?" Jack asked, pulling on the ties of his fur cloak.
"No," she replied. "I am alright."
He refused no for an answer though. It was frigid outside and an ill sovereign would do no one any good. So he pulled the cloak off, draping it over the Empress' shoulders.
She tensed, but relaxed moments later began pulling the cloak closer, as if realizing that she was truly cold.
"Thank you," she said.
"Might I ask, Your Majesty?" Jack asked. "I'd like to hear you play more."
"Do you play, Fifth Prince?" she asked.
"Uh, not well," he replied, not wanting to refuse a conversation with his soon-to-be wife. "But I'll play if you'd like me to."
She smiled, softly, politely, before offering Jack a place on her bench. When Jack said 'not well', he truly meant 'not at all'. He tried not to show his dismay at the situation he got himself in. His brothers were not talented musicians and his sister may be skilled, but Jack was horrendous in music no matter how hard he tried. If the Empress played like it was a conversation, Jack played like it was a screaming match.
He delayed the moments of embarrassment, untying his sword from his belt and setting it by one the posts of the pavilion. He sat, slowly finding his place on the cold, steel strings.
"Wait," the Empress called. Jack paused, wondering if she hopefully changed her mind, he turned, following the Empress' gaze to his blade propped up against post. "That sword, is it yours?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, it's mine" he replied.
"Do all nobles of Wangshuang have swords of the same design?"
"No, Your Majesty," Jack answered. He stood, eager to change the subject from his playing as he presented his weapon to the Empress. "The designs along the hilt and on the blade itself are unique to each sword and sword master. No two blades are designed alike in Wangshuang; this was a gift from my father – a blade he forged himself."
"I see," the Empress said, tracing a swirling, silver embellishment along the guard. "Show me your right forearm."
"What? I mean. I-I beg your p-pardon, Your Majesty?"
"Your right forearm, Fifth Prince."
Jack hesitantly lifted his right arm, palm up as he pulled on his sleeves. The underside of his arm was smooth, coloured by only the blue-purple veins trailing down his hand. The Empress took his wrist and flipped his arm over. Jack had to fight the urge to flinch, her hands were cold and the ivory picks on her fingers were even colder. The back of his forearm, however, had jagged scars splotched around his elbow. As if he fell on something sharp. As if he fell on a broken plate.
She scoffed, letting go of his wrist.
"The scars are from my youth," Jack started. "When I tried to climb a tree and fell into rocks."
"I hope it isn't a habit of yours to lie, Fifth Prince?" the Empress asked, almost...teasingly?
"But I am not," Jack insisted, "these scratches are from – "
"Falling on a broken plate in your drunken state?" she replied.
"But – how did you – were you the woman in the teahouse?" Jack asked accusingly.
She sighed in disbelief. "What a sudden turn of events."
His thoughts turned back to the event, remembering his drunk exchange with the woman by the river. How he laughed at her statement about an arrangement that would effect the entire nation.
Oh, how he mocked the Empress of Nouwei.
He dropped to his knees, pressing both hands and his head flat to the cold, icy ground. The Empress stood, wind grazing at the hem of her robes and sashes and they fluttered against Jack's hair.
"I beg Your Highness for mercy for my insolence. I did not realize it was you." Jack dared not to raise his head, even when he heard soft giggles coming from the lady sovereign.
"You are, again, forgiven," she said, "for saving me then."
Jack slowly got up, his eyes furrowing. "What was the Empress of Nouwei doing alone and unprotected there?"
"Possibly the same reason why the Fifth Prince of Wangshuang – and soon to be Prince Consort of Nuowei – was there too: to avoid a particular meeting?"
Jack sighed. "To think that we were both there avoiding an arranged marriage to each other."
"Fate enjoys mocking fools."
"And what fools we are," Jack replied.
Silence.
"Will you play then, Fifth Prince?"
"Jack is fine, Your Highness."
"…Elsa, then," she replied.
"Elsa," Jack repeated, rolling the Empress' name off his tongue.
Perhaps this marriage won't be too bad.
"Oh, and to prove that I do not have a habit of lying: I… play horrendously."
Scene Five
Jack often found himself skipping out on his lessons, much to North's dismay. But the stifling, warm rooms were suffocating him. He much preferred the cold air in the gardens. Especially, Elsa's gardens. Jack frequently found the Empress out in the pavilion now, especially in the hours of high noon. She'd be reading through a scroll, plucking a tune on the guzheng, or enjoying the art of calligraphy when he arrived. But always, she was without an attendant and always she came without a cloak. So Jack learnt to dress warmer, layering on multiple robes so that his own fur cloak could be given to Elsa. She lit no brazier in the pavilion but Jack never minded. So he spent much of his afternoons in the quiet company of the Empress until she needed to go to a meeting, to which Jack escorted her back to the main complexes.
Their short daily meetings lasted for a couple of weeks as the winter snow continued to fall in piling heaps, covering the ground, lake, and all the trees in a shroud of pure white. Then, one afternoon, Jack found that the pathway leading to the pavilion had no trace of footprints on the fresh snow: Elsa had not arrived. Jack waited at a pavilion for a bit before wandered off to the steps leading up the throne room, wondering if an attendant would know if the Empress was held by a meeting. Suddenly, the doors opened and several of the Royal Ministers filed out. They bowed to pay their respects at the prince at the foot of the staircase, murmuring under their breaths and shaking their heads as they left.
Jack stared, wondering what bothered them as he made his way up to the throne room. He deliberated if he could get an audience with Elsa and ask for her to join him in the garden.
"The Fifth Prince arrives, Your Majesty," the Royal Announcer said as Jack entered the room. Jack walked in with a grin on his face, but then as he saw Elsa leaning over the table before her throne with her head in her hands, his smile fell.
"Your Majesty?" Jack called, deciding that calling the Empress by her name would not bode well in a public setting. "What's wrong?"
She raised her head, noticing his presence now as she straightened the sleeves of her robes.
"Nothing."
"You can tell me what's wrong."
"It was just a… taxing meeting."
"I could help," he offered.
"No, you can't," she said, slamming her hand down onto the table. The attendants around the room bowed, the Empress' anger startling them. "No one can. Especially not the prince of a foreign kingdom. For all I know, you could be after my throne yourself, to use me as a puppet. Just like the rest of my ministers."
Jack flinched, taking a step backwards, the Empress' dismissal cutting into him. He took a deep breath, trying hard to keep the rolling anger down, to keep the hurt and shock off his face.
"I…must reiterate, My Empress," he replied coldly. "I was born as the fifth child of the Emperor of Wangshuang and a low ranking concubine. My father sent me here as a political chess piece: to make an alliance with Nouwei as your Prince Consort. Not as Emperor. My father's crown nor yours is was ever an ambition of mine."
"Then what is your ambition, Fifth Prince?" she hissed.
"To find a purpose with my life. Perhaps even to marry someone I loved," he replied.
Silence.
"I thought it could have been you."
Silence.
"By your leave, Your Imperial Majesty," Jack said, bowing. He turned to leave, storming out of the throne and intended to head back to his chambers. To write a letter to his father to reconsider this marriage.
"Fifth Prince," the Empress called to him. Jack could here her running after him, her footsteps crunching in the snow beneath. "Fifth Prince!"
"Jack, wait!" she said, catching up to him and grasping a hold on the sleeves of his robes. Jack paused.
"What can I do for you, Your Imperial Majesty," Jack replied, bowing lowly, mockingly.
"Any other monarch would have you beaten for such insolence," she warned.
"Are you just any other monarch?"
The Empress released hold of his robes then, her hand falling to her side in defeat. She ran after him, down the steps of the throne room and into the courtyard without a cloak or a daxuishan. Nothing but a pale-blue and white ruqun with long sleeves embroidered with snowflakes. Puffy clouds emerged from her lips as she took short huffs, trying to catch her breath. Behind Elsa, an attendant followed with a lush, white pelt cloak piled in her arms, begging the young sovereign to stop and put it on.
"I'm sorry," Elsa whispered. "I never meant to be so harsh."
Jack sighed, straightening from his bow and ordered the attendant to hand him the Empress's cloak.
"You're forgiven," he said, draping the cloak over the young woman before him. "For I have said things that I shouldn't have either."
"There is just so much on my shoulders."
"Then let me help you bear the weight," Jack said. "We are to be wed as husband and wife and though I will never be your equal, let me share some of your troubles."
Elsa pressed her lips into a thin line as she considered. She blinked as snowflakes landed on her eyelashes, she raised a hand to shield her face.
"Come, we'll talk in my study," she said, turning and leading him back. She ordered for tea to be prepared as they entered the warm room and quickly dismissed her attendants and servants once the tray arrived. She sat first and Jack followed in suit, lifting his arms to prevent the long sleeves of his robes from getting caught underneath him as he knelt. He swept the sleeves away from his left wrist, reaching for the pot to pour the Empress a cup of tea.
"The Chancellor feels that I am unfit to rule," Elsa started, watching Jack. "He feels that I should abdicate my throne to my sister, who would be much easier to control than I who oppose and question almost everything. They want a figurehead Empress for the government."
"That's unheard of," Jack said as he poured himself tea and put the pot down. "You are the ruler by divine right."
"Yes, but I am failing my people," she said, tiredly. "This winter has been the longest in decades. It was supposed to be spring already when you arrived. But the snow has dragged on for months, the kingdom has not seen the sun since the Winter Solstice. The priests believe that the heavens are unpleased with our offerings and the people will starve if this weather continues."
"How could that be your fault," Jack asked. "You can't control the weather."
"No," Elsa replied. "I can't, but I must do something. Fights do not break out as often as you think on streets of Nuowei. And my last outing into the city proved that civil unrest has begun."
"What do they expect you to do?"
"I must show the people that I care by attempting to appease the Sun Goddess," she said, raising the cup to her lips. "Appease her and begging to her return."
"And can you?"
She shakes her head, hiding her face in her hands. "No. No, I can't."
"Why not?"
"I just can't."
Scene Six
"Laoshi," Jack called, storming into his mentor's chambers.
"My Lord," the old scholar said. "What can I do for you?"
"How do you appease the Sun Goddess?"
North blinked, "Performing the Sun Dance."
"And how is that done?"
"…My Lord, we went over the details of the ritual last week."
"Did we now? It must have slipped my mind…" Jack murmured, looking away and scratching his chin.
"You mean you weren't paying any attention," Aster said.
"Ah, details," Jack waving his bodyguard off. "Remind me again, please?"
North sighed, rolling away the scroll in his hands.
"The Sun Dance is a ritual specific to the kingdom of Nouwei. Its purpose is to appease the Goddess of the Sun and ask for her return. The Empress is said to have a stronger connection to the Sun Goddess, believed to have received her divine right to rule from the deity. Thus, it is performed by the Empress rather than the Emperor."
"What does it entail?"
"The Empress will be encircled by a large ring of fire that represents the sun. She'll perform a dance that was taught to her by the Queen Mother when she rose to the throne, but in our Empress' case, by her own mother."
"Is it dangerous?"
"The kingdom could not allow for their sovereign monarch to be in any real danger. Perhaps some burns and exhaustion, but nothing that rest cannot heal."
"Hm," Jack mused. Those reasons alone wouldn't stop the Empress from performing a duty important to her country, would it? There has to be another reason and if Elsa wasn't going to tell him, Jack will find someone who will.
Scene Seven
It was two days after the encounter with Elsa, Jack had spent most of his free time trying to hunt down the young princess. He finally found her at the palace gates, walking a magnificent horse out of the stables. The princess wore a pale yellow ruqun with sleeves in blue underneath an emerald-green cape lined with fur at the hood and hem.
"Mei-mei!" he called. She turned, smiling and bowing.
"Ge-ge," she greeted. "I was just going for a ride; would you care to join me?" She leaned closer, covering her mouth so only Jack would see as she mouthed 'please'.
"Sure, I would love to go on a ride with you."
She smiled, turning to her stout but kind chaperon. "I have an escort, Olaf, if you could get the Fifth Prince a stallion?"
"Of course, Princess Anna," the servant bowed, going back to the stables.
The young princess breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Ge-ge. I always enjoy going for rides, but my chaperon is not very good of a rider. He got himself impaled by a branch the last time we went."
Jack winced. "Good thing I showed up then."
"Yes, indeed," Anna laughed. "But I assume that this isn't just a passing hello?"
"No, you're right," Jack said. "I wanted to ask you something about your sister."
The woman's eyes widened and her servant returned with a white stallion.
"For you, Fifth Prince," the servant said, handing Jack the reigns.
"We'll talk on the road," Anna said, mounting her steed. "Not here with prying ears." Jack nodded and readied his horse, tying his sword to the saddle before ascending his horse. Anna led the way, kicking her horse into a gallop. Her flowing dress bellowed behind her as she rode and Jack's dark cape flapped around him.
Their ride led them out of the Imperial City and out the capital down the main street that was left nearly deserted by the cold chill. They blew through the city gates, venturing down one of the many paths of the forest. Anna finally stopped when they reached a roaring waterfall surrounded by snow covered trees, mossy forest floors, and a white running stream.
"Alright, we could stop to here," she said. Jack quickly dismounted and helped Anna down her horse as well.
"This place is beautiful," Jack said, stepping as close to the waterfall as the mossy grounds would let him.
"It was one of my favourite places to go with Jie-jie before she took the throne," Anna said, patting her steed tenderly. "So, what is it that you wanted to talk about."
Jack turned, quickly getting to the brunt of things. "I wanted to know why Elsa won't perform the Sun Dance."
Anna stopped, "Is this the reason why the ministers are pestering her?"
"At least one of the reasons," Jack replied. "I know you love your sister, Mei-mei, and you'd want to help her too. I want a chance to prove myself."
"I don't know if I should be sharing this information with you, Ge-ge." Anna said.
"I am to be her husband," he said. "I wish to support her in any way I can."
"It's not that she won't perform the Sun Dance, it's because… she can't."
"That's what she told me too," Jack said. "But why?"
"There was a fire that happened three years go," Anna begun to explain. "In the Palace of Great Happiness."
"Palace of Great Happiness?" Jack asked. "But such place doesn't exist in maps of the palace complexes."
"That is because it was burned down three years ago in a fire that took my father and mother's lives," Anna explained.
Silence. Jack was lost for words.
"It was the night of the Harvest Festival and my father and mother allowed all the guards and maids to leave to attend the festivities in the city. I went as well. Jie-jie stayed behind. Then a fire broke out and they were all trapped within. My father managed to create an escape route for my sister…but he was caught underneath a pillar and was crushed. My mother refused to leave his side and by the time, Jie-jie managed to get help it was too late."
"I'm so sorry to have brought up such bad memories."
"No, it's alright. It's just, after the incident, Jie-jie refuses to go anywhere near open fire, the braziers in her rooms are barely if ever used. During the winter, the Ministers and attendants that serve her are always bundled up like they're outside when they are in her presence."
"That's why she won't perform the Sun Dance. Because she's frightened of fire."
"I wish she told me about the ministers," Anna murmured. "I was worried about her."
"As am I," Jack said. "Come, let's return to the palace, I've got a plan."
Scene Eight
The winter clouds buried the ink-black of a new moon in greying clouds and falling white snow. Jack could see his breath in the air like thick rolling clouds as he breathed. His fur cloak did little to warm him, but perhaps it was more nerves than the weather.
"Are you sure you don't want to go in, Laoshi?" Jack asked his aging mentor. North sat on the steps of a pavilion in the abandoned Garden of Eternal Spring, his legs crossed, his hands folded in his laps, and his eyes closed – meditating probably.
"Nonsense," North replied without evening opening his eyes. "We must be here to support you, My Lord."
"To support you in your madness," Aster muttered. "And to get you out when the Empress calls for your head."
Jack scowled at his bodyguard, tempted to tackle the man and shove snow down the man's back when a faint glowing light caught his attention. Two figures were crossing the bridge towards the gardens with one holding a paper lantern to light their way. Jack breathed a sigh of relief: Anna was able to convince her sister. The Princess wore a cloak in an emerald green with a hood lined with red-fox fur and a large circular clasp at her throat. She was also, thankfully, was able to convince her sister to also dress appropriately for the weather.
The Empress, had on a brocade cloak in sapphire blue embroidered with elegant stitches of white cherry-blossom branches. She left the hood of the cape down and took all the ornaments out of her hair save for a blue cord holding the twist of blonde hair up and a single hair-stick with silvery butterflies dangling by her temple.
"Stop staring," Aster whispered and giving Jack a curt shove. "Go greet the Empress."
Jack blinked, not even realizing that he was staring and quickly walked to the landing steps of the bridge.
"Elsa," he greeted, lowering into a bow with his hands before him. "Mei-mei."
"Jack."
"Ge-ge," they both said in unison, the Empress nodded as Anna dipped into a curtsy.
"What is it," the Empress began, "that is so important and requires such discretion that we must meet so early in the morning, couldn't this wait until daybreak?"
"You didn't tell her?" Jack asked Anna.
"You asked me to get Jie-jie to meet you at the Garden of Eternal Spring, not to tell her your plans."
"Oh, so you were just saving yourself against your sister's wrath weren't you?"
"It was hard enough to convince Jie-jie, Ge-ge. If I told her what you wanted, we wouldn't be here!" Anna retorted with a huff.
"I demand to know what you two have conspired!" Elsa hissed.
"She told me," Jack started bluntly. "About the accident with the late Emperor and Empress of Nuowei."
The Empress frowned, her head tilting to the side in confusion. "I see; it's not exactly withheld information. Everyone in Nuowei knows."
"Right…of course…" Jack said, with a nervous chuckle.
Behind him, North scowled. Jack cleared his throat, taking a deep breath.
"Let me specify: Mei-mei told me about your phobia of fire."
Elsa's frown deepened and she glanced at her sister accusingly.
"Forgive me, Jie-jie, Ge-ge said he could help."
"Ah," the Empress replied. She nodded slowly. "So, how will you, Jack, help this hopeless ruler who cannot even perform a ritual that could save the kingdom because she is so afraid of fire?"
"You're not hopeless." Jack corrected. "You are human and it's okay to be afraid. There are people who will stand by your side, Elsa. Your sister will. I will."
"Alright then," she sighed. "What's your plan and why are we in the middle of an abandoned garden at night?"
"We're going to have an attempt at the ritual," Jack said, pointing at a ring of firewood and kindling made in the dirt.
"What."
"A trial run," Jack explained. "It will help you face the actual ritual, the ring of fire is the part you worry about most, right, Elsa?"
"The Garden of Eternal Springs is the most deserted area in the palace complexes and with day just breaking, we'll be able to hide the light of the flames and smoke with the morning mist, Jei-jei."
"This is insanity."
Jack then reached out, offering his hand to the Empress. "But, I'll be right there with you."
The Empress let out a shuddering breath. He could see her refusal coming, the words that would end his endeavour to help sitting on the tip of her tongue. Her gaze fell on the circle of wood, staring for several uncertain moments. Then, the Empress' eyes turned to her sister. Anna placed her hands on her sister's arm, squeezing reassuringly while giving her a bright and encouraging smile. Elsa tried to return the smile, her lips quivering at the corners before she took another deep breath.
"You will come with me?"
"I'll be right beside you," Jack said. She reached for him with shaking fingers, carefully putting her hand in his. Her hands were cold and clammy. The skin on her fingers were just as mottled with fading red like the days spent in the pavilion. Jack wrapped his fingers around hers, rubbing him thumb against her knuckles in attempt to reassure her. In attempt to warm her hand.
In attempts to quiet his thrashing heart.
Jack took a step towards the circle then her fingers wrapped tightly around Jack's, her nails biting into his skin. She refused to move, pulling anxiously on Jack's hand.
"I took every precaution," Jack said, hoping to reassure her. "There are people here to help you, Elsa. There are buckets of water right there in case anything goes wrong and we are only steps away from a well. My guardian and mentor are fast."
Elsa squeezed her eyes shut, her once calming deep breaths now becoming forced.
"You can stop at any time," Jack continued. "Just tell me and we'll be out in just moments. I promise. Just come with me, give it one chance. I swear to you, that I'll be here every step of the way."
She took a step towards a circle, small and deliberate. But it was quickly followed by another and another until both she and Jack stood in the middle of the circle.
"Good," Jack murmured. "We're halfway there."
She chuckled, a sound that was more of a chocked sob than a laugh. Her grasp on his hand still hadn't let up and for someone so small, Jack found it surprising that Elsa's grip was so strong.
"Aster, you can close the circle," Jack commanded.
"I don't know if I can do this," she said.
"You can, Elsa," Jack said. The Empress gripped even harder onto his hand and she squeezed her eyes shut.
"I'm ready, My Lord," Aster said, holding a torch in his hand. Elsa's eyes snapped open, her gaze following the smoking flame of the torch.
"We are all here for you, Jie-jie," Anna said.
"Aster is ready to light the ring when you are," Jack said.
The young ruler had to pry her eyes away from the flame to hold Jack's gaze. She closed her eyes, her breathing becoming harsher as if she was holding back tears. She nodded and Jack gave Aster the signal.
The stoic guardian lowered the torch, igniting the wood as it started to spread. Slowly at first. Then faster as the flames grew and grew. The ring of fire lit the night sky with its blaze and its warmth burned into Jack's skin.
Burned.
Burned.
Burned.
End of Act Two
Glossary
Laoshi – teacher
Yi – a narrow cuffed, knee length tunic worn with a narrow ankle length skirt
Zi – a circular hair cuff
Ruqun – traditional Chinese attire consisting of a blouse and a wrap-around skirt, popular during the Tang Dynasty
Daxuishan – a long sleeved gown with sleeves that are often wider than 1.3 meters, most popular during the Tang Dynasty
Ge-ge – older brother
Mei-mei – younger sister
Jie-jie – older sister
Guzheng – Chinese zither
Author's Note: This was such a long chapter guys. Ahaha. It's equal to a chapter of Nocturne. Ahaha. I hope you guys enjoy it!
Thank you to:
Dee, SunriseImagination, kopijeli, and AurelianRebels
for reviewing!
Until next time!
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Cordially,
EireneHarmonia