Jack ran a hand through his already messy hair. "Okay, I think I get it. The queen is dispirited and incredibly boring and because of these horrid qualities you guys think Pitch maybe targeting her."
The grandfather boulder shook his head in exasperation. "I suppose you could put it like that." He glanced towards the other boulders that made up his family; they hovered around the clearing, still as stone. "Keep in mind; we're not actually sure Pitch is at work. All the Man in the Moon told me was that fear would be her enemy. I'd hoped that only referred to natural fear, but she has faced her fears and she's still locked in her room more often than not."
"So all I have to do is get her to have fun. I'll be done in less than a week." Jack smirked. "Bunny will be so happy to see me."
The boulder ignored Jack. "You're going to be disguised as a guard. We've told Kristoff, the queen's soon to be brother-in-law, that you're the child of a friend. He'll make sure you're taken care of. If you play your cards right, you could end up being in the queen's personal guard."
"The queen's soon to be brother-in-law." Jack whistled, "That's one heck of a title. Is that official and all? Does he have stationary and little towels with T.Q.S.T.B.B.I.L. on them? I hope not because T.Q.S.T.B.B.I.L doesn't exactly flow off the tongue."
A little boulder stepped forward, his grass quivering, "Brother is Arendelle's official ice master and deliverer."
"Now that sounds like a job I could do. Why do I have to be a guard?" Jack paused, "wait, did you say he's your brother. Does that mean he's a troll too?" Jack heard giggles rise through the crowd. Living rocks were laughing at him. This was worse than last Easter competition; Jack had lost every event, even sledding. God Bunny could be smug.
"We've gotten you a horse." The boulder nodded to the trees. "It's in a clearing just in the woods. There's a note, supplies and additional information in the saddlebags. The horse is from the palace, so as long as you don't try to lead it, it will return to the stables."
"Riding?" Jack swallowed nervously. "How big is this horse?" He'd tried horse riding a few years back. Well, a few hundred years back. He'd sneaked on a couple of horses, but despite his invisibility and magic, he'd fallen off far more times than he'd stayed on. He tried to cover up his dismay, but the stupid trolls were laughing again.
Luckily the boulder's voice was sympathetic. "The horse is old and very gentle. She'll barely notice you, besides the ride shouldn't take more than a few hours. It'll give you some time to read about yourself."
"Why would I need to read about myself?"
"Did you plan to just go up and announce that you're Jack Frost the mystical winter spirit from another world? We've given you a different identity." The troll looked up at the sky, "Manny gave us many of the details, so your history will be very similar to your human life. Unfortunately your parents suffered a far worse fate in this world. We had to find an excuse for your cross-country travels."
"Many thanks," Jack tipped an imaginary hat. "One last question, how will they be able to see me?"
The boulder looked surprised, "I thought it was explained." Jack shook his head in confusion. "Because you traveled into this world through natural means, you, and especially your magic are of this world. Your powers will remain much the same; however you appear as a human. Instead of a guardian you're a sorcerer."
Jack hand went to his head. "What color is my hair?"
"Brown." the boulder looked confused, but chuckled at Jack's clear dismay. "Don't worry, once you return to your world your appearance will return to normal." The troll looked back towards the sky, "you best leave now if you want to get there before dinner. Kristoff will be waiting for you when you get to the castle."
Jack waved to the rocks and walked towards the forest. He wanted to fly; even the short distance seemed so much longer when he had to walk. This wind was friendly too, it nudged him, urging him to come and play. He waved it away; he was going to have to get used to appearing human and humans didn't fly.
…..
Elsa resisted the urge to check her hair. She knew that each strand was carefully tucked away into her bun. Even her bangs were clean; the wind didn't dare play with her hair now. It knew she wouldn't tolerate messy hair in middle of a ceremony, though this particular ceremony was a waste of time. Why did she need to give a speech to a boat?
Elsa sighed, she wasn't being fair, the speech was not directed at the boat so much as the crowd that filled the harbor, and she didn't have to give a speech, just a few words to express her admiration of the shipwright's work and her assurance that it would sail swift and true.
As she offered those very congratulations the wind twirled between her fingers, begging them to dance and play. Her bare hands, seldom seen, were worthy of games, no matter the circumstances. It was rare that she'd take of her gloves, but today was so warm and bright and Elsa missed the feeling of sun on her skin.
Elsa smiled at the meager crowd, "the Luna has many successful voyages ahead of her, thanks to the loyal sailors who tirelessly work to keep the rest of us happy and-"
You know you can't do it without her.
Elsa tried to catch her train of thought, "well supplied with goods from around the world."
If it wasn't for your sister you wouldn't be able to control your powers.
The thought was lost; she'd have to wrap up. "Thanks to the shipwright's guild and all you wonderful citizens, Arendelle can continue to prosper." She waved and stepped down. There was a patter of clapping as the crowd disintegrated, but she heard none of it.
You'd still be in your little castle and the rest of your civilians would be stuck in ice. At least half of these people would be dead, if they hadn't killed you.
Elsa swept towards the castle. Leaving her gloves had been a mistake. She couldn't risk breaking down, not with so many people around.
Would all your snow and ice vanish if you died? All the ornamentation you've done on the palace, your lovely ice castle, would it all just melt away?
Elsa's hands itched with the cold begging to come out, but she tried not to appear too anxious, taking time to nod at the civilians she passed. She glided through the gate, her fists clenched tight in the folds of her skirt.
You have to have thought about it, what will happen after you die.
Fortunately the wind had found another playmate. The guards were use to strange weather, but even they would still notice a sentient wind following their queen through the courtyard.
I know some of your subjects have wondered. I hear them whispering.
Elsa entered the castle and now she picked up her pace. She was beginning to leave tiny frost footprints.
Some of your maids are particularly amiable to the idea of your death.
Giving up the appearance of decorum, Elsa picked up her skirt and fled up the stairs. Anyone who saw her would be able to tell the state of her mind by the ice in her wake.
How could they not be? They need a guarantee that their kingdom will be safe. Anna's so much more open and fun. She's so much more…how do I put this?
Elsa burst into her room.
Warm.
Ice coated the floor and snowflakes dotted the air. Elsa rushed to the desk, pulled on her gloves and heaved a sigh of relief. She ran her hand over the wedding plans, pulling out beautiful drawings of dresses, flowers and cakes. Anna would be so happy at the wedding. Even happier then she was now. Love would fill the palace and Elsa would be part of a new wonderful family. Around the room ice retreated and snowflakes floated gently to the ground.
You believe it, I know you do. You think Anna would be a better queen. Go on admit it.
Elsa sat at her desk and began to shuffle papers. Hearing voices was bad enough, she wasn't going to be caught talking to them. It's not like it was real.
You're right I'm not real.
Elsa smiled. The admission felt like a victory.
Yet.
…..
Jack had tried to read the troll's papers, he really had, but they were just so dull. He got the gist. A poor farm boy named Jack Overland had lost parents in tragic accident involving a drunken yak. Now all poor Jack Overland wanted was a place to sleep and a decent wage. The note to Kristoff said as much. It failed to explain why the trolls would help a random boy, but Jack doubted anyone would pay much attention to a confused, foreign farm boy. He had decided all this within the first hour of his journey.
For the two hours following, Jack had had nothing to do. So he'd started playing with snow and ice. Magic was different here; he couldn't explain it, but it felt off. Everything was more alive. The snow, the wind, even the frost seemed to have a personality. He tried to ignore them, but after the wind tried to steal his mid-afternoon snack he had to pay attention. The rest of the trip was filled with strange games. The wind's favorite was catch; something about a thrown roll turned the wind to a gale.
Recently however Jack had entered some sort of road. He hadn't noticed at first, because the only difference from the forest paths was the occasional presence of people. In the beginning he had ignored the passersby, and continued his game of catch, but from the strange looks he got, it was not normal to play with the wind. He would have ignored the stares, but if Pitch was in the kingdom, revealing his powers would put his mission in peril. So he ignored the wind batting his hand and ruffling his hair.
Instead he focused on the people. There was something so satisfying when they saw him. Every time someone looked at him he was afraid their gaze would go through him, but it never did. Even when they ignored him, there was still something solid about their passing glance. Jack ate up these looks, whether it was the lightening quick smile of a child, the hard stare of an ice miner or the slightly more appreciative side glance of a girl. He nodded at everyone, offering a wide smile full of teeth, leaving a wake of grunts, giggles and scattered salutations.
His attention was so focused on the crowd he didn't notice the houses that began to dot the forest. It wasn't until the horse's hooves began to click against the paved stones that Jack tore his gaze away from the crowd.
His breath caught.
Before he could pretend that he was still in his world, but this town shattered that illusion. It almost resembled the Norway of hundreds of years ago, but even so this town was far more vibrant. Street vendors were everywhere, their shouts mingling with seagulls cries to form a discordant melody. Everyone was brightly dressed and flowers seemed to hang from every available ledge. But even these sights dulled in comparison with the palace.
The intricate design and structure would have made the palace striking no matter the circumstance, but the ice that graced the roofs made it gorgeous. The frost arched from the towers and stretched into the sky. It glowed with an iridescent light, flicking daylight onto the waved that lapped its base. Sliding off the horse, Jack stumbled into the wall and scraped his knee. He barely felt the injury, the palace consumed his attention. He hopped onto the wall bordering the bridge and tried to get a better look at the designs.
"Are you Jack?" Jack was jerked to attention, almost falling from his delicate perch. He turned to see a tall, stocky, blond mountain man.
Jack jumped down, and gave a sweeping bow, "at your service." He looked up from his bow and flashed a joking smile. "Kristoff I presume."
The man waved his hands in dismay. "I'm not-you don't have to bow yet."
Jack stood, appraising the man in front of him. He could certainly see where the boulder came in; the man was all packed muscle and height. Jack puffed out his chest and stood a little straighter. This man might be taller and stronger, but Jack had a better sense of humor, probably.
"I have a note for you." Jack turned around to the horse, only to be met with a bridge completely devoid of his equestrian companion. He gave a nervous laugh.
"You lost your horse." The blond looked tired.
"I didn't lose it." Jack tried to peer through the gate. "It lost itself, I told it to stay."
"It's a common mistake. Our horses don't understand English. This isn't Corona" Jack thought he detected a smile in the man's eyes. "Come on, I'm sure he's in the stables." He strode through the gate, and made his way towards an arch to the right of the courtyard.
Jack hurried to keep up. "Wow! Your horses get to stay in the palace. For this luxurious housing I would carry people around."
"The horses stay outside, in the stables. This is the closest the horses get to the palace." The mountain man plowed through the archway. When Jack followed him, he found himself in a grassy enclosure. A few feet away, his horse tore up small patches of flowers. The mountain man stroked the horse and began to pull it towards a wooden enclosure that pushed up against the palace wall. "Besides I'm not sure the palace would hire you, not enough muscle."
Jack gave an indignant grunt. "I might look small, but I am stunningly strong."
"Good." Jack spun around. Yet another tall, muscled man stood there. What was it with this world? This one was dressed in a short-sleeved green tunic and a matching hat. The man looked Jack up and down. "Is this the new recruit?"
The mountain man nodded and gave a small wave as he disappeared into the stables.
"Hey! Aren't you going to wish me goodbye. We've gone through so much. Even a mountain man like you should value our time together."
"I'm not a mountain man, I'm Kristoff." Jack smiled; Kristoff wasn't so bad, for a mountain man.
"Follow me." The man walked past Jack. He made every step seem like a chore and when he looked at Jack it was with tired eyes. "The evening meal has just finished." Jack looked around in surprise. The sun was barely kissing the horizon. It couldn't be that late.
"You'll sleep here; Sanderson will show you around in the morning." The man had stopped and was gesturing towards a ramshackle building. This building and the stables had the same, ramshackle, hay look; the only difference was that this building was perhaps a bit taller. "The stairs are to the left. Your room is on the third floor. Take the available bed. Your uniform and other supplies will be in there." The man walked away without another word. Jack groaned, what a bore. From now on his name would be Stick.
Jack entered the quiet house and made his way up the stairs. Only the creaks of the house accompanied him. By the time he reached his room he was staggering. He peered around his room, but the only sign of his roommates were lumps in the beds. He staggered across the floor to the lumpless bed and collapsed.
The fatigue was just from the climb; Guardians didn't get tired. Jack could use the nights to plan while the humans slept. He patted the pillow, the incredibly soft pillow. He was going to be planning all night, might as well be comfortable. He curled up on the bed and nuzzled the pillow. There was so much planning to do, but he had all night it could wait. His eyes drifted close and Jack slept for the first time in over five hundred years.