Note: In this chapter I'm including some of the names from the original fairytale, specifically Kai and Gerda. Neither Kai nor Gerda is intended to portray the same character from the story. I'm just not that good at coming up with names and grabbing from the source material seemed fun.

Jack leaned over the wall, letting the sea air whip around him. If anyone noticed the wind was acting odd, they'd chalk it up to strange currents; sentient wind would be the last thing on their minds.

"I'm glad Stick finally let me stand guard, seeing as being a guard is sort of my job."

Erika joined Jack by the castle wall, "I am surprised it took so long. Usually new recruits get to shadow after the first few months."

"If I didn't know better, I'd think Stick doesn't like me, but of course that's possible. No one can resist my charm, wit and gorgeous smile."

"It's likely that supposed charm, wit and gorgeous smile that annoy him. You mightn't know this, but some people think you're a bit immature."

"Immature," Jack fell against the wall, wiping an imaginary tear. "How could they think so little of me? I'm such a great guard, always listening to stick and doing all the proper exercises."

Jack had been joking, but he still didn't think his comment was funny enough to warrant Erika's excessive laughter. He turned away in a huff, sighting Sanderson's familiar mop coming up the stairs.

"Hey Sanderson! Come to help me learn the ropes? Who's that?" Jack noticed the tall man following Sanderson.

"I'm Kai." The guy stepped forward his eyebrows raised in a mocking grin. "Apparently you're supposed to teach me how to stand and look out the sea."

Kai had the familiar Scandinavian coloring and build, but what little clung to his bones was clearly muscle. His uniform hung just like Jack, but he'd somehow managed to secure clothes fit. In fact the clothes seemed to be exactly Jack's size and though Jack's current fit, it was nowhere near as nice as the newcomers. He was clearly the son of some rich northerner who thought that they'd get to joke around as a guard, perhaps making connections with the queen.

Jack ignored the tiny voice that said that was exactly what Jack was supposed to be doing.

"Hi I'm Jack. Are you new?"

"Yep, just agreed to join a few days ago. It was actually amazing how quickly they got my paperwork done, and then again I did have connections."

Definitely some rich boy, "just stick by us. I'll teach you everything you need to know."

Sanderson threw back his head and laughed. "You'll teach him!? This is your first day doing actual guard work. You're in the same boat."

"Yes, but I've had training; I know what I'm supposed to do."

"I doubt it's that hard." Kai said, "All we have to do is stare at the sea and make sure nothing suspicious happens."

"I know how to recognize suspicious activity."

"Boats filled with angry men and canons aren't exactly subtle."

Jack glared at the newcomer, "not all attacks are that obvious. Sometimes invaders disguise a fishing boat and climb the wall. Only one or two of them need to get inside to open the gate."

"But now of all times? It's mid day. It would be almost impossible not to spot them in sunny weather like this. That's without factoring in the wind and the tide. The wind today is awful. If they were attempting to freestyle the wall, a gale like this can be the difference between a crown and death. Grappling would be less dangerous, but there is the risk of a guard finding your hook, though on a slippery sea wall like this."

Erika nodded, "and the tide?"

"You're the experienced one shouldn't you know."

"I do. I'm trying to see if you're just a show-off or if you have actual brains."

There was no debate to whether or not he was a smart aleck and Jack didn't care if he had brains.

"It's high tide, so the water goes right up to the wall. Though slippery rocks don't make for great foot holds they're better that a boat that keeps smashing against the wall. The rocks would also give a climber more chose in where he starts."

Erika clapped, "you definitely have more brains then some of our recruits." Jack ignored her pointed stare. "If you were going to invade the castle how would you do it?"

"Well I'd want someone on the inside. Getting someone into the castle spoils the entire point of having someone open the gate. To get-"

"Will you two shut up with the useless blither blather." At some point during the conversation, Sanderson had given up the pretense of caring and curled up in the walkway.

Erika said, "You do realize this 'blither blather' is your work?"

"A circumstance I am eternally trying to forget. Now everyone be silent, I'm on the late shift tonight and I need to get at least five hours of sleep to function."

Despite Erika's eye rolls and Kai's confusion the group acquiesced and turned their attention back to the sea.

…

Is my brother invisible? At this point that really seems to be the only likely explanation. Why else would an entire village claim to never have lad eyes upon him? Yes I can already hear the objections. No one's seen him, because he was never here. I would believe that, but half the people I've talked to say he sounds familiar. Of course they haven't seen him, but they're sure their neighbor or great aunt twice removed mentioned him. I'll go talked to the aforementioned great aunt twice removed only to discover that she hasn't seen him either.

I'm almost impressed that my brother made himself so universally known without ever meeting another person. Then again he was always an odd duck. He never wore shoes and always slept in the garden. Our parents really should've been more careful.

Regardless there's one bit of good news. Quite a few people are convinced that Gerda mentioned meeting my brother. Unfortunately she lives several miles outside of the city; it'll take us at least a day to get there, but I am determined to go! I have come this far, what're a few more miles? The villagers also claim she's a witch, so at least she'll be able to zap me back to Arrendelle if he can't tell me about my brother. I am worried-

"Elsa great news!"

"Don't you ever knock?" Elsa slid off the bed, trying to hide the journal under the covers.

"I did. You didn't answer." Anna hopped onto the bed beside Elsa, nudging her, "guess what the news is?"

"The cloth for your wedding dress has arrived?"

"No, better. Well, better for you."

"Just tell me."

"I found you a new dance teacher!" At Elsa's unenthusiastic reaction, Anna was forced to elaborate. "He's a guard so he's already on our pay roll."

"That is good news."

Anna smiled, "I knew you'd get excited about money part, but that's not even the best part."

"Just tell me."

"You get to take the lessons with another cute guard!"

Elsa waited to Anna to finish, but upon realizing she already given the better new tried to make an exclamation of joy, "hooray!"

"Come on Elsa! This could be your opportunity for romance. You need a distraction and dancing is so much more fun when it's with someone you like, trust me."

Elsa smiled sadly, Anna was far too idealistic. Because she was second born, she'd had some choice in who she could marry, but Elsa was a queen. Any flexibility she'd had had ended when her sister married a penniless commoner. Elsa didn't hold it against her sister. Anna deserved happiness. Besides Elsa could learn to love her husband, she had enough power to ensure he was a somewhat kind man.

"Promise me Elsa. You'll give romance a try. If not with this guard then some stunning baker you meet when walking through town. Just let yourself fall in love."

Elsa laughed, but Anna grabbed her shoulder forcing Elsa to look her in the eye. "Please Elsa."

Elsa shook her head, "Fine I promise."

She had no intention of keeping that promise.