Chapter 2: Time Traveller
(A/N) Sorry for how long this took to update but college and work have been hectic T-T xx To make it up to I made this a much longer chapter. 9000+ words! Fingers crossed I don't disappoint u all xx
Disclaimer: I do not own Rise of The Guardians or Frozen. If I did we'd have a trilogy and a spin off TV series and everyone within the Jelsa community would be hired to help me write out the plot. xx
"Did you just... did you just..."Olaf stuttered, mouth gaping wide.
"Yeah" Jack said with a touch of pride as he gave the girl a cheeky wave as she fell "I did. Well you did say she didn't mind the cold."
"Ha... ha ha" Olaf laughed nervously, his left eye twitching. "ELSA! I'LL SAVE YOU!"
Olaf propelled himself over Jack's shoulder and plunged downwards, one stick arm held out straight and a determined look on his face. All he was missing was a cape to billow in the wind behind him. Jack however, intervened in the snowman's heroic attempt and swooped downwards, catching him by his stick arm.
"Chill out, little man. Look she'll be fine" Jack said as he indicated with his head down to the pond a few feet below. They both heard the silence shattering with a loud Splash as Elsa landed backwards into the icy cold waters below.
Elsa broke the surface of the pond, gasping for air. She struggled to swim over to the shallow end, her gown, having absorbed water, was starting to weigh her down. Eventually she reached shallower water and her feet touched down onto a somewhat solid surface, allowing her to stand up.
The now soaking wet queen let out a frustrated growl as she took in her state. She was dripping wet! Her braid was now matted and messy and stuck to her neck, some of her bangs had found their way free and draped over parts of her face. Her dress clung to her uncomfortably, water having found its way under her gown.
With an angry breath her eyes looked up, catching sight of Jack as he landed on the ground a few feet away. The second he released Olaf the little snowman quickly scurried over to the waters edge to be close to Elsa.
"Elsa, are you okay?" Olaf asked worriedly, waving his arms about frantically.
"I'm fine, Olaf. Thank you" Elsa replied quietly, her eyes trained on Jack as he leaned forward on his staff, an innocent smile dancing on his lips.
"You certainly do like to make a splash, huh?" Jack's said teasingly.
Red. Pure, raging, vibrant, blood-red, filled Elsa's vision. The flaming heat of her anger and humiliation blinding her and clouding her better judgment, Elsa whipped her hand out in front of her, a wave of ice crystallized in the air before being sent hurtling towards a rather stunned and bewildered Jack.
Wide eyed and mouth gaping, the spirit barely had time to swing his staff in front of him, conjuring his magic to take as much of the brunt of the attack as possible. The force of the blow was too strong, however, and caused him to go skidding backwards a good ten feet before crashing into a nearby tree. He let out a grunt as his back slammed against the trunk, cracking and splintering the bark. When the ice had struck him it did so like a ton of bricks. It rapidly encased itself around his torso and around the tree, quite effectively pinning him in place and making it slightly difficult to breathe. His staff had fallen free from his grasp and lay at his feet, just a foot out of reach.
Jack struggled against the ice, but it was no use. He was trapped well and truly.
"Well... that was unexpected" Jack said, looking up to the girl clad in blue as she approached him, a strong, fiery determination glowing in her eye. All around her the wind slashed the air wildly, sending large flurries of snow spiralling through the air, viscously encircling the two.
"I'm sorry" Elsa began, a dangerous, ice sharp edge to her voice.
Olaf, who had been scurrying behind her, stopped mid-step when he heard that tone. Cautiously, and most wisely, he took three steps back, nervously twisting his little stick hands together as he watched the snow queen make her way over to Jack, her element stirring angrily around her, whipping the edges of her dress and hair into the air. She looked like a winter fury, cold, menacing and a force to be reckoned with.
"I don't recall catching your name, Sir. You are?"
"Jack. Jack Frost" Jack announced casually, shrugging his shoulders as best he could considering the ice restricting his movements. "Though I have to say this probably isn't the nicest way to treat your saviour."
Her saviour? He actually had the audacity to claim to be her heroic knight in shining armour? And what, pray tell, had he saved her from?
"Saviour? Saviour from what?" Elsa spat, all pretences of calm gone. "And what type of saviour drops the very person they allegedly rescued into a pond from hundreds of feet in the air?"
Around them the wind picked up speed, sending the snow swirling between the shadowy silhouettes of the surrounding trees. The ground began to freeze around the pair, a thick layer of ice coating over the gravel pavement and paths, slowly snaking its way across the park and into the darkness of the surrounding greenery. Jack watched the girl intently as their element raged on around them.
"Don't be so dramatic" Jack rolled his eyes. "We weren't hundreds of feet up when I accidentally dropped you."
"Accidentally? Accidentally!" Elsa shouted, her hands balling into tight fists. "You purposely dropped me! You even had the arrogance to wave as I fell!"
"To be fair you did ask" Jack pointed out.
It probably wasn't the best thing he could have said as it only served to pour further fuel into the furious fires of the girls anger.
Elsa's face flushed red with heat, her brow furrowing. "You knew precisely what I meant, Sir!"
"Well maybe next time be a little more specific."
There wouldn't be a next time as far as Elsa was concerned. It was then she took notice of the blizzard picking up pace around her, turning the park into a frozen Wonderland. With all her will power she took in a deep breath, willing her anger down.
Her eyes watched as Jack made a few feeble struggles against his frozen bonds. Regret and shame reared their heads, casting a shadow of self loathing over Elsa. She had let herself lose control of her temper and look what she had done. Goodness only knows if he was hurt. In full honesty she was surprised he was able to tease and banter with her considering that she had just blasted him with a ton of ice.
She shouldn't have lost control like that. Really. She shouldn't have, surely after so many years she should be able to grasp onto some inkling of control? But no... apparently not. Elsa took a breath. She had to calm down... she had to get it together and figure out what was happening. Whatever was happening wasn't something she could run away from. She had to deal with it here. And now. Without losing control.
And getting angry over a possible threats pathetic antics were not going to get her anywhere.
"You say your name is Jack Frost?" Elsa said, the anger subsided but still lurking beneath, a clear visible glint like that of a knife glistening in the darkness. She approached the boy until she was only a few feet away. "You spoke earlier of fantasies such as Santa Claus and the Tooth fairy, so I suppose you would have me believe you to be the Jack Frost of legends then as Olaf said?"
"Ah, so you were awake."
"Who are you really? And how did you perform all those feats such as flying and making vortexes?" Elsa asked.
"Wow, wait what? Vortexes?" Jack blinked, shaking his head, suddenly lost as to what the girl was going on about. "I can't-"
"You kidnapped me from my chambers back at the palace, I demand to know how you did it and why! Are you some type of sorcerer? Are you working for an enemy of Arendelle?"
"Sorcerer? Vortexes? What are you talking about?" Jack said before adding with a confused furrow of his eyebrows. What in the Man and The Moons name was she talking about? Something dawned on him then. "Wait... you... you were kidnapped?"
"You are well aware of the fact that I was kidnapped as you, Sir, are the one who stole me!"
"I swear I didn't" Jack snapped agitatedly, tiring quickly of the girls disbelief. "I was just minding my own business when you fell from the sky into my arms, plunging me into the pacific ocean!"
Elsa wasn't buying his act, not for a second. She disappeared through a strange vortex only to awaken in the arms of a stranger who was taking her away from her kingdom. Said stranger has the magical ability to fly, what's to say he didn't also harness to powers to whisk her away from the castle in the manner that he did too?
Every word he had spoken had to be lies, and not very well thought out or convincing ones at that. He'd been caught red-handed and she had him trapped. All he was doing now was trying to worm his way out of the punishment that would soon follow as a result of his actions.
Kidnapping The Queen of Arendelle was treason and punishable... by death.
That thought gave Elsa pause. She looked at the boy carefully, as he too observed her. He was barely older than she, with so much of his life ahead of him. There was so much left for him to do and see, he had a whole life to live out. Who knows, he probably had a family and friends who cherished him and were out there waiting for him to return safely to them. All those people who would suffer and mourn for him if he were to be punished for his crime.
Did he truly deserve such a fate as death?
To have life snatched away from him before it even begun?
To have his loved ones suffer?
No... A premature death was not a destiny anyone deserved.
Her advisors and officials would persist that the boy be punished, an example be made to show Arendelle's enemies that such a crime would not be tolerated, to show that their country was not weak and would not stand idle by as their monarch and their way of life was threatened. They would insist that it was essential. This wasn't the first time her life had been at risk and what punishment had the culprit gotten? Sent away to be dealt with by his brothers? Brothers who would no doubt be more gentler in there judgment and far more lenient. It couldn't go on. Arendelle had to take a stand.
But Elsa detested the rule that those who committed treason be put to death. In her eyes no one should have to fate. It was a rule she had planned to vanquish but getting it past her advisors was a lot harder than she had first anticipated and still the rule held strong, a loathful burden lurking.
She would not condemn this boy to that fate... regardless of what he had done.
Her blue orbs caught those of the strangers and she walked forward so she was but inches away from him. Her decision made. "Listen and listen carefully. I don't care who sent you, and I will forget that these events ever transpired. But if you and whoever you work for every dare attempt this or anything similar or threaten my kingdom again I will smite at you with the full force of my powers. Do you understand?"
"Wow! I think there has been a major misunderstanding. I never kidnapped you! I'm not threatening your... your kingdom or anything! I swear I never did that! I was only trying to help you!" Jack insisted, struggling against his icy bonds.
For a second Elsa almost believed him. There was sincerity in his voice and the look of utter confusion on his face, the way he blinked rapidly, his mouth falling open and eyes widening, almost made her fall for his act.
Almost.
She cast a quick glance around, taking in the impressive structures and building at the edges of the park. Someone would find the boy promptly and set him free, but by the time he was freed she would be long gone, having started her journey back and home to Arendelle.
As soon as she got home the first thing she would have to do was find out who was responsible for her kidnapping. She doubted the boy would tell her even with threats. Perhaps if she could discover the reasons for her enemies hate she could negotiate peace rather than going down the hazardous route of threats and possible war.
"I am in no mood for games, now please. Tell me who sent you to kidnap me?"
"For the hundredth time, no one!" Jack cried out with an exasperated roll of his eyes.
His persistent refusal made it clear she wasn't going to get answers from him and she couldn't waste any more time here. Everyone back in Arendelle would be worried sick. Winter only knows how long it would take her to get back there. They wouldn't be able to keep things running too long without her, the role of taking charge would fall to Anna in her absence, and as much as she treasured her sister and had full faith in her, she knew that the princess was not yet ready to take control. The best thing she could do was leave the man here, hope that someone would find him, and get back to Arendelle and figure out everything from there.
"So be it" Elsa sighed, her eyes meeting with his. "Do not follow me. Do not come back to Arendelle. I trust you are fully aware of the penalty for treason. If you stay away I shall forget your role in this event."
In a swirl of blue, glittering fabrics, Elsa whipped around, gathering up her dress and hurrying off past Jack. "Olaf, come on!"
Jack moved his head, trying to get a look at what direction the girl was heading but the ice prevented him turning his head too much. In fact, he was pretty sure the ice was spreading further up his body, decreasing his mobility further. He stretched his foot out, trying to reach for his staff.
"Psst!" Jack hissed as the little snowman waddled by. Olaf paused mid-stride to look at him. "A little help?"
Olaf went to speak but Elsa's voice cut him off. "Olaf! Don't talk to him now come on! I've found a road!"
Olaf looked torn, he looked off into the darkness where Elsa had vanished from view and back to the Guardian pinned to the tree, trying with all his strength to free himself. Glancing down, he took notice to how Jack's feet worked strained their way over to the staff, just skimming it by an inch.
Casting a nervous glance over to the location of where the queen was and finding no sign of her, Olaf quickly scrambled over to the staff and shoved it close enough for Jack to reach.
"Wait till we're gone" Olaf whispered.
"OLAF!"
"I'm coming Elsa!" Olaf called before scurrying after her, leaving behind a trail imprinted in the snow.
"Anna" Kristoff said soothingly as he tried to calm the shaking princess, gently holding her by the upper arms. "Calm down... and breath. Now tell me what's wrong?"
'Deep breaths, Anna. Deep breaths' she told herself with every breath.
It was important that she got herself together in order to tell Kristoff what had happened. No one would be able to understand her if she kept crying. She had to be strong, and with Kristoff here she knew she could.
"Elsa's..." Anna said, her voice quivering slightly. "Elsa's missing. She was in her room then she just... she just disappeared."
Kristoff squeezed her hand when he heard her voice faltered. Anna took a few more steady breaths before continuing.
"I can't... I can't explain what happened as I'm... I'm not too sure myself. But I have to see Pabbie, immediately!"
If there was anyone who could know what had happened to her sister then it had to the Elder Troll. He had helped her family many times before with the dealings of magic and sorcery, surely his knowledge could help her somehow.
Kristoff nodded, asking no further questions. Bulda and Cliff lead them quickly to the centre of the village were Pabbie was sitting in the centre, scolding some younger trolls.
"GRAND PABBIE!" Kristoff shouted, drawing the elder's attention to him.
"What is it, Kristoff?" Pabbie asked as he turned with a smile. A look of bewilderment replaced the fondness on his face when he took in the sight of his grandsons companion. "Why Princess Anna, what ails you?"
"It's Elsa... she's gone."
Anna shared her tale with the elder troll, all the while fighting back the urge to let her emotions carry here away. 'Stay strong, Anna' she repeatedly told herself as she retold her story.
"When we broke in, she was falling through this... this black hole in her floor. I tried to reach for her but... but I couldn't" Anna explained, her eyes glazing over as she recalled the memory. "And then the hole just vanished, leaving a snowflake design behind... and this."
Anna pulled out a small pouch from her pocket and placed it in Pabbie's hands, clasping her own around his as did. "Please tell me there's a way to find her."
Pabbie took Anna's hand, turning it over so it was palm up. He watched with ancient knowing eyes as the strange, sparkling powder fell from the bag and into the princesses hand.
"This is what you found in the Queens room?" Pabbie asked gravely.
Anna nodded mutely.
Pabbie had a suspicion he knew what the powder was. If it was what he believe it to be... then he may have the answer to how the queen had disappeared.
"Anna, have you recently made any wishes?" he asked, looking up at the startled princess.
Anna looked at the king confused, the question having caught her by surprize. Wishes? What was he talking about? What did this have to do with anything?
Seeing the perplexed way she furrowed her brow, he elaborated. "Pacifically on stars."
Her wish upon the shooting star in the courtyard flashed through her mind.
'Elsa... I want you to find the person that would give you that same feeling Kristoff gives me. I wish you could just, oh I don't know, just fall into the arms of your true love right now!'
"Yes... but... how did you know that?" she asked, suspicions glinting in her eyes.
"So you did indeed make a wish upon a star?"
"Umm, tonight when I got home I stayed out in the courtyard for a while. I saw a shooting star so I made a wish ah... wait-" Anna's eyes narrowed at the old troll, small pieces of the jigsaw falling into place. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
'He can't possible be suggesting that my wish had something to do with-'
"This powder is called star dust" Pabbie explained, lifting up the star dust in Anna's hand and placing it in his own. "Very seldom do you find it here, yet I assume you found it in the queens quarters, in quite large quantities."
"It surrounded the snowflake she had been standing on when she... when she disappeared" Anna said, biting her lip. "Pabbie... did my wish..."
She couldn't let herself finish that sentence, if she did and the answer was yes... then she didn't know what she would do.
Pabbie unattached one of the glowing crystals from his necklace, with steady fingers he unscrewed the top, and poured the powder into it, before re-sealing it. He shook it a few times and the star dust mixed with the liquid inside the crystal, turning into a smokey sparkling mist of bright and dark blues and black.
"Grand Pabbie... are you saying Anna's wish has something to do with Elsa vanishing?" Kristoff said, voicing the words Anna didn't dare to.
Pabbie didn't answer and instead uncorked the crystal once more, turning the vial upside down and allowing the new contents to spill free. Instead of pouring out like a liquid, it came out as a sparkling mist which floated in the air, directed by Pabbie's hand movements.
"I'm afraid so" Pabbie answered with a nod of his head.
Kristoff scoffed, crossing his arms. "People make wishes on shooting stars all the times. I've done it hundreds of times and it never works! What made Anna's wish so special that it actually worked?"
Absentmindedly Anna wondered what Kristoff had wished for.
"Watch and you shall see" Pabbie replied, then rotated his hands, raising his arms till they were above his head. The smokey mist followed his movement, taking flight high above the trios heads. With a clap of his hands the smoke burst into the shape of a star, then after a seconds pause shot away like a shooting star before exploding into a snowflake, then re-taking its former shapeless form.
"That's.. that's what happened to the star that I saw" Anna gasped.
Then that meant...
"This means-"
"The star you wished on was one with magical capabilities, and from what I can tell, has chosen to grant your wish" Pabbie said.
"What did you wish for anyway?" Kristoff asked.
Anna blushed, fiddling with her hands nervously. "I kinda, sorta wished for was for Elsa too, well-"Anna took a deep breath and blurted out the last of her sentence as fast as she could. "Fallintothearmsofheronetruelove!"
Kristoff and Pabbie blinked once, twice.
"That's all? Well that's not so bad, is it Grand Pabbie?" Kristoff shrugged, a light smile spreading across his features. Visibly his shoulders relaxed, as though heavy burden had been lifted from them. "All we have to do is wait for her to come back. And who knows, she might even have some extra company."
"If only it were so simply, my dear boy" Pabbie shook his head. "Elsa will have been transported to wherever her true love is, whether that be half way across the world or even through the very fabrics of space and time."
'Across the world! Space and time!' The small wave of relief that had been easing Anna was disappearing as quickly as it came.
"Where... where is she then?" Anna stuttered, panic quickly taking over her. "Can you use your magic to at least tell me where she is! If I know where she is then.. then I can find her! I'll travel to the very ends of the Earth if it means I can get her back!"
"From what I can tell from the remnants of the star dust... I'm afraid to tell you that she is no longer within our time line. It is my belief, she is has been sent to the future."
Anna felt her knees go weak. Her sister... wasn't here anymore? But... no. Slowly she lowered herself to the ground, resting on her knees, her arms wrapping around herself.
'It's my fault... I'm the one who wished Elsa away.'
Her thoughts must have been evident on her face, for after one look Kristoff gently kneeled down beside her, taking her hand into his. "Anna, you can't blame yourself for this. It isn't your fault."
'I'm sorry Kristoff... but it is.'
She had been the one to make the wish, the wish that sent Elsa to heaven only knows where through time. For all she knew Elsa could be in danger or hurt. Elsa had no idea what was going on and would be scared and confused, and with that fear she wouldn't be able to control her powers... she could... she may lose control again.
Anna bit her lip, biting back a tear. She didn't want Elsa to go through that again, and especially not because of her. It had nearly destroyed both of them the last time, in more ways than one.
"I just... I just wanted her to be happy. I didn't know that wishing on the star would have... would have-" her tears prevented any more words leaving her trembling lips.
Kristoff frowned, wrapping his arms around Anna, squeezing her tightly and whispering in her ear that it was going to be okay.
"Don't worry Anna" Kristoff smiled, pulling away to look at her face. He gently pushed aside a wave of hair that had fallen loose. "We'll find a way to bring Elsa back."
Pabbie shook his head solemnly, drawing the couples attention to him.
"I'm afraid that will not be possible" Pabbie said regrettably, clasping his hands in front of him.
"Why not? There's gotta be some way to bring her back. What about wishing on another star? If a shooting star sent her away then surely-"
Pabbie raised a hand, effectively silencing Kristoff. "As I said. The star which Princess Anna wished upon was a special star; The star of ønsker . It comes but once every hundred years, and in its time of visits shall grant but one wish, and only the most selfless of wishes."
"Oh come on!" Kristoff shouted angrily, raising to his feet to tower over the elder troll. "There has to be something! Do some magic, bring her back using your power! The way you're talking makes it seem like you're suggesting that-"
"There is no other way... to bring Elsa back" Anna spoke quietly, her eyes focuses solely on the cracks on the ground. "Is there?"
Pabbie's silence said more than words ever could.
Anna felt like her heart was once more being coated in ice, this time of her own doing. She could feel it spread, cold and harsh, cracking and shattering as quickly as it froze.
Her sister was gone...
Lost.
On her own...
Scared and confused...
And it was all her fault.
"Elsa..."
As the trolls attempted to comfort the young princess, no one sensed the dark entity lurking in the nearby shadows. Watching. Listening. Calculating. A cruel, sly, victorious smirk slipping on his grey face.
"Come on. Just a little closer and-ughh!" Jack let out a curse as the staff, which he had been toeing at for the last half an hour, rolled further away from him. The little snowman's attempt at assistance had done little to help him. How exactly was he supposed to get to the staff to use it if he couldn't get his hands on it?
Visibly Jack sagged, letting out a puff of cold air. This was useless. He was trapped and no one was around to help him. And even if there was what good would that do? It wasn't like they could see him anyways.
A soft fluttering sound flitted by his ears. Turning, he saw Baby Tooth hovering beside him, a questioning expression on her face and her little nose twitching.
When Elsa had been asleep he had sent Baby Tooth ahead to go and alert North that he would be visiting, and also to inform him of the strange sudden appearance of the girl from thin air. He had hoped that the advance notice would allow North enough to time to gather some answers before Jack arrived with the slumbering girl.
"Thank goodness you're here, Baby Tooth" Jack grinned. "Think you can help me get out of this?"
Baby Tooth nodded her head enthusiastically.
"You know Elsa, I don't think we're in Arendelle anymore."
Elsa couldn't agree more. They were a long, long, long ways away from their cherished home. Looking around Elsa humored the notion that she may not even be in the same world.
The magnificent city was unlike any kind she had ever came across or even heard of. The buildings, skyscrapers, towered hundreds of feet into the air, high above where the clouds would own the sky should it have been daytime. They shone brightly, thousands of lights filling each window. On the roads were the strangest means of transportation, countless horseless carriages made of metal, roaring and revving down the streets. Then the people who lived here where stranger still. There weren't too many out due to the lateness of the hour, but those that had ventured from their humble domains were dressed so bizarrely that Elsa often had to take a second look to register what she had seen. She had never seen such fashions before!
The sight of such an impressively large, bustling, thriving city was startling. It was like a shock to her systems. It was so different from Arendelle. So, so different. It was practically worlds away.
"Umm Elsa" Olaf asked, clutching onto the edge of Elsa's dress. "Are you sure you know where we're going?"
Mouth gasping, eyes wide, a little quiver in her lip, she nodded her head weakly. "Of course I know, Olaf. Just follow me and we'll be back in Arendelle before you can say snowman."
Elsa gathered up her dress, holding her head high, she and Olaf left the safety of the shadows of the park, and took their first steps into the city of New York.
They made their way through the crowds of people, awkwardly avoiding bumping into anyone. After about twenty minutes of endless walking Olaf pulled on Elsa's dress to get her attention.
"Elsa I think we already came this way."
"No we haven't" Elsa said, shaking her head.
"We're going in circles, aren't we?"
"No, saying were going in circles is implying that I don't know where we're going" Elsa said, turning a corner.
Olaf didn't buy it. He was pretty sure that they had walked this way before. "We're lost. Just ask for directions," Olaf shrugged.
Elsa stopped walking and placed her hands on her hips. "We are not lost."
"Are to!"
"Are not!"
"Are to!"
Elsa blew a stay bang out of her face, pushing it back and freezing it into place. "Fine, I admit I may be a little misguided in-"
"You mean lost?"
"Fine" Elsa snapped, somewhat impatiently. "We're lost. I'll ask that gentleman over there where we are."
Elsa approached the middle-aged, smartly attired man. He stood at the corner of the street and with the impatient way he kept looking around and sighing, Elsa assumed he was waiting for someone. With a polite smile she approached him, giving him a small curtseys. "Hello. I am Queen Elsa of Arendelle and I was wondering kind Sir if you could please tell me where we are? It is up most importance that I get back to my kingdom."
She waited for his response, but the man simply stood there, checking his watch and tapping his foot impatiently off the ground. "Where is she? She should have been here half an hour ago" the man muttered.
Elsa frowned. "Excuse me, Sir?"
Again he ignored her.
"Sir?" Elsa moved forward, standing directly in front of him and waving her hand to gain his attention, but he stared blankly on ahead... almost as though... almost as though he couldn't see her.
Cautiously, she reached out to touch his shoulder... and her hand went straight through him!
Elsa let out a horrified gasp, jumping backwards. She fell into a middle-aged woman, passing straight through her. As she did so an unusual tingling sensation of prickles tingled all over her body for a brief moment, creating an uneasy churn in her stomach, before disappearing.
Elsa looked at the women as she hugged the man, offering him a nervous excuse for being late before the two linked arms and strolled off.
"What just happened there?" Elsa whispered, staring at her hand in shock. "They... they couldn't see me."
Swirling around she reached for the closest person. "Excuse me Madam but can you-"
Again... she went straight through them.
"Olaf... no one can hear me... no one can see me... what's... what's happening?" Elsa whimpered, her hands nervously fidgeting with her dress.
Another person walked straight through her, sending that same tingly feeling coursing through her. Elsa let out a cry, confused and upset, she did what she always did... she ran.
"Elsa!" Olaf cried, waving his arms in the air frantically.
But his cried fell on death ears. He chased after her, panting rapidly as his breath began to leave him. "Elsa! Please wait up!"
It was no use. She was gone. Lost in the flocks of people that had just left a nearby theatre and had gathered outside, chatting and gossiping to one another, blatantly unaware of the little snowman scurrying between their legs to reach his queen. After a few moments of struggling, he managed to squeeze his way out from the crowd and onto a more empty part of the street. With a sigh he stopped running, leaning over and sucking in as much air as he could.
"Hello there! Do you like summer?" a cheery voice asked, causing Olaf to look around.
He came face to face with a dozen TV sets in a store window. On the screens were the image of smartly dressed man in a business suit, a winning hundred watt smile on his face.
"I like summer!" Olaf grinned, putting his stick hands against the glass of the shop window.
"Well then have I got a deal for you!"
Elsa made her way into an alleyway, her arms wrapped comfortingly around her torso. Why hadn't anyone been able to see her? It was as if she was invisible. As if she wasn't there. Like a spirit or phantom, unseen and unheard. Transparent to all.
The strange occurrence had startled her, far greater than anything that had happened thus far tonight. It left a queasy, unsettling feeling within her.
Perhaps she was under some sort of curse? After the day she had already had, what with vortexes and flying boys, curses seemed a pretty feasible explanation. It wasn't like she was unfamiliar with curses and magic anyways.
It was a horrible feeling though. Having no one being able to see her. And it had frightened her. Granted she was use to it. All those years she spend in isolation and solitude had made her almost immune to the pain it caused. But just there... when those people couldn't see her. It wasn't like before, before they could see her if she had so chosen to leave the safety of her room, but this time they literally could not see her. Not even if she wanted them to. It really was like she was some sort of spirit... but she wasn't a spirit. Spirits were dead. She was alive... wasn't she?
Shaking her head, she decided not to dwell on it. She had to deal with one thing at a time. Baby steps. Deal with every problem one at a time. Trying to deal with everything at once would just overwhelm her. First she would get back to Arendelle, then she would go straight to Pabbie, pray that he could see her, and help her lift whatever spell she was under.
"Oh Olaf, I wish I knew what was going on" Elsa said quietly, the utter confusion of everything weighting down on her, taking it's toll.
Silence was her answer.
Elsa frowned, turning to look for her faithful companion. "Olaf?"
He had been right behind her the whole time... hadn't he? So where-
"You look a little lost" a cringingly familiar voice called out, causing Elsa to let out a groan, all of her previous thoughts gone in a blink. Apparently the young man had gotten free and found her far more quickly than she had anticipated. But then again there were so many people around, despite the hour, so it wasn't too surprizing that someone had found him quite quickly and released him.
'I'm more than a little lost' Elsa thought irritably, tuning around. 'But then again, who's fault is that?'
"Can't you just leave me be?" Elsa muttered.
Looking up, Elsa found Jack walking with casual perfect grace and balance along the electrical wires connecting the street lamps. He had his staff thrown over both shoulders, his arms draped lazily over it. He looked down at her, a smirk twinkling in his eyes.
"Nope" Jack grinned, his eyes watching her curiously. "I just wanted to ask you a few questions."
"Did you not hear what I said before? If you had just stayed put and hadn't pursued me then I would clear you of any wrong doings. You realize you are forcing my hand?" Elsa said, letting go of the bottom of her dress and allowing it to fall to the ground, freeing up her hands should she need them.
"Oh I heard you loud and clear, but I elected to ignore your generous offer. After all, I haven't done anything wrong" Jack replied.
Elsa scoffed, crossing her arms. "And kidnapping someone is something you don't consider wrong in the slightest?"
"For the last time, I didn't kidnap you" Jack sighed, rolling his eyes.
Elsa muttered her disbelief under her breath. So he was still presenting on playing innocent? Fine. Let him.
"If I answer your questions will you leave me alone?" Elsa sighed, running a hand down her still wet braid agitatedly.
She didn't have time to deal with this stranger, and his insistent denial of his role in her kidnapping, She had to get back to Arendelle, the gods only know how worried Anna and her kingdom would be in her absence. She didn't know how long Anna would be able to keep everything in check either. There was so much to do and Anna had never had any experience with the duties that came with being ruler.
Elsa recalled the time when she had been called upon to take up the role that her parents had once occupied. Before she was crowned queen she was given the role of official ruler of Arendelle, until the time came when she would ascend to the throne when she was of age.
It had been overwhelming, the responsibilities and choices that had to made, choices that effected not only her but every single life of the people in her lands. It was frightful beyond belief.
Everything had a domino effect. If she made a well thought out, correct choice then everything went relatively smoothly, with some minor bumps and hitches on the road. But if she made a wrong, ill-thought out hasty decision then the backlash was terrible.
Her people suffered as a result of those bad choices.
And guilt would plague her even after she had corrected the situation whatever it made be. The knowledge that she had failed would always loom over her, haunting her, constantly reminding her that she was human and as such could easily overlook something and make an error.
Having those constant fears and anxieties was not a fate she wished for Anna.
Not yet.
Not until she was ready.
"I might" Jack said enigmatically as he shrugged.
Elsa leg out another groan at the reply. She was in no mood for cryptic messages, simply straight to the point answers would suffice. "That's not an answer."
"It is an answer" Jack replied with a smirk. "Just not the one you were wanting. But hey, beggars can't be choosers."
Her annoyance brought on a reaction in her powers. Both remained oblivious to the ice slowly creeping along the power lines, freezing them over.
"Can you just give me a straight answer. Will you or will you not leave me alone after I tell you what you want to hear?"
Granted, she may not even tell him all he wished to hear. It just depended on whether or not she decided if the information could be of tactile use to an enemy.
Jack faux pondered this for a second. "Afraid that's a promise I'm not willing to-"
The ice which had spread across and wrapped itself across the wire suddenly cracked. Jack noticed this and barely let out a gasp as they suddenly shattered, sparks of electricity lighting up the dark alleyway in bright flashes of blue.
Elsa gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Had she caused that? She hadn't meant to do that! She watched in horror as he boy fell and crashed onto the ground, his staff clattering down beside him. The wires continued to spark madly for a few more seconds before dying down, every so often a freak flare of electricity sparking from them.
Gathering the bottom of her dress to prevent herself from tripping, Elsa ran over to were the boy lay motionless and knelt beside him.
"I'm so sorry! Are you alright? Oh please be alright!" Elsa said, her voice writhe with panic. Timidly she reached out for Jack's hand to check his pulse. Her heart skipped a beat.
He didn't have one.
"No please! Please be alive, please!" Elsa cried, fear clutching at her heart like a leech, draining her of all calm and control. She put her cold hand to the boys head, her other hand checking for a pulse at his neck. Again... nothing.
"No! Please!" Elsa grabbed the boy by the shoulders and shook him, desperately trying to wake him.
She hadn't meant for this to happen! She didn't mean to hurt him! She had hurt people before, never intentionally but she had hurt them none the less, and it always followed her like a phantom, a constant reminder of what she was capable of should she lose it.
Ice spiraled around the pair, making intricate designs as it trialed its way along the ground and up the nearby buildings, freezing the window and coating the inside in condensation.
"Please don't be dead! Please!" Elsa cried, tears slipping from her eyes.
The boy looked so young, he had his whole life ahead of him. If she had really... if she had... she couldn't even bring herself to think it. But if she had... killed him... then she would never forgive herself for it. He didn't deserve this, enemy or not.
"Please!" Elsa buried her face in her hands, sobbing viciously.
"Sorry, but a little late for that" Jack said as he sat up, rubbing his head.
Elsa's tears stopped instantly, her hands falling to her knees and her eyes locking onto the boy. "You're..." she whispered.
"Alive?" Jack finished for her. "Not quite, but close enough. You know, I'm starting to get the impression that you don't like me very much."
Elsa sat there numbly for a few seconds, the unbearable weight of dread and fear lifting from her, allowing her to breathe again. "I'd be lying if I said I was overly fond of you" she said tonelessly, her senses still stitching together.
Jack brought a knee up into his chest, resting his elbow on it and his chin in his hand. "Well if you ever get the chance to know me, I'm sure I could change that opinion" Jack smiled playfully.
He noticed the ice all around them, and how the alleyway had been turned into a land of ice and snow. "So your powers, they're effected by your emotions, huh?"
Elsa nodded, her eyes adverting to the ground. "I'm... I'm still learning to control them. Sometimes when I..."
She didn't know who this person was. Why should she open up to him? She didn't trust him, for all she knew he could just be trying to get her to open up to use any information she gave against her. She would not let that happened. Trust was earned. Not given.
She wouldn't be fooled again.
Elsa sobered up, a blank icy expression masking her face. "Let me tell you that I am dangerous when need be. I have asked you to leave me alone, and I would appreciate it if you did. I have already hurt you twice, so please... just leave me alone. I fear next time you may not be so fortunate."
With her threat spoken, Elsa started to leave but Jack caught her wrist, keeping her from standing up.
"Wait, please" Jack said, "Just hear me out."
Elsa's eyes fell to where his hand touched her wrist. Despite having significantly calmed down, ice was still forming around them and snow was still falling lightly. If anyone else had touched her in this state ice would usually spread to their skin.
And yet... his hadn't.
How strange.
"I'm... I'm listening" Elsa said, her eyes traveling up the boy's arm to meet his eyes.
"I'm sorry about earlier. We didn't exactly get off on the right foot."
"An understatement if I ever heard one" Elsa said with a roll of her eyes.
"Lets start over" Jack said, raising to his feet and pulling Elsa up with him. He released her hand and took a step back, then gave a little bow. "My name is Jack Frost. And who might you be my fair lady?"
Elsa couldn't help the smile that threatened to break over her indifferent masquerade, she could feel it tugging at the corner of her lips. She wouldn't let the boy see it however, after all, he wasn't exactly in her good books after the stunt he pulled early. And he could still be a spy, his attempts at civility a mere mask to earn her trust.
"I'm Elsa, Queen of Arendelle" Elsa said politely, curtsying.
Although she still doubted his true identity and purpose, she decided to just go with it and hear the boy out. She supposed she owed him at the very least that after having nearly killed him and he was, regrettably, her only possible hope of figuring out what was going on and how to return home. If he was a spy, then maybe he would slip up and reveal some information that could help her.
Jack blinked. "Queen?"
Elsa nodded. "And I believe you're already acquainted with my friend, Olaf" Elsa said. "Although I seem to have lost him."
"Don't worry, he's probably fine. He'll be around here somewhere. We can go look for him if you want and while we do you can answer some of my questions" Jack said, offering her his hand.
Elsa looked at his hand. "And then I suppose you wish to take me to the North pole after we find Olaf?"
"As I said to your snowman, I have a friend up there that we go to. I don't know how you got here, but I promise I'll do everything within my power to help you" Jack said, taking a step closer, his hand still outstretched.
Listening to him was one thing. But what he asked for now was trust. Why should she trust him? Trusting a complete stranger had done nothing but prove almost fatal for her sister, what was to make her any different. But what choice did she have? She had no idea where she was, she had lost Olaf, and had no clue as to how to return to Arendelle.
"Why in winters name should I trust you? Surely you can understand my hesitation in doing so?" Elsa said, tilting her head.
Jack pondered before answering. "You have no reason to trust me." he shrugged, throwing the staff over his shoulder. "I haven't exactly been the more chivalrous or noblest of rescuers, and I admit I may have been a bit brash in letting you fall into the pond-"
"Oh, letting me drop into the pond. Curious choice of words."
Jack let out a small nervous chuckle. "Yeah. Not my most mature moment. But please, let me make it up to you. Whether or not you believe that I'm Jack Frost, trust that I do have a friend who may be able to provide some answers for you. From what I gathered from Frosty, falling out of the sky isn't normal from where you come, huh?"
Elsa nodded.
"Or at the very least he can give me directions that will help me take you take you back to... Arendelle was it?"
Elsa nodded again, silently twisting her hands together.
"He's pretty familial with everywhere, and when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere. If anyone knows where this land of yours is it'll be him. Please, just, trust me" he said, once again putting out his hand.
Hesitantly, Elsa's hand reached out to his, hovering above it for a few seconds.
"And if you think I'm trying to pull wool over your eyes all you have to do if use your powers to freeze me and vola. Popsicle. I wont be a threat to you, or your friend."
It was a bit of a lie on Jack's part. She couldn't freeze him even if she wanted to. But she didn't have to know that right now. Though somewhere at the back of his mind the thought that when she did discover that little nugget of information he would be in for a world of pain for having kept it from her.
Unaware of this information, Elsa made a decision and placed her hand in his.
Jack smiled, pulling her closer, and using his other hand brought Elsa's other arm over his shoulder. "Hold on tight."
"Wait! What?" Elsa blinked.
Jack scooped her up in his arms, one arm under her knees and the other supporting her back. Instinctively Elsa wrapped both arms around his neck, her eyes widening as she realized what he was about to do.
"Oh please don't! I prefer my feet on the ground. Surely there is another-"
Elsa let out a scream as Jack pushed off the ground, sending the two soaring high up into the air.
"Don't worry, I promise I'll never let you fall again" Jack winked.
(A/N) To clear some things up. The star sent Elsa to the future. All the events thus far that have taken place in Arendelle are of the past and all the ones that take place elsewhere (i.e all the ones with Jack Frost) in them are of the future.
So, a few things I'll need to address soon. Why could no one see, hear or feel Elsa? Is she a spirit? Did the star do this to her? When Anna was with the trolls who was the dark figure lurking, Pitch? If so what is his plans? What will happen when Elsa and Jack find Olaf and go to the North Pole? Note to remember Elsa doesn't know she is in the future and Jack doesn't know she is from the past. Also, Elsa doesn't know of Jack's powers yet, so what will Elsa do when she finds out. If she finds out and how will she find out? xx Any questions feel free to ask, forgive me for things getting complicated, my heads starting to spin trying to keep everything in order lol xx
Anyways, thank you for taking the time to read this. Now, time to answer some lovely reviews! xx
glee131313: Thank for the review. I am so sorry for how long it took to update!
Number66: I'm glad you liked it! Pitch has some pretty sinister plans in store for our beloved princess and queen of Arendelle!
Kagirinai-Eternal: He can be such a trouble maker lol ^_^ But that's why we love him!
Guest: Thank you! Glad u like it!
PriscilaOrglene: Dwaa thank you!
Matsuoka Shina: I'm really happy you like it!
Lana P: I'm really glad u like my story. I hope I didn't disappoint u with this chapter xx
Merida37: I adore them! They are adorable!
Miss Anly: Thank you! I'm really happy ur enjoying it! Sorry for how long it took me to update! xx
Starshinesoldier: Thank you for your lovely review! :D And yes and no. I hoped this chapter explained a bit. They are in the same world, or universe. Just different times. That's why Pitch was there. It's past Pitch, rather than the present day one who we'll meet soon xx
Guest: I shall do! xx
Kid: (Blushes) Thank you! I'm so happy ur enjoying it! xxx
Hikarru: Teehee. Here is ur next chapter, mon ami ^_^ I hope u liked it! xx
Panthermonspartner: ^_^ xx
AffyRainbws: Not at all ^_- I was hoping people would find it funny... though I doubt that Elsa will agree with me lol xx
Tanoshii Shurui: Dwaaaa thank you xxxx
Byoken: Thank you! Sorry for the long wait till this chapter xx
Jelsarific: Aww thank you! (throws airhug!)
lovecomyes17: Thank you! I'm glad ur enjoying the story xxxx
amybawesome: Here is ur update, my friend! I hope u enjoyed it and that I didn't disappoint. xx
thegirlwiththecursedblade: Here you go :D I hope u liked it! (Takes cake and cherry and runs away with it!)
KarmaDash: I'm glad! ^_^
Guest: Thank you! Here is ur update ^_^ Sorry for how long it took xx
fatteehee: Hopefully it shall continue to do so ^_^ xx
moon 72: I'm glad u like it ^_^ xx
Littlefox109: Personally I feel I let Jack off the hook far to easy to be honest. Plenty of opportunities for Elsa to wipe away his smugness still to come though xx
montclaire06: I'm glad u enjoying it. Here is ur update! xx
: Oh gosh I'm like that to! I get really emotionally invested in stories! The feels some of them give me though! I'm sorry for how long it took to update xx
Lavenian: Thank you for taking the time to read one of my stories :) It means a lot to me xx And ur jelsa stories are awesome I'll have you know! I love em and I highly recommend them to any Jelsa shipper out there!
