Jack wondered what it was about his lake that made him feel less lonely.

Was it the fact it was where he started his immortal life? No, he had asked the others. Sandy moved around constantly and didn't go to his place unless he needed special dream sand, Bunny hated his place because it was where Pitch had killed his race, and Tooth and North didn't even know where theirs were.

Was it because it was a favored hangout of the children and adults of Burgess?

Again, no. He had always felt the presence even when alone.

Or was it because it was the last spot where he saw his sister?

No, Jack thought, that doesn't make sense. He now remembered seeing her face a lot in Burgess. After his death (he shuddered, he died and she saw it and didn't even know he stilled existed) she didn't even go near the lake. Not even to swim.

Than what is it? Jacked thought, flying high above his lake, watching it as if it might crack under his gaze if he so much as blinked, What's there that I can't see?

Because he knew something was there. He used to think it was the spirit of the wind comforting him. But that wasn't true, he never felt ghostly arms wrap around him if he settled down to cry from the loneliness getting too much anywhere but his lake.

He certainly knew there wasn't a lake spirit- He was pretty sure the people of Burgess would have noticed, if there was, and he was also sure he would've noticed a lake spirit by know.

Maybe another spirit like me? Jack felt his heart both swell with happiness and tighten with sadness. The thought certainly made sense.

Except…

If it was a spirit why couldn't he see them?

"Maybe it's because I don't believe in them." Jack wondered out loud. Is that even possible with spirits?

Maybe it was a different type of spirit?

Deciding that he had nothing to lose, Jack flew down to the lake, toes lightly tapping the thick ice in the middle before looking around for his elusive companion.

Jack had done this many times. But while before he had done it with just his eyes while crouched down, clutching his staff, he actively scanned the lake and the surrounding forest for his comforter.

"Hello?" Jack called. Usually Jack could feel the other's presence by now. It was never seen, oh no. Jack didn't honestly know how to describe it, until out five years ago when he became a guardian. Now he could accurately describe the feeling of his mysterious companion's presence. It felt like the feeling of his believers, little flickers of warmth and strength in his chest, which constantly grew and weakened depending on the number of them and in the spirit's case, how close they were to him. But while the believers were warm in the feeling they gave Jack, the spirit's was… cool. Like rainwater on a summers day.

Where is it, where is it… There. Jack turned to his right, staring into the forest. The spirit was there.

It approached him slowly, the feeling in Jacks chest growing stronger like rain coming down harder. It seemed cautious now that he was acknowledging it.

Like me when Jamie said my name. Jack thought with a pang. Why didn't I do this sooner?!

"Hello?" Jack repeated, turning to face it. He felt it –was it a boy or a girl? - freeze, and then continue approaching after a while, until he felt it stop only arms length away. Jack didn't know what to do now. It was right here! It knew that he knew it was real!

So why couldn't he see it?!

Maybe… Maybe I could touch it? Jack wondered.

Well… no point not trying. Jack thought, steeling himself. Cautiously he reached out to poke his comforter in the chest…


Legolas honestly didn't know what to feel. Should he be ecstatic that he was being acknowledged by something else than an animal or a tree? Should he be sad that it wasn't another wraith, that it wasn't just him forced to the same confine of a certain space? Should he be angry that he was being noticed by Jack now, instead of three hundred years ago?

All he knew is that his heart stopped for a beat when Jack called hello and then turned to him.

Now here he was arms length away from a winter spirit that obviously couldn't see him, since he was staring at Legolas's chest, but knew he was there.

Legolas decided he should be happy that he was at least acknowledged, even if he wasn't seen.

Jack seemed to be thinking hard, reminding Legolas of Merry and Pippin thinking of a prank. Legolas smiled sadly, wondering where the strange comparison came from. He hadn't thought about the fellowship really in years- it helped not to think about the past and dead friends if you wanted to stay sane, and Legolas wanted to keep his mind thank you very much, didn't want to find his family again only not to remember them or think they were bad - and to be reminded of them still sent pangs of grief going through his chest.

Jack still had that contemplating look on his face. Legolas wondered what he was thinking, as Jack's face changed to a look of determination and stubbornness- Like Estel when he was just a child. Legolas thought with amusement.

The smile faded very quickly from Legolas's face when Jack reached out to him. Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no… Legolas thought, jerking back from the finger as it was about to poke him in the chest. Even though being phased through doesn't hurt, he did not enjoy the sensation.

Jack didn't seem to care though. He jerked forward, hand outstretched…


Jack lurched toward the spirit only to phase through it. Again. He felt his arm flow through what felt like cool mist and he felt the spirit shiver. Jack quickly pulled back and muttered out an apology. He didn't mean to cause them pain.

Why can't I see this spirit? Jack thought again, standing still, feeling the insecurity of the other. It can obviously see me.

Is it like some ghost? Jack felt ghostly cool mist arms wrap around him gently, clearly accepting his apology, and leaned gently into the touch.

Maybe North would know. Jack perked up. Yes! He probably would! Or maybe there's something in that huge library of his! Jack perked up even more, wiggling to let the ghost know he was going to take off. Yes! I've been looking for an excuse to explore it!

The ghost seemed to understand and stepped away.

Jack turned to take off then whipped around and yelled- He winced, he probably didn't need to shout- "Don't worry, I'll be back! I'm gonna go try to see why I can't see you, and find out if I can fix that! Just wait here!"

With those parting words Jack jumped up into the air and commanded the winds to take him to Santoff Claussen.


Legolas felt his lips lift up gently at the frost spirit's words as he watched him fly away from the lake. He turned away as Jack disappeared over the trees with a sad heart. If the wraiths haven't figured something out yet, then I doubt the spirits that don't even think twice about us, will have. Legolas thought sadly, But I will let you try young one.


…Little did Jack or Legolas know, the Man in the Moon knew about the wraiths. He watched Jack fly off after trying to talk to the lonely wraith and smiled to himself.

Jack, you continue to be the most interesting guardian so far. Manny mused, then turned around and walked towards a small room in his palace on the moon. The Valar need to be informed that the Guardians are ready to be introduced to the wraiths.

And he knew just which wraith and guardian to start with.


Oh look, I updated! And it hasn't been a month!

I must really like this story...

And look! Stuff is going to happen! Next chapter is going to be Jack finding things out!

Erm, yes I realize I sound like an excited five year old. I don't want to repeat myself or give things away.

Any-who, until next chapter!