A/N: yes I'm writing this apologize for the wait. I have several reasons. 1- I am very lazy and rarely motivated 2- A lot of personal stuff is happening here back on earth and not in this world of fanfiction. 3- I'm in highschool (if you didn't already know) and on top of that, I'm getting a job soon so yeah. It's been kinda hectic. I'm sorry. I'll try not to be so disappointing next time.
ALSO: in this AU Anna has green eyes. It's much more common and genetically possible for gingers to have green eyes than blue. Science, guys. Plus she's totally a green-eyed girl. Also, apparently the ROTG wiki has named Jack's sister 'Flee' (kinda stupid to me) but since this is new information, her name in this story is still her voice actress's name- Olivia. ANyway...
Elsa
I sneak back around the castle, and since the night has fallen no one can really see me. I tip toe around into the court yard, avoiding guards at all costs. I reach the door way. The towering, giant wooden doors that lock me in my cell. For such a beautiful craftsmanship, I despise them.
A guard standing at the door calls at me, demanding why I dare enter this hell house. He called it the grand castle or some other thick lie, but he doesn't know what it's like to live there. I lift off my hood, revealing my face.
"So?! Get out!" He grunts. "No disgusting lower class is allowed here."
"Good thing I'm your future queen." I smile cunningly. A rage boiling inside me, burning against this man I don't know. How dare he.
"Oh, Miss, I'm- I'm so sorry I-" He stutters. Stupid man.
"No, you're not sorry. 'Lower class' means nothing but an amount of living. It has no value of character or determination in your impact." I begin, but he's rude enough to cut me off before I can finish demeaning him.
"Miss, I understand, I- I just thought- you were a-"
"No. I want you out of my castle. If you don't see the lower class as people, then I don't want you representing our ruling." I smile to myself slightly. "Now, let me in my castle."
He begins begging and pleading, but it's irritating and annoying.
"Just open the door!" I shout. I try to calm myself quickly, though. I can't let loose. Not here, not now. Maybe not ever.
He opens the door, and I walk in. I follow the elaborate halls and rooms, finding the route up the stairs and to my room. As I slowly turn the nob, trying to be extremely discrete, I can tell someone is behind me, so I turn my head.
"Elsa, what are you doing out at this hour?" It's my father. The gate keeper to the prison.
"I- I just went to get some water. All done, time to sleep now." I rush into my room, shutting the door.
I kneel down, peering through the key hole. His face doesn't looked convinced about my alibi. Whatever, he'll be so busy he won't even remember about me tomorrow. That's why it'll be so easy to have a full meal without any of the fellow prisoners and gate keeper.
Sleep was impossible last night, but when is it not? As soon as the sun hits my sheets, I race up and prepare myself for the day. I still have plenty of time, but I have a lot to do. I need to assemble the meal, and figure out where to hold it and where everyone else related to me will be, and I have to make sure I don't look like a wreck. Ugh, so much to do. I feel sick.
I rush on a simplistic gown; dark purple in general, and black sleeves. It exposes my collar bones, but I'd rather expose some of myself then be caged behind cloth. I can choose what I want to wear. The dress fades into black at the bottom, but a soft pink belt-type fabric compliments the dark colors and compliments my form, even though there's not much to compliment.
Slipping on some matching pink-ish slippers, I practically fall out of my room, where the gate keeper is waiting.
"Elsa, why are you out of your room?" He demands.
"Just getting some fresh air. I can't just sit in my room forever- plus I need to learn more about the palace if I'm going to be queen." I use the most responsible voice I can. Hopefully I'm convincing enough.
"You take the crown once your mother and I are deceased. That won't happen for a long time I suspect, so go back to your room and work on your issue." By issue, I'm assuming he means my curse of ice.
"A queen must always be prepared. I know it's unlikely, but wouldn't it seem disgraceful if a new queen arose and she didn't know anything about the kingdom?" I challenge.
"Fine, roam around. But I want a detailed report of where you go and when you go at the end of the day. I'll be in meetings all day, along with your mother. Maybe take Anna with you?" Though he's like the dictator of this home, he's still a father of two girls. He cares, but he is just terrible at showing it.
"Yes sir." I sigh, but I have no intention of involving Anna, until she falls out of her room right beside my with a giddy grin on her face.
"A castle tour with Elsa! I'm ready, let's go." She smiling, obviously out of composure. She must have been listening for a while, since she's dressed and her hair is in a tight bun.
I internally scream as my father gives me a stupid grin. Ugh, this is not working. He walks away, holding his stupid smile. Anna looks at me with wide eyes and such anticipation. I can't believe I have to let her down for some stupid boy. Ugh, this is not going to be a fun day.
"Sooooo where first?" Anna practically vibrated with anticipation.
"um... the dinning room? The secluded one, with stained windows but not where we usually eat." I begin walking as she skips beside me, buzzing with excitement.
"Why there? I'm not apposing it- I'm just curious." She seems almost nervous to ask why.
"Beeccaauusseee it's the most beautiful, so I've heard." I shrug. I have to tell her eventually, or figure out something. There will be best, since my father will be in his meeting long gone by that time and can't spy on me.
"Oh okay." she smiles, following me down the halls decorated with pictures and fancy, useless objects. When I'm queen, I'll never have such stupid stuff around my castle.
We enter the dining room which is lit by beautiful colors echoing colors and sun rays. We both awe in wonder of the sight.
"I see why you choose here; it's a-maze-ing." Anna wows.
"Yeah, perfect for today" I say to myself, quickly realizing my mistake.
"What's today?" She inquires.
"Nothing!"
"Please tell me?" She begged.
"ugh fine, but do you promise not to tell anyone?" I lean close to her, preparing to whisper.
"I won't I wont'!" She nods her head vigorously.
"Okay.." I begin lowering my voice to a whisper. "I kind of snuck out yesterday. Just for a few hours to see the city, and while I was out I- well... I met someone who needs food and medical attention. And um... I invited him for dinner. He agreed to get medical help if I fed his family well. He needs some help. But you can't tell anyone, alright? He'll be here around noon, and I need a minimal staff team and a doctor, all who can keep their mouth shut to mom and dad. You want to help?"
"Of course!" She squeals. "I know exactly who we can trust and won't tell, but Elsa, why does he need help?"
"He... um... he accidentally hurt himself. It's not bad, I just want to try and help him out. He's a stupid boy who needs it." I roll my eyes.
"Do you like him?" she smiles.
"What? No!"
"Yes you do!" She teases.
"No I couldn't! He's the rudest, most immature, prideful stuck up idiot I've ever met! He's dumb and I'm doing this because his family is very nice. They need it too." I defend myself. Me, like Jack? EW.
"Okay, whatever Elsa. When do you want me to get the cook staff people?" She asked.
"As soon as possible." I respond. As she begins to exit for her duty, I ask her something. "Hey, Anna... how do you know who won't tell on us?"
"Well, when you spend so many years alone, the maids were my only friends. I'm not exactly stable when it comes to playing safe, and several servants helped me clean up the mess before anyone could figure out. I guess I'm good at dealing with what I've got- which was maids and servants. Some of which are hilarious, by the way." She says, smiling at her memories.
Memories I didn't participate in.
"Oh, okay. Go get that special team. We're going to need them." I smile, sending her off to find those servants.
Although she seems pleasant about everything, every word seemed to stab me. I wasn't there for her. She was so lonely and I was stuck in my room, trying to hide because father said I had too. It's his fault. He locked up this kingdom. He limited the staff. He stole me from Anna, my best friend, and ruined our childhoods. He's the warden of this prison. He's to blame for Anna's tragic memories.
Within 30 minutes, Anna has assembled the perfect team of cooks and servants, and even a doctor. Each seemed to have something in common, but I couldn't figure it out.
"Alrighty, this is very important. Pieta, you're in charge of cooking the best meal this family will ever have. We want them to go home so fat we have to roll them out the door, okay?" Anna begins taking charge, calling each servant by their name.
I guess she really did make friends with them.
"Moana, you're going to be the waitress, okay? Keep offering them food, and we'll probably try to get them to take home a lot of food. Nini, you help Pieta in the the kitchen, she's going to need the help. And Warren, I know you're an excellent doctor. Elsa's bringing someone in who's going to need your help. I don't know when that will happen, but probably after the meal. Just be prepared, and Elsa can give you more information on where to go. Remember everyone, this is a down low kind of thing." Anna continues guiding everyone around. She's an excellent leader.
"Thanks, Anna. You're great." I smile to her.
"Really?" Her bright green eyes glimmer. She really looks up to me. Too bad she looks up to a lousy person.
"Yes, of course! You're the best help. Now, I need to talk to the doctor alone, to give him details about Jack and such." I say. Anna directs me to 'Warren', the doctor.
I tell him my plan. First, feed the crap out of everyone. I don't know if Jack will eat so much as his mother and sister, but I'll try. Then, send Olivia and Emily home to rest. Get Jack to my room, it'll be the most private place for the examination of his back. I need him away from his family because Jack doesn't want them to know how he got the marks. And, if my dad tries to come in, he can't because its my room. So, I tell the doctor to wait in my room and set up a make shift place to examine Jack. Lock the door. I think everything will run smoothly.
Between panics and anxiety filled thoughts, a male maid I didn't catch the name of announces the arrival of Jack and his family. Suddenly I want to vomit. My stomach feels like twelve hundred butteries are fluttering through me. I tell the maid to discretely get them into the dinning room. I sit at the head of the table, fidgeting in nervousness. The three walk in, obviously dressing in their best, which is only clothes that aren't tattered like they wore yesterday.
"Please, sit down." I smile, feeling myself internally dying.
Conceal. Conceal. Feel nothing. Calm down. I tell myself, trying to keep myself from freezing anything. That would be a disaster.
They take their seats, Jack right beside me, and Olivia across from him. His mother sat beside Olivia. Jack slumped, seeming bored, but the two ladies seems very excited.
"I'm so grateful for your aid to us. Can we ever repay you?" Jack's mother offers.
"Oh, it's my pleasure. But, I do have one request. Is it alright is Jack stays after dinner, but you two go on home? It's nothing bad, I just want a doctor to help with the- the um stump injury. Yeah... Also the doctor needs to know exactly what Jack did to my arm for aid so he knows the best wait to heal it." I say, pulling down my sleeve to reveal a wrapping around my left wrist area.
"Yes, anything for the Princess." She smiles.
I smile and say thank you. Then the food comes out, and quickly everyone is eating. Anna is eating, enjoying the food and watching everyone and their nervous tenancies. Jack's mother and sister and trying to eat properly, but I know all they want to do is gorge. At least they don't eat like pigs. Jack is eating, but he's eating little.
"Are you hungry?" I ask Jack, hoping he'll answer well.
He doesn't answer, but continues staring at his food as if it's worthless to him.
"Well?" I say, slightly irritated.
"I- I can't." He says softly, making sure no one else notices. "I can't take this help from you. You shouldn't have to waste your time on me."
"No, I want to help you." I practically beg. I hate begging. I'm a princess, I shouldn't have to beg, but he knows exactly how to make me.
"But I can't repay you. I can't even take care of my own family..." He sighs.
"I know! You can stay after dinner. It gets pretty boring around here, plus it would really make my day if you stayed for a doctor. Honest." I try to smile.
"Fine." He says, playing with his food. I don't know how to get through to him. I guess I see where he's at, though.
"Jack, it's okay, really. I want you to be here." I say, leaning close to him.
He looks at me with his eyes, which I'm noticing are beautiful. They look like the Fjord in the summer, when it's crystal clear and the most stunning shade of that sky blue. When he looks into my eyes, I have a feeling I don't know. I hate it. It's a feeling of nervousness, but I like. I want him to stare at me forever, which is stupid.
He smiles, and I can feel my body melting in on itself. My checks feel warm, and I quickly look away and back at my food. I don't look much at him again, because every time I do I get this weird feeling of warmth and security and nervousness all at the same time and it's awful. Besides, it's probably best I don't do anything that isn't calm otherwise I might her someone again. Like I hurt Anna.
Dinner is finished pretty quickly. It's not long before Olivia and Jack's mother are stuffed. Jack's mother asks Olivia if it's time to go home.
"Good idea." Jack says, getting up.
"Oh no, Jack. You're staying here, going to help Elsa clean this up and go to her doctor." Jack's mother sternly states. Jack doesn't bother to argue.
"Fine." He says.
"Miss Elsa?" Olivia says, walking to be ride beside me as her mother prepares to leave, as a maid is helping her get a basket of food.
"Yes Olivia?"
Before I can fully respond, Olivia hugs me, or my lower body- all that she can reach. She hugs me close, and I don't know how to respond. I haven't really hugged anyone since I was really little. "Thank you. Please come back. Don't leave us like our dad did." Her eyes begin to seem as if they would cry.
I panicked. I don't what to do- how do I comfort her- I didn't know about their dad leaving- frick I want to disappear.
"Don't worry, Olivia. I don't plan on going anywhere, okay?" I smile, putting one arm around her small body.
"Olivia, let's go." Her mother said, rushing her out. "I'm sorry, she doesn't have much friends, I didn't for her-"
"It's okay, really. Take care of yourselves, please?" I request.
"We will. Thank you so much." She smiles in a way I recognize. It's the way someone smiles when they haven't smiled in a long time. It's the way someone smiles when they see a small glimmer of hope in such a disastrous world. "Goodbye."
The male maid escorts them out of the castle.
"Wait, can someone go with them home? The night is dangerous. They don't know how to fend for themselves. There's organizations that have been taking people and I- please." Jack turned from the gloomy bored boy to the protective leader of the family. It was impressive.
"Sir, escort them to their home please! And return back quickly. Take a sword if you must." I order, and the maid orders a guard to go with him, and they escort the two out.
"Thanks." Jack said, avoiding my eye contact.
I smile. "What was that? Didn't hear you there. Did you just thank me?" I tease, letting myself really smile.
"Ya, ya, don't get used to it." He rolls his eyes, smirking slightly.
Sighing in an odd form of happiness and irritation, Jack follows me up to my room. Although I'm almost absolutely positive my parents are preoccupied with their own worlds in which I hardly exist, I won't take much chance. If they catch me- who knows if I'd live through the night.
Jack sits himself on my bed; his long legs danging off but his feet resting along the floor. Waren, the aged doctor with a soft smile and a gentle tone, places a petite bag on the bed. It holds tools and contents I could never explain- a mystery of how this science works. I'm supposed to be studying human anatomy, but the tutor bores me and I have much more interest in doodling away the hours.
I stood awkwardly to the distance as Jack took off his shirt, allowing Waren to properly examine the wounds. Waren said some things, probably useful things, but I was too distracted on Jack. I must admit, his physic was stunning. But I'm just thinking crazy probably. Ew. The doctor proceeds to put some sort of gel on Jack, and Jack grunts, suggesting it stings.
Waren says its supposed to sting a little, since the 'flesh is awfully tender', but I don't know what to do. I feel so out of place, unable to comfort him, but also feeling terribly for his discomfort.
"Can- can I help?" The words barely escape me.
Jacks eyes, full of lost wonder and a distressed spirit, find me. They look at me with empathy, or at least what I suppose is empathy, since it's not exactly common to feel such a way. It's as if his eyes are shouting a million words- words in which I couldn't say in the vernacular.
"Sorry, Princess, but you'll just have to watch. The stinging will go away soon, and I'll wrap him up quickly so he can be on his way to sleep." Waren had a very kind undertone to his presence. He was like a loving grandfather, one who wasn't blindly optimistic, but also kept in mind the importance of a smile.
"okay." I feel terrible.
"Thank you, Elsa." Jack says after trying to conceal his pain.
I smile lightly, but honestly I feel like burying myself alive.
Jack
She stared off into her own world, consumed in something. I don't know what though, but I can only guess it's self-deprecating. I feel disgusted with myself. Here I am, being treated as a human of worth- a lot of worth- and I'm treating her like an enemy. My own selfishness and pride keeps me from appreciating someone whose proven themselves amazing.
God, I'm going to have to do something to make this at least slightly even.
Before I knew it, Waren had finished bandaging me and my wounds. This really means that almost all of my center chest, excluding collar bones and up and belly button and down, was covered in a material much more tan than me. Elsa gave Waren a look, which I can only assume means something I could never understand. Much be a royalty thing.
"Well, in order to maintain proper healing for you, Sir, I must request you come again in a few days, whenever works for you. Also, I will attempt to help minimize the scaring." Waren smiled, heading to the doorway.
"Thank you, Waren. I'll inform you when he'll be returning, so we can do this again." Elsa displayed a great amount of grace and elegance. It was amazing, how composed she could be.
Waren gave a toothy grin, and as he headed out the door, stopped abruptly. A voice I didn't recognize was heard, and judging by Elsa's fearful glance, it wasn't good.
"Oh, Sire! You startled me." Waren laughed loudly, as if to warn us or something. "Just tending to the princess! Must keep her in the best of health, correct?"
Before I could process exactly what was going on, Elsa was pushing me into a closet. Through a hushed whisper I could only tell a few words like, 'go' and 'be quiet'. Now, all I could do was watch the slit between the doors. Though the opening was very thin, I could see Elsa's eyes watching mine. But, they turned to to doorway when that voice continued in.
"Fa-father!" Elsa stammered.
"Where have you been?" His voice was harsh, not very loving.
"In the castle." It was fascinating just how quickly she could collect herself.
"Was he here for that?" I can only assume Elsa's 'father' pointed to her bandaged wrist.
"Yes. I hurt myself this morning." for some reason, her voice seemed to poke me. It nagged with a sense of an unsafe feeling.
"Do you know why we keep you here, Elsa?" Again, his voice didn't seem to sympathetic or caring or anything human, really.
"To keep me safe from myself... I know." And as quickly as she composed herself, her voice fell into shattered pieces.
"And you know if you ever left, they would all know you're secret, right?" His controlling voice unnerved me.
"Y-yes." Her voice seemed so terrified and hurt... and suddenly I cared. I really shouldn't, though. It's useless to care.
"Then why did you go!"
"I didn't!" She pleased with his temper.
"Don't lie, Elsa!" He shouted, and it even shook at me.
"I'm- I'm sorry! I just couldn't breathe here!" She cried aloud, and her voice begged to be heard. But he didn't seem like the listening kind of father.
"How dare you! After all we've done for you!"
"Ple-please! I just couldn't- It was so much- I- I'm sorry!"
"No, you're not! You will not leave this room tomorrow! And the next day, and forever! You cannot control your power, so you cannot leave this castle!"
An anger swelled inside me against her father. I wish I could go help her, but my finding will make it worse. So, I have to sit in this closet bigger than my room, and watch. Watch, and feel useless.
"Yes... yes sir." Her voice cracked slightly, and I knew she was on the verge of tears. I've heard that crack too many times from my mother to know it brings tears.
"Don't you ever leave again." And with his voice ending, a loud slam against a door suggested he left, but I didn't dare test my luck.
However, it was the wheezing sound that alerted he was gone. It was the sound someone makes when they desperately are trying to stay together while they are helplessly falling apart. I took one step, exiting that prison of clothes and luxuries I'd never dream to have.
It was when I exited that I noticed the air seeming chillier. And I saw her, shrunken into a corner, her arms hugging herself, trying to keep herself in one piece.
"Are you okay?" well that was stupid to ask- of course she's not! I'm so stupid.
A few wobbles and sniffles later, she nodded. Funny, I've seen my mother cry so many times and handled it well, but now- now I feel so out of my wits.
"Well- he sure is bossy, with that whole 'you-have-to-stay-inside' deal, huh?" I try to smile, attempting to from a joke from the whole situation.
"He just wants to protect me." Her harsh reply showed humor played no role in this setting.
"From what?"
"From myself. You don't know what I can-" She paused, as if the words in her mind were shuffling, trying to find their order. "You don't know me"
"I know a little about you." I offered, but she didn't look at me.
She simply placed herself up on two feet, and faulted back into sitting on the edge of the bed. In a way I could never dare to explain, she was distant. Her eyes no longer lead to her soul. Her heart clammed up, shutting anything out.
"Oh, c'mon! I know plenty things about you. I know that you're... kind, and sweet... and gentle and warm-" at this she scoffed. "But you are, you just don't know it. I've- I've been roaming those streets out there since I could open my eyes. Not once had anyone stopped to help me. Not once, and then here comes this- this mysterious person I'd never seen before- and I know the face of everyone, either they've scolded me, I've stolen from them, or a combination of both."
Her eyes trailed the room and found me, but I don't think she was really looking at me like I was genuine. I tried to smile the best, most convincing way I could without overdoing it.
"Elsa- I don't really know you, and if it was up to me, I wish I'd known you sooner, but I've only known you a few sunsets and already I know you're simply wonderful." My terrible ability to communicate feelings really wasn't helping me here.
"Thanks Jack, but I'm just spoiled like everyone must be saying. Even my own father knows I can't just be that good little princess the kingdom needs." Each word carried burdens I began to long to lift off her shoulders. God, she's strong in so many ways.
"Elsa, you're not spoiled. He doesn't know what he's talking about- you could never need to protect anyone from you. I think you're fantastic, and if you kept yourself here, I don't know if my family could ever be so happy as they were today."
"No, you don't know me. You don't know why I have to protect the world from me." From calm disappointment in herself, her mood shifted to concerned fear.
"What could be so bad about you? You just fed my family- something I can't-... something they don't get a lot. And you've done a hell of a lot for me."
"Jack... you don't know me-"
"I have to know you to know you're wonderful. Don't listen to him, your- your father. He doesn't know how amazing his daughter is." I could feel the heat fighting at my temper against him and compassion for her.
"Guess the royal family isn't as perfect as we all seem." She spat. I don't know what she means that I don't know her; that she has to protect the world from her- probably some mentality she's got where she's a terrible person, but she's not.
"You're pretty perfect to me." And the words keep falling, getting sappier and sappier, but truer and truer.
"Just wait until you get to know me. You'll learn how perfection is a lie."
"You know what you need? A break from here. I bet it's the castle walls that try to attack you. You could get away for a day or too. It might clear your head."
"And that worked so well last time..." She sarcastically remarks, crossing her arms.
"Hey, you met me, and I'm the king of having fun. Let me take you away from here for a day- I'll make the day so fun you'll quit and be a poor peasant like me!" I teased, earning a small laugh from the princess.
"Okay, I guess- if my father would ever lead up. He can't know, so I can't go anyway." Her words said no, but her tone begged yes, plus a smile hung from her face.
"Your looking at Arendelle's most notorious thief- I can get you out for a day." I smugly smiled. "C'mon, I know you want to. I bet this castle smells bad anyway."
"Fine, only if it'll get you to shut up about how I should go." She laughed saying this. "But give me a few days, I can't get to suspicious. I'm not looking to be as popular as you."
"Hey- I'm the talk of the town."
"Yeah, you probably will be after the past two day's actions." She sighed.
"Elsa- look, it'll be okay."
"Not if the town knows anything. They'll spread so many rumors about my mischief, and I'll be the worst princess ever."
"Hey- mischief is fun. I'll show you, okay? Just wait and see."