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.
"What was it like to love him," asked Gratitude
"It was like being exhumed," I answered, "and brought to life in a flash of brilliance."
"What was it like to be loved in return?" asked Joy.
"It was like being seen after a perpetual darkness," I replied. "To be heard after a lifetime of silence."
"What was it like to lose him?" asked Sorrow.
There was a long pause before I responded:
"It was like hearing every goodbye ever said to me—said all at once."
― Lang Leav, Love & Misadventure
Chapter Soundtrack
To Be Your Honey – Gemma Hayes
Gymnopédie No. 1 – Erik Satie
Gymnopedie No. 2 – Erik Satie
Inner Turmoil – Vampire Knight OST
Conflict Remains – Vampire Knight OST
Nocturne: The Third Movement – Part IV
So this is what it takes to be a ruler.
These are sacrifices of a queen.
"Duchess of Tand-Fé asks to see you, Lady Queen," the footman called, rapping lightly at her chamber doors. Elsa flinched, jolted from her thoughts. Blinking back into reality, Elsa suddenly realized that she had a book open in her lap and she had mangled the corners of the first page into a crumpled mess. Elsa quickly slammed the book shut and slid it onto the coffee table. She hurried over to the small vanity table, sitting down and pretended to fix the already neat twist of hair at the base of her neck.
Pretend that everything was normal.
"Come in!" Elsa called.
"Elsa," Toothiana greeted, walking through the sitting room and into the bedroom.
The Duchess was a vision to behold a pale green lehenga and kurta with intricate gold stitching around the hem of the skirts and sleeves. Her dark-brown hair was pulled back into a sleek knot at the back of her neck with a sheer green dupatta resting on the crown of her head.
"Are you ready for the garden party?" Toothiana asked, but then paused in her steps when she saw Elsa at the vanity table. "Well, dark colours look quite good on you."
Elsa brushed a hand over the woollen skirts.
"I didn't bring many dresses with me, and the ones that I did bring would not be appropriate for a winter garden party," Elsa explained. "So I borrowed one from Emma."
After searching through half of Emma's closet, Elsa had settled on a high-collared, ivory blouse underneath a black, woollen vest embroidered with red and gold roses with twisting vines of green and skirts in thick, burgundy wool. The gown felt abnormally heavy on her shoulders and the skirts piled at her feet. But Elsa couldn't always wear her favourite blue dress, could she?
"Why not make a new one?" Toothiana asked.
"I rather keep the attention away from my powers," Elsa muttered. "Besides, wool gowns are thicker than that made of ice. It'll keep everyone from wondering if I'm cold."
"Do you ever get cold, Elsa?" Toothiana asked as Elsa led her back to the sitting room.
"If you mean ill, Tooth, then yes," Elsa answered, smoothing the skirts down as she sat. Toothiana sat down beside her with a flourish of the pale green veil. "But never cold… it doesn't bother me."
"Then does heat bother you?"
"Hm?"
"You shy away from physical contact, you don't stay close to fires, and I've noticed you prefer colder drinks. Is it because the warmth is uncomfortable to you?"
"You're very observant, Tooth," Elsa commented.
"My head is not filled with air like everyone thinks it is," Toothiana replied with a sigh.
Elsa laughed, "I never once thought you were anything of an airhead, Tooth. Quite the contrary. And you're right. It isn't comfortable."
Elsa took Toothiana's hand, covering sun-kissed fingers in both her ivory hands. Immediately, goosebumps began raising on the woman's bare skin. Toothiana winced, and reflectively started pulling her hand away.
"It's not comfortable for either of us," Elsa said. "The touch of my hand freezes yours, and yours burns mine. It's one of the reasons why I wore gloves."
She let go. Toothiana took her hand back, rubbing her fingers warm again.
"What about Anna's?"
"I've learnt to bear it," Elsa replied. "She is my sister after all."
"And Jack?" Toothiana asked.
Elsa paused, glancing down at her fingers folded neatly in her lap. She brushed a thumb lightly over her knuckles.
Just where Jack so often kissed.
"No," Elsa finally answered. "With Jack, it's just…touch. I could actually feel his hands – his fingers – rather than just… the burn. It's a different kind of warmth. The warmth of comfort and I believe he feels the same."
"You two were meant for each other," Toothiana sighed happily.
"I thought so too…" Elsa murmured, the quiet smile that came with the memory of Jack falling with the memories of her conversation with King James.
"…thought?" Toothiana repeated.
Then it happened again, the pricking needles in the corner of her eyes that so often accompanied these thoughts. Elsa blinked, keep her head low and her eyes focused solely on her own hands, tensed and balled into fists.
"It can't happen."
"What? What do you mean it can't?" Toothiana snapped, standing up.
"It just can't," Elsa repeated exasperatedly.
"No, Elsa, I will not take this for an answer. I need an explanation," Toothiana said sternly.
"A relationship between us cannot be condoned, King James stands against it," Elsa replied, releasing a long breath she did not know she was holding. "We spoke yesterday. He wishes that I end my relationship with Jack before it costs me my good name."
"But… royals between countries have consistently been betrothed to each other for political advantages; this should be no different," Toothiana argued, sitting down again.
"Yes, I know, but our circumstances are so different, Tooth," Elsa stood, wringing her fingers as she paced around the sofa.
"I have mulled over everything, considered everything, tried so hard to deny it – but – it's true. I just – I can't."
"But… King James has so much to gain if his son marries you."
"Exactly the reason why we cannot," Elsa said. "Both Arendelle and the Western Isles are in an alliance with four other nations. A marital union like this could lead to the assumption that Arendelle and the Western Isles are attempting to take more power, especially since I am the famed and feared Ice Queen. This could mean more discord that could put not only Arendelle in danger but also the Western Isles. We cannot continue this relationship. Not without ruining the fragile peace we have."
"But the people love you both!"
"But the people do not understand the implications!" Elsa yelled, her voice breaking in her anger. She ran a hand through her hair. Her heart thumped loudly in her ears, and she could feel her chest rising and falling with each breath. The wool vest was constraining, and she suddenly felt much too warm in the gown.
Then a knock on the door.
"The Lord Prince requests entry, Lady Queen," the footman called.
Elsa froze. She turned, looking at the mirror in her bedroom. What would Jack think if he saw her in such a state? With wild hair, eyes watery and red, and chest heaving with frantic breaths.
He'd know. He'd know everything.
Toothiana quickly pulled Elsa down onto the sofa with her back facing the door. The older woman smoothed Elsa's hair back into place and then pulled a white handkerchief from a hidden pocket.
"Breathe, Elsa," Toothiana gently commanded as she wiped the tears underneath Elsa's eyes. "Take a deep breath; I'm here with you. Just let him in."
Toothiana sat down on settee across from her. "Whenever you're ready."
Elsa took a deep breath.
"Um. Yes. Enter!" Elsa called, her voicing sounding much higher than she intended.
Toothiana glanced up when the door opened with a brilliant smile on her face.
"Ah, Jack," Toothiana called, seeing the white-haired prince walk into the sitting room. Elsa closed her eyes, trying to calm her aching heart before facing Jack.
"Tooth! What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Ah, just talking about Arendelle with Elsa. Sacha and I are planning our honeymoon, and perhaps we'll make a visit to Arendelle," Toothiana answered lightly.
"Yes," Elsa replied. She cleared her throat, standing and turning to face Jack with a forced smile. She kept her eyes down, focusing on everything but his eyes.
Jack looked terribly handsome in a pale-blue jacket with a short cape attached to the shoulders. The ensemble was embroidered with elaborate, swirling embellishments around the collar and hemming of fabric.
"Yes. W-What brings you here, Jack?"
He smiled, lifting a pile of black brocade draped over his arm.
"Mother asked me to bring you a cape, Elsa," he said.
"But, I don't need a –"
"Cape, I know," Jack finished. "But Mother insists that we both wear something warm outdoors. She thought your riding cape was too thin."
A small smile pulled on Elsa's lips at the thought of Queen Olivia tying the cape around Jack's shoulders, ignoring her son's protests and piling another cloak into his arms for Elsa.
"Mothers," Toothiana muttered.
Elsa breathed a soft laugh.
"May I?" Jack asked.
Elsa smiled weakly, nodding as he walked to her. He opened the cape, draping it gently over her shoulders and fastening the clasp at her throat. Elsa struggled to keep the smile plastered on her face and her body rigid. But her hands betrayed her, reaching for the collar of his jacket and straightening the folded fabric. Her fingers brushed against the bare skin of his neck. Her heart beat loudly in her chest, thumping painfully as her stomach made terrible twists inside her. She longed to reach for him, to hold him, and kiss him. To tell him just how much she loved him. But –
"Lord Prince," the attendant at the door called again.
Jack turned, and Elsa took a step backwards, keep her eyes concentrated on the dark carpets in the room.
"General Bunnymund is looking for you."
"Ah," Jack mused, "I wonder what he wants."
"Go," Toothiana said. "We'll see you at the party."
"Alright," he replied. Elsa felt him lean closer until her nose grazed his ear. Then his warm lips press a kiss against her cheek.
"See you soon," he whispered in her ear. Jack smiled, nodding his goodbye to Toothiana before turning around and leaving with a wave of his cape. When Jack left, the footman shut the door behind him.
Silence.
Elsa let out a tired breath, wilting down onto the sofa.
"I'm lying to him, Tooth. I'm pretending that everything's alright when it's not."
"Nothing's changed, Elsa," Toothiana tried to reason, sitting down beside the Queen.
"Everything has changed!" Elsa cried. "I've fallen so far, Tooth. I thought about… about abdicating my throne to be with him."
"Elsa…" Toothiana started. But Elsa cut her off, continuing her dizzying outburst.
"Perhaps the surrounding nations would feel safer if it wasn't a monarch with supernatural powers ruling. But…but have you ever heard of a sovereign abdicating the throne for love in the last century? Let alone a reigning queen."
Toothiana sighed, nodding her understanding. "It would cause a scandal…"
"One that would ruin Arendelle's economy and reputation not to mention the damage it would do to Jack's future reign. And if I abdicate, it would be Anna who would take my throne."
"Do you fear her incapable?"
"No, not that. I believe my sister would be more than capable. The people would love her. But she is far too ruled by her heart. Besides, I have given her my full support in her marriage with Kristoff – a commoner. With such a union, any child produced would have only half-noble blood. And if Anna becomes queen, Kristoff will be her prince consort, and I cannot force such a role onto Kristoff no matter how prepared he might be. I cannot abdicate. It is my duty to protect Arendelle, my duty to protect the Crown," Elsa stopped, wringing her fingers painfully against her chest. "And it is my duty to produce a suitable heir."
"Elsa, you cannot throw your heart out like this."
"Why can't I?" the young queen asked with an almost crazed laugh. "All my life, I tried to be unfeeling – tried to keep everything repressed out of fear that I cannot control the magic inside me. And now? Now, I don't know how to feel. There is so much anger and happiness and love and guilt!"
Toothiana placed an arm around Elsa's shoulders, pulling her close. Elsa had begun sobbing now with broken breaths and blurry eyes.
"I love him, Tooth," Elsa mumbled. "I love him so much. I don't want to lose him, but I cannot keep him."
"Lady Queen, Lady Toothiana," the attendant called again. "The party is about to start."
Elsa abruptly stood, pulling away from Toothiana and wiping away tears with the sleeve of her blouse.
"Yes, thank you," Elsa called.
Toothiana stood, patting Elsa's arm. "We'll talk of this later. For now, enjoy the party. Enjoy being with him. You both deserve that much. We'll figure out a solution to this problem."
It was a pleasant day in the Western Isles for an outdoor garden party. The country of eternal winter was in its summer months with light snow falls, longer days, and clear skies with a brilliant sun. The party was held in the middle the palace's expansive greens underneath a white marquee tent with a large hole in the middle where a bonfire was lit and maintained.
The palace gardens of the Western Isles were truly magnificent. The snow glistened like crystals under the sun's bright rays in high noon. Though nothing melted, snow remained packed on deep, green pine trees and the beautiful ice sculptures never lost their detail.
When Elsa and Toothiana arrived arm in arm, the party had already begun. There were small round tables with chairs scattered about both underneath the white canopy tent and outside in the open fields. Servants meandered about, offering the lords and ladies glasses of champagne, mugs of hot chocolate, and plenty of small finger foods.
"Just forget about everything, enjoy the party," Toothiana repeated. "Though you may not believe so, King James does care about your happiness."
"I'll try," Elsa replied, taking a deep breath as they approached their small group of friends. Jack's voice was the loudest of the bunch, with his sister's quick remarks humming in between. The young princess was dressed in a garnet-red, velvet blouse with flowing skirts in soft cream. Over it, she wore a white, fur caplet clasped with the emblem of the Western Isles. Beside her, stood Aster garbed in the dress uniform of the General of the Royal Army.
"There you are," Jack called when he saw Elsa and Toothiana. "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to come."
"And miss one your father's infamous garden parties? Never," Toothiana replied with an easy smile as she told them her white lie. "I just had to finish packing, and Elsa offered to help me."
"Right, you're leaving right after the party aren't you?" Emma asked with a pout.
"Yes. But don't you worry, I'll be back before you know it. Of course, you could also visit me if you wanted," Toothiana said.
"You'll have to convince Father to let me do that," Emma muttered.
"When are you two leaving, Lady Queen," Aster asked.
"Two days," Elsa answered.
"It's a relatively short journey home," Kristoff sighed, "but it will take a while for the crew to prepare the ship."
Elsa smiled. "I cannot keep Kristoff away from Anna for very long."
"Speaking of which," Toothiana grinned, eyeing Kristoff. "Last night at dinner, Elsa told me that someone got permission to ask for the Princess of Arendelle's hand in marriage!"
Jack and Aster shook hands with Kristoff, offering their sincerest congratulations. Kristoff pulled uncomfortably at his dark green jacket, laughing helplessly at the barrage of attention. Emma shrieked in excitement, quickly bombarding the blushing man with dozens of questions about the proposal and wedding arrangements.
Elsa closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath of the cool, crisp air around her.
"Enjoying yourself?" Jack asked quietly, allowing Kristoff to hold the spotlight.
"Yes," Elsa answered quietly. "Does the Western Isles often hold these garden parties?" Elsa asked.
"Not often," Jack replied. He raised a hand, pressing his fingers against his forehead as he spoke. "Only on special occasions during the summertime. At least what should be summer in the Western Isles. The winter season is much too cold to host events outdoors."
Elsa frowned. She didn't notice before, but the white bandages covering Jack's wound were gone now, and all that was left was a paling purple and yellow bruise with a clean, red cut peeking out from underneath his bangs.
"Do you still have headaches?" Elsa asked under her breath.
"Eh? Ah." He dropped his hand. "It's my scar actually. It's kind of itchy. There are still stitches in it."
"Don't pull the stitches out," Elsa warned.
"Oh, you don't have to worry. I won't. Emma would have a fit if I did something like that," he laughed, waving a hand away when a servant offered him finger sandwiches.
"Aren't you hungry?" Elsa asked.
"I don't tend to eat very much at once, remember?" Jack replied.
"That's why you're so bony," Emma chimed in.
Jack rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. You keep laughing."
"I don't even know where you get all this energy, Jack," Emma continued.
"I don't know why you don't have enough energy, seeing how you eat. Ow, Emma!" Jack cried when his sister smacked him on the arm.
"I'll show you," she said. "I'll beat you in finding everything during the treasure hunt."
"I accept your challenge," Jack said.
Elsa chuckled.
"Did you have fun?" Toothiana asked as they walked to the palace gates.
"Yes," Elsa replied quietly, remembering how Jack was able to rope nearly all the nobles into participating in the treasure hunt. "It's difficult not to have fun around him."
"Jack always had a knack for that," Toothiana chuckled. They stopped in front of the carriage now, watching as the servants finished loading the rest of the Duchess' luggage.
"I've been thinking about ways to solve this problem," Toothiana started, "and the best thing I have come up with is that you should tell him."
Elsa's smile fell. "I cannot."
"Elsa, you were considering abdicating of your throne for him, and Jack loves you just as much."
"I know," Elsa replied, with a sigh. "Which is why I won't. He'll give up his inheritance, titles, and birthright without a thought, something that I believe King James is trying to avoid and rightfully so. Jack has duties to his own kingdom as do I."
"You still need to talk to him, Elsa," Toothiana said. "This is a mutual relationship. And this problem is a burden that you should share."
"But what do I say?"
"What you've told me," Toothiana said. The Duchess turned, grasping Elsa's shoulders. "Between the both of you, I'm certain that you'll come to a happy solution. Do not give up on love yet, Elsa. Because I can assure you, Jack will not."
"Lady Duchess, the carriage is ready to leave."
Toothiana opened her arms and Elsa gladly wrapped herself in older woman's hug. "I'm so pleased to have had the chance to befriend you, and I'm honoured that you've confided this in me. You can be certain that it will remain a secret between us."
"Thank you, Tooth."
"Promise that you'll write."
"I promise."
"And promise me that you'll talk to Jack."
"…I promise."
Toothiana was right.
Elsa couldn't keep something of this magnitude from Jack. Not when he had entrusted her with one of his greatest secrets. So, after seeing Toothiana off, Elsa rushed back to the palace, determined to find Jack at once.
After asking several of the passing guards and maids, Elsa learnt that they happened only upon glimpses of the prince curiously making his way towards the castle galleries. The place she remembered him specifically stating was 'boring'. But there, she found him standing in front of the portrait of a younger King James.
"Jack, there you are," Elsa called. "What are you doing here of all places?"
The prince turned at the sound of Elsa's voice, his cape fluttering around him.
He still hadn't taken off his cape.
Jack suddenly stumbled, taking shaking, unbalanced steps towards the wall. He fell heavily against it for support as he lifted a hand and pressed it against his temple.
"Jack," Elsa called again, her voice sounding so foreign to her own ears. A loud thumping had overtaken the silence in the room. Elsa then realized that the beating thuds was the sound of her footsteps, for she had broken into a run towards the prince.
"Jack, are you well?"
"Ah, Elsa," he started, smiling weakly and grinding his teeth together.
Wincing.
As if in pain.
"…Not really…no," he said with a faint chuckle. "I think I must have eaten something? I feel sick to my stomach."
"You barely ate anything at all," Elsa retorted.
He laughed feebly.
"It's the headaches isn't it?" Elsa asked.
Jack didn't answer, screwing his eyes shut and shaking his head as if it would lessen whatever sickness he felt.
She took his arm, wrapping her arm around him and gently pulled him away from the wall.
"Let's get you back to your rooms," she suggested softly. "Then, I'll call someone to get the physician."
Jack nodded weakly. "Hm…"
Jack took the first step, and Elsa followed closely behind, trying to support his weight as they walked.
But then his knees buckled.
Elsa yelled in surprise.
"Jack!"
The prince crumpled to the floor, taking Elsa with him. She fell beside him, skirts and cloaks piling in heaps of maroon and blue.
"Jack!" Elsa screamed, her voice cutting an echo into the room. Her fingers trembled, shaking as she tried to lift him into her arms, cradling his head close to her chest.
Jack's head lolled against her, eyes fluttering closed, and breaths coming in short pants.
Elsa pulled him closer, resting his forehead against the crook of her neck.
"Jack, can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can hear me," Elsa cried, frantically reaching for his hand then, realizing only now just how damp and clammy his skin was.
"Help!" Elsa shrieked. "Someone help! The prince!"
She grasped tightly onto his fingers, waiting and hoping for a just a small movement – a twitch even.
"I'm here," she murmured. "You'll be okay. I've got you."
"Lord King," Aster murmured, watching as his king paced fitfully around the drawing room. "Please, I beg you to sit and rest, it would not be good for your health."
"My son could be dying, and you worry about my health," King James snapped, spinning around on one foot as he paced. He slowed then. "I'm sorry, Aster. That was uncalled for."
"No, Lord King. It is I who should be apologizing for being unable to protect my prince."
"Now is not the time for apologies," Queen Olivia said, placing a reassuring hand on her husband's arm. King James stopped, sighing tiredly before taking a seat on a chair in front of the fireplace.
"Jack is strong," Emma muttered as if attempting to reassure herself. "He'll keep fighting."
An hour had passed since the incident in the galleries. The guards arrived after hearing Elsa's frightened cries, and Emma was only moments behind. Together, they'd managed to get the unconscious prince back to his rooms and to call the physician up as quickly as possible. The King and Queen came swiftly after all the commotion, and though everyone wanted nothing more than to stay by Jack's side, the physician refused to let anyone in the room until he had finished his examination. So the worried bunch gathered in the drawing room to wait.
When the doors of the drawing creaked open and the attendant announced the arrival of Sir William, everyone stood, nervously watching the physician enter the room.
"How is he, William?" King James asked.
"He regained consciousness, Lord King, but is still quite weak."
"What could have caused this?" Queen Olivia questioned.
"That I cannot be certain of, Lady Queen," Sir William exhaled. "It seems that the Lord Prince is suffering a heat-related illness from the exhibited symptoms: shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and weakness. But it shouldn't be so; the Lord Prince should have recovered upon his return to the Western Isles."
"Are you certain?" Emma piped in.
"Yes, Lady Princess. It's all the symptoms of heat illness, just without the exposure to high temperatures. But I will do more research. What the prince needs now is rest."
"Yes," King James replied. "Can we see him?"
"Of course," Sir William replied. "I'll be back to check on him in an hour."
Emma was the first to leave the room, flying up the staircase with her mother and father on her heels. Elsa followed quietly behind them with Aster beside her. Kristoff intercepted them half-way up the grand staircase, falling into step beside Elsa.
"Elsa," Kristoff started. "I've already spoken to the captain of our ship, preparations are complete for our departure but they will standby until you're ready."
"Thank you, Kristoff," Elsa said, stopping in the middle of the hallway. "I completely forgot that I had a meeting with the captain this afternoon."
Kristoff shook his head, "I'm glad to be of help, Elsa. You have enough on your plate as it is. How is he?"
"The physician said the bugger has some sort of heat-related sickness," Aster answered. "We're on our way to see him now."
"Come with us," Elsa said, beginning to walk again. "I'm sure Jack will be happy to see everyone."
"Of course he'll be…" Aster muttered under his breath.
When Elsa entered Jack room, she saw King James shaking his head with a tired smile on his face. Queen Olivia sat in the chair beside Jack, wringing a towel in a bowl of water on the bedside table and placing it on her son's forehead. Emma sat on the bottom railing of the canopy bed, leaning against one of the posts.
Jack lay in bed, swathed in layers of blankets and pillows. He had circles under his eyes, dark rings that made his gleaming blue-grey eyes seem more hollow and ghostly. His cheeks were flushed red – a colour that never suited the prince – and his white-hair that usually had a life of its own was matted down against his face with sweat. But he never lost that ever-present grin.
Elsa knocked quietly on the open double doors of the bedroom to announce her entry with Aster and Kristoff. Jack shifted, moving to get him up but Emma scowled, and that effectively stopped him.
"You should be resting," Emma hissed.
"Alright, alright," he said. His voice sounded tired, raspy almost.
Queen Olivia pressed a hand against Jack's forehead again, a frown pulling on her features as she slid the towel back into the bowl of water and placed it back on Jack's head.
"How are you feeling," Elsa asked, standing beside Emma.
"Better," Jack replied. "But warm. Too warm. And restless."
Queen Olivia lifted the towel and dunked it into the bowl of water again.
"That's the fifth time you've changed the compress, Mother," Jack said. "It's alright."
"Is it not cooling you down?" Emma asked.
"The compress needs to be ice cold," Queen Olivia said, "else it would have no effect in bringing down his temperature."
"If I may, Lady Olivia?" Elsa asked, reaching out for the towel. The mothering queen obliged, handing Elsa the towel. She was right, the damp towel wasn't cold, lukewarm at best especially for Elsa and Jack.
Elsa quickly infused it with a little of her magic, faint patterns of snowflakes appeared on the towel now. And she placed it back on Jack's forehead, brushing away strands of white hair.
"How's that?"
He sighed and settled down into the pillows.
"Thank you, Elsa," he murmured.
Elsa smiled. Queen Olivia suddenly stood and pushed Elsa down into the chair.
"You can do more for him that I can, darling," Queen Olivia said with a soft smile. She leant down to press a kiss on her son's cheek before moving to sit on the divan. Jack smiled cheerily at his mother before setting his eyes on Elsa.
He opened his hand, asking for hers.
Elsa hesitated, glancing back to see King James' eyes on her. His mouth was set into a thin line. But he took a deep breath and nodded. As if he was giving her permission.
Because now it was not the time to worry about such things.
So Elsa took Jack's hand, holding tightly onto clammy fingers.
"You gave me quite a fright there," she whispered.
"I've been giving people scares a lot lately," he replied. "If I can't pull off my usual shenanigans, I guess this will have to do."
"I think everyone would rather see you pull your little pranks than this, Jack," Elsa laughed quietly. She reached for his hair with her free hand, brushing back the strands of white matted down against his face with sweat. "Try and rest."
He nodded, eyes fluttering shut though he still held tightly onto her hand. Elsa kept her hand in Jack's, listening as servants drifted in and out of the room to notify their king of businesses about.
Then, much to King James' dismay, he had to leave for an audience with his nobles, and Queen Olivia also had to leave to deal with issues of the castle, leaving only Emma, Aster, Elsa, and Kristoff in the room with the sleeping prince.
Emma sat on the on the bench at the foot of her brother's bed, fidgeting with the covers as she stared dazedly at the setting sun.
"Will he be alright?" she asked quietly. "His temperature has never gone this high before."
"Everyone gets sick, Emma," Kristoff said. Both he and Aster hovered at the entrance of the room. Kristoff sat in the lone chair by the wardrobe, flipping through a book in Jack's personal collection. The general was leaning against the wall, with a hand resting on the pommel of his sword.
"Even Jack. He's strong. The show pony will get over this before you know it."
"What if…" Emma whispered, "what if the troll's magic is wearing off?"
Silence.
Elsa's hand squeezed the sleeping prince's for second before she loosened her hold, not wanting to wake him. She reached for him, running her fingers soothingly through his hair.
"Jack has been under a lot of stress with the situation in Hestia and the summit," Elsa murmured. "He just needs to rest."
Then a quiet knock at the door came, effectively ending the conversation.
"His Majesty, the Lord King," the attendant announced as the King entered.
Aster stood at attention. Kristoff jumped to his feet, and Elsa moved to stand, but then King James raised a hand.
"No, remain where you are," he said quietly. The king's eyes lay only on Jack, and for the first time, Elsa noticed just how old King James was. The once peppering scatter of grey hair had become a mass of white that hung limply around his face and his eyes were sunken with worried creases lining his forehead.
"How is he?" King James asked.
"He hasn't woken," Emma replied quietly.
Elsa gently removed the towel from Jack's forehead, placing her palm against his brow.
"His temperature hasn't dropped either," Elsa said.
The older monarch nodded and sighed.
"Lady Queen," King James called, addressing her more formally than he had in the past. "I have something to ask you. Something personal that I believe could help us figure out what's wrong with my son."
"Of course, anything," Elsa said.
"I wish to speak to you in private about the matter. It…concerns the eve of your coronation," King James said grimly.
Elsa stiffened, her heart constricting painfully in her chest as she tried to take a deep breath. But whatever King James had to ask, it concerned Jack and the past was in the past, right?
"No, it's alright, Lord King. We can speak freely about it here. I trust my friends," Elsa said, meeting the eyes of Emma, Aster, and Kristoff in turn.
Aster nodded, "Of course Lady Queen, whatever is said in this room will remain here."
Kristoff and Emma quickly and adamantly agreed.
"Well then," the King started, "I'm glad. It is better to have some trusted opinions on this matter. Sir Williams had a theory, a theory that I wish it to remain between us for it is quite… antagonistic and heard by the wrong ears could lead to dire consequences."
"Yes, of course, you have my word, Lord King."
"Jack's symptoms are that of heat illness that is not occurring due to exposure to heat, correct?" King James started.
"That is what Sir Williams suggested."
"Sir Williams also told me that my son was having terrible headaches that required medicinal remedy. In addition to that, his health only started to decline after his return from Hestia."
"Right," Elsa said.
"Princess Anna was accidently struck by your ice magic the night of your coronation, am I correct, Lady Queen?"
"Yes…Lord King," Elsa replied softly.
"After that, what kind of symptoms was she showing?"
Elsa turned to Kristoff, who cleared his throat and stood.
"Anna's hair started changing colours, streaks of white appeared, Lord King. Then she grew cold and weak until she eventually –"
"Froze." Elsa finished. "My powers nearly killed my sister by freezing her heart."
"So I see…" The king nodded, running a hand over the stubble growing on his chin. "Do you think it is possible for the symptoms of heat illness to arise via magical means?"
"It… it is possible," Aster said.
"But Father," Emma called, "you couldn't possibly be suggesting that Emperor Hirokazu…"
"Yes. I am suggesting the possibility that Emperor Hirokazu struck Jack with his powers."
"But what would be his motive?" Kristoff asked. "The Prince was on an assignment as an ambassador for the Alliance Six. What possibly could have angered the Emperor so much that he turned his powers onto a diplomat?"
They turned to Aster. The general froze, his brows furrowing.
"L-Lord King – I – I –"
"Father," Jack called. They all jumped, turning in surprise with the addition of a new voice. "There are things that I have kept from you…"
They had propped Jack up against the pillows; he didn't protest despite the fact that it was evident that he'd rather stand. King James paced around the room, turning from one side to the other in erratic steps.
"I am appalled at you," King James hissed, pausing to point accusingly at his son.
"At all of you involved," King James snapped, "for keeping such crucial information from me. You're right; this behaviour could have led to terrible consequences not just for Arendelle and our nation, but for the Alliance as well!"
Jack winced, and Emma screwed her eyes shut. It would seem that the king was hard to anger and his wrath should definitely be feared.
"But I am, however," King James started, sighing tiredly, "pleased that you managed to keep the peace between the Alliance and Hestia. The information you provided us at the summit proved valid. And I thank you, Elsa, of your counsel for my son."
Elsa nodded.
"But now we are faced with an entirely different matter," the King said.
"Are you even certain that the Emperor struck you?" Emma asked.
"I don't know, Emma," Jack replied. "I only remember… how angry I was… how the fires of the hearth grew before my eyes and…I think it burnt my sleeve."
"Anna showed no outward appearance of being struck by Elsa's powers," Kristoff said. "Not until much afterwards."
"When it was almost too late," Elsa muttered.
"But Anna's symptoms happened so quickly," Kristoff argued.
"I am not too certain if it is the Emperor's doing then," Aster said.
"However, you must consider Jack's circumstances," King James said. "He has so much magic flowing through his veins."
"Perhaps it's slowing down the symptoms," Emma concluded.
"So, it could be the Emperor's magic."
"What else could it possibly be?" Aster muttered.
The King of the Western Isles began pacing again, hands balling into fists. "This is an act of war!"
"But Lord King, are you certain that Emperor Hirokazu did it on purpose," Elsa began. "Such powers are difficult to control and even more challenging to understand."
"Elsa's right," Jack said. "Even if the Emperor did do it, it was my fault in the first place, for aggravating him so and threatening his country."
The King sighed. "Diplomacy is essential here. I will send a messenger to Hestia. I want to welcome the Emperor here to our court, under the guise of the possibilities of an alliance and to apologize for your behaviour. Then, while he is here, we'll discuss what happened and how to fix it."
"Elsa…" Kristoff started, "the trolls?"
"Yes," Elsa replied, "we should also go see the trolls and ask for their assistance in this matter."
"Yes," King James said. "Please send word back when you can."
"We will leave as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Lady Queen, Lord Kristoff."
The King nodded, sweeping out of the room.
"Aster, I want you to find me your best bodyguard to send with our messenger, I do not want this incident to happen again."
"Immediately, My Lord," Aster said, bowing and following the King out.
"I should go to," Elsa said. "There is only so much Kristoff can do to prepare to leave alone."
"Wait, Elsa," Jack called, reaching out to her.
"Um, I'll go too," Emma said, pointing towards the door. "Come, Kristoff, we must go find a messenger to prepare the ship for departure."
"I've already done – I mean. Yes. Messenger. Right," Kristoff said, scrambling to his feet and following Emma out.
Leaving Elsa alone with Jack.
"Well… that was…unexpected," Jack said. "I thought I had to come up with an excuse to get them to leave to room."
"Emma has more tact that you give her credit for," Elsa chuckled.
Jack laughed, his chuckles dying into soft breaths.
"So… I guess… this is goodbye," Elsa said.
"You sound as though you're saying goodbye forever," he said.
Elsa's smile fell, and everything – everything - came crashing back.
This could truly mean goodbye in more ways than one.
"I was just teasing you," he murmured. "Come here." Jack opened his arm, and Elsa laid down on the bed beside him, resting her head against his chest. His heart thumped loudly, rapid beats that boomed against her ear. Jack wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly and she could feel his lips in her hair.
She found herself clutching firmly onto Jack's thin shirt.
"I'm not saying goodbye forever," she whispered, reassuring herself more than him. "Only for a little while."
"You're 'little while' will feel like aeons to me," Jack laughed.
She got up then, smiling softly. "Take care of yourself, alright? Listen to what Sir William says. Rest and don't push yourself."
He smiled, chuckling. "I don't think I'll be going anywhere anytime soon."
Elsa fluffed his pillows, helping him down into a more relaxed position. She iced the towel again for good measure, and placed it on his forehead – Jack shivered. She frowned.
"Elsa, I'll be fine," Jack said. "It'll take more to off me."
She sighed, leaning in to kiss his forehead. She lingered though, resting her forehead against his.
"I hate to leave you," she breathed, for if she spoke any louder, her voice would crack from the knot in her throat.
"I hate that you're going," he replied, his warm breath prickling her skin.
"Soon," Elsa said, closing her eyes against the stinging of tears.
"Soon," Jack agreed.
He craned his neck and closed the gap between their lips.
Glossary:
Lehenga: a form of skirt which is long, embroidered and pleated originating from the Indian subcontinent
Kurta: an upper garment originating from the Indian subcontinent
Dupatta: a length of material worn as a scarf or head covering, typically worn by women of South Asia
Author's Note: Gah. I'm so sorry it took this long, everyone. I love you guys. Thank you for sticking by me and Nocturne for this long. Hope you enjoyed!
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Until next time.
Cordially,
EireneHarmonia